HND in Computer Game Development (Game Design)HND in Computer Game Development (Game Design)

Free
HND in Computer Game Development (Game Design)

HND in Computer Game Development (Game Design).
British Official Qualification of 120 ECTS - credits.

Study at the best Videogames Development school in Spain

The job of a video game designer is to describe and specify the basic concepts of an idea and make sure that it is faithfully developed by the team. The designer is the person in charge of guiding the different work teams within the company and directing them in a single direction to ensure the coherence and quality level of the final product. The design department is also in charge of supervising the usability of the product as well as planning the game environment to make the most of the mechanics and systems that make up the final product.

Therefore, the designer is in charge of documenting the basic ideas and concepts of the game, from the mechanics of the player, artificial intelligence actors, sub-systems of mechanics such as pickups, traps, HUD and GUI design, narrative, audio and sound system design of the game, levels and other systems that make up the game. The designers work together with the programming and art departments to ensure and verify the correct development of the ideas both technically and artistically.

At ESAT you will not only learn how to use tools such as professional documentation systems or video game graphic engines but also the basic and advanced theoretical concepts in video game design and games in general, as well as the understanding of the more technical or artistic areas in order to better understand how to bring the ideas to reality.

The videogame designer must be analytical, constructive and creative at the same time, and, above all, bring enthusiasm to the work team.

Course length

Our course runs for 2 academic years, each one running from October to June, following the School calendar for university education approved each year by the Consellería d’Educació de la Generalitat Valenciana. The total amount of tuition hours of each year is 650 hours.

The course is 100% classroom-based and there is no possibility of taking it online, although students have online support through the School Extranet. The curriculum will be subject to the appropriate adjustments and modifications considered by the ESAT Teaching Council.

Work in the videogames sector

We train specialists in the areas of game design, technical designer of video game engines, level designer, narrative design, among other disciplines.

We work with the latest technology and state-of-the-art engines currently used at a professional level.

“Master classes” offered by video game professionals currently working in the best companies in the country.

  • Game designer
  • Level Designer
  • Technical Designer
  • Systems Designer
  • Level Builder
  • QA

Knowledge areas

  • Design and development of digital interactive entertainment applications for any device and environment.
  • Design and development of video games for portable consoles and smartphones.
  • Design and development of videogames for next generation systems and consoles (PC, Xbox, Playstation, Nintendo Switch, etc).
  • Design and development of gameplay oriented to advergaming and serious games, applied to sectors such as advertising, educational or therapeutic videogames.

Meet the videogames created by our students

Study Creative Media Production in ESAT

Final Videogames Projects Preproduction 2019-2020

Final Videogames Projects Postproduction 2018-2019

About ESAT

  • Course 01 - Videogame Design

    • Videogame Design Introduction
    • Videogame History
    • Videogame Industry
    • Workshop –Game Design and Videogames
    • Documentation and Production
    • Narrative Introduction
    • Game Engines
    • Level Design and User Experience (UX)

  • Course 02 - Videogame Design

    • Narrative
    • Marketing and Promotion
    • Game Engines II
    • Level and Environment Design
    • Digital Law
    • Production
    • Projects (Project methodology workshop)

Enrollment conditions

All students applying for ESAT must fulfill, at least, one of the following conditions:

  • A-Levels (university entrance exam not required)
  • University entrance exam for people over 25
  • Equivalent foreign studies to Spanish "Bachillerato"
  • Higher Vocational Training Courses

All profiles will be assessed in a personal interview.

Ability Test and Portfolio Review:

Students over 18 years who wish to apply for direct entry have three options:

  • pass an admission interview with our admissions department, where a review of their personal projects and portfolio will be carried out;
  • submit a letter of recommendation attesting their knowledge, skills and professional experience;
  • finish a Foundation Degree on Games Programming, Games Art (or a related subject).


A strong portfolio showcasing creative work is often a crucial component of the application process. This may include examples of game design concepts, level designs, character artwork, 3D models, animations, or any other relevant creative projects. The portfolio provides insight into the applicant's skills, creativity, and potential as a game designer.

Candidates who do not pass the admission interview or portfolio review and who have not finished a Foundation Degree in a related subject will be redirected to apply to those.

If you have already finished any higher education studies related to our HNDs, please do not hesitate to ask us about the possibility of subject validation of advanced entry.

If you have already finished any higher education studies related to our HNDs, do not hesitate to ask us about the possibility of subject validation.

Finance your studies and pay conveniently

Thanks to a recent collaboration agreement between ESAT and iberCaja, the ESAT students can now finance their studies, with no opening and cancellation fees (total or partial), with a very competitive interest rate.

Ibercaja

Loan calculator: 8.000€
4,75 % fixed rate (*) - 0% opening fee - 0% early cancellation or repayment fee.

(*) Loan example: 8.000 € - Duration: 3 years.
Installments: Monthly. Fixed Rate: 4,75%
No opening fee.

Year Installment / month
1 238,88 € al mes
2 238,88 € al mes
3 238,88 € al mes

This way, you have no excuse to study the career you have always wanted to study for. Furthermore, if you are currently finishing your studies at ESAT, you can also take benefit of these funding services in order to finance your accommodation expenses during your stay in the UK (please check finance conditions for loans that may exceed the equivalent of one academic year).

Should you need further information regarding students funding services, please do not hesitate to contact:

Federico Sanjuan
Chief Financial Officer at ESAT
Phone: 963 155 637
fsanjuan@esat.es

    Further info and enrollment

    Send us your queries or start the enrollment process by using the following form or calling 963 155 637. Telephone service from 9am to 6pm, from Monday to Friday, and from 9am to 2pm on Saturdays.

    Privacy terms and conditions: The required data is necessary to may manage your request for information and to keep in touch with you. If you do not provide the required information we will not be able to attend and manage your request. The data provided will be treated and included in an automated file whose ownership and responsibility for its treatment is held by Escuela Superior de Arte y Tecnología (ESAT), in order to maintain contact and provide information, based on your own request and consent. The data will be processed during the legally established deadlines and will be kept while you maintain the relationship with us, being deleted once the relationship has ended, except for those that are legally or contractually necessary to be maintained. By filling out, accepting and sending this form you confirm and authorize the registration and treatment of your data, its inclusion in the above-mentioned file and sending / receiving electronic or postal communications by ESAT with the information you have requested for. You may revoke, at any time, your consent to do so without affecting the legality of the treatment based on your consent prior to its withdrawal, as well exercising the legally recognized rights on your personal data, including the rights of access, rectification, deletion and, if applicable, limitation of the treatment, portability or opposition, as established in the Privacy Policy contained on this website. All this without prejudice to your rights to make any claim in defense of your rights and interests with the Spanish Data Protection Agency. For more information, please contact our privacy manager or direct your claims by sending an email to privacy@esat.es.

    (*) Fields marked with asterisks are required to be completed.

    Alumni and industry professionals who value us

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