Computer Games

Are you creative and love computer games? Want to combine your traditional art skills with cutting-edge creative technology? The computer games artist creates a game's characters, assets, environments, creatures and vehicles, as well as producing concept art and storyboards at the planning stages.

The popularity of computer games shows no signs of slowing down with the regular release of new sophisticated and innovative products – many are developed in the UK. The appeal of games has also broadened with the increasing popularity of exercise and educational releases. Smartphone apps are also another growth area.

We help you develop your artistic skills and explore specialised areas including:

• 3D character modelling
• environment modelling
• vehicular modelling
• basic real-time animation
• 3D effects.

*This course has a Foundation Year for applicants who don’t meet the requirements for Year 1 entry.

More about the Foundation Year Games and Animation

What you study

View the part-time programme structure

How you learn

For each module you learn in lectures and tutorials. The lecturers provide you with specific theoretical information related to the subject while the tutorials focus on developing your practical skills. In the later tutorials you will work on assessments and use this time to get feedback and advice from tutors. Further support will be offered online in the form of extra learning material. You are expected to manage your time to complete work outside the tutorial sessions.

How you are assessed

We believe that is essential for you to learn through the experience of doing. Assessment for all modules is in the form of practical projects, which you work on throughout the year. You will develop a portfolio of games art throughout the course. In year 2, the Journeyman group project provides you with essential teamwork skills ready for industry. The Project in the final year allows you the freedom to set your own project based on your skills and interests.

Professional accreditation

We are delighted to announce that this course is accredited by Skillset, the industry body that recognises courses that deliver an education that fulfils professional criteria and best prepares students for the world of work.

Professional placement

You may apply to take a year-long supervised work placement between your second and final years. Placements provide an opportunity for you to improve your employment prospects by developing new skills and deepening your understanding of the subject.

The placement year is assessed and contributes to your final degree award. Students have been placed in games companies, such as Rare, Blitz Games, Microsoft and Ubisoft Reflections, and animation companies, such as Triffic Films. Students are selected by employers and are normally paid by the host organisation during the placement.

Career opportunities

This highly specialist degree offers the skills you will need for a career in the games industry, and also provides generic skills which open up numerous other career paths in digital media – typically areas of film, TV, advertising and multimedia – through to architectural visualisation.

Graduates from our games degrees have gone on to work as artists, level designers, 3D modellers and texture artists at a wide range of games companies including 3rd Dimensions, Atomic Planet, Bizarre Creations, Blitz Games, Codeworks, Eutechnyx, Halch, Media Molecule, Microsoft Rare, Rebellion, Rockstar North, Sega, Streamline, Traveller's Tales, Ubisoft Reflections, Venom, Weta Digital and many more.

Entry requirements

A typical offer is 280 tariff points including at least two A levels (or equivalent). You're expected to come for an interview and present a portfolio of your artwork.

If you don't have an appropriated educational background for this course, you may receive an offer in a related but more suitable area.

For additional information please see the entry requirements in our admissions section

International applicants can find out what qualifications they need by visiting Your Country

More information

• Computer Games Teesside has fantastic state-of-the-art facilities for games students including high-end computers with dual screens and where appropriate Wacom graphics tablets. Highly specialised facilities include a motion capture studio, Kinect lab, a dedicated games lounge equipped with an array of consoles and life drawing studios. (2 mins)
• School of Computing facilities The School of Computing has fantastic state-of-the-art facilities including a green screen sound stage and recording studio, laboratories equipped to industry standard and running the latest software, and a motion capture studio – giving students the experience and skills needed in industry. (5 mins)
• Computer Games
  More information and courses in Computer Games