Level 3
Game and Animation Production, UAL Extended Diploma
Level 3
Game and Animation Production, UAL Extended Diploma
Turn your passion for games, animation, and digital art into a creative career. This industry-focused course will help you develop the artistic, technical, and production skills needed to create immersive worlds, memorable characters, and engaging interactive experiences for the games, film, and animation industries.
Course Overview
The Game and Animation Production UAL Extended Diploma is designed for creative people who want to develop the skills needed to work in one of the world's fastest-growing creative industries. Whether you dream of designing characters, creating cinematic animations, building game environments, or bringing stories to life through digital art, this course will help you build the portfolio and experience needed to take the next step.
Based at Weston College's Creative Arts facilities, you'll work in professional studio environments using high-specification gaming PCs and industry-standard software. You'll be taught by experienced lecturers with industry knowledge who will guide you through the entire creative process, from initial concept development and visual storytelling to 3D modelling, animation, and final production.
Throughout the course, you'll work on exciting individual and collaborative projects that mirror professional creative briefs, helping you develop both your technical expertise and the teamwork, communication, and project management skills valued by employers and universities alike.
As a member of Weston College's Creative Career Excellence Hub, you'll benefit from guest speakers, employer projects, industry visits, creative competitions, and networking opportunities that provide valuable insight into careers across the games, animation, film, and digital media industries.
What will I study?
You'll develop a wide range of creative and technical skills while producing professional-quality digital artwork and animation.
Topics include:
• 2D concept art • Character, creature, and environment design • 3D modelling • Prop creation • Rigging and character animation • Lighting and rendering • Digital painting • Storyboarding • Life drawing • Game design principles • Narrative development • Visual storytelling • Interactive media production
Throughout the course, you'll create an extensive portfolio that showcases your creativity, technical ability, and personal artistic style.
How will I be assessed?
Assessment is entirely coursework based, allowing you to build a professional portfolio throughout the course.
Assessment includes:
• Individual creative projects • Group projects • Digital portfolios • Presentations • Essays and written evaluations • Creative practical work
There are no formal examinations, although strong written communication is important for presenting ideas, documenting your creative process, and evaluating your work.
Additional Information
Throughout your course, you will benefit from:
• Membership of Weston College's Creative Career Excellence Hub • Access to high-specification gaming PCs and industry-standard software • Teaching from experienced creative professionals • Employer-set creative briefs • Guest lectures from industry specialists • Opportunities to exhibit your work • Creative competitions and industry events • Career planning, portfolio development, and university application support
The course is designed to reflect current industry practice, helping you develop both the technical expertise and creative confidence needed for further study or employment within the creative industries.
Entry Requirements
• Five GCSEs at grades 9–4, including English and an art-related subject
OR
• A relevant Level 2 qualification at Merit or above
You will also need:
• A strong portfolio of creative work • A successful interview
A passion for games, animation, character design, digital art, storytelling, or interactive media is essential.
Experience using software such as Adobe Photoshop, Autodesk Maya, Blender, or Unity is helpful but not essential, as you'll develop these skills throughout the course.
What can I do after this course?
Successful completion of this course can lead to higher education, apprenticeships, or employment within the creative industries.
You could progress to university to study:
• Computer Animation • Games Design • Games Art • Visual Effects (VFX) • Digital Art • Illustration • Animation • Graphic Design
Career opportunities include:
• Junior Animator • 3D Artist • Environment Artist • Character Artist • Games Artist • Games Developer • Concept Artist • Storyboard Artist • Digital Illustrator • Motion Graphics Designer
The portfolio you build throughout the course will play an important role in supporting applications to university and creative industry roles.
What do I do now?
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