Game Art BA(Hons)
Join our Game Art degree and develop your creative capabilities while honing the skills you’ll need to make it as a successful artist in the games industry. You’ll study game art principles alongside traditional art practice, building your expertise to contribute to a major game development project in your second and third year.
Key details
| Location | Penryn Campus |
|---|---|
| Course Duration | 3/4 years |
| Attendance | Full-time |
| UCAS code | W280/FY01 |
| Contact | 01326 254350 |
Apply now
Introduction
As a game artist, you'll be joining one of the fastest growing sectors of the games industry, and be in higher demand than ever before. On this course, you'll work within game development teams and graduate as a skilled, industry-ready game artist.
You will:
- Learn about concept art, character art and environment art as well as the pipelines and processes used to make games.
- Work in an industry-standard environment with access to Cintiqs.
- Make complete games by working in multidisciplinary teams and collaborating in engines like Unreal and Unity.
- Acquire the skills you need to make a successful career from your artistic talent.
- Be surrounded by people who live and breathe games.
- Master a range of industry-standard tools used to produce game art including ZBrush, Maya, Substance Painter and Marmoset.
The Integrated Foundation Year pathway for this course is new for entry year 2022 and subject to validation.
Covid-19 update
As we follow the roadmap out of the pandemic, for the academic year 2021/22, the University expects to be able to deliver courses as they were designed. However, the institution must comply with any public health measures that are imposed by Government and may need to vary its delivery at short notice. Examples of amendments we have previously made to modules to comply with government guidance can be found here.
Apply through Clearing for 2021
What our students do
What our graduates do
Our students set themselves on career paths leading to roles like character artist, 3D modeler, environment artist, concept artist and producer.
Course details
What you'll learn
You'll explore the principles of game art in the context of traditional art practice, combining subjects like landscape painting with advanced Photoshop, concept art with critical analysis, and life drawing with 3D modelling. We'll also build your expertise in concept, character and environment art, agile project management, and development pipelines and processes.
Focused on industry practices, much of your learning will come from working in game development teams – devising and developing real games using real-world practices.
If you choose the Integrated Foundation Year pathway, you'll study five core modules in your foundation year. These are all designed to help you explore the foundational elements of your subject. You'll gain relevant technical skills, learn to experiment and take risks, develop an understanding of professional practice, have opportunities to work across disciplines and collaborate with other students on live project briefs.
By the time you progress into year one of your degree, you'll have a deeper knowledge of your subject, a clear understanding of your strengths, and develop a practical and technical skillset and the confidence to excel in your chosen subject.
Modules
Explore
You'll begin your foundation year by working collaboratively with others to explore themes of the future. You'll take risks, experiment through play and be supported to break through barriers.
Technique
You'll take subject-specific workshops and develop essential technical and practical skills in your area of study. You'll also enhance your analytical and organisational abilities.
Apply
You'll work with your peer group to think beyond discipline by addressing a societal or global issue. You'll then showcase your work to your peers and deliver and accompanying evaluation of your process.
Industry
You'll enhance your creative and practical skills in your subject specialism by responding to typical industry briefs, underpinned by focused research and experiments. You'll also gain industry insights through guest lectures and workshops.
Launch
You'll develop your unique identity in your specialism through the production of a self-initiated body of work. Your final project will be the bridge to your next year, fully supported by evaluative reviews and critical analysis of the work you have created.
The Integrated Foundation Year pathway for this course is new for entry year 2022 and subject to validation.
During the first year of your Game Art degree, you'll build the basic skills demanded by the industry, and learn about game artists' major roles and techniques. Working with industry-standard software, methods and pipelines, you'll develop your drawing skills, better understand anatomy, and apply these abilities to 3D modelling and related elements.
You'll learn traditional and digital art skills – both 2D and 3D – alongside concept, environment and character art.
Modules
Concept Art 1
Character Art 1
Environment Art 1
Concept Art 2
Character Art 2
Environment Art 2
You'll grow your confidence in game art and your skills in professional tools. You'll then provide art assets to a collaborative project with game development students, giving you valuable experience in the development pipeline. An additional specialist practice project lets you hone your skills in a particular area of game art, and create high quality work for your portfolio.
Modules
Developing Concept Art Vocabularies
Developing Character Art Vocabularies
Developing Environment Art Vocabularies
World Creation Project : Production
Developing Specialist Art Practice
With specialism, independence and professional practice at the front and centre of this year, you'll join a multi-skilled team on a game development project. Working in a studio, you'll contribute art assets using industry-standard methods and pipelines.
You'll also create distinctive and polished work for your growing portfolio by working on specialist game art. We'll then help you commercialise this work and prepare you for the transition to professional life.
Modules
Major Game Development Project: Pre-Production
Professional Practice
Major Game Development Project: Production
Preparing for the Future
The modules above are those being studied by our students, or proposed new ones. Programme structures and modules can change as part of our curriculum enhancement and review processes. If a certain module is important to you, please discuss it with the Course Leader.
From module information to course aims and assessment criteria, discover the full course details
We are making changes to our curriculum framework for courses starting in 2022. Modest amendments to our course module structure will provide you with new opportunities to collaborate and co-create with students from across disciplines during your studies.
This course page will be updated when these changes have been finalised and applicants will be notified.
How you'll learn
You'll learn through lectures, seminars, workshops, group and individual tutorials, and tutor and peer feedback on your work. Our guest lecture series is your chance to hear industry professionals talk about their work, their approaches, and the lessons they've learned.
