Computer Games Art [with Foundation Year]

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.

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.

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

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

• The Independent Game Developers' Association