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

Course options

2025 - 2026
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Anglia Ruskin University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

Open days

23Nov
ARU Peterborough - Undergraduate Open Day
Undergraduate
23Nov
Anglia Ruskin University - Undergraduate Open Day - Cambridge
Undergraduate
23Nov
Anglia Ruskin University - Undergraduate Open Day - Chelmsford
Undergraduate

Course summary

Develop skills essential to the fast-moving computer games industry with our BA (Hons) Computer Games Art degree in Cambridge.

  • 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.
  • Our BA Computer Games Art is a member of the Unreal Academic Partner programme, which recognises university courses that are committed to providing ongoing, high quality educational opportunities.
  • Explore different aspects of digital art on our optional modules, helping you specialise and future-proof your career.
  • Work collaboratively in a development studio environment that reflects the professional workplace.
  • Attend exciting industry events including games jams, industry talks, conferences, and festivals, such as our annual student games fest Gamebridge, where you can show your work to major industry reps.
  • Study in a region renowned for computer games: the East of England has nearly 200 active games companies, and Cambridge is home to 26 games companies including Jagex, Frontier Developments and Ninja Theory (source: Ukie Games Map, January 2024).
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 As a Computer Games Art student at ARU, you’ll benefit from:
  • High-end computers with graphic tablets
  • Motion capture equipment
  • Industry-standard SLRs (for HDRI capture)
  • HD cameras
  • Top of the range 3D modelling, animation, and game software including Maya, ZBrush, Substance 3D, Unreal Engine 5 and Unity 3D
  • Podcast and video capture system
Careers 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. 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; 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

29Jan

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:
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 £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

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