Springboard+ in Game Design & Development
Faculty: Games
Duration: 24 weeks
Delivery: Online & Classroom
Level: NFQ Level 6
Start Date: 21st September 2026
Course Director: Michael Joyce
Fees: Funded
Certification: QQI Level 6 Certificate
Springboard+ is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union
COURSE CONTENT
In collaboration with
Springboard+ in Game Design & Development is designed to equip learners with the practical skills required to begin creating games and pursuing opportunities within the games industry. The programme introduces learners to industry-standard software, tools, and professional workflows while developing core skills in game design, gameplay systems, 2D art, 3D asset creation, game engines, and interactive content development.
Learners will gain hands-on experience across the game development pipeline, from concept generation and design documentation through to the creation of playable game experiences. The programme emphasises practical project work, portfolio development, problem-solving, and creative thinking, providing learners with a strong foundation in contemporary game development practices.
This part-time programme is designed for unemployed persons seeking to enter the games industry, employed or self-employed individuals wishing to upskill, career changers looking to pursue a new professional pathway, and recent graduates seeking to enhance their technical and creative skillsets.
Delivered on a flexible schedule, the programme enables participants to balance their studies alongside work and personal commitments. Pulse College’s state-of-the-art facilities provide access to industry-standard software, hardware, game development technologies, and dedicated creative workspaces that support practical, hands-on learning.
Teaching is delivered by experienced industry professionals who bring current workflows, technologies, and production practices directly into the classroom. Learners will also benefit from guest speakers, mentors, and industry practitioners who provide valuable insights into careers, emerging trends, and opportunities within the games sector.
Upon successful completion, learners will possess a strong foundation in game design and development, a portfolio of practical work, and the skills required to pursue entry-level opportunities within the games industry or continue their studies through higher education pathways in game design and development.
Semester 1
- Research Methods
- Game Design & Documentation
- Game Logic & Systems
- 3D Modelling & Animation
Semester 2
- Visual Media & Culture
- 2D Art & Design
- Game Engine Studies
- Introduction to Studio Practice
The timetable for 2026 is TBC.
Application requirements
Springboard+ has been expanded to include those already in employment who wished to up-skill or re-skill to meet specific emerging skills needs.
The programme is open to the following categories of applicants:
- The Unemployed or formerly Self-employed
- Those already in Employment
- Returners
For more information on the Springboard+ process and if you are eligible, please check out the FAQ’s here or use the Enquiry Form on this page to speak to one of our Springboard Admissions Staff.
General Course Requirements
General Course Requirements
- Those in receipt of an eligible payment from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and the formerly self-employed.
- People not in receipt of a payment from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection that have been out of the work environment for a number of years due to childcare or other caring obligations and have a previous history of employment but may require upskilling or reskilling to transition back to the workforce (“Returners”).
- People in employment who wish to upskill or reskill to meet a specific emerging skills gap. Returners and employed participants will be required to meet the residency requirements for Springboard+; that they must have been ordinarily resident in an EU/EEA/Swiss state for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to their course.
Applicants to the Certificate programme must have obtained a minimum of two Leaving Certificate H5 grades or higher and four O6 / H7 grades, including maths and either Irish or English for entry to the programme. Mature learners over the age of 23 can also apply for entry on to the programme.
All applicants are met in advance of admission by the Programme Director in order to provide them with detailed information on the programme and the nature of the workload and challenges involved. This allows applicants to make informed decisions as to the suitability of the programme for their needs and aspirations.
It is College policy to meet with candidates following their application to ensure that the programme is an appropriate match for the needs, capabilities and aspirations. The interview is not graded for admissions purposes but rather serves to provide assurances for the learner and the College that the programme is an appropriate fit for their needs.
All applicants are required to present for interview, and are expected to demonstrate the following: A proven interest in animation and animation production, computer literacy, an interest in 3D Sculpting and 2D Art, inherent creativity and a willingness to explore new ideas, a positive attitude and enthusiasm for the field of study, scholarly dedication to academic aspects of the programme and self-organisation skills.
Got a question?
HOW TO APPLY
Apply via Springboardcourses.ie here and the College will contact you to arrange an interview.
To apply for the course, you must visit the Springboard website, register your account and then complete the application form on the Springboard site for the Pulse College Certificate in Creative Technologies and Digital Art. Once completed, our Springboard Admissions Team will be able to process your application and respond directly to you.
“The Pulse College Springboard course in Animation has been a great experience for me. Having studied animation a long time ago, the course offered the opportunity to upskill to the latest technologies in use within the industry. For anyone looking to upskill, reskill or even if you’re starting out I would highly recommend this course”
Google ReviewNiall Farrell, Dublin