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South West College set to Launch New Degree-Level Game Design Pathway at Erne Campus

08 May 2025

South West College (SWC) is delighted to announce the launch of its newly revalidated, degree-level Game Design pathway at the Erne Campus in Enniskillen, commencing this September. This exciting development will be supported by the opening of a brand-new, state-of-the-art Visualisation Studio at The Workhouse, Enniskillen, funded by Future Screens NI.

Validated by The Open University, the Foundation Degree in Visual Media Arts (Game Development) and the BA (Hons) Visual Media Arts (Game Development) Top-Up will position Enniskillen as a vibrant hub for aspiring game designers and digital creatives.

Developed in response to the fast-evolving needs of the creative industries, the newly designed course will provide students with a solid foundation in lighting, texturing, 3D modelling, and digital sculpting. Students will gain access to industry-standard tools like Adobe Substance Painter, Blender, and more, ensuring they develop highly sought-after practical skills.

As an Epic Games Academic Partner, SWC provides students with access to Unreal Engine, the world’s leading real-time 3D creation platform. Plans are also underway to introduce Epic-certified training directly in Enniskillen, further strengthening SWC’s reputation as a leading provider of creative digital education in the UK.

Career opportunities are diverse and extend beyond the gaming sector, into broader digital industries including architecture, construction, product design, marketing, digital media and more. To support students' career development, the College will also be piloting CORE (Creative Orientation Regarding Employment) a new initiative aimed at enhancing students’ soft skills and workplace readiness, ensuring they graduate with the tools to succeed in the creative sector. Two graduate progression places will also be offered to support students transitioning from the Foundation or Top-Up programme into employment or further study.

Ciaran McManus, Director of Development and Support at SWC, said:

“This is a transformative time for digital arts education in Northern Ireland. Our students are already producing industry-standard work, and this new programme will further establish Enniskillen as a centre of excellence for game design. The skills taught on this course will open doors not only in gaming but in sectors such as construction, architectural visualisation, product design, digital marketing and beyond.

“At South West College, we’re not just preparing students for today’s careers, we’re equipping them for the opportunities of tomorrow. We’re proud to offer world-class training and industry access to learners right here in our local community.”

Paul McGovern, Lecturer in Game Design, added:

“We believe every detail has meaning, every concept deserves clarity, and every vision can be brought to life. At SWC, we don’t just visualise we humanise crafting digital experiences that evoke emotion, inspire action, and bring stories to life. For us, the future is a canvas, and we invite our students to help paint it.”

Learn more about Game Design:

The Game Design pathway offers a clear and inclusive progression route, typically beginning at Level 3 (equivalent to 3 A Levels), with options to advance through to the Foundation and Top-Up Degrees. Entry is also available to applicants with Level 2 qualifications or from non-traditional backgrounds, providing accessible opportunities for a wide range of learners to explore and grow their creative potential.

Learn more about Art Design and Creative courses:

OCN NI Level 2 Award in Creative Arts and Digital Technologies

Dungannon Enniskillen Further Education Media, Music, Games Design & Photography Level 2 Part-Time

View OCN NI Level 2 Award in Creative Arts and Digital Technologies

OCN NI Level 3 Award in Photography

Dungannon Further Education Media, Music, Games Design & Photography Level 3 Part-Time

View OCN NI Level 3 Award in Photography

OCN NI Level 3 Award in Creative Arts and Digital Technologies (Dark Room Techniques or Creative Writing)

Enniskillen Omagh Further Education Media, Music, Games Design & Photography Art, Design and Creative Level 3 Part-Time

The modules chosen reflect the skills and knowledge required to undertake activities of the Graphic Design sector. The creative and digital technologies sectors are recognised as growth areas within the economy. The OCN NI Creative Arts and Digital Technologies qualifications have been designed to meet emerging skills requirements in these sectors. The Level 3 Award offers a wide range ...

