Course Summary
Course Category: PLC (Further Education - FET) Apply directly to College
The QQI Level 5 Games Design and Development program at Dublin College Blackrock (formerly BFEI) is a one-year immersion into the multifaceted world of gaming. This course is specifically designed to bridge the gap between creative artistry and technical engineering. Students learn to conceptualize and build games from the ground up by fusing traditional art skills—such as storyboarding and character development—with high-tech computing disciplines like 3D modeling, C# programming (Unity), and graphic design. Whether you aim to progress to a specialized university degree or launch an independent "indie" development path, this program provides the essential tools to translate a creative vision into a playable reality.
Student Experience
The college experience is central to a successful and enjoyable engagement with Further Education. At Blackrock Further Education Institute (BFEI), learners study in an award winning campus, arguably one of the best in Ireland. The wide range of courses on offer, provide learners a pathway to Higher Education or directly to employment. However, it is the range of activities, both educational and extra-curricular, that contribute most to a positive college experience and will be remembered fondly by learners.
A positive college experience motivates learners, creates lasting friendships, improves retention rates and assessment results. It creates a welcoming, caring environment for study and work.
A full list of activities, social nights, competitions, societies, charity works, workshops, presentations, guest-speakers, etc. is far too long for this page. Current and prospective BFEI learners are strongly encouraged to follow our events on social media.
Course Details
What will you study?
Progression to CAO Courses
Higher Education Links Scheme (HELS)
This course leads to a QQI Major Award, and provides progression opportunities to a number of Higher Education courses, including those in the CAO.
To view CAO courses to which any Major Award (including this one) provides a possible Progression route, click below:
| CAO with Any QQI Major Award |
| Old FETAC Code | New QQI Code |
| 5M5048 |
To calculate Points based on your QQI award results, use the PLC Points Calculator.
The Student - Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Creative
Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, the performing arts or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.
Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.
Linguistic
The Linguistic's interests are usually focused on ideas and information exchange. They tend to like reading a lot, and enjoy discussion about what has been said. Some will want to write about their own ideas and may follow a path towards journalism, story writing or editing. Others will develop skills in other languages, perhaps finding work as a translator or interpreter. Most Linguistic types will enjoy the opportunity to teach or instruct people in a topic they are interested in.
Further Research
National Statistics for this Award (All Ireland)
The following data provides general information about this Award from colleges across Ireland.
Disclaimer: These links are to web sites outside of CareersPortal and we accept no responsibility for the information on them.
Career Progression
-
As a graduate of the course, you can pursue careers in a range of areas including:
- Games Development
- 3D Design
- Programming
- Project Manager
College Profile
