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BA (Hons) Games Arts
Farnham
INTAKE: September
Program Overview
The BA (Hons) Games Arts program at the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) offers students a comprehensive education in the creation and design of digital games, preparing them for careers in the rapidly evolving games industry. Throughout the program, students explore a wide range of topics related to game development, including concept art, character design, environment design, 3D modeling, animation, level design, storytelling, and game mechanics. They develop technical skills using industry-standard software and hardware, alongside critical and theoretical understanding of games as a cultural and artistic form. Through hands-on projects, collaborative work, and industry placements, students gain practical experience and industry insights, building a professional portfolio and network. The program emphasizes creativity, innovation, and experimentation, encouraging students to explore their interests and develop their own unique artistic style and voice in the context of game development.
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Concept Art and Character Design: Students learn to create concept art and design characters for games, developing skills in visual storytelling, anatomy, character archetypes, and personality expression. They explore different styles and techniques, from stylized to realistic, and learn to communicate ideas effectively through sketches, digital paintings, and 3D models.
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Environment Design and 3D Modeling: Students learn to design and create immersive game environments, ranging from fantastical worlds to real-world settings. They develop skills in 3D modeling, texturing, lighting, and scene composition, using industry-standard software such as Autodesk Maya, ZBrush, Substance Painter, and Unreal Engine.
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Animation and Rigging: Students learn to bring characters and creatures to life through animation, exploring principles of movement, timing, weight, and emotion. They also learn to rig characters and create skeletal structures, controls, and deformations that enable realistic and expressive animation.
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Level Design and Game Mechanics: Students explore the principles of level design and game mechanics, learning to create engaging gameplay experiences that balance challenge, reward, exploration, and narrative progression. They study player psychology, user experience (UX) design, game balance, pacing, and interactive storytelling.
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Professional Practice and Industry Engagement: Students engage with industry professionals, attend guest lectures, and participate in workshops, conferences, and industry events. They have opportunities for internships, placements, and collaborative projects with game studios, indie developers, and creative agencies, gaining valuable insights, feedback, and connections within the games industry.
Location
Farnham
Score
IELTS: 6
Tuition Fee
£ 16950
Undergraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications:The minimum percentage required for undergraduate courses at UCA is average percentage of 60% in HSC.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: The minimum required overall score is usually between 6.0, with a minimum score of 5.5 in each component.
- PTE Academic: The minimum required overall score is 56.
- TOEFL: The minimum required score is 80.
Students must provide:
- academic marksheets & transcripts
- letters of recommendation
- a personal statement - SOP
- passport
- other supporting documents as required by the university.
It is important to note that entry requirements may vary across different programs and courses. Additionally, meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee admission, as the university considers factors such as the number of available places and competition for certain courses.
The University for the Creative Arts (UCA) recognizes the importance of providing financial support to students pursuing their creative arts education. University for the Creative Arts offers a range of scholarships and funding opportunities to help students with the costs of tuition fees and living expenses.
Vice-Chancellor's Scholarships: University for the Creative Arts offers Vice-Chancellor's Scholarships to both undergraduate and postgraduate students. These scholarships are awarded based on academic excellence and are open to both domestic and international students. The scholarship amount varies and can contribute towards tuition fees or living expenses.
International Scholarships: University for the Creative Arts offers scholarships specifically designed for international students. These scholarships are available for both undergraduate and postgraduate studies. The eligibility criteria, application process, and scholarship amounts may vary.
University for the Creative Arts Creative Excellence Scholarships: These scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate exceptional talent and creative potential in their chosen field of study. The Creative Excellence Scholarships are available for various disciplines within the creative arts, such as fine arts, design, fashion, media, and more.
External Scholarships and Funding: University for the Creative Arts encourages students to explore external scholarship opportunities and funding sources. There may be scholarships offered by government organizations, charitable foundations, or industry associations that are applicable to creative arts students. University for the Creative Arts provides guidance and support to help students identify and apply for external scholarships.
It is important to note that scholarship availability, eligibility criteria, and application deadlines may vary from year to year.
The BA (Hons) Games Arts program at the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) equips students with the skills and knowledge needed to pursue rewarding careers in the dynamic and rapidly expanding games industry. Graduates of this program are well-prepared to enter various roles within game development studios, animation studios, interactive media companies, and other creative industries.
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Game Artist: Graduates can work as game artists, specializing in areas such as concept art, character design, environment design, 3D modeling, texturing, and animation. They create visual assets and content for video games, contributing to the overall aesthetic and immersive experience of game worlds.
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3D Modeler: Graduates may pursue careers as 3D modelers, focusing on creating detailed and realistic 3D models of characters, props, and environments using software such as Autodesk Maya, ZBrush, and Blender. They collaborate with other artists and designers to bring game concepts to life.
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Animator: Graduates can work as animators, responsible for bringing characters, creatures, and objects to life through movement and expression. They create animations for cutscenes, character interactions, combat sequences, and environmental elements, using keyframe animation, motion capture, and rigging techniques.
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Level Designer: Graduates may pursue careers as level designers, designing and building interactive game environments, levels, and puzzles. They create layouts, mechanics, and challenges that engage players and enhance the overall gameplay experience, collaborating closely with game designers and programmers.
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UI/UX Designer: Graduates can work as user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) designers, designing intuitive and visually appealing interfaces for games. They focus on usability, accessibility, and player engagement, creating menus, HUD elements, icons, and interactive elements that enhance navigation and interaction within games.
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Game Designer: Graduates may pursue roles as game designers, responsible for conceptualizing, prototyping, and developing game concepts and mechanics. They collaborate with artists, programmers, and producers to create compelling gameplay experiences, balancing creativity, innovation, and technical feasibility.
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Technical Artist: Graduates can work as technical artists, bridging the gap between art and programming by optimizing workflows, creating tools, and implementing art assets into game engines. They ensure that artistic vision is realized in the final product while maintaining technical performance and compatibility.
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Freelance Artist or Indie Developer: Graduates may choose to work as freelance artists, offering their services to game development studios, animation studios, advertising agencies, and other clients. They can also pursue independent game development, creating their own games and digital art projects as indie developers.
