Apply Now
Access Creative College logo
book an open day
apply now

Games at acc

Are you ready to turn your passion for gaming into a rewarding career? With the gaming industry growing like never before, now is the perfect time to dive in.

Games at acc

So, you want a career in the games industry?

Get into the games industry with Access Creative College

At Access Creative College, we offer a range of games courses designed to equip you with the skills needed to thrive in this dynamic field. Whether you’re interested in game design, coding, or animation, our programs are tailored for aspiring creators just like you.

Games Courses

do you want to work in games one day?

As one of the UK’s leading creative colleges, we offer cutting-edge games courses designed to equip you with real-world skills for exciting roles in the gaming industry.

From Level 2 Games Development to more advanced Level 3 Games Courses, we provide state-of-the-art facilities, industry-experienced tutors, and a supportive, creative environment that mirrors the energy of the professional gaming world. Whether you’re interested in game design, programming, art, or animation, our courses for gaming give you the tools to thrive.

Our experienced instructors bring years of industry knowledge and insights. They guide you through each step, ensuring you’re equipped with relevant skills that employers seek.

Plus, networking opportunities are available at Access Creative College as you collaborate with fellow aspiring developers, artists, and designers, creating connections that can lead to future job prospects.

Do you want to work in games design one day? Well, why not start by studying it at college.

Are you a gaming enthusiast with a burning passion for immersive virtual worlds? Do you dream of transforming your love for games into a successful career?

Whether you see yourself as a masterful game designer, a wizard of programming and coding, a storyteller creating captivating narratives, or an artist who brings characters to virtual life, we have tailored games courses to suit every career goal.

The games design industry in the UK is a thriving sector that has seen remarkable growth in recent years. Fuelled by increased demand for interactive entertainment, including mobile games, virtual reality (VR) experiences, and augmented reality (AR) applications, there is no better time to take your passion for games and turn it into a rewarding and progressive career.

2555 UK based games businesses

£7.7bn is how much the UK games sector is currently valued at

The average annual games salary is £35,547

Why study a games course with us?

Access Creative College is more than just a college, it’s a creative community built for aspiring digital artists, game developers, and tech innovators.

Specialist creative ecosystem

As a dedicated creative college, we specialise in courses within the creative sector — from gaming and music production to media. This unique focus allows you to thrive in an inspiring, like-minded environment that supports your creativity and ambition. You won’t just be studying theory, you’ll learn how to apply your knowledge to real-world scenarios, guided by experts who know how to bridge the gap between textbook learning and practical application. Their insights into current industry trends, tools, and best practices ensure that you’re always learning skills employers genuinely value.

Collaboration across creative disciplines

Our games students regularly work with those studying music, esports, media, and production. Just like in the real games industry, collaboration is key — you’ll have the opportunity to work on real projects with peers across different pathways, simulating real-world development teams. You’ll graduate with more than just theoretical knowledge – you’ll have practical, workplace experience on your CV, giving you a competitive edge when applying for jobs. Placements help you build your professional network, work alongside industry leaders, and develop the confidence to handle real-world challenges. They also offer a chance to explore different career paths, helping you hone your interests and strengths before you officially enter the workforce.

Industry connections

We’re proud of our strong industry links, offering exclusive masterclasses, guest talks, and opportunities with leading games studios and creative employers. These valuable insights ensure our students are always learning the latest industry trends and expectations. You won’t just be studying theory, you’ll learn how to apply your knowledge to real-world scenarios, guided by experts who know how to bridge the gap between textbook learning and practical application. Their insights into current industry trends, tools, and best practices ensure that you’re always learning skills employers genuinely value.

Progression opportunities

Our Level 2 and Level 3 Games Courses can lead to further education at university or straight into employment. Many of our students go on to top UK universities or enter creative apprenticeships.

You’ll graduate with more than just theoretical knowledge – you’ll have practical, workplace experience on your CV, giving you a competitive edge when applying for jobs. Placements help you build your professional network, work alongside industry leaders, and develop the confidence to handle real-world challenges. They also offer a chance to explore different career paths, helping you hone your interests and strengths before you officially enter the workforce.

Want to get a feel for games courses at Access Creative College?

