MBA Business Administration
Staffordshire University's MBA Business Administration course offers a comprehensiv...
BA (Hons) Games Art
Stoke-on-Trent campus
INTAKE: September
Program Overview
The BA (Hons) Games Art program at Staffordshire University, UK, is designed to prepare students for careers in the rapidly expanding gaming industry. This program combines artistic skills development with technical knowledge, focusing on the creation of visual assets for video games. Students learn to design characters, environments, props, and special effects that contribute to immersive gaming experiences. Through practical projects, industry-standard software training, and collaboration with peers, students acquire the skills and expertise needed to succeed in the competitive games industry.
Curriculum: The curriculum of the BA (Hons) Games Art program covers a range of topics essential for games art development. Students study 2D and 3D digital art techniques, character design, environment design, texture mapping, lighting, and animation. They also learn to use industry-standard software such as Autodesk Maya, ZBrush, Substance Painter, and Photoshop to create high-quality game assets. Through studio-based projects, critiques, and portfolio development, students build a strong portfolio showcasing their artistic abilities and technical proficiency in game art creation.
Research Focus: Staffordshire University emphasizes research within its BA (Hons) Games Art program, encouraging students to explore emerging trends, technologies, and aesthetics in the gaming industry. Faculty members are actively engaged in research projects exploring game design principles, visual storytelling techniques, and player experience dynamics. Students have the opportunity to participate in research initiatives, experiment with new tools and techniques, and contribute to advancements in game art and design through their coursework and projects.
Industry Engagement: The university maintains strong connections with the gaming industry to provide students with valuable industry engagement opportunities. Through guest lectures, workshops, studio visits, and industry placements, students gain insights into the practical aspects of working in game development studios. Industry partnerships enable students to collaborate with professionals, receive feedback on their work, and build professional networks that enhance their employability upon graduation.
Global Perspective: Staffordshire University promotes a global perspective within its BA (Hons) Games Art program, recognizing the international nature of the gaming industry. The curriculum integrates global gaming trends, cultural influences, and market considerations to prepare students for careers in a diverse and interconnected global market. Additionally, the university may offer opportunities for international collaborations, game jams, and guest lectures by industry professionals from different countries, providing students with exposure to different gaming cultures and perspectives.
Location
Stoke-on-Trent campus
Score
IELTS 6
Tuition Fee
£ 16750
Undergraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: International students applying for undergraduate programs are typically expected to have completed their secondary education with a minimum of 65% or above in their final exams.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: A minimum overall score of 6.0 or 6.5 with no individual component below 5.5.
- TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 72, with at least 17 in Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing.
- PTE Academic: A minimum overall score of 59 with no individual score below 59.
- It is important to note that the English language requirements may vary slightly depending on the chosen program.
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 meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee admission, as the university considers factors such as availability of places and competition for the program. Additionally, some courses may have higher entry requirements or additional selection criteria, such as interviews or portfolio submissions.
Staffordshire University values diversity and aims to support international students in their academic journey. To make education more accessible and affordable, the university offers a range of scholarships specifically designed for international students. These scholarships recognize academic excellence, promote diversity, and provide financial assistance to deserving students.
Vice-Chancellor's International Scholarship: This prestigious scholarship is awarded to exceptional international students who demonstrate academic excellence and outstanding achievements. The scholarship covers a significant portion of the tuition fees and is available for both undergraduate and postgraduate students.
International Merit Scholarship: Staffordshire University offers the International Merit Scholarship to high-achieving international students. The scholarship provides a reduction in tuition fees and is available for both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Eligibility criteria are based on academic performance and other achievements.
GREAT Scholarships: Staffordshire University is part of the GREAT Scholarships program, which is funded by the UK government's GREAT Britain Campaign. The program offers scholarships to students from selected countries, supporting them in pursuing their studies at UK universities. The scholarships cover a portion of the tuition fees for specific programs.
International Sports Scholarship: Staffordshire University recognizes the talent and achievements of international students in sports. The International Sports Scholarship is awarded to outstanding student-athletes who have represented their country at the national or international level. The scholarship provides financial support and other benefits to help students balance their academic and sporting commitments.
Country-Specific Scholarships: Staffordshire University also offers scholarships specifically tailored to students from certain countries. These scholarships aim to promote cultural diversity and strengthen ties with partner institutions. Eligibility criteria, application procedures, and scholarship amounts may vary depending on the country-specific scholarships available.
It is important to note that scholarship availability, eligibility criteria, and application deadlines may vary each year.
Graduates of Staffordshire University's BA (Hons) Games Art program have a wide range of exciting career opportunities available to them in the gaming industry and related fields. Equipped with a strong foundation in digital art, technical skills, and industry-relevant knowledge, graduates can pursue diverse roles that cater to their interests and expertise in game art creation.
Character Artist: Character artists specialize in creating 3D character models for video games, including protagonists, antagonists, NPCs (non-player characters), and creatures. Graduates with a BA (Hons) in Games Art can work as character artists for game development studios, contributing to character design, modeling, texturing, rigging, and animation. They bring game characters to life through compelling designs, detailed textures, and realistic animations that enhance player immersion and engagement.
Environment Artist: Environment artists focus on designing and creating immersive game environments, including landscapes, buildings, interiors, and props. Graduates with expertise in games art can work as environment artists for game development companies, crafting visually stunning and interactive worlds for players to explore. They use 3D modeling, texturing, and level design techniques to create environments that enhance gameplay experiences and contribute to the overall atmosphere and narrative of games.
Concept Artist: Concept artists play a vital role in the early stages of game development, generating visual concepts and designs for characters, environments, props, and key elements of game worlds. Graduates with a background in games art can work as concept artists for game studios, helping to establish the visual direction and aesthetic style of games. They create sketches, mood boards, and concept art that inform the art direction and guide the production of game assets throughout the development process.
Texture Artist: Texture artists specialize in creating textures and materials for 3D models used in video games, adding detail, realism, and visual interest to game assets. Graduates with skills in games art can work as texture artists for game development teams, creating high-quality textures for characters, environments, and objects. They use digital painting techniques, procedural textures, and texture mapping software to create textures that enhance the visual fidelity and immersion of games.
UI/UX Designer: UI/UX designers focus on designing user interfaces (UI) and user experiences (UX) for video games, ensuring intuitive navigation, functionality, and visual appeal. Graduates with a BA (Hons) in Games Art can work as UI/UX designers for game development studios, collaborating with game designers and programmers to create interfaces that enhance player engagement and usability. They design menus, HUDs (heads-up displays), icons, and interactive elements that contribute to a seamless and immersive gaming experience.
Technical Artist: Technical artists bridge the gap between art and technology in game development, optimizing workflows, pipelines, and tools to streamline the creation of game art assets. Graduates with expertise in games art can work as technical artists for game studios, solving technical challenges, implementing art assets into game engines, and ensuring artistic vision is maintained throughout the development process. They collaborate with artists, programmers, and designers to achieve optimal performance and visual quality in games.
