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International requirements and visas

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Visas and immigration advice

Portfolio advice

This course requires the submission of an online portfolio via . In this, we would like to see:

• examples of work that demonstrates how you develop ideas. The work can be in any medium or combination of media, for example drawing, typography, collage, photography, animation or video.
• evidence of personal work including drawing, use of type, collage, photography, and other mediums. It would be great to see how this reflects your personal interests.
• your ability to develop an idea from concept through to a finished project
• at least one sketchbook showing how you experiment and explore different techniques and media
• any completed moving image, animation or interactive work (best shown on Vimeo)
• several examples of your finished outcomes in either 2D design, illustration, animation or moving image if you have them.
• your potential to experiment and explore ideas, using different techniques and media
• a passion for image-making and design.

Find out more about how to create and submit your portfolio.

We recommend using Flickr, Tumblr or making a pdf to create a simple portfolio and Vimeo or YouTube for embedding video. Please note that you do not need to show work that moves or interacts within a digital environment, as we will support you to develop that. At this stage we are looking for an exciting and creative portfolio and a genuine passion to learn.

Top reasons to choose this course

• The course covers games mechanics and architecture, and experimental image making, visual effects, asset creation and concept art. 

• You’ll learn storytelling through imaginative projects using linear and non-linear narratives. 

• Games design is explored in response to contemporary culture and society.

• There is a final year placement module giving you the chance to make industry connections and gain valuable experience

• There are opportunities to collaborate with other disciplines including music, sound art and design.

• We take an experimental approach and blur the boundaries between digital and analogue processes.

• You will be learning in a city with a thriving digital industry with opportunities for building connections.

• We integrate theory and practice, so you graduate with a strong foundation in both fields.

• Your lecturers are a team of industry professionals.

• You will use specialist software and equipment.

• You will learn how to work to client briefs to collaborating with other disciplines, to self-promotion and use of social media.  

• You'll be able to choose your own creative path through the degree with support from our dedicated course team.

Year 1 

In year 1, you will explore the practical and analytical uses for games art and design, through a series of projects. Your work will be nurtured and developed through both group and personal tutorials, and inspired by a series of lectures from visiting industry professionals.

Under the guidance of expert teaching staff, you will immerse yourself in an exciting programme of lectures and workshops, shaping your projects and building your portfolio as you progress through the year.

In year 1 you will work alongside Animation students, sharing modules and collaborating on projects.

Modules

• Games Art and Design Principles and Practice

  This module introduces the basic concepts, components and practices of games art and design focusing on practice that is underpinned by research and imaginative experimentation. They will practically and analytically investigate the fundamental games design principles through a series of projects that will explore and begin to define working methods and studio practices.

• Sequence and Narrative

  This module introduces the basic concepts and components of sequence and narrative within illustration, graphic design animation and games art. Project briefs enable you to explore story telling, form, pacing, play, presentation and audience interaction. You'll also be introduced to basic working methods and studio practices whilst exploring emerging digital delivery formats.

• Introduction to Games Design

  This module provides an introduction to the foundations of games art and design. You'll gain the core planning skills needed to create a simple digital game, develop creative thinking skills, and explore creative approaches needed to create art work for digital games.

• Historical and Critical Studies

  This module includes a broad history of visual communication. You'll be focusing on new technologies and digital media, the impact the digital revolution has on the culture of graphic design, illustration, art, film, as well as the development of animation, games art, and social media.

Year 2 

In year 2, you will focus on developing your creative potential, building on knowledge gained during your first year.

The projects you will be set have strong links with industry, so that the skills you learn and practise reflect those that employers are looking for.

You will be encouraged to work collaboratively with your fellow students to develop ambitious projects within the local and wider professional community. Your research and analytical skills will be developed through group discussion and documentation of project outcomes.

Modules

• Virtual Studio
• Global Challenges – Visual Communication
• Visual Language and Personal Voice
• Advanced Games Design
• Historical and Critical Studies 2

You'll be learning alongside other School of Art and Media students at our Edward Street building in the centre of ÃÛèÖÉçÇø.

Final year 

In your final year of the Games Art and Design degree the knowledge and skills that you have developed so far come together as you work on a final personal project. You will also write a dissertation in conjunction with Historical and Critical Studies.

Final year lectures and tutorials are taught by teaching staff and by visiting industry professionals. They include practical information about professional development, preparing you for your professional or academic life after university, and one-to one personal tutorials offering in-depth, personalised support for your continued development.

Modules

• Context and Consolidation
• Virtual Studio – Games Art and Design
• Professional Practice
• Extended Research Project

Meet the team 

Professionals from the games and animation world support the course, keeping the curriculum at the forefront of modern practice and ensuring you develop relevant technological, artistic and communication skills.

Judith Ricketts, lecturer

Judith is an artist and creative coder specialising in mobile, screen based and immersive serious games. Her areas of expertise include photography, moving image, creative coding, augmented reality, virtual reality and data analysis with a focus on immersive interactive storytelling.

She has been a guest speaker at events such as FACT//University of Sussex, Heritage Network ÃÛèÖÉçÇø and Hove, ÃÛèÖÉçÇø Digital Festival and Digital Inequalities on subjects related to digital humanities and digital geographies.

She is also a visiting lecturer on the university's Photography BA(Hons) and is board member of the Centre of Digital Cultures and involved in outreach as a STEM Ambassador.

Dr Darius Malek, lecturer

Darius draws on his broad design background to ensure students are prepared to enter a video game industry that is becoming increasingly interdisciplinary. He provides students with a strong understanding of the game development pipeline. He also draws on his research and connections to industry professionals to provide students with the knowledge and skills to either transition into employment or postgraduate studies.

Summer shows 2024

Course fees

The fees listed here are for the first year of full-time study if you start your course in the academic year 2024–25.

You will pay fees for each year of your course. Some fees may increase each year.

UK undergraduate and some postgraduate fees are regulated by the UK government and increases will not be more than the maximum amount allowed. Course fees that are not regulated may increase each year by up to 5% or RPI (whichever is higher).

If you are studying part-time your fee will usually be calculated based on the number of modules that you take.

Find out more

• ÃÛèÖÉçÇø Boost – cost of living help for our new undergrad students. Find out about how we can help with your study, accommodation or travel costs and more...
• Fees, bursaries, scholarships and government funding info for UK and international undergraduate students
• Student finance and budgeting while studying
• Read our student contract and (pdf) for more on ÃÛèÖÉçÇø tuition fees.

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