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The 540 Diploma, equivalent to 1.5 A'Levels, is for learners who are looking to study games design as a one-year, full-time course and for those who wish to take it alongside another area of contrasting or complementary study, as part of a two-year, full-time study programme. This qualification has been designed to provide learners with the skills, knowledge and understanding necessary to progress to further education, higher education and training or employment in the Games Design industry. This programmes is designed for progression and to provide a substantial portfolio as an outcome of undertaking significant experimental explorations and projects that showcases learners’ skills and knowledge will prepare them for progression.
Reducing the number of units and assessments allows for largescale projects and provides a holistic learning experience for all. This enables a diagnostic process that balances development of skills with personal growth and intentions. The breadth of study in each qualification gives learners opportunities to consider their practice in the context of professional practice with work from inception of ideas to completion. The assessment enables learners to demonstrate valuable skills such as analysis, planning, organisation and critical thinking in the context of developing practical outcomes. Core technical skills development that covers all practices has been embedded throughout the programme.
Learners taking this qualification will study one mandatory learning and teaching module:
This qualification has been designed to enable and encourage multidisciplinary practice and integration of all the relevant skills that learners want to develop. Technical skills have been expressed through the following categories to allow for development and integration of skills across practices, including skills used across Games Design practice:
Skills are developed through teaching and learning modules and synthesised through projects, producing outcomes for assessment.
Four GCSEs grade C or above or equivalent preferably in relevant creative subjects. Entry is subject to a successful interview with the course co-ordinator.
As all units are internally assessed, they allow learners to use large-scale projects, workshops and completing assignments as the basis for generating evidence for assessment. Learners must complete all two assessment units and achieve a Pass grade or above in each assessment criterion. The Pearson BTEC Level 3 National 540 Diploma in Creative Media Practice is graded using an overall qualification grading of P to D*, attracting UCAS points in the same way as A Level grades.
If learners complete this qualification in a year, they may progress to further learning at Level 3, for example another Diploma with 540 Guided Learning Hours in a complementary sector or the Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma in Creative Media Practice (Games). If taken as part of a programme of study that includes other BTEC Nationals or A Levels, it supports progression to Higher Education. It also supports progression to an apprenticeship in the games design sector or to a further year of study at Level 3.
To deepen and refine students’ skills over time, this course has been designed to ensure exposure to teaching and learning approaches that challenge learners. This is supported by the five mandatory areas of content, which are common to both modules and which are developed to give learners valuable transferable skills. The five content areas are:
informing ideas
problem solving
technical skills
professional practice
communication
This qualification has been designed to enable and encourage multidisciplinary practice and integration of all the relevant skills that learners want to develop. Technical skills have been expressed through the following categories to allow for development and integration of skills across practices, including skills used across games design practice:
Moving image
Character environment
Experience
Sound
Text
P3632EF10B
Session Code
1 Year(s)
Duration
Further Education
Mode of Study
16
Hours per Week
34
Number of Weeks
Interview Required
24/25
Academic Year
02/09/2024
Start Date
Subject to Timetable
Day/s
Michael.Leonard@swc.ac.uk
Coordinator(s)
Total Annual Fee N/A
Total Concessionary Fee N/A
Fees Payable Each Year
**Am I eligible for concessionary fees?
P3632OF10B
Peter.McGlinchey@swc.ac.uk
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Creative Media Practice (Games)
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National 540 Diploma in Creative Media Practice
Foundation Degree Visual Media Arts - (Validated by The Open University)