Game Art Design BA (Hons)

About the course

Game Art Design at DMU gives you a distinctive mix of creativity, talent and the very latest technology. Accredited by Skillset, the course was the first industry accredited game art design course in England.

Reasons to study Game Art Design at DMU:

• Our graduates make the games you play, including Grand Theft Auto V, Aliens vs Predator, Assassin’s Creed 2, Crysis 3, Colin McRae Dirt, Dead Rising 2, F1 2012, F1 Race Stars and Far Cry 3
  
• Benefit from regular guest lectures with professional artists, producers, art directors and studio professionals
  
• Experience first hand what it takes to design successful game content and graduate with a portfolio demonstrating your technical skill and creative talent.

There are three distinct themes fully integrated across three years of study:

Game Production covers the practical development of in-game content by exploring character, environment and vehicle design, including industry standard 3D modelling, mapping, materials, rigging and dynamic effects.

Visual Design develops fundamental industry skills such as good drawing and painting, an understanding of anatomy, an appreciation of form, composition and colour theory, using a range of traditional and digital tools and techniques.

Critical Game Studies explores games, popular culture, film, art, technology and the games industry with a unique blend of guest lectures, seminars and social networking.

There are regular guest lectures from professionals including artists, producers, art directors, studio heads and others. Our students are regularly head-hunted by our guests, with internships providing you with a head-start in your career. You’ll graduate with a portfolio demonstrating your capabilities and talents.

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Key facts

UCAS course code: W291

Duration: Three years full-time, six years part-time

Institution code: D26

Entry and admission criteria

Entry requirements for 2014

A good portfolio and normally:

• Art and Design Foundation or
• 260 UCAS Points from at least two A Levels or equivalent, including a grade C or above in Art and Design
• Five GCSEs at grade C or above, including Maths and English
• BTEC requirements: Distinction Merit Merit (DMM) at National Diploma Level.
• Additional qualifications can contribute towards the points score such as a third A Level or AS Levels
• International Baccalaureate: 28+ points.

If you are unsure about the amount of UCAS points your qualifications may attract you can use our UCAS Tariff Chart|.

We welcome applications from mature students with non-standard qualifications and recognise all other equivalent and international qualifications.

If English is not your first language, an IELTS score of 6.0 or equivalent when you start the course is essential. English language tuition| is available at DMU both before and during the course if required.

Teaching and assessment

The course has a vibrant studio culture that encourages individuals to achieve their full potential. Teaching and learning is primarily through practical workshops, seminars and lectures. Final year students also mentor new students in our Gurus and Grasshoppers scheme, helping with the transition to university life, and developing a strong community spirit.

Assessment includes regular presentations of artwork and practical projects for peer, tutor and industry critique. You will produce your own portfolio of professional standard work, guided by artists from the game industry and the teaching team.

Course modules

Year one

• Critical Studies 1
• Visual Design 1
• Game Production 1

Year two

• Critical Studies 2
• Visual Design 2
• Game Production 2

Year three

• Game Production 3, Professional Briefs
• Game Production 3, Personal Project

Industry links and professional accreditation

The first industry accredited game art design course in England

Work experience and placements

At the end of the second year you will be eligible to apply for a variety of internships ranging from three to six months or apply for an extra year of study in order to undertake a full year’s internship. We also offer an exchange programme with the University of Advancing Technology, in Phoenix, Arizona.

In year three, you will undertake at least three industry set briefs which will give an opportunity to work with current industry professionals, and gain an insight and experience into current industry trends and techniques. There are also a range of opportunities to work on research projects in 3D visualisation, user experience design, architectural and archaeological visualisation and other innovative fields.

Graduate careers

Our graduates work for companies such as Artificial Life, the BBC, Big Big Games, Blitz Games Studios, BMW, Capcom, Codemasters, Code Monkeys, Creative Assembly, Crytek, Eurocom, Gusto Games, Headstrong, Jagex, Konami, Other Ocean, Outso, Razorworks, Rebellion Studios, Rock Star North, SEGA, Sony, and Ubisoft. Graduates are working as concept artists, character artists, environment artists, lead artists, technical artists and director. They have also produced their own original games, including Sodium, published by Sony.

Fees and funding

UK/EU Full-time £9,000 Placement year £650 Part-time (Where available) 4 year course £5,925 per year 6 year course £3,950 per year Per module £988 per 15 credits International
Full-time £11,250 Placement year £750

For more information please take a look at our Fees and Funding| section.

Scholarships

Scholarships and bursaries are available to home undergraduate students studying on a full time basis. To see if you are eligible, take a look at the Fees and Funding| section of the website.

Facilities

We have excellent specialist facilities that include a brand new games studio with a range of software and high spec PCs for producing 3D game content, and for studying games on PC, PS3, Xbox and next generation hardware as it becomes available. The 2D elements of the course benefit from a dedicated drawing studio and there are fully AV equipped lecture/seminar rooms to support other learning and teaching activities.