City College Plymouth

FdA Game Design and Production

Institution code C83
Duration

3 years
Course type

Part-time
Study location City College Plymouth
We are a double Gold award-winning TEF college recognised for excellence in teaching and student achievement. Our supportive higher education community includes small classes, personal tuition, and dedicated, enthusiastic tutors and lecturers, delivering courses designed with employers. We offer higher national certificates (HNCs), foundation degrees and bachelor’s degree top-up courses approved by the University of Plymouth. Our courses combine academic study with the practical skills and attributes needed in the modern workplace.

Course details

  • Year 1

  • Core modules

    CITY1048
    Conceptual Game Design

    CITY1096
    Human Computer Interaction

    CITY1114
    Programming for Games

    An understanding of the general principles and concepts of games programming will allow learners to apply 2D and 3D programming methods used in games.

    CITY1121
    Programming Concepts

    An understanding of the general principles and concepts of programming will allow learners to create simple programs and test applications and produce appropriate documentation for simple applications

  • Year 2

  • Core modules

    CITY1097
    2D and 3D Art for Computer Games

    CITY1113
    Game Narrative and Contextual Play

    An understanding of methods for implementing narrative through the contextualisation of game play and the game environment.

    CITY2125
    Game Engines

    An understanding of methods for implementing narrative through the contextualisation of game play and the game environment

    CITY2166
    Character Design and Dialogue

    Character design and dialogue has a significant impact on the play experience. It can enable player connection, enhance immersion and drive the play journey through investment in character and engagement with game narrative. This module will enable students to understand the impact of strong visual character design and dialogue and to develop and apply specialist industry skill sets necessary to implement these concepts.

  • Final year

  • Core modules

    CITY2045
    Game Production

    CITY2154
    Promotion and Enterprise

    To enable learners to understand the nature of the game industry, in order to identify areas for commercial development. To promote virtual networking, social media and promotion techniques in order to construct their own social networks and structures for the promotion and marketing of own game.

    CITY2157
    Optimising for VR

    The aim of this module is to enable students to port and/or create 3D interactive experiences for VR. It will include an appraisal of 3D Game Engines appropriate to this. An understanding of the practical considerations for VR world creation (e.g. Headset V Dome, perspectives and line of sight) as well as an understanding of associated ethical and legislative responsibilities

    CITY2126
    Sound and Animation

    This module aims to develop a critical understanding of the role of sound and animation in the psychology of video games and immersion of play. Students will learn techniques for creating immersive sounds and music for their video games. Students will learn the principles of animation and rigging of 3D objects for inclusion in video games.

The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.

Fees, costs and funding
As this course is delivered by one of our partner colleges, please contact the college directly for information on fees and funding.

*UK Government announcement on tuition fees

Following an announcement in November, the government has confirmed its intention to increase undergraduate tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year.

Subject to final Parliamentary approval (expected in early March 2025), the tuition fee for UK students is increasing to a maximum of £9,535 from 1 August 2025. This change applies to current and new students at the University of Plymouth. The Student Loans Company (SLC) has confirmed loans for tuition fees will be increased accordingly.

How to apply

For further information and to apply for this course, please contact the college's admissions team directly using the contact details below. 

Progression routes

Completing this course enables you to progress onto these related courses and programmes with the University of Plymouth at level 5 or level 6, as specifically defined by this programme’s progression agreement.

For further information, including the progression from foundation degree form, please visit https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/business-partners/partnerships/academic-partnerships/study-guide/progression-to-honours-degree

Our partnership with City College Plymouth
The University of Plymouth has developed partnerships with institutions around the world with the sole purpose of making higher education more accessible to those people who need something just a little different.

Our Academic Partnerships enable students to enrol for a degree at a partnership institution closer to home, or engage in distance learning – even when they’re in the middle of the ocean. They are there for those people looking to return to education, or enhance their professional development. Full- or part-time; foundation degree to masters-level – we cater for a huge variety of needs and aspirations.

Many of our partners offer specialist degrees, unique facilities, and smaller class sizes at a competitive price. And as a student of two institutions, you get the best of both worlds; a supportive learning environment as part of a close-knit community, and a university-level qualification awarded by the University of Plymouth. You’ll enjoy not only the facilities and services your partnership institution provides, but also all of the additional support and resources you need from us, and you’ll automatically become a member of our Students’ Union, too.

We are continuing to grow the number of partner institutions and expand our academic community to new locations around the UK and overseas. Why not visit the Academic Partnerships page on our website for a full list of partners and for more details on studying with us?

One of our partners delivers this particular course – so please visit their website for full course details, entry requirements, tuition fees and information on what student life is like there. 

Please contact City College Plymouth to apply for this course:

City College Plymouth
Devonport
Plymouth
PL1 5QG

Tel: +441752305300
Email: info@cityplym.ac.uk

Open days

Partner college open days

This course is run at one of our partner colleges. Open days are held at the college and more details of these can be found on the college website. You'll find contact details below, on this page.

University of Plymouth open days

You are also very welcome to attend a University of Plymouth open day, to get a flavour of the courses you can progress to from a partner college. There will however be limited information on this specific course and college.

Studying with City College Plymouth

Just one-and-a-half miles from the University of Plymouth, we’re one of the largest colleges in the South West, with two main sites linked by shuttle buses, with a dynamic Students’ Union and Student Liaison Team.
Plymouth students working on a group project