Animation, Games & Computer Graphics

Ever played a terrible game and thought you could design something better or been so gripped by one for hours you wish you had come up with the idea? Then think about a course in computer games design.

The games designer’s job is to make great ideas become reality, to design the rules and structure of a game. It involves working with many different people and understanding the different specialists who need to work together to create games.

Co-ordination, co-operation and compromise are the name of the game and success is to design a new release that stands out from the crowd. Imagine being part of the team that produced the latest Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare 2 game or Little Big Planet; remember the excitement that the release of these games generated?

Our strong industry connections ensure we are at the cutting edge of the sophisticated world of games design. You develop 2D and 3D design skills alongside an appreciation of game mechanics and its relation to games play, including conceptual, story, character, level and visual design. You also study the technologies used in the industry and compare their capabilities.

If you think you have the creative vision to create a compelling game, and know what makes a game fun to play, that matches the gamers' expectations, then come to Teesside – we give you the skills to succeed.

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

Foundation Year Games and Animation

How you learn

For each module you are studying you will be expected to attend a lecture and a tutorial session each week. Early tutorials will focus on developing skills. In the later tutorials you will be working on assessments and using this time to get feedback and advice from tutors.

You will be expected to manage your time to complete work outside the tutorial sessions. In your final year, the Practical Project allows you the freedom to set your own project based on your skills and interests. This year also requires you to work as part of a team consisting of artists, designers, programmers and musicians to create a game.

How you are assessed

Assessment for all modules will be in the form of practical projects, which you work on throughout the year.

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. Currently students are placed in games companies, such as Rare, Blitz Games and 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 specialist degree offers the skills you will need for a career in the games industry and provides generic skills which open up numerous other career paths. Future employment opportunities include creative director, games designer, scriptwriter, level designer, concept/storyboard artist, interface designer and games tester.

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

Entry requirements

A typical offer will be 260-320 tariff points which must include at least two A levels or equivalent.

Normally you will be expected to attend an interview.

You must also be able to show evidence of artistic ability with either an art-based qualification or a portfolio of work.

If you apply for a course for which your educational background is inappropriate, you may receive an offer in a related but more suitable area.

For additional information please see the standard University entry requirements.

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