Digital Games Design & Development (BTEC Extended Diploma)

BTEC

Extended Diploma

Home > Courses > Digital Games Design & Development (BTEC Extended Diploma)

Course Overview

This exciting and hands-on course is ideal for aspiring game developers, designers, and digital artists. Whether you’re inspired by cutting-edge titles like Final Fantasy XVI, Baldur’s Gate 3, or Palworld, this qualification equips you with the creative and technical skills needed to thrive in the games industry.

You’ll explore every stage of the game development process — from pre-production and concept art to 3D modelling, animation, and gameplay scripting. You’ll work with industry-standard tools, including Unreal Engine 5.6, Blender, and Substance Painter, gaining real-world experience that prepares you for both higher education and entry into the games industry. Perfect for anyone passionate about turning their love of games into a professional future.

ASSESSMENT

Coursework: 100%
Awarding Body: Pearson Edexcel

Qualifications Available

BTEC Extended Diploma (equivalent to 3 A Levels)

COURSE CONTENT

There are five assessment areas for the course:

Informing ideas
Problem solving
Technical skills
Professional practice
Communication

Year 1

A) Exploring and Developing Creative Media Skills

A1) Skills Development

A2) Creative Project

Year 2

B) Advancing Creative Practice

B1) Personal Progression

B2) Creative Industry Response (Final Year Project)

BEGIN – IS THIS COURSE RIGHT FOR ME?

This course is for students who love games and are curious about how they’re made. You might have designed characters, built worlds in Minecraft, experimented with storytelling, or just enjoy working out how games function. You don’t need to be a coding expert or digital artist — just bring creativity, curiosity, and a willingness to learn. If you want to turn your passion into a career, this is the perfect starting point.

BELONG – WHY STUDY THIS WITH US?

At the City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College, you’ll study in our state-of-the-art Digital Media Suite, using high-spec PCs, graphics tablets, and industry-standard software including Unreal Engine, Blender, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Substance Painter.

The course is built around project-based learning, giving you the chance to respond to real-world briefs, take part in game jams, and build an impressive portfolio. You’ll also benefit from employer-led workshops, guest lectures, and visits to studios, expos, and careers fairs.

Beyond the classroom, enrichment opportunities like our Media and Esports Club (MEC) and tailored ASPIRE+ support ensure you develop both your creative skills and your professional confidence.

BEYOND – WHERE CAN THIS COURSE TAKE ME?

Graduates of this course leave with a strong portfolio, real-world project experience, and the technical skills to progress into higher education or employment. Many move on to university courses such as Games Art, Game Development, Animation, or Creative Media, while others go straight into apprenticeships or junior roles in 3D art, design, or software development.

Through the ASPIRE+ programme and MEC, you’ll also gain access to wider networks, specialist pathways, and opportunities to showcase your work. Whether your ambition is university, industry, or freelance game creation, you’ll graduate with the skills and creative mindset to succeed.

If you are unsure what course you think you should choose or what career you would like to aspire towards then contact Admissions:

01782 854221

Email Enquiry

apply

find an open day

our prospectus

stay updated

Similar Courses

On this pathway

Product Design & Architecture

A Level

Three-dimensional design – Product & Architecture is about looking, learning, thinking and communicating ideas. It inspires creative thinkers, problem solvers and people who enjoy making. It will enable you to select appropriate materials and learn how they fit together, develop an understanding of scale and experiment with texture and surface
finish.

Creative

Transition

This programme is targeted at students who are not ready to start Level 3 but have the potential to progress onto a Level 3 programme of study following a tailored preparation programme.

Performing Arts: Acting

BTEC

Are you passionate about Theatre? Do you want to learn about and experience working with a variety of different styles of acting? Do you want to work in an environment designed to replicate being a professional actor? If you have answered yes to any of these questions then this course is for you! You will develop acting and performance technique through a mixture of workshops, lessons and practical performance projects. Workshops will focus on fundamental acting skills: acting technique, voice and movement. You will have at least one session in these areas every week, covering a variety of key practitioner styles: giving you plenty of opportunity to develop your abilities as an actor.

