Games Development Level 5 Higher National Diploma (HND) Full-time

The Higher National Diploma (HND) in Game Development builds on the foundation of learning from level 4 by providing you with a in depth insight to games design. It will develop and strengthen your core skills and prepare you for level 6, or to enter employment, with the qualities necessary for job roles that require some personal responsibility.

You will gain a wide range of games development knowledge linked to practical skills gained through research, independent study, directed study and workplace scenarios. You will be involved in vocational activities that help you to develop behaviours and transferable skills required for this industry. Transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, research and analysis, are highly valued in higher education and in the workplace.

This programme develops you as professional, self-reflecting individual able to meet the demands of employers in the games sector and adapt to a constantly changing world. The qualification aims to widen access to higher education and enhance the career prospects of those who undertake them.

Course content

The Higher National Diploma comprises of two modules:

• Personal Professional Development – This module will develop and enable you to apply contextual knowledge to inform your personal progression in game design. You will also develop and apply professional approaches to creative problem solving to support personal progression.

• Professional Project – This module will give you the opportunity to apply contextual knowledge in game design to inform a response to a professional brief. You will also apply creative problem-solving skills to the development of ideas, proposals and final project outcomes.

A wide range of teaching and learning strategies are utilised across the programme and these are indicated within the relevant modules. This includes the delivery of lectures, practical workshop sessions, technical guidance, case studies, discussion groups and student-led seminars.

During the induction process you will be introduced to study skills, referencing, research skills and the appropriate use of academic language. The College virtual learning environment (VLE), other relevant ICT resources and the internet will be encouraged for use as both study and investigative tools.

You will develop transferable skills through the outlined teaching and learning methods and are encouraged to develop reflective practice through feedback, both summative and formative, student log books and their progress file.

Teaching and Learning methods:

• Lectures

• Discussion groups

• Research- based directed written work

• One to one subject tutorials

• Group tutorials and verbal feedback

• Practical demonstration

• Tutor-led workshops

• Seminars

By the end of your Higher National Diploma, you will have advanced knowledge of the concepts of games design. You will be competent in a range of industry-specific skills as well as in behaviours and qualities relevant to key areas of games development.

Classes are held:

• Wednesday 13.00pm - 16.30pm

• Thursday 9.00am - 16.30pm

• Friday 9.00am - 12.15pm