Game Art with Foundation Year

Please check the Sheffield Hallam University website for the latest information.

Course summary:

• Prepare for the degree with an extra foundation year at the start.

• Develop technical production skills through the creation of 2D and 3D artwork.

• Collaborate in creative projects alongside programmers.

• Work with cutting edge tools to produce various game art styles, and work to art limitations for use on different gaming platforms.

• Work in partnership with Sony within our commercial games studio, Steel Minions.

• Study at the only university in the UK to produce a game on a Sony platform.

This course will equip you with the practical skills required to work in the games industry ranging from concept to post-production, and you will graduate with a portfolio of projects.

How you learn:

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.

The course is suitable if you don't meet the entry requirements for our BA (Hons) Games Art course, or you want extra preparation before starting degree-level study. You share the first year with other media arts and communication foundation year students, then move on to the degree.

Throughout this course you will build a professional quality portfolio that is aimed at meeting the requirements of potential employers. The teaching and learning on this course is designed to help you do this.

You learn through

• specialist technical workshops

• group projects

• one-to-one support

• live projects

• industry visits, field trips and festivals

• self-directed and independent study

In the foundation year, you'll study wide-ranging media arts and communication topics, while also focussing on your particular subject area and completing assignments in that field. You'll grow as a creative, and begin developing a professional portfolio. You'll also become familiar with Hallam's exceptional facilities and staff, so you're fully prepared for undergraduate study.

Applied learning

Work placements

In year four, you have the opportunity to take a one-year paid work placement, which is an excellent way to enhance your graduate employment potential. Games design is a very competitive industry, and there are a limited number of placements available in games companies. You are supported in finding a placement by our experienced Placement and Employability Team who have a large range of employer contacts.

Live projects

You will have the opportunity to work on commercial opportunities with real-life clients. Previous students have designed game levels and concepts for Pixel Bullies and Sumo Digital, and worked with English Heritage to create a virtual tour of Conisbrough Castle.

Networking opportunities

During your degree you will have access to careers advisers, employability enhancing workshops and networking opportunities including guest speakers and master classes from the creative media industry. We also help you to master social media for networking and making contacts.

A number of industry days and events (Game Republic events, Pathways) are also held on campus where you can network with and attend talks and workshops run by creative media industry professionals and organisations.

Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.

Important notice: The structure for this course is currently being reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment are all likely to change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Once the changes have been confirmed, updated module information will be published on this page.

You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.

Year 1

Compulsory modules

Creative Synergies In Media Production
Media In Context
Media Project
Preparing For Independent Practice And Study

Year 2

Compulsory modules

3D Modelling
Game Design Theory
Game World Mechanics
Level 4 Game Project
Visual Concepts For Games 1
Visual Concepts For Games 2

Year 3

Compulsory modules

3D Animation Project
3D Character Modelling
Professional Development Project
Prop Development
Real-Time Environment Creation

Elective modules

App Design And Development
Creative Sound Practice
Documentary Production (Photography, Sound And Moving Image)
Experimental Game Practice
Introduction To Concept Art
Storyboarding For Film And Animation

Year 4

Elective modules

3D Games Prototyping

Optional modules

Placement Year

Final year

Compulsory modules

3D Game Art
Final Game Project
Game Professional Practice

Elective modules

Life Drawing
Pre-Production For Animation
Sound Design And Sonic Arts Practice
Visual Effects Project

Optional modules

Placement Year

Coursework, practical