Course summary
Games development is an exciting and rewarding industry. Futureworks has developed a Game Art degree which will produce graduates who have a wide skill set, making them valuable as employees of either large game developers, or smaller independent game studios – or even as talented and in-demand freelancers. Our experience in the industry made us realise that there was a clear need for a game art degree that merges traditional core art skills with 3D digital techniques. We start by focusing on your existing traditional artistic abilities, covering areas such as life, still life and other observational art, including essentials such as proportion, anatomy and composition. This involves classes, projects, lectures and field trips and helps you to develop these non-digital aspects of your creative work. At the same time, we start to bring your work into the digital arena, working with industry standard hardware and software. You will explore 3D digital art, environments, digital painting and game engines. You will also become competent in 3D modelling, learning the necessary skills including character animation, lighting and digital sculpting. Alongside these practical skills, we will give you a thorough understanding of game design fundamentals and an appreciation of the game design process and accepted workflows. You will learn the optimal balance between technical efficiency and stunning graphics. There is also a theory-strand that runs through the course which examines the historical, contemporary and future roles and influences of conceptual art. By the time you reach your third year, you will be ready for the challenge of your honours project. You will work with your tutor to define a project that will make the most of the abilities you have developed, while keeping it focussed on the career and specialisms that you hope to pursue. WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE THIS PROGRAMME? If you’re an art student who wants to develop your traditional artistic skills while at the same time pursue your passion for games, then this is the course that is ideally suited to you. You will gain a fantastic mix of traditional and digital art skills, while acquiring a detailed understanding of related professions and your potential role in the wider games industry. You will benefit from the experience of our highly experienced tutor team who are all currently active within the industry. This means that they keep abreast of developments and ensure that the course content adapts every year to reflect the changing nature of industry. So you can be confident that the skills you are learning are relevant to the current games job market. Our tutors also insist on smaller class sizes. This allows you to receive more individual time with tutors. It gives us the time and space to personalise the course around you and for us to develop suitable projects around your chosen specialisms. FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES With such a broad range of artistic abilities under your belt, it is difficult to list all the roles in this growing industry that are available. However, successful graduates from the Game Art degree will be in pole position to become 2D Artists, 3D Environment Artists, 3D Character Artists and 3D Technical Artists. With opportunities becoming widely available both in the UK and overseas, this is the course that could allow you to become part of the next generation of inspirational Game Artists.
Modules
HE Level 4 (Year 1): Art Fundamentals (40 credits) Visual Design 1 (20 credits) Introduction to 3D Modelling for Games (40 credits) Historical Contextual Studies (20 credits) HE Level 5 (Year 2): 3D Character Art (40 credits) 3D Environment Art (40 credits) Visual Design 2 (20 credits) Contemporary Contextual Studies (20 credits) HE Level 6 (Year 3): Honours Project (40 credits) Visual Design 3 (20 credits) Game Engine Project (40 credits) Personal and Professional Development (20 credits)
Assessment method
We want to do everything we can to prepare you for working within the creative industries, and this is reflected in the way we teach and assess you. The course is mostly coursework based, which means your tutors will be able to give you constant, constructive feedback. Presentation techniques will give you valuable experience of how to present your thoughts and ideas successfully and enthusiastically, so you are better at selling your ideas to prospective employers. The written work is an important part of assessment and will improve your communication skills. A combination of lectures, tutorials, peer reviews, discussions and observations will ensure that you’re industry ready. External trips will present you with a wider range of topics and the opportunity to expand your portfolio, whilst guest speakers will help you to understand the world of games, how it works and how you can make your mark on it.
How to apply
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:
- I620
- Institution code:
- F98
- Campus name:
- Futureworks (Manchester)
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Year 3
International applicants
We are able to accept applications from students requiring a Student visa. An administration fee of £1500 will be charged on application for applicants who require a Student Visa.
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 104 - 120 points
A level - BCC
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DMM
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
https://futureworks.ac.uk/study/school-of-art-and-design/ba-hons-game-art/admissions/
Additional entry requirements
Interview
Interviewer: Dave Boydell (Programme Leader) If your application is successful, you will be invited to an interview where you will have the opportunity to talk about your work, influences and interests. Ideal applicants will have a keen interest in art, design, and video games. You will be asked to bring any relevant examples of work with you, in the form of a portfolio.
Portfolio
For your portfolio we recommend including some observational drawing, ideally life drawings. For any work that is large format or difficult to scan please take clear well-lit photographs of the pieces. As well as including work done for school or college we like to see personal art so feel free to include original character work, personal illustrations or original fan art (i.e. art not copied from something). Experience in digital drawing/painting or 3D is not necessary prior to starting the degree, but if you have explored any of these avenues already then we'd love to see them. We like to see 8 or more finished pieces and take the presentation of the work into account.
English language requirements
GCSE level 4 & above or equivalent
Student Outcomes
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
Republic of Ireland | £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 |
EU | £17000 | Year 1 |
International | £17000 | 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
Provider information
Futureworks
Riverside
New Bailey Street
Manchester
M3 5FS
Clearing contact details
Enquiry formAdmissions
0161 214 4602
Additional information
If our Admissions team are not available please email [email protected].