Skip to main

Creative Media Practice (Games Development)

BTEC Extended Diploma, Level 3

Apply Enquire today
Student using a tablet to create models for a game

Course Length

2 years (1 year diploma, plus 1 year top-up extended diploma)

Course Cost

No fee (16-18)

Start Date

06/09/2027

Course Information

Develop the skills you need to enter the exciting games industry with our BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media Practice (Games Development) at Harrogate College.

This two-year, full-time course—equivalent to three A Levels—is designed for students who want to break into this fast-growing sector. You’ll build creative, technical, and problem-solving skills for a range of roles, including:

  • Concept Artist
  • Game Artist (2D/3D)
  • Game Designer
  • Level Designer
  • Programmer
  • Sound Designer
  • QA Tester

You will develop a strong understanding of professional game production pipelines through practical, hands-on projects, using industry-standard tools and workflows. Throughout the course, you will build a high-quality games portfolio while exploring key areas such as:

  • Concept Art and Character Design
  • Pixel Art and 2D Game Assets
  • 3D Modelling and Environment Creation
  • Game Design and Level Building
  • Game Engines (Unreal Engine and Unity)
  • Programming in C++ and C#
  • Sound Design for Games

At the end of your first year, you will have the opportunity to choose a specialist pathway, allowing you to focus your portfolio on your main area of interest.

Course code: 89745-01

  • Who is this course for?

    This course is ideal for creative and motivated students aged 16+ who are passionate about video games and want to turn that interest into a future career. It suits those who enjoy a mix of art, design, and technology—whether you’re interested in creating characters, building game worlds, designing gameplay, or learning programming. You don’t need prior experience, but a willingness to experiment, solve problems, and work on practical projects is essential. It’s particularly well suited to students who prefer hands-on learning and want to build a strong portfolio for progression into university, apprenticeships, or entry-level roles in the games and digital industries.

  • Units and Modules

    The qualification is structured around four main units that mirror industry practice:

    • A1: Skills Development - You will explore the fundamentals of games development, learning key skills across art, design, engines and programming. This unit helps you build a strong foundation in multiple disciplines before choosing a specialism.
    • A2: Creative Project - You will apply your developing skills to a self-directed games project, responding to a brief and taking an idea from concept through to a playable outcome or portfolio-ready development piece.
    • B1: Personal Progression - You will explore a wide range of progression opportunities within the games industry and develop specialist materials such as portfolios, development blogs, CVs and personal career plans.
    • B2: Creative Industry Response - In your final unit, you will respond to an industry-style brief, working collaboratively to plan, develop and present a professional games outcome, such as a vertical slice of an original game project.
  • Benefits and Skills

    Harrogate College is an exciting place to develop your creative and technical games skills, with access to specialist digital facilities and support to progress into the games industry or higher education.

    Throughout the course, you will develop essential technical and creative skills valued by universities and employers, including:

    • Experience using Unreal Engine and Unity
    • Strong foundations in game art, modelling and design
    • Programming and problem-solving skills using C++ and C#
    • Understanding of professional development pipelines
    • Teamwork, communication and collaboration skills
    • Project planning, production and presentation skills
    • Building a professional games portfolio for progression

    You will also gain real-world experience through industry links, live briefs and progression support.

  • Entry Requirements
    4 GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English or Maths. Applicants will be invited to attend an interview and complete a short creative task. A portfolio is welcome but not essential.
  • Careers and Progression

    This qualification provides excellent progression routes into higher education, apprenticeships or employment within the games and digital industries.

    Progression opportunities include:

    • Game Art and Design degrees
    • Computer Games Programming degrees
    • Animation and VFX degrees
    • Apprenticeships in software or digital development
    • Junior roles in game studios and creative tech companies

    Possible careers include:

    • Junior Game Artist
    • Environment Artist
    • QA Tester
    • Gameplay Programmer
    • Level Designer
    • Indie Developer
    • Sound Designer for Games
  • Assessment
    The course is 100% internally set and assessed, focused on project-based learning through practical development work, portfolio building, and industry-style briefs. Students will complete at least 40 hours of work experience as part of the programme.

Jobs in this sector