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Computer Games Art [with Foundation Year] at Anglia Ruskin University - UCAS

Course options

Course summary

Develop art skills relevant to the fast-moving games industry including sculpting, modelling, texturing, characters and environments.

  • Join a degree that's accredited by TIGA, indicating to employers that you're well-versed in the practical and theoretical application of industry-standard practices and the latest industrial workflows.Develop art skills relevant to the fast-moving computer games industry, including sculpting, modelling, texturing, characters and environments, enabling you to create characters, environments and more.
  • Study in a region renowned for computer games, with 26 games companies in Cambridge alone (source: Ukie Games Map, January 2024).
  • Attend exciting industry events such as games jams, industry talks, and festivals including our annual Gamebridge.
  • Explore different aspects of digital art, helping you specialise and future-proof your career.
  • Work collaboratively in a development studio environment that reflects the professional workplace.
  • Study on a course that's a member of the Unreal Academic Partner programme, recognisinng university courses that are committed to providing ongoing, high quality educational opportunities.
During your studies, you’ll discover how you can use your visual research, creative experimentation and technical development to forge a career as a computer games artist. You’ll learn how to move from concept to game-ready assets, bringing your work to life using Industry-leading software including UE5, the latest version of Epic’s Unreal Engine, Autodesk Maya, ZBrush and the Adobe Substance Painter. By studying Computer Games Art at ARU, you’ll improve your prospects with live briefs and guest speakers from tech giants like Sony, Jagex and Frontier. You’ll also attend exciting events including Gamebridge, hosted annually on the ARU campus. At Gamebridge, students from across the country attend industry-led talks and one-to-one portfolio reviews, whilst showcasing their work and networking with local and global studios as well as other like-minded students. Our flexible modules allow you to explore different aspects of digital art, helping you specialise and future-proof your career. And with our TIGA accreditation, employers will know that your course has trained you in both practical and theoretical application of industry standard practices and the latest industrial workflows. We're also partners with the Global Science & Technology Forum, giving you access to cutting-edge research materials. During your time at ARU, you’ll receive ongoing support to find placements and work experience relevant to your Computer Games Art and you can take an optional placement year. In recent times, ARM, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, Frontier and Just Flight have all offered internships and work opportunities to ARU students. Industry-standard facilities From gaming and 3D modelling software through to HD cameras and graphic tablets, our games studio is filled with the latest industry-standard tools and equipment. Our dedicated Computer Games Technical Officer will be on hand to offer full training and support. You can also get training in the use of all our creative facilities, including a digital workshop with variety of computer aided manufacturing machines. Careers 82% of the UK computer games industry is educated to at least undergraduate level, according to UKIE’s 2022 census. The skills and knowledge you acquire on our Computer Games Art degree course will not only help you to land a career in the gaming industry but also equip you with in-demand skills across other sectors, including VFX, film, animation, television and motion graphics. Through work-based projects, internships and placements, students can get hands-on practical opportunities. In recent times, ARM, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, Frontier and Just Flight have all offered internships and work opportunities to ARU students.

Modules

Year 1: Foundation in Art and Design. Year 2 Core modules: Game Concepts and Analysis; Digital Sculpting for Games; Introduction to Game Art; Game Art Creation. Year 3 Core modules: Collaborative Games Development; Specialised Practice in Games Art; Technical Development for Games; Ruskin Module. Year 4 Core modules: Studio Practice for Games; Major Project for Games. Modules are subject to change and availability.

Assessment method

You’ll show your progress through a combination of written and practical work.

Professional bodies

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

  • The Independent Game Developers' Association

How to apply

Application codes

Course code:
W282
Institution code:
A60
Campus name:
Cambridge Campus
Campus code:
C

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

5 GCSEs at grade D, or grade 3, or above and evidence of two years post-GCSE study at Level 3. If you have achieved at least grade E in one A level, or equivalent, you are exempt from the two years post-GCSE study requirement, but you still must meet the GCSE requirements. Applicants who do not meet the two years post GCSE study at level 3 may be considered based on their satisfactory employment history, which must be a minimum of two years full time employment supported by employer evidence and deemed appropriate by the University for meeting the course of study applied for.


English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)5.5With minimum 5.5 in each component

Equivalent English Language qualifications, as recognised by Anglia Ruskin University, are also accepted.


Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
70%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
95%
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

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

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

https://aru.ac.uk/student-life/preparing-for-university/help-with-finances/undergraduate
Computer Games Art [with Foundation Year] at Anglia Ruskin University - UCAS