Computer Games Art
| Award | Attendance | Study | Duration | Start | Domestic fees | International fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BA (Hons) | On-Campus | Full-time, Sandwich | 3 - 4 years | September | find out | find out |
https://www.port.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/undergraduate-fees-and-student-finance
About Computer Games Art, BA (Hons) - at University of Portsmouth
Overview
Discover the power of art in games by studying BA (Hons) Computer Games Art at Portsmouth – two-time winner of TIGA's Best Educational Institution award (2021, 2014).
You'll delve into how game assets are created and used by exploring game art and developing your skills across drawing, modelling, animation, texturing, and composition. You can apply that knowledge in many ways, from collaborating with fellow students on live industry projects to working professionally on an optional placement. With our established relationships with acclaimed national and international games companies – including Rare, Codemasters, Jagex, Stainless, and Climax – you’ll always stay on top of the latest industry standards.
By the end of this course, you'll become a versatile games artist ready to transform the games, creative, and tech industries.
Course highlights
- Develop traditional art knowledge by learning concepts such as art theory, observational life drawing, high-resolution digital sculpting, digital substance creation and texture painting
- Gain skills in 3D art by working with real-time engine-compatible 3D modelling, animation rigging and skinning, and engine special effects – with games engines like Unreal and motion capture technologies
- Work with the latest and future technologies in our impressive facilities, including the UK's first ever Centre for Creative Immersive and Extended Reality (CCIXR)
- Enhance your teamworking skills by collaborating with other Games students on game projects, including our annual prize-giving University GameJam
- Expand your cultural horizons by studying abroad in Europe as part of the Turing Scheme
- Wow potential future employers by showcasing your final-year work at our annual Graduate Showcase
Careers and opportunities
With an estimated global value of $131.23 billion (£97.95 billion) in 2020, the computer games industry is a force to be reckoned with. In the UK, it contributed £2.2 billion to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2019/20, and the number of workers in the field grew to 18,279 (TIGA, 2020).
As the game industry and its workforce continue to expand – especially across sectors adopting its technologies and systems – multi-skilled and specialist graduates are more in demand than ever before.
Areas you can work in with a Computer Games Art degree
Areas you can work in include:
- computer games development
- visual effects
- synthetic training for healthcare, security, and defence
- simulation development
- architectural/historical visualisation
- marketing
- advertising
Jobs you can do with a Computer Games Art degree
Roles you can work in include:
- Games Artist
- 3D Artist
- Environment Artist
- Character Artist
- 3D Generalist
- Real Time Effects Artist
- Technical Artist
- Indie Games Developer
Continuing your studies
You can also advance your studies to Master's level on MA or MSc courses focused on Games Art, as well as Computing courses depending on your specialisation.
Placement year (optional)
After your second or third year, you can complete an optional work placement to gain professional experience and enhance your skills. It's also a great incentive for employers once you graduate.
You can work for a company, organisation or agency, or you can go self-employed and start your own business with fellow students or by yourself.
Whatever you decide – or even if you just want some employability advice – our exclusive Creative Careers team can support you every step of the way.
Creative Careers
Our in-faculty Creative Careers team has extensive recruitment experience and knows the creative sector well, making it easier for students to find placements within the creative industries.
They can guide you through every step of the application process, including:
- Searching for the ideal job through their database of vacancies
- Giving tips on how to write an interesting CV that will catch employers' attention, no matter the role
- Organising mock interviews, so you can hone your technique and familiarise yourself with the recruitment environment
- Writing your startup business proposal – if you're going down the self-employment route
The team will continue to give you support throughout your placement year.
Placement roles
You can work in a range of technical and artistic roles, such as:
- games artist
- 3D artist
- environmental artist
- character artist
- real-time effects artist
- games developer
Placement destinations
You can intern at games studios and technology companies like:
- Rare
- Sumo Digital
- Sega
- Criterion Games
- IBM
- Amazon
- Babcock
Alternatively, you can work as an independent or freelance game designer and developer.
Supporting your creative career
Our dedicated Careers and Employability team have extensive recruitment experience across a multitude of areas including the creative sector.
They can provide you with supporting and advice, including:
- Searching for the ideal job through their database of vacancies
- Giving tips on how to write an interesting CV that will catch employers' attention, no matter the role
- Organising mock interviews, so you can hone your technique and familiarise yourself with the recruitment environment
- Writing your startup business proposal – if you're going down the self-employment route
- Researching placement opportunities and applying for creative opportunities
The team will continue to support you throughout your placement year and beyond, providing you with help for up to 5 years after your graduate.
Entry requirements for this course
Contact University of Portsmouth to find course entry requirements.
View all courses at University of Portsmouth