24th November 2022
South Devon College has gone full speed with its Games and Interactive Media provision successfully becoming the first Devon college to secure a partnership with one of the gaming industry’s biggest companies, Unreal Engine owned by Epic Games, the maker of online video game Fortnite.
University Centre South Devon, part of South Devon College, was also successful in gaining this unique partnership.
The Unreal Academic Partner Programme recognises university and school programmes that have committed to providing high-quality educational opportunities with an experienced faculty, proven curricula, sufficient facilities, and resources to create positive outcomes for students with a variety of personal growth and career objectives. Studying with an Unreal Academic Partner empowers students, so they are fully prepared for an evolving and highly competitive job market with transferable skills that increase their potential in a globalised economy.
Benefits of this partnership include:
- Advanced registration opportunities for limited-availability educational events and training
- Advanced information on internships and hiring events
- Featured promotion through Epic online channels
- UE Marketplace Credits: USD $500 initial gift and $250/semester – to purchase industry-standard digital assets for projects
- Free ArtStation Pro upgrades for authorised program students and faculty
- Free Sketchfab for Teams license
These benefits not only give a great advantage to those studying digital programmes at South Devon College and University Centre South Devon during their time on their course, but the free membership for ArtStation Pro could have longer lasting benefits to students’ careers as they move on from their studies into higher education or employment
ArtStation Pro is like a virtual portfolio where not only can you showcase your work and creativity with a website, discover job opportunities and also sell your products to spark an entrepreneurial spirit.
The Pro level of the membership has some extra benefits like appearing higher in searches from employers, you retain a higher percentage of earnings on products you sell, and get access to analytics so you can see your profile performance and who viewed your profile. This is on top of all the features included in the Plus level and the Pro membership would typically cost around £100 for the year.
Esports lecturer, Jordan Gardner, explained: “This is a great benefit to studying Games and Interactive Media here at South Devon College or University Centre South Devon. This gives us a lot of access to industry-standard assets and advanced notice for industry events too which is great for our students’ development and also for their careers to network with professionals early on.”
Steve Caunter, Assistant Principal, said: “To gain this level of endorsement from an international organisation is fantastic. This recognition from an industry leader demonstrates that our students benefit from high quality teaching and learning in world leading resources, ensuring that they are developing the required skills to be successful in a fast paced and dynamic industry.”
If you’re looking to study and get into the Games and Interactive Media industries, then discover more about the Games and Interactive Media Extended Diploma Level 3 and FdA Games and Interactive Design which make the most of the Unreal Academic Partner Programme.
Did you know, South Devon College also offer courses in Esports? We have diplomas at Level 2 and Level 3 and they are another great pathway to studying FdA Games and Interactive Design at University Centre South Devon. You can visit us at our next Open Evening on 11th January 2023, where there will be demonstrations of what you will do as part of the course and the facilities you’ll use.
If you have any questions, you can get in touch with South Devon College by calling 08000 380 123 or email [email protected].