View OCN NI Level 3 Award in Creative Arts and Digital Technologies (Dark Room Techniques or Creative Writing)

BA (Hons) Visual Media Arts (Top-Up) (Validated by The Open University)

Enniskillen Higher Education Media, Music, Games Design & Photography Art, Design and Creative Level 6 Full-Time Part-Time

The BA Honours Visual Media Arts has been designed to allow students to embrace their creativity while learning industry standard processes relevant to the creation of content for the film and game industries. Course design has been informed by extensive consultation with industry experts to ensure that all our graduates are equipped with the skills necessary to succeed in the competitive world...

View BA (Hons) Visual Media Arts (Top-Up) (Validated by The Open University)

Foundation Degree Visual Media Arts (Validated by The Open University)

Enniskillen Omagh Higher Education Media, Music, Games Design & Photography Art, Design and Creative Level 5 Full-Time Part-Time

The Foundation Degree Visual Media Arts has been designed to allow students to embrace their creativity while learning industry standard processes relevant to the creation of content for the film and game industries. Course design has been informed by extensive consultation with industry experts to ensure that all our graduates are equipped with the skills necessary to succeed in the competitiv...

View Foundation Degree Visual Media Arts (Validated by The Open University)

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Creative Media Practice (Games)

Enniskillen Omagh Further Education Media, Music, Games Design & Photography Art, Design and Creative Level 3 Full-Time

The Extended Diploma Creative Media Practice (Game Design), equivalent to 3 A-Levels, is a 2-year full-time course that is all about hands-on game development. Students design and create content suitable for games using industry-trending software such as 3DS Max/Maya/ Blender, Rizom UV, Substance Painter and Unreal Engine (You have most likely seen or played games that have use...

View Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Creative Media Practice (Games)

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Creative Media Practice

Dungannon Enniskillen Omagh Further Education Media, Music, Games Design & Photography Art, Design and Creative Level 3 Full-Time

The Extended Diploma, equivalent to three A levels, is a two-year, full-time course that meets entry requirements for learners who want to progress to higher education courses in creative media areas before entering employment.. This qualification has been designed to provide learners with the skills, knowledge and understanding necessary to progress to further education, higher education and t...

View Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Creative Media Practice

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National 540 Diploma in Creative Media Practice (Games Design)

Enniskillen Omagh Further Education Media, Music, Games Design & Photography Art, Design and Creative Level 3 Full-Time

The 540 Diploma Creative Media Practice (Game Design), equivalent to 1.5 A-Levels, is a 1-year full-time course that is all about hands-on game development. Students design and create content suitable for games using industry-trending software such as 3DS Max/Maya/ Blender, Rizom UV, Substance Painter and Unreal Engine (You have most likely seen or played games that have used t...

View Pearson BTEC Level 3 National 540 Diploma in Creative Media Practice (Games Design)

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National 540 Diploma in Creative Media Practice

Dungannon Enniskillen Omagh Further Education Media, Music, Games Design & Photography Art, Design and Creative Level 3 Full-Time

The 540 Diploma, equivalent to 1.5 A levels, is for learners who are looking to study creative media 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 pro...

View Pearson BTEC Level 3 National 540 Diploma in Creative Media Practice

Traineeship in Creative Media

Dungannon Enniskillen Omagh Apprenticeships Media, Music, Games Design & Photography Art, Design and Creative Level 2 Full-Time

This Level 2 Traineeship Diploma takes you through a variety of exciting units, that provide you with the basic foundation needed to help you progress your learning to the next stage. This course consists of a compulsory unit (Introducing Media Products) and five optional units including: Animation Production; Photography for Media Products; TV & Film Production; Planning & Producing a ...

View Traineeship in Creative Media

OCN NI Level 2 Award/Certificate in Photography

Dungannon Enniskillen Omagh Further Education Media, Music, Games Design & Photography Level 2 Part-Time

This qualification is suitable for learners aged pre-16 and above. This qualification is ideal for learners who wish to develop an understanding of photographic processes and the photo-image industry. The qualification aims to support learners to progress either into employment or onto further qualifications.

View OCN NI Level 2 Award/Certificate in Photography

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