University of Portsmouth has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework.These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Course summary
This is a Connected Degree Portsmouth is the only University in the UK with the flexibility to choose when to do an optional paid placement or self-employed year. Either take a placement in your third year, or finish your studies first and complete a placement in your fourth year. You can decide if and when to take a placement after you've started your course. Overview Discover the power of art in games by studying BA (Hons) Computer Games Art at Portsmouth – two-time winner of TIGA's Best Educational Institution award (2021, 2014). You'll delve into how game assets are created and used by exploring game art and developing your skills across drawing, modelling, animation, texturing, and composition. You can apply that knowledge in many ways, from collaborating with fellow students on live industry projects to working professionally on an optional placement. With our established relationships with acclaimed national and international games companies – including Rare, Codemasters, Jagex, Stainless, and Climax – you’ll always stay on top of the latest industry standards. By the end of this course, you'll become a versatile games artist ready to transform the games, creative, and tech industries. Why study BA (Hons) Computer Games Art at Portsmouth? You'll be able to:
- Develop traditional art knowledge by learning concepts such as art theory, observational life drawing, high-resolution digital sculpting, digital substance creation and texture painting
- Gain skills in 3D art by working with real-time engine-compatible 3D modelling, animation rigging and skinning, and engine special effects – with games engines like Unreal and motion capture technologies
- Work with the latest and future technologies in our impressive facilities, including the UK's first ever Centre for Creative Immersive and Extended Reality (CCIXR)
- Enhance your teamworking skills by collaborating with other Games students on game projects, including our annual prize-giving University GameJam
- Expand your cultural horizons by studying abroad in Europe as part of the Turing Scheme
- Wow potential future employers by showcasing your final-year work at our annual Graduate Showcase
Modules
Year One Core modules
- 3D Modelling (20 credits)
- Art Skills for Games (20 credits)
- Art Studio (20 credits)
- Coding and Scripting for Games (20 credits)
- Game Development (20 credits)
- Games Design and Context (20 credits)
- Creative Research and Project Initiation (20 credits)
- Designing for Animation (20 credits)
- Student Enterprise for Games (20 credits)
- Commercial Asset Production for Real Time (40 credits)
- Design and Visual Research for Cinema and Game (20 credits)
- Engaged Citizenship Through Interdisciplinary Practice (20 credits)
- Professional Experience (20 credits)
- Final Year Project (40 credits)
- Real-Time Interactive Group Project: Stage One (20 credits)
- Real-Time Interactive Group Project: Stage Two (20 credits)
- Advanced Graphics Techniques (20 credits)
- Create Worlds (20 credits)
- Designing User Experiences and Interfaces (20 credits)
- Games Research (20 credits)
- Implementing Game Audio (20 credits)
- Motion Capture Applications (20 credits)
- Psychological Theory for Game Designers (20 credits)
Assessment method
You'll be assessed through: practical artefacts, presentations (video and in-person), written reports, and exams. You'll be assessed during modules and you'll receive feedback to help improve your learning.
How to apply
31Jan
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
Please select a course option – you will then see the application code you need to use to apply for the course.
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Year 3
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 112 - 120 points
A level - BBB - BBC
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDM - DMM
Access to HE Diploma
Scottish Higher
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
Scottish Advanced Higher
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 25 points
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H3, H3, H3, H3, H4 - H3, H3, H3, H3, H3
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
GCSE/National 4/National 5
T Level - M
Additional entry requirements
Portfolio
Applicants without a relevant subject or experience will be asked to provide a portfolio to support their application.
Other
A relevant qualification or experience in art/design/creative computing or graphic arts is required.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5. |
| PTE Academic | 54 | An overall score of 54 with a minimum of 51 in each skill. |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 79 | 79 with a minimum of 18 in Reading, 17 in Listening, 20 in Speaking and 17 in Writing. |
| Cambridge English Advanced | Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) taken after January 2015. An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162. | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) taken after January 2015. An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162. | |
| Trinity ISE | Pass | Trinity College Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III with a Pass in all 4 components |
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
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
| EU | £9250 | Year 1 |
| England | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| International | £17900 | Year 1 |
Additional fee information
Students who are resident in EU countries: please note that the net fee is inclusive of the Transition Scholarship
Placement Year and Year abroad:
UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £1,385
EU – £1,385 (including Transition Scholarship)|
International (Non-EU) – £2,875.
Fees are accurate at the time of publishing and are subject to change at any time without notice.
Fees may also go up in later years, in line with inflation.
For more information about fees, go to port.ac.uk/ug-tuition-fees
Provider information
University of Portsmouth
University House
Winston Churchill Avenue
Portsmouth
PO1 2UP