Computer Games Design with Animation

at Burton and South Derbyshire College

FdSc

Location

Burton and South Derbyshire College

UCAS code

I656

Start dates available

  • September 2026

Whether you want to be a 3D artist, animator or games designer, our foundation degree will equip you with a range of skills for your future career.

Our Games Design & Animation foundation degree explores the creative and technical facets of game production, providing essential skills for developing, producing, and publishing game titles. Accredited by our partners Staffordshire University, this programme prepares you to excel as a 3D artist, animator, or games designer, with excellent networking opportunities in the industry through close collaboration with partners.

You will learn to generate 3D character models, apply body mechanics for animation, and craft props, vehicles, and weapons. You will develop diverse game environments, and acquire skills in a variety of games design prospects, and guarantee the seamless integration of your real-time animation models into various games engines.

Our facilities include an industry-standard Motion Capture Studio and specialised Games Design studios with high-spec PCs, as well as a wealth of Xencelabs drawing displays. You'll refine your skills using industry-standard software and hardware, developing a portfolio of industry-standard work through lectures, tutorials, seminars, and industry workshops.

You will benefit from a strategic partnership with local games developer Playtonic, guiding professional skill development and aligning your progression and skills with current industry needs.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: FdSc Computer Games Design with Animation

Course content

In Year 1, you will learn about level development pipelines and games mechanics design and implementation. You’ll cover 3D modelling skills and develop an understanding of 3D games engines. There will also be a group project, where you will be set a live brief by industry professionals.

In Year 2, you will begin to specialise through a variety of module choices. These cover areas such as games design, games art, animation and games engines. You will also gain experience on a industry-led project and receive feedback from games professionals.

University shortlisted for seven honours at TIGA games awards

News

University of Staffordshire is in the running for a bumper number of awards at the TIGA Games Industry Awards 2025

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.

Location

You will study at Burton and South Derbyshire College but receive a qualification from University of Staffordshire.

Burton and South Derbyshire College is a great place to learn. There’s a real buzz here; inspiring teachers, engaged learners, fantastic state of the art facilities and career-boosting links with leading businesses.

Burton and South Derbyshire College website
Burton and South Derbyshire College logo

Entry requirements

Applicants will be expected to have a minimum of 64 UCAS points from relevant A Level/s, level 3 Extended Diploma, NVQ, or equivalent qualification.

(or)

Several years' occupational experience within a relevant discipline will also be considered upon application.

For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.

Choose your country

Get country-specific details on entry requirements, fees, scholarships and support services. Choose your country to see how University of Staffordshire can support you from application to arrival.

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Careers

Successful completion of this foundation degree will give you the opportunity to progress onto the BA (Hons) Games Design & Animation. Further developing your understanding and specialism of a range of Games Design principles and projects, working toward a career in the Games Design industry.

Your degree is not just about securing that all-important academic qualification, it’s about gaining life and work skills to help you get ahead in the job market and gain employers’ respect. As a graduate of awarding body University of Staffordshire, you'll gain skills and attributes that will help you stand out from the crowd and become an employable, enterprising and entrepreneurial individual.

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.

This course offers informal opportunities to assess your comprehension before formal evaluations contributing to your final grade. Typically, each module incorporates activities or 'formative' assessments in which you will gain feedback from your tutor. These assessments are developmental, and the grades do not contribute to your module mark. A formal or 'summative' assessment concludes each module, encompassing various coursework evaluations like essays, reports, portfolios, performances, presentations, final-year projects and written exams. Grades from these formal assessments contribute to your module mark and are validated and moderated by University of Staffordshire.

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 14 September 2026 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands
Full-time £6,350 per year of study

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
Burton and South Derbyshire College FdSc Full-time 14 September 2026 Apply now
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Research Excellence Framework 2021

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