Game Design short course
Game Design short course
Course Details
Location
Start date - September 2026
- 14th September: International enrolment
- 17th September: Welcome day
- 21st September: Teaching begins
Start date - February 2027
- 22nd February: International enrolment
- 26th February: Welcome day
- 1st March: Teaching begins
Duration
14 or 21 weeks
Contact time
2.5 days per week
Entry requirements
- Be over 18
- Have a good understanding of written and spoken English (we recommend a B2 level)
- Feel comfortable using a computer
Fees
- 14 weeks - London campus & Live online: £7,710
- 21 weeks - London campus & Live online: £10,280
Apply now
September 2026:
- 14 weeks: London campus/ live online
- 21 weeks: London campus/ live online
February 2027:
- 14 weeks: London campus/ live online
- 21 weeks: London campus/ live online
Discounts
Course overview
Our short courses give you the opportunity to study the first 14 or 21 weeks of our MSc Game Design degree. This option is suited to students who want intensive training without academic qualifications. You’ll complete the first 2-3 modules of the programme and develop specialist skills in Paper and Digital Prototyping and 'the three Cs' - Characters, Controls and Cameras.
Our highly focused Game Design courses encompass not only theory but technical and artistic approaches. From core design practice through to game engines, UI and UX, as well as narrative and development pipelines.
Why choose this course
- Designed with industry - this course has been created with professionals from Creative Assembly, Framestore and Sony London Studio.
- Learn from expert Tutor, James Valadas Marques who has over 15 years experience in game development.
- Get to grips with the software used in industry, including Unreal Engine, Houdini, Maya, ZBrush.
- Receive feedback from industry professionals - an opportunity to level-up your work and build connections, ready to embark on your creative career.
- Benefit from our AfterCare package - we'll help you polish your showreel and find the right job, with access to our studios and showreel clinics for 12 months.
Meet your tutor, James Valadas Marques
James Valadas Marques joined Escape Studios as a Game Design tutor in 2025, bringing over 15 years of industry experience of game development. James holds a BA (Hons) in Games Design from the University of Teesside.
Starting out in quality assurance, James followed his passion into game design, eventually becoming a Lead Designer at Stainless Games where he enjoyed supporting and mentoring junior staff. He has worked on titles like Dark Orbit, Carmageddon: Reincarnation and the Magic the Gathering: Duels of the Planeswalkers series.
In addition to digital games, James writes for tabletop roleplaying games, and designs card games like Dice Hoarding Dragons.
Please note tutors are subject to change.
Course modules
These modules are common with the first 14-21 weeks of our MSc Game Design.
Module 1 - Paper and Digital Prototyping
7 weeks
Prototyping and testing utilising 2D and Realtime approaches
- Idea Generation
- Paper Prototyping
- MVP & Milestones
- Playtesting
- Introduction to Unreal Engine
- Unreal Blueprint scripting
Project - Create a 2D puzzle game
Module 2 - Game Design Fundamentals
7 weeks
Foundations in Game Design utilising 2D and Realtime approaches.
- Game Design fundamentals
- Mechanics, Dynamics & Aesthetics
- Game Loops
- Balance, Pacing & Flow
- Game Feel
- Unreal Blueprint scripting
Project - Create a Strategy Game
Module 3 - The three Cs: Characters, Controls and Cameras (21 week course only)
7 weeks
A deep exploration of Character control, interface and narrative.
- User Experience
- Level Design
- Character Avatars
- User Perspectives
- Controls & Interface
- Narrative Design
- Unreal Blueprint scripting
Project - Create a RPG (Role Playing Game)
For more details about modules, see the programme and module specifications.
More Information
Entry requirements
Minimum requirements
We welcome and encourage applications from students with a variety of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.
To study this short course, you must:
- Be over 18
- Have a good understanding of written and spoken English (we recommend a B2 level)
- Feel comfortable using a computer.
If you’d like to discuss your circumstances before applying, contact us!
Non-UK students
We accept international students for our short courses, with no difference in course fees or administration costs.
The Standard Visitor visa allows students to come to the UK to study for a course of up to six months at an accredited institution. Depending on your nationality, you may need to apply for a standard visitor visa prior to departure from your home country. For more information visit:
- Gov.uk - Check if you need a visa
- Gov.uk - Standard visitor visa
- Gov.uk - Caseworker guidance
- UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) - Information for visitors
Contact us on admissions@escapestudios.ac.uk or +44 (0) 204 570 5091 for any questions.
Online study requirements
We can provide remote access to our workstations during teaching time. Due to availability restrictions, we highly advise you to have your own set up at home to study in your own time.
More things you’ll need:
- A strong internet connection
- Cloud storage or external hard drive to back up your work, 1TB+ recommended
- A three-button mouse or graphics tablet. Please note, the Wacom Intuos Pro range of tablets have the best support for our remote desktop software and provide the best experience.
- A computer microphone (and optionally a webcam)
- Note-taking materials.
If you have any questions about learning online or if you need help with what to buy, get in touch at hello@escapestudios.ac.uk.
How to apply
To apply, complete the relevant online application form linked below.
14th September 2026:
- 14 weeks: London campus/ live online
- 21 weeks: London campus/ live online
22nd February 2027:
- 14 weeks: London campus/ live online
- 21 weeks: London campus/ live online
Our Admissions Team will get in touch to take you through the next steps.
If you have any questions about your application or our entry requirements, get in touch!
- Call our Admissions Advisors on +44 (0)203 441 1303
- Email us at hello@escapestudios.ac.uk
- Reach us on chat Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm
There isn't a formal application deadline for most of our short courses, but you may need to apply by a certain date to be eligible for our short course discounts.
As part of the application process, you will need to agree to our terms and conditions for your place on the course to be secured.
Fees and funding
Fees
- 14 weeks - London campus & Live online: £7,710
- 21 weeks - London campus & Live online: £10,280
Payment plans
We offer payment plan options for all courses. Following an initial deposit at registration stage, your chosen payment plan will break down your remaining fees into up to three instalments, to be paid before the end of the course.
Visit our admissions page for any questions about fees, funding and payment plans.
Software
- Unreal Engine is an advanced real-time engine used to create entire games with physics, effects, animation photorealistic rendering and more. With it's easy to use interface, Artists can create and control immersive games and interactive experiences.
- Unity is a real-time development platform used to create games, apps, and experiences for entertainment, film, automotive, architecture and more.
- Godot is a free, open source and cross-platform game engine used to create 2D and 3D games.
- Tabletop Simulator an indepdent video game that allows players to create their own games, import custom assets and automate games with scripting in a multiplayer physics sandbox.
Career opportunities
This course was created to meet industry demand for new creative talent and is dedicated to enhancing your skills with a particular focus on the science and psychology of game design, as well as the efficient and elegant technical implementation of systems and mechanics.
Upon completion of this course, you'll have developed the transferable skills to enable you to contribute to teams in technical and/or design roles across various real-time and interactive production environments.
You’ll leave with an Escape Studios Certificate of Completion, along with strong creative and technical skills and some great pieces of work for your portfolio, which you can add to with help from our Aftercare programme. Ready to apply for jobs in the industry!
Check out our Careers Guide for more information about career opportunities and progression routes.
Why Escape Studios?
