Creative Learning Courses
Creative Learning Courses
Ctrl, Alt, Create! 🚀✨
The video games industry is a growing market in Northern Ireland, with over 25 studios operating, including Level 91, Blackstaff Games, Bellular Studios, Italic Pig, and of course, the biggest of them all, Hypixel Studios.
However, while women and girls make up 50% of the gaming audience, fewer than 30% of those working in the industry are female. Additionally, only 11% of students pursuing IT and tech degrees at university are women.
We want to change that!
In partnership with Northern Ireland Screen, we are offering FREE after-school courses designed to encourage girls aged 11-14 to explore careers in the video games industry.
About the Courses
This FREE course is designed for young girls aged 11-14 and will cover the essential skills needed to start creating your own games. Whether you're a beginner or have some experience, this course will help you learn the basics of game development, creativity, and tech.
You’ll learn how to use:
🎮 Gamemaker, a free 2D game engine for building your own games.
🎨 Procreate on iPads, where you’ll explore digital art and design for your game characters and environments.
Throughout the course, you’ll also get a chance to:
👾 Explore the game development industry and see what it's like to work in the world of tech and games.
🚀 Participate in studio visits and talks from inspiring industry professionals working in Northern Ireland.
The course runs for 6-8 weeks and is held in locations such as Derry/Londonderry and Belfast. It’s a fantastic opportunity to make new friends, learn hands-on skills, and begin your journey into the exciting world of game development!
More Than Just Learning
Our classes focus on hands-on creativity, confidence-building, teamwork, and—most importantly—fun! Participants will get to experiment, collaborate, and develop skills in a supportive environment designed to spark their passion for game development.
We believe that game development should be accessible to everyone. Traditional learning doesn’t suit everyone, and we recognize that there is valuable learning outside of textbooks.
Our team has extensive experience working with students from a variety of backgrounds, including those with special educational needs, homeschoolers, school refusers, and neurodivergent learners.
We create a welcoming and adaptable learning space where every student feels supported and empowered to explore their creativity in a way that works for them. Adapting our approaches always ensures that each student receives the support they need to thrive in our classrooms! 💪
Whether you're diving into game development for the first time or refining your skills, we’ve got you covered! We’re excited to support the journey toward becoming the next generation of AWESOME game developers! 🚀
Ctrl, Alt, Create Pathways
We offer three levels of Ctrl, Alt, Create courses for girls interested in game development, each designed to match their skill level and help them grow in the industry:
Ctrl, Alt, Create: Girls (Beginners)
This FREE 6-8 week course for girls aged 11-14 introduces the basics of game development. Students will:
🎮 Learn Gamemaker to create their own mini-game.
✏️ Use Procreate on iPads for digital art and character design.
🏢 Hear from women in the game development industry.
Ctrl, Alt, Create: Girls (Intermediate)
Ideal for girls with prior experience or those who completed the Beginners course, so no need to apply at this stage. Over 6-8 weeks, students will:
🎮 Create a game demo using Gamemaker.
✏️ Design characters and environments with Procreate.
💻 Refine coding and game design skills.
🕹️ Work on advanced game design elements
Ctrl, Alt, Create: Girls (Advanced)
For girls ready to advance their skills and have previously completed the Intermediate course, so no need to apply at this stage. Students will:
🎮 Create a full game using Gamemaker.
✏️ Design characters and environments with Procreate.
💻 Learn advanced coding, storytelling, and project management.
🏆 Tour local game studios like Hypixel Studios and learn from experts.
Let’s Make Games: A Shared Journey for Boys and Girls
In addition to the girls-only courses, we also offer Let’s Make Games, which is open to both boys and girls. This FREE course follows the same curriculum as the girls' courses, ensuring everyone, regardless of gender, has equal access to learning game development. Students in this course will:
Learn Gamemaker to create their own 2D games.
Develop digital art skills with Procreate on iPads.
Gain insights into the game industry through studio visits and guest talks from professionals in Northern Ireland.
The Let’s Make Games course is a fantastic opportunity for both boys and girls to come together, collaborate, and explore the world of game development with an inclusive, supportive environment where everyone is involved.
Parents and Kids Testimonials
Kippie have been a great partner in growing the local games scene in Northern Ireland. Their Girls Make Games course is providing opportunities to diversify the future of gaming while helping young people to realise their potential. The ability to learn valuable skills in a safe and rewarding environment is reflected week on week by cultivating confidence in the group. Kippie are an inspiration both locally and to the games industry as a whole.
Holly Johnstone - Recruitment Manager
Hypixel Studios
Kippie CIC is something I wish I had growing up—the kind of learning that sparks further learning. They inspire young people to try things they might’ve thought were too hard, and it’s incredible to see how much they grow from both the mentorship they give and the environment they provide. Their mission is highly useful for both the current industry and the upcoming generation.
Aaron Donaghey (Noxy) - Chief Executive Officer
Hypixel Studios
As part of our new four year strategy, Northern Ireland Screen is committed to future proofing the skills pipeline of the creative industries. Working with local companies like Kippie to enhance the provision of the Girls Make Games courses will raise awareness of the opportunities that exist in our local games sector and will inspire the next generation to consider a career in gaming and other creative industries. Games skills are future skills, as skills covered in the course include programming, design, team working and presentation, all of which are transferable. We will continue to work with Kippie to improve access to games education for those from underrepresented groups that provides a much-needed stepping stone to our range of careers and work experience programmes.
David McConnell - Education and Careers Manager
Northern Ireland Screen
“As her mum, I want to thank you for her place on the course. My daughter can be shy and can make her mind up very quickly whether she likes something or not, so the fact that she completed the course and attended every week tells me that she enjoyed it without having to ask her.”
“I would like to thank the team for giving our daughter this opportunity. She will definitely be aiming for a career in the games design industry. We can’t thank you enough”
“The classes you put on for the girls are amazing. There’s no other class of its sort that we’re aware of”
“My daughter’s confidence has increased and she has started getting involved in other activities as a result. She is a big fan of digital art now and is always perfecting her skills. She loves it so much and I have seen a difference in her as a result”
“Can I just say a big thank you, to both of you, for what you’ve done with the girls- it’s been absolutely amazing seeing some of the progress and outputs. Our daughter has really loved it and it’s been a highlight of her week- she’s so proud of what she has achieved.”
“Our daughter loves the class, there were high levels of excitement when she suddenly understood that people could earn a good living spending their days creating video games. Career choice sorted”