Creative Media Production (Games Development) HNC

at Stoke-on-Trent College

UCAS code I779

Duration

1 Year

Location

Stoke-on-Trent College

In partnership with Stoke-on-Trent College, we're offering you the chance to pursue a HNC level qualification in Games Development.

The computer games industry is a global business worth billions of dollars a year. With this course, you will understand this world-wide marketplace, along with the multi-national publishers and developers who produce some of the most successful games. You will also gain the skills and attributes to contribute to this global trade through employment in either a studio, academia, or through the production of smaller viral games on mobile platforms.

Through this course, you will become digitally literate and will be able to develop a portfolio of work. The games industry is constantly evolving, and lifelong learning is at the heart of every team member in a development studio. You will develop a set of core-competencies to support your development in:

  • Fundamentals of Games Design
  • The development of Game content, including level design and gameplay design
  • The production, workflow, project and team management of game studios Development
  • Specialist nuances of Game Design and the roles in industry o The language of the Games industry o Understanding events that shape the industry o Understanding the business, marketing and legal issues surrounding the industry

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: HNC Creative Media Production (Games Development)

Course content

During the Level 4 HNC stage of the this HNC course students will study 8 modules that will ground cover the fundamentals of topics such as Games Design, 3D modelling, Animation and Professional Practice. There will also be the opportunity to develop an individual Project.

Best educational institution for games - it's official!

News

University of Staffordshire have rounded off their 20 years of games celebrations with a significant industry win.

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module where available.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Year 1 compulsory modules
3D Modelling 15 credits
Creative Media Industry 15 credits
Game Development Practices 15 credits
Games Design 15 credits
Games In Context 15 credits
Individual Project (Pearson) 15 credits
Principles Of Animation 15 credits
Professional Practice 15 credits

Location

You will study at Stoke-on-Trent College - Cauldon Campus but receive a qualification from Staffordshire University.

Stoke-on-Trent college is the largest provider of further education in Stoke and North Staffordshire, with around 10,000 students each year on full-time and part-time study programmes, apprenticeships, professional qualifications and university-level courses.

Stoke-on-Trent College - Cauldon Campus website
Stoke-on-Trent College - Cauldon Campus logo

Entry requirements

You'll need a minimum of 64 UCAS points. Other combinations of qualifications and experience will also be considered on an individual basis, as will Level 3 qualifications not currently listed on the UCAS tariff.

 

Careers

The award in this programme aims to give graduates the opportunity to gain the skills to advantage them in the Games Industry and develop them as confident well informed and well-rounded individuals.

You'll develop skills that could lead into careers such as Games Design, Level Design, Games Prototyping and Games Production.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

The strategy for teaching is to formally support you in the form of lectures and tutorials. Often a method of combined lecture/ tutorial is used, where lectures are delivered in a lab alongside tutorial style interaction. Concepts are discussed and then techniques demonstrated and attempted. There is a lot of teaching support at this level and “Traditional Lectures” are kept to a minimum.

Learning is primarily achieved during direct contact time with the lecturer. At this Level subject specific skills are learnt in the form of principles and technologies that underpin the subject. Transferable skills in knowledge and understanding are of primary importance at this level to provide a solid foundation for learning at higher levels.

Assessment

This course is 100% coursework delivery, and will consist of reports, practical artefacts, presentations, and demonstrations.

Learning support

You will have access to Two student counsellors, designated HE Mentor, 2 student welfare officers, Learning support team, Careers team.

· Designated HE Administrator

· College opening hours: 8am – 6pm with 2 late evenings at both campuses until 9pm

· Days Monday to Friday

· Students have access to counsellors, designated HE Mentor, 2 student welfare officers,

Learning support team during opening times. There is a duty manager on site during each day and late evening who is accessible to staff and students.

Feedback

Coursework feedback may take a variety of formats. However, as a minimum, written feedback will be made available to all students

Staff

The teaching team for this course is experienced at delivering Computer Games Design programs, with a wealth of industry experience.

Fees

For the course starting on 22 September 2025 the tuition fees are:

Tuition fees for HNC-Full-time
Study option
Full-time

UK and Channel Island students: This tuition fee is agreed subject to UK government policy and parliamentary regulation. If the UK government passes appropriate legislation, the fee for subsequent years of study may increase in each academic year. But this increase will not exceed the rate of inflation as measured by RPIX**. Any change in fees will apply to both new and continuing students. The University will notify students of any change as early as possible. Further information about fee changes would be posted on the University’s website once this becomes available.

**RPIX is a measure of inflation equivalent to all the items in the Retail Price Index (RPI) excluding mortgage interest payments.

Apply

Location Award Study option Start date Apply Link
Stoke-on-Trent College HNC Full-time 22 September 2025 Apply now
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