Book an open day

Find the best games course for you

This course is the perfect introduction to the skills and techniques needed to design assets for computer games.

Entry Requirements 
Three or more GCSEs at grade 3 or above, including English (Language or Literature).
Duration

One year

Qualification

RSL Level 2 Diploma

Find out more
ACC London games development class

This course will teach you how to develop ideas and concept art for games, create characters, objects, environments and more.

Entry Requirements 

4 GCSEs at 9-4 (A*-C), including English

Duration

Two years

Qualification

RSL Level 3 Extended Diploma

Find out more
Birmingham games student

This course will teach you about the creation and production of 2D and 3D games using the most relevant, industry standard software.

Entry Requirements 

4 GCSEs at 9-4 (A*-C), including English

Duration

Two years

Qualification

RSL Level 3 Extended Diploma

Find out more
Plymouth games wing

Find the best games course for you

This course is the perfect introduction to the skills and techniques needed to design assets for computer games.

Entry Requirements 

Three or more GCSEs at grade 3 or above, including English (Language or Literature)

Duration

One Year

Qualification

RSL Level 2 Diploma

Find out more

This course will teach you how to develop ideas and concept art for games, create characters, objects, environments and more.

Entry Requirements 

4 GCSEs at 9-4 (A*-C), including English

Duration

Two Years

Qualification

RSL Level 3 Extended Diploma

 
Find out more

This course will teach you about the creation and production of 2D and 3D games using the most relevant, industry standard software.

Entry Requirements 

4 GCSEs at 9-4 (A*-C), including English

Duration

Two Tears

Qualification

RSL Level 3 Extended Diploma

 
Find out more

Student testimonials

“For anyone interested in games and how they work, this is a great course as it goes into depth about everything that goes into creating a game.”

Bristol Student 

“The course that I am currently doing feels perfect for me as it goes over the aspects of the job that I want in the future and is within a range of ease and difficulty that I feel like I am learning the things I need to know for my future career and progressing at a smooth rate.”

Birmingham Student

“My art has definitely improved in the time I’ve been here, and I’ve learnt a lot about form and techniques which have helped me do so also before this course, I wouldn’t have even known where to start on creating 3d models or coding in a game engine, and now I can do both of those things without much struggle.”

Lincoln Student 

“The course is perfect for me at this point in time because it is what I want to continue in the future. I have always wanted to do computer science and Game Development so the course is perfect for me.”

London Student

“I believe that this course is perfect for me because I’m learning things that are within my ability to learn, and I find the course itself exciting. I love coming in and making new things.”

Manchester Student

“The skills I came to develop have noticeably improved, and managing my work and skills respectively to what would be expected in university, and I believe I have improved a lot.”

Norwich Student

“I can confidently say the course is right for me, as it not only reminds of me skills I already practised but also challenges me in ways I haven’t been challenged in or methods I haven’t approached before or in this way.”

London Student

“Everyone at this college, regardless of who they are, seems to have a smile on their face and feels very welcome here. I think this is because it’s very diverse and feels very accepting, regardless of who you are and the level of skill you have in the course. If you want to work as a team and feel like you’re welcome while doing a course based on your interests, then I believe Access Creative is the absolute best place to be.”

Lincoln Student

Student testimonials

“For anyone interested in games and how they work, this is a great course as it goes into depth about everything that goes into creating a game.”

Bristol Student

“The course that I am currently doing feels perfect for me as it goes over the aspects of the job that I want in the future and is within a range of ease and difficulty that I feel like I am learning the things I need to know for my future career and progressing at a smooth rate.”

Birmingham Student

“My art has definitely improved in the time I’ve been here, and I’ve learnt a lot about form and techniques which have helped me do so also, before this course I wouldn’t have even known where to start on creating 3d models or coding in a game engine and now I can do both of those things without much struggle.”

Lincoln Student

“The course is perfect for me at this point in time because it is what I want to continue in the future. I have always wanted to do computer science and Game Development so the course is perfect for me.”

London Student

“I believe that this course is perfect for me because I’m learning things that are within my ability to learn them and I find the course itself exciting. I love coming in and making new things.”

Manchester Student

“The skills I came to develop have noticeably improved, and managing my work and skills respectively to what would be expected in university, and I believe I have improved a lot.”