As you progress through your Game Art degree, you'll focus and develop a distinctive practice. With your basic skills in place, you'll be able to work and experiment within game development teams – meaning you can apply your practice to professional game making.
How you'll spend your time
|
Year |
Timetabled teaching and learning activity |
Guided independent study |
|---|---|---|
|
Integrated Foundation Year (optional) |
Digitally enhanced learning |
Digitally enhanced learning |
|
1 |
36% |
64% |
|
2 |
36% |
64% |
|
3 |
32% |
68% |
How you'll be assessed
|
Year |
Written exams |
Practical exams |
Coursework |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Integrated Foundation Year (optional) |
0% |
0% |
100% |
|
1 |
0% |
0% |
100% |
|
2 |
0% |
0% |
100% |
|
3 |
0% |
0% |
100% |
The above percentages relate to 2019/2020 data.
Assessment methods
- Foundation year assessments are 100% coursework based
- Continuous assessment with no formal examinations.
- Visual, verbal and written assignments.
- A portfolio of personal and group project work is developed over the course of the degree to boost your employability.
Staff
You’ll be taught and supported by professional artists, game art practitioners and developers, and game-focused academics. Together they provide industry experience from titles like World of Warcraft, League of Legends, Project Gotham Racing and the Total War series.
Some members of staff only teach on specific modules, and your course might not feature every member shown here.
Dr Douglas Brown
Formerly employed by international games developer and publisher Square-Enix and credited on...
Professor Tanya Krzywinska
Tanya started playing computer-based games on Usenet when working at the Digital Equipment...
David Croft-Sharland
David studied Game Art at Staffordshire University, winning 1st place at EGX Graduate Games...
Phoebe Herring
Phoebe Herring joined Falmouth University as a lecturer in BA(Hons) Game Art after freelancing on a...
Ady Smith
I have been working in the Games Industry since 1992. I have worked on a variety of game platforms...
Facilities
- XSens MVN Awinda motion capture suits.
- Large studio equipped with regularly updated, state-of-the-art game development machines.
- Life drawing studio for artists and weekly life sessions.
- Specialised computing hardware for game development, motion capture and immersive experiences.
- Standard packages used in software development for the games and visual effects industries, including Adobe and Autodesk suites.
- Attached lab committed to staying at the cutting edge - featuring AR, VR and MR (XR) equipment including HoloLens, HoloLens 2 and Oculus Quest 2.
- Attached lab with access to PS4 development and testing kits.
- Access to a variety of game engines including Unity and Unreal.
- Studios open late during term time.
- Access to free software via Microsoft Imagine.
- Industry-standard game engines including Unity and Unreal 4.
- Industry-standard software including Maya, Zbrush, Blender and the Adobe Creative Suite.
- Technicians on-hand during opening hours to assist with the different tools.
How to apply
Apply now
Ready to join us? You can apply to study the BA(Hons) Game Art 3 year course through Clearing 2021.
Apply through Clearing 2021
Available for 2022 entry
You can apply for September 2022 through UCAS Apply and Track. You'll need to reference the university and relevant course code below.
- BA(Hons) 3 year course code: W280
- Integrated Foundation Year BA(Hons) 4 year course code: FY01
Apply for 2022
Applying as an international student?
International students can apply for a course through UCAS, via an agent or directly with the university. For more information about how to apply as an international student, visit our International applications page.
Application advice & interview information
We consider all applications on their own individual merit and potential. We invite all applicants to an interview day or audition to give them the opportunity to demonstrate this along with what inspires and motivates them in their field. Applicants will also be able to show their portfolio or give a performance depending on the course. We welcome applications from all subject backgrounds, whether you’ve specialised in STEM, the arts or humanities.
As a guide our typical offer at undergraduate level is 104 – 120 UCAS Tariff points, primarily from Level 3 qualifications such as but not limited to A-levels, a BTEC/UAL Extended Diploma or a Foundation Diploma.
For applicants whose first language is English we require you to have or be working towards GCSE English Language Grade 4 (C), or equivalent.
If English is not your first language you will need to meet the same standard which is equivalent to the IELTS Academic 6.0 overall score, with at least 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. We accept a range of in country equivalencies and approved tests.
If you need a student visa to study in the UK, you'll need to take a recognised language test that is approved and vouched for by the University. You can read our English Language Requirements for more information.
UK applications for 2021
- 29 January 2021 (for equal consideration)
UK applications for 2022
- 26 January 2022 (for equal consideration)
Late applications will be considered if there are places available.
International fee payers can apply throughout the year. But we recommend applying as early as possible, to make time for visa and travel arrangements.
What we're looking for
We want someone who:
- Understands what is required of game development artists.
- Shows an awareness of visual communication.
- Is motivated and suitable for the course.
Fees, costs & funding
Tuition fees
£9,250 per year - full-time UK
£16,950 per year - full-time EU/international
£9,250 per year - full-time UK
£17,460 per year - full-time EU/international
Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.
Typical course costs
-
£300 - Recurring annual costs (art materials)
-
£1500 - Laptop or desktop capable of running 3D modelling software
If you need to bring equipment or materials with you, these will be outlined in your Welcome Letter.
Additional typical course costs for Integrated Foundation Year pathway
- £250 for materials
- A laptop/desktop computer
- Adobe Creative Suite
In order to participate in our digitally enhanced learning approach, you'll need to have a personal laptop/desktop computer. Depending on your specialism, you may need a specific type of computer. You can find out more about the type of machine you'll need on your course specialism page. If you're unsure about what you might need, please contact our course advisors.
The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs
Funding
For information about funding available, please visit our undergraduate funding page
Ask a student
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