Train2Game Student Support

Yes, Train2Game’s courses are completely legitimate. They have been designed by industry professionals from DR Studios with input from other TIGA member studios, to meet the needs of the industry. The T2G courses are relevant to current industry needs and are updated regularly (as this recent update shows) to keep pace with changes in the games industry.

The University of Bedfordshire is using components of our course as part of its Computer Science and Technology Degree programme. Similarly, the University of Portsmouth accepts Train2Game courses as evidence of achievement in applications for courses in its School of Creative Technologies.

The courses are currently being ‘benchmarked’ against University degree programmes, more information on this will be provided soon.

The Course kit you are left with at your enrolment contains everything that is required for you to begin your course with T2G. We do not leave the complete course content with you at the enrolment stage because we have to ensure that you work through the materials systematically and ensure you receive the most up to date materials. Requests for materials can be made by using the Student World Webmail System or by contacting your Tutor.

Your Tutor Team is available for contact as and when you require assistance so do make sure you contact them. If you are still unsure what you should have in your possession after enrolment please do not hesitate to contact us on 0845 272 8796.

Many of our course advisors are educated to a degree standard and all are carefully trained by the company to be able to assess the students’ individual circumstances and to make sure that the student makes an informed choice as to course selection and career direction. Not everyone is cut out to be a programmer and similarly, not everyone has the creative talent to be an artist or animator.

The role of the course advisor is to assess an individual’s suitability for the course but also to ensure there is an understanding of the level of commitment necessary to work through the material successfully. Finally, it also falls to the Advisors to make sure that students, or their parent/guardian, are aware of their financial obligations in paying for the training. As advocates of the Government guidelines on responsible lending, this is an important but necessary aspect of the Advisor’s job role.

If on reflection a student decides that the course is not for him/her and if the decision is taken within the ‘cooling off’ period, the answer is ‘yes’. This option is clearly explained at the point of enrolment.

The ‘cooling off’ period is that provided by the Consumer Credit Act under the finance agreement. The law requires only 5 days from receipt of the second copy of the agreement (sent by the finance company) being received by the student. In practice though and with the cooperation of its finance partners, for consistency, T2G allows cancellation ’21 days from the date of enrolment’. This is more generous than the law allows. Cancellation requests received in this time are processed automatically with no questions asked.

TIGA is the trade association representing the UK games industry. TIGA has many of the UK’s most successful games development studios amongst its members. TIGA also has outsourcing companies, technology businesses and universities as members.

TIGA support Train2Game by advising on course content, structuring examinations and assessments through the TIGA Examinations Committee and awarding TIGA Diplomas to individuals who successfully pass Train2Game courses.

The software supplied to students differs with each course. All students are supplied with the Pro version of Game Maker 7 by Yo-Yo Games but course-specific software is also supplied such as Microsoft Visual Studio C++ Express for Developer students and 3ds Max 2010 and Photoshop CS5 for Art and Animation students.

Blended learning is the phrase used to describe the multiple technologies integrated into the course as a whole to enhance the learning process. Historically, many ‘open learning’ programmes were true distance learning packages. Books and manuals were sent by post and the students were left to progress as best they were able. The T2G offering is a true blend of modern teaching methods designed with a ‘holistic’ support process.

Carefully designed and crafted theory modules are constructed to make learning manageable and to build knowledge and skill progressively. Comprehensive subject matter delivered by easy to use manuals supported by content rich multimedia interactivity and further enhanced by online learning with Live Internet Training (Webinars). All of this is supported by a dedicated ‘online campus’ (Student World) where students and tutors can interact in their own community.

Train2Game tutors and staff will be more than happy to provide advice and recommendations to students seeking employment in their chosen discipline or in the games industry in general. Train2Game are also working on a dedicated student jobs portal service for its students.

If we haven’t answered your query about Train2Game here please feel free to go to our Students Forum , Student Wiki or call us on 0845 272 8796.