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Games Animation, Modelling and Effects at London Metropolitan University - 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

Why study this course? The BSc Games Animation, Modelling and Effects (GAME) degree course is an innovative undergraduate degree that will provide creative game artists with a number of core modules as well specific artistic skills to enable you to develop the specialist knowledge and skills needed by the games industry. As an artist you will develop your computer graphics skills, both artistically and technically. You'll learn about subjects including modelling, rigging, animation, texturing, lights/cameras, visual effects (VFX) and rendering. A number of core modules are provided as part of the degree to enable game artists and game programmers to work together and achieve common goals: such an approach is fundamental to the workflow within the games industry. In addition both groups will also work with each other using their specialist art/programming skills to design and produce joint collaborative games. Successful completion of the course will prepare artists for a range of positions from concept, technical, texture and VFX artist to character/model builder, animator and graphic designer. More about this course Designed after research and consultation with computer games professionals and games industry body TIGA - www.tiga.org - this innovative degree will enable artists to develop their computer graphics skills, both artistically and technically - including modelling, rigging, animation, rendering, texturing, lights/cameras and visual effects (VFX). Key skills covered on the course include

  • Visual Effects (VFX) workflow
You’ll learn how to design and implement visual effects (VFX) in Houdini and Maya, how to composite VFX and 3D content in real life footage in NUKE and how to create procedural content in Houdini to be integrated in Unreal Engine.
  • Character artist workflow
After studying human anatomy in great detail you’ll go on to design and model characters in Maya and sculpt characters in ZBrush. You’ll also create realistic clothing in Marvellous Designer and texture your character in Substance Painter and Substance Designer. Finally, you’ll learn how to rig your character in Maya to get it ready for animation.
  • Environment/ hard-surface modeler workflow
This will see you design and create environmental assets in Maya, Zbrush and Houdini (such as buildings, furniture, weapons, tools etc.) You’ll then learn how to texture your assets in Substance Painter and Substance Designer.
  • Animator workflow
You’ll learn the principles of animation on which all classic animation works are based. You will first learn how to design and create animations in 2D with Adobe Creative Cloud software, before progressing on to animating mechanical objects and characters in 3D with Maya. Additionally, you’ll learn how to export your animation and integrate them in Unity and Unreal Engine, and how to utilise them in order to create in-game cut-scenes. Finally, you’ll integrate your 3D animations with real life footage using NUKE.
  • Game Designer / Level Designer workflow
You will study the principles of game and level design, and you’ll be working in teams with our Games Programming BSc students in order to design, project plan and implement your own games. You’ll learn how to optimise your game assets and design levels for games built with DirectX, Unity and Unreal Engine.
  • Technical Artist workflow
You’ll be given the option to learn scripting in C# for Unity, MEL and Python for Maya. You will also have the opportunity to learn visual programming in Unreal Engine, the Bifrost graph editor in Maya and procedural asset generation in Houdini.

Modules

First year modules include: Game Design Digital Design and Image Making Introduction to Drawing and Animation Second year modules include: Core - Modelling and Texturing Digital Toy Design Advanced 3D Modelling & Animation Moving Image and VFX Third year modules include: Project Advanced Scripting for Graphics and Games Work Related Learning II Games Asset Development Visual Effects for Computer Graphics and Games

Assessment method

Students will be assessed (primarily) by summative coursework assignments. On-going formative assessment is also undertaken during set (timetabled) classroom times. Formative assessment will be a regular feature of the semester, encompassing peer review, opportunities for QA (Quality Assurance), detailed feedback and guidance from tutors. Summative assessment such as coursework, presentations and group work will require students to: Model and provide optimal solutions for a given scenario Demonstrate an understanding of application work flow Write and present verbal and written reports on development and application-based approaches to problem solutions. Summative assessment such as unseen examinations generally will not be used in the course (with the exception of a small component of one of the Level 4 modules - 3D Modelling). The course assessment on the degree is spread over a period of time to give students the maximum opportunity for achievement. This should also ensure that students are able to submit work to a standard that meets the assessment required on each module and that they have the opportunity to work at the highest level possible. The proposed course assessment schedule for this new degree will conform to the agreed assessment tariff.


How to apply

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

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

Applicants with relevant professional qualifications or extensive professional experience will also be considered on a case-by-case basis. All applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Applicants who require a Tier 4 student visa may need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.


Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
55%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
80%
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
EU £19500 Year 1
International £19500 Year 1
Channel Islands £19500 Year 1
Republic of Ireland £19500 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

Please note, in addition to the tuition fee there may be additional costs for things such as equipment, materials, printing, textbooks, trips or professional body fees. Additionally, there may be other activities that are not formally part of your course and not required to complete your course, but which you may find helpful (for example, optional field trips). The costs of these are additional to your tuition fee and the fees set out above and will be notified when the activity is being arranged.
Games Animation, Modelling and Effects at London Metropolitan University - UCAS