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Computer Games Art at University of Portsmouth - UCAS

Course options

There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

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)
Year Two Core modules
  • Creative Research and Project Initiation (20 credits)
  • Designing for Animation (20 credits)
  • Student Enterprise for Games (20 credits)
Optional modules
  • 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)
Year Three Core modules
  • Final Year Project (40 credits)
  • Real-Time Interactive Group Project: Stage One (20 credits)
  • Real-Time Interactive Group Project: Stage Two (20 credits)
Optional modules
  • 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)
Changes to course content We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies. Therefore, course content is revised and regularly reviewed. This may result in changes being made in order to reflect developments in research, learning from practice and changes in policy at both national and local levels.

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

Application codes

Course code:
I630
Institution code:
P80
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

This course may be available at alternative locations, please check if other course options are available

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

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 subject or experience in art/design/creative computing or graphic arts is required.


English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
PTE Academic54An overall score of 54 with a minimum of 51 in each skill.
TOEFL (iBT)7979 with a minimum of 18 in Reading, 17 in Listening, 20 in Speaking and 17 in Writing.
Cambridge English AdvancedCambridge English: Advanced (CAE) taken after January 2015. An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162.
Cambridge English ProficiencyCambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) taken after January 2015. An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162.
Trinity ISEPassTrinity College Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III with a Pass in all 4 components

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
70%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
85%
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 £9535 Year 1
England £9535 Year 1
Northern Ireland £9535 Year 1
Scotland £9535 Year 1
Wales £9535 Year 1
Channel Islands £9535 Year 1
Republic of Ireland £9535 Year 1
International £17900 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

Students who are resident in EU countries: please note that the net fee is inclusive of the Transition Scholarship Placement Year and Year abroad (at the time of publishing for 2024/25): 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. All fees are subject to annual increase. For more information about fees, go to port.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/undergraduate-fees-and-student-finance/tuition-fees-living-costs-and-other-study-costs
Computer Games Art at University of Portsmouth - UCAS