Norwich Student

“Everyone at this college, regardless of who they are, seems to have a smile on their face and feels very welcome here. I think this is because it’s very diverse and feels very accepting, regardless of who you are and the level of skill you have on the course. If you want to work as a team and feel like you’re welcome while doing a course based on your interests, then I believe Access Creative is the absolute best place to be.”

Lincoln Student

“I can confidently say the course is right for me, as it not only reminds me of skills I already practised but also challenges me in ways I haven’t been challenged in or methods I haven’t approached before or in this way.”

London Student

Career Opportunities

Animator

Animators bring game characters and environments to life through movement. Working closely with designers and programmers, they create smooth, dynamic animation sequences using specialist software.
£33,000 avg salary

Character Artist

Character artists sculpt the personalities of games. They design and model lifelike or stylised characters, focusing on anatomy, clothing, and visual storytelling to fit the game’s tone.
£32,250 avg salary

Environment Artist

These artists build immersive worlds and settings, from urban cityscapes to fantastical realms. They design the visual backdrop of games, ensuring both visual appeal and functionality.
£33,250 avg salary

Texture Artist

Texture artists add depth and realism to models by creating detailed surface textures. They paint or manipulate digital textures that make in-game objects look authentic.
£38,068 avg salary

Technical Artist

A hybrid role between artist and programmer, technical artists solve technical issues in the art pipeline, ensuring art assets perform well in game engines.
£37,837 avg salary

Visual Effects (VFX) Artist

VFX artists craft the magical elements of games — explosions, weather effects, spells, and more — bringing cinematic polish and excitement to gameplay.
£38,091 avg salary

Games Designer

Game designers define the rules, mechanics, and player experience. They create the vision of a game and work with developers to bring it to life.
£34,340 avg salary

Games Developer

Developers write the code that enables games to function. They transform design concepts into playable products by utilising programming languages and game engines such as Unity or Unreal.
£39,898 avg salary

Game Tester

Game testers play games at all development stages to identify bugs and ensure quality. Their feedback helps polish the final experience for players.
£26,979 avg salary

Games Writer

Writers craft narratives, dialogue, and lore. They help build immersive worlds and characters, giving depth and context to gameplay.
£26,324 avg salary

Audio Engineer

Audio engineers create everything you hear in a game — music, sound effects, and dialogue. Their work enhances the atmosphere and emotional impact.
£36,863 avg salary

Games Programmer

Focused on logic and functionality, game programmers build the software architecture that enables a game to run, often specialising in AI, gameplay, or physics.
£34,269 avg salary

VR Programmer

These specialists develop games and simulations for virtual reality platforms, focusing on immersive experiences and interaction design.
£33,045 avg salary

Rendering Engineer

Rendering engineers optimise how games are visually presented, ensuring high-quality graphics with strong performance across various platforms.
£49,196 avg salary

Games Teacher/Tutor

Experienced professionals can teach future generations of game developers, working in colleges or private training companies.
£35,211 avg salary

VR Studio Manager

VR studio managers oversee the production of virtual reality projects, managing timelines, teams, and delivery milestones.
£34,582 avg salary

Games Studio Manager

A leadership role managing studio operations, ensuring projects are delivered on time and to a high standard while supporting the creative team.
£34,937 avg salary

Ready to get started with your games career?

Apply now for September

Ready to get started with your games career?

Apply now for September

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. The gaming industry is one of the fastest-growing creative sectors in the UK. With diverse career options, competitive salaries, and global opportunities, it’s a strong choice for creative and tech-minded individuals.

Absolutely. As more companies invest in games, apps, VR, and immersive experiences, demand for skilled designers and developers is on the rise. The UK government also supports this sector through tax relief and funding.

At Access Creative College we offer a range of courses for gaming, depending on your experience:

Yes! Our games courses build transferable skills in:

  • Coding
  • Software Development
  • Web Development

You’ll learn problem-solving, creative thinking, and technical knowledge that are in demand across many industries.

Yes. Our Level 3 Games Courses are equivalent to A Levels and come with UCAS points. Many students progress to top universities offering game design, animation, or computing degrees.

You can apply directly through our website:

To learn more about what happens next, check out our application journey

related reading

related reading