Course summary
If you want to create the amazing visual elements that are seen in games, our Games Art degree will provide you with the skills you need for a career as a 3D artist. This course follows our brand-new pathways structure, allowing you to specialise in a particular area of the field of games art, and covers everything from environment and character creation to props, vehicle and weaponry design. Throughout the course, you’ll study 3D modelling, digital sculpting, texturing, observational drawing and character design. You’ll learn how to apply the fundamentals of art and design theory and contextual art studies to your practical art skill development. You will also be encouraged to develop your own artistic workflow. In the second year of study you can choose to specialise in one of the following areas of games art, gaining a more focused expertise and making yourself more employable in specific roles: Character Environment The course is designed in collaboration with the games industry. We are members of TIGA, and industry sponsored state-of-the art games design studio. What’s more, games studios visit the University on a regular basis for industry talks and workshops, so you’ll have the opportunity to build contacts for your future career. What you’ll do: During your first year, you’ll learn 3D modelling and texturing using a physically-based rendering (PBR) workflow for environment assets in the Unreal Games Engine. You’ll develop your understanding of art and design principles including: light, colour, shape, form, volume and anatomy through life drawing and fundamental art skills. You’ll cultivate your artistic eye to make use of light, colour and composition in games contemporary media. In Year 2 you will have the option to choose a specialist pathway and focus your module choices around a particular area. Depending on your choices, you can learn digital sculpting techniques to create game characters using ZBrush, or create environments using a combination of ZBrush, 3DS Max, Photoshop and the Unreal Engine. You’ll also develop an understanding of game production by being a games artist for a group games development project. In the final year of your degree, you’ll continue to develop your portfolio with advanced 3D modelling. If you’re a character artist you’ll be able to specialise with creature sculpting. We will guide you in developing specialist skills for your individual career path, which will be vital in securing your first job. You will also be a senior member of a collaborative games development team which will prepare you for working in the industry. Course features: 3D Modelling for Games Environment Art Production Character Art Production Fundamental Art Skills for Games Life Drawing Art Direction for Games 3D Hard Surface Modelling Materials and Texture Generation Collaborative Game Development and Testing Games Art Portfolio Development For an up-to-date module overview, please refer to the website. Graduate destinations Our past graduates have achieved worldwide success, securing jobs in games studios around the globe. One graduate was Lead Character Artist at Naughty Dog, working on The Last of Us. We also have artists at Playground Games, Codemasters, Dovetail Games, Sumo Digital, Rockstar North, Flix Interactive, Rare, EA, Ubisoft and Rebellion.
How to apply
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- I741
- Institution code:
- S72
- Campus name:
- Staffordshire University (Stoke Campus)
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 112 - 120 points
A level - BBC
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DMM
Access to HE Diploma
Scottish Higher
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - DMM
T Level - Pass (C and above)
Student Outcomes
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
England | £9250 | Year 1 |
Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Scotland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
Channel Islands | £9250 | Year 1 |
EU | £16750 | Year 1 |
International | £16750 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Provider information
University of Staffordshire
College Road
Stoke on Trent
ST4 2DE