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BA (Hons) Games Arts

University for the Creative Arts, United Kingdom
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Course Overview

Creating whole new worlds and characters is the focus of our BA (Hons) Games Arts course at UCA Farnham. On this practice-based games degree, you’ll develop the skills to become a true team player who is all set for a career in the gaming industry. This course, which is accredited by The Rookies, will equip you with the tools you need to become a skilled games artist, as well as developing your ability to work with others to produce games collaboratively in a way that replicates industry practice. You’ll develop your skills using world-class facilities, with high-end hardware and the latest software such as Autodesk Maya, Substance, Quixel Suite, Zbrush, Marvelous Designer, Marmoset Toolbag and games engines such as Unity and Unreal. You’ll also benefit from opportunities to collaborate with students on our Games Technology course, and make the most of our exceptional industry links to brands like Rebellion, SEGA, Creative Assembly and SuperMassive Games. When you complete the course, you’ll be ready to launch a career in the industry. Past graduates have gone on to work for AAA, iii and indie games companies in the UK and beyond. You have the option to complete a Professional Practice Year as part of this course. This will give you the opportunity to develop your professional, academic and personal potential, equipping you to be confident and engaged in creative workplaces. Employers widely recognise these qualities, and a significant proportion of placement students are offered graduate-level jobs or go onto postgraduate study.

General Eligibility

BA/BSc (Hons) course BA/BSc (Hons) course with Professional Practice Year The standard entry requirements* for these courses are of the following: 112 new UCAS tariff points, see accepted qualifications Pass at Foundation Diploma in Art & Design (Level 3 or 4) Distinction, Merit, Merit at BTEC Extended Diploma / BTEC National Extended Diploma Merit at UAL Extended Diploma 112 new UCAS tariff points from an accredited Access to Higher Education Diploma in an appropriate subject 27-30 total points in the International Baccalaureate Diploma with at least 15 IB points at the Higher level, see more information about IB entry requirements. And four GCSE passes at grade A*-C and/or grade 4-9 including English (or Functional Skills English/Key Skills Communication Level 2). Other relevant and equivalent Level 3 the UK and international qualifications are considered on an individual basis, and we encourage students from diverse educational backgrounds to apply. BA/BSc (Hons) course with Integrated Foundation Year BA/BSc (Hons) course with Integrated Foundation Year and Professional Practice Year The standard entry requirements for these courses are of the following: 64 new UCAS tariff points, see accepted qualifications Pass at Foundation Diploma in Art & Design (Level 3 or 4) Merit, Pass, Pass at BTEC Extended Diploma / BTEC National Extended Diploma Pass at UAL Extended Diploma 64 new UCAS tariff points from an accredited Access to Higher Education Diploma in an appropriate subject 24 points from the International Baccalaureate, see more information about IB entry requirements. And four GCSE passes at grade A*-C and/or grade 4-9 including English (or Functional Skills English/Key Skills Communication Level 2). Other relevant and equivalent Level 3 the UK and international qualifications are considered on an individual basis, and we encourage students from diverse educational backgrounds to apply. BA/BSc (Hons) course with Integrated International Foundation Year BA/BSc (Hons) course with Integrated International Foundation Year and Professional Practice Year For these courses, you need to have completed 12 years* of schooling (with good grades) and show strong evidence of your ability to complete the program and progress onto your chosen degree.

What You'll Study

1 Year One
You’ll be introduced to the fundamental concepts of visual design, gameplay, computer games design and computer games programming, exploring key 3D modelling techniques using Maya and games engine development in Unity. Visual Design You’ll develop approaches to concept art and the software skills needed to develop ideas into art assets for computer games, and learn how to approach problems creatively using a range of sources for inspiration and reference. Your outcomes will demonstrate your conceptual approach, a range of art skills and technical understanding. 3D Art Production You will gain a solid grounding in 3D digital art principles, research and design processes, from traditional drawing skills to modelling in software. These skills underpin visual design for computer games. You will produce outcomes that demonstrate your technical skills and conceptual approach. Gameplay and Interactivity Through the fundamental concepts of gameplay, computer games design, and computer games scripting in C#, you’ll learn about games interaction, and demonstrate your technical and conceptual skills through exploration of gameplay mechanics. Introduction to Video Game Studies: Image, Medium and Culture This unit introduces you to a range of key concepts central to developing an understanding of video games and the history of their theorisation. Exploring influential video game examples and relevant theoretical and critical writings, you will analyse the cultural and artistic contexts in which the medium has been theorised, produced and played. You will also become familiar with the technological developments and conceptual transformations, before and after the so called digital shift, establishing a firm understanding of the technical and intellectual changes that have influenced the development of the video game as a medium.
2 Year Three
In your final year, you’ll create your portfolio for industry, submit your dissertation and will have the opportunity to exhibit your final work at the Graduation Show. Final Major Project: Pre-Production This extended period of study allows you to develop a significant body of work either individually or in a group that demonstrates your skills, interests and your aspiration for your future role within the games industry. Work from this stage will make up your graduate portfolio. Final Major Project In this unit you'll produce a fully resolved body of work, either individually or as part of a team. This unit represents the culmination of your study of Games Arts at UCA. Through it you will demonstrate your creativity, skill, knowledge and understanding of recognised games industry practices and pipelines producing outcomes to a professional standard. Thesis This unit consists of a substantial period of sustained, individually negotiated research on a subject that is likely to be related to the contextual and/ or theoretical concerns of your discipline or chosen area of practice, towards the provision of structured written argument.
3 Year Two
Games Art Through this unit you will further build on the 2D and 3D skills and contextual knowledge you gained in Year one. Alongside this you will develop your understanding of professional aspects of AAA workflows and wider games industry, when starting to define your future role within it. Games Production You'll be introduced to games production practices by adopting professional roles and working together in teams. Divided into two halves, in the first half, you will work as part of a group to create a 3D environment based on a real world setting as chosen by your tutors. The second half of the unit concentrates on using your developing practical and conceptual skills to produce an outcome of high quality. Gaming in Contemporary Culture You’ll critically examine the position of computer games and gamers within culture and society, exploring gaming's relationship to gender, ethnicity, conflict and capital. You’ll also discuss ludology and its attendant concepts, including immersion, procedural rhetoric and cyber-individualism

Language Requirement

  • IELTS5.5
  • TOEFL59
  • PTE50
  • Duolingo69
IELTS UKVI or Academic Listening 5.5, Reading 5.5, Speaking5.5, Writing5.5, Total6.0

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