Music

A Level

The A-Level Music course offers a broad, flexible and coherent course of study which encourages learners to engage actively in the process of music study. It provides learners with the opportunity to study music in an integrated way where the skills of performing, composing and appraising reinforce knowledge and understanding of musical elements, contexts and language.

Digital Film and Video Production

BTEC

If you are passionate for all things film and TV and would like to develop your craft of visual storytelling then this course is fo you. You will in depth practical, technical and creative skills in a range of film and TV areas. This will include scriptwriting, film production, stop motion animation and film editing. In addition to this you will develop proffesional pre-production practices, including storyboarding, casting and logistical film planning

Dance

A Level

Have you ever wanted to create your own imaginative dances and to explore the movement style of famous choreographers through the analysis of fascinating dance works? Are you ready to develop your technical and expressive dance skills to an advanced level and to participate in a range of performances both in and out of College? You will develop your skills in performance, choreography style, culture and notation. The creative, co-operative and communication skills acquired in following this course also prove attractive to a wide range of employers and higher education.

Media

GCSE

If you want to understand the influence and sway the media has and the impact it has on society then this course is for you. You will explore a range of media areas such as film, newspapers, gaming and online media. This course will empower you to understand the effects the media has on audiences and how media industries operate. What’s more, you will also have the opportunity to create your own media products, working within print.

Graphic Design

BTEC

Do you want to get that job interview-well you will have communication skills a plenty here and employers look VERY favourably upon MFL students and speaking a foreign language is now very desirable.

Musical Theatre

BTEC

We are passionate about training young people to be professional and well equipped to cope in the world of performing arts.

Media, Broadcast & Production – Content Creation

BTEC

BTEC

If your interested in the gaming industry whether it be concept art, animation or games design then this is the course to give you the skills to progress in this sector. Its an ideal qualification for those intending to progress directly to employment in the digital games production sector of the creative industries, or to a related apprenticeship such as TV Production and Broadcasting, or to a Creative Digital Media apprenticeship. It is the equivalent of two A levels and is an ideal course to progress to university to study any of the above sectors.

Dance – Contemporary

BTEC

This course is designed to encourage you to develop as an independent, autonomous learner and grow into a confident, creative dance practitioner. You will develop skills, imagination and new ways of seeing combined with the versatility, creativity and drive to meet the challenges of the competitive and demanding dance profession of today.

Art & Design

A Level

Digital Music Production

BTEC

Music Technology is an ideal mixture of creative and technical skills. It is perfect for you to gain knowledge of the music industry in preparation for further study or employment. Throughout this course you will learn about how the music industry works, including relevant historical developments. You will work with live sound equipment, record real instruments and develop skills in sequencing, music theory and using the musical keyboard for MIDI entry.

Media Studies

A Level

If you want to understand the influence and impact the media has on society then this course is for you. You will explore a range of media areas through critical debates, theory and academic writing. This course will empower you to understand the effects the media has on audiences and how media industries operate. What’s more, you will also have the opportunity to create your own media products, working within video, print and audio formats.

Textiles

A Level

Are you creative and imaginative? Do you enjoy exploring ideas and looking at things in different ways? Do you enjoy making? If so, you should consider a course in textile design. You will enjoy developing your understanding of the visual world, learning practical skills and responding to ideas and issues in ways that are personal to you.

Photography

A Level

Do you want to be part of one of the fastest growing industry sectors in the UK economy? Then you need to get involved in the creative and media industries, and studying Photography will take you there.

Ceramics

T Level

This qualification will help you gain an understanding of the financial compliance and risk activities within financial services. You will specialise in compliance and risk, and apart from the classroom delivered modules, you will complete 315 hours industry placement. Here you will develop your skills in assessing risk, working with clients and communicating complex financial ideas. You will also produce professional reports making recommendations on how both clients and financial service providers can manage the risks they face, securing your dream job.