BA (Hons) Game Art

What you will study

This degree is primarily designed for those who want to pursue a career in the game art and associated design industries. It explores all key aspects of game art production processes, drawing upon your imagination and using a variety of techniques from 2D concepts to 3D production on screen, including 3D modelling, sculpting, level design and mixed screen-based media. Emphasis is placed on your personal and professional development, communication and entrepreneurial skills so that you are well equipped to enter a diverse and rapidly changing industry.

YEAR 1 (LEVEL 4)

In the first year of study, you will be introduced to a variety of themes that relate to the art and design of game products across aesthetic and design modules along with opportunities expand on your skills in a full game project. You will begin studying game design, 3D software and concepting in the first semester, and build on this to utilise Autodesk Maya to begin to create Characters from initial 2D drafts to a sculpted final 3D Character. 

MODULES

• Game Design and Interaction:  In this module, you will design and create a vertical slice of a 2D Indie Game in a collaborative group. You will be facilitated to make fun and bitesize 2D gameplay in simplified game creating software. This module is paired with Game Industry and Agile Production to replicate a full game production process. 
• Game Asset Production: This Module introduces you to the fundamentals of 3D modelling and engine integration with asset development through developing a modular ‘Dungeon’ environment. A simple 3D workflow pipeline is introduced with primitive modelling, UVs creation and texturing. You will finalise the game asset pack by demonstrating it in Unreal Engine. 
• Design Workshop: This specialist module focuses on key foundational themes of art and design in game creation and focuses on key aesthetic themes and how they related to real-world game design problems. This includes both 2D and 3D workflows and design solutions. 
• Game Environments and Narrative Design: This is a multi-disciplinary module where you will utilise Unreal Engine to construct a 3D environment with narrative and artistic themes. You will use this environment to create a game trailer for a game you have yet to produce. 
• Character Design and Digital Sculpting: This specialist module is designed to be the first opportunity for you to focus on the character design process, from taking an initial idea through concept, mood boards sketching to a fully realise 3D character sculpt. 
• Game Industry and Agile Production: This module is an introduction to a range of themes across game industry and production. This module pairs with Game Design & Interaction to allow you to deliver Agile production against a live game project. 

YEAR 2 (LEVEL 5)

The second year of study will build of the foundations of the first, and will encourage you to start to specialise in your area. In the first semester, you will study two specialist modules and explore the world of environmental design in a more detailed way, as well as producing game characters that can be interacted with in a game engine. In the second semester, the focus will shift to student-led, multi-disciplinary 3D game project in which you will be required to manage and deliver a significant vertical slice of a 3D game whilst maintaining a professional management methodology. 

MODULES

• Character Production for Game Engines: This specialist module reinforces 3D character development workflows with additional in engine requirements. You will demonstrate an understanding towards character optimisation for game engines by producing a simple in-engine character customisation system. You will create a high-quality interactive portfolio piece that demonstrates a range of artistic and technical skills.
• Real-Time Environmental Art for Game Engines: This specialist module focuses on aesthetic 3D environment design using real-time game engine technologies and strategies. You will demonstrate a focused diorama in Unreal Engine and include elements such as concepting, White boxing, set dressing and composition in an industry standard workflow. 
• Asset Production for Game Engines: This module introduces the full development pipeline for high to low poly modelling focusing on optimisation and texturing. You are facilitated through the full workflow pipeline with a small asset, then are tasked with reapplying the workflow from a 2D concept of your choice. This reinforces your knowledge of the workflow and provides two opportunities for portfolio work. 
• Serious Game Design: This module aims to introduce concepts of serious game design and development whilst relating it to the wider context of the games industry. This module examines the subject of serious games and its related terms such as gamification, applied games and simulation. You will demonstrate and apply your knowledge and understanding of traditional game design through a development prototype with a real-world serious application. 
• Group Project: This module is the first of two significant games projects in the programme. This module will require you to develop a vertical slice of a 3D game in Unreal Engine. You will demonstrate work through collaborative teamwork that showcase diverse set of skills across game design, art, development and enterprise.
• Indie Studio Management: This module is designed to implement and facilitate management of a games project (Group Project) through the lens of an Indie Game studio. This module will discuss agile, reflective and collaborative work through a series of production meetings to discuss ongoing practice. You will be challenged with demonstrating your project as an industry standard indie games product. 

YEAR 3 (LEVEL 6)

The final year of the course will further build on your subject specialisms, as the course starts to explore what graduate opportunities you have in the games industry – whether that be in a larger studio or in your own indie studio. You will have final core and specialist training modules; however, the area of development will be through the large scale games project which will run from the start of the year until the summer.   

MODULES

• Game Industry Specialist: In this module, you will break down and analyse job roles and areas within the contemporary games industry. This will include action planning for the last year of undergraduate study and will be finalised in a formal simulated interview process for a specific contemporary game industry position.   
• AAA Asset Production: This specialist module is designed to focus you on producing high quality models for your own portfolios. You must demonstrate advanced understanding of industry leading 3D workflow techniques throughout your work and will have have freedom to establish its direction. Work produced can be of environmental designs, character or asset modelling. 
• Advanced Asset Production and Technical Art: This module tasks you to produce a project with a focus on your own developing specialism in line with contemporary job roles within the games industry. This module will allow you to approach 3D technology and asset production from a range of design and technical perspectives to support your ongoing specialist practice. The projects must be showcased as a portfolio piece and demonstrated with rational on how the project benefits your chosen specialist area. 
• Advanced Game Design and User Engagement: You will prepare, setup, test and gather data through user testing / play testing of a live project (Project) and produce improvements based on the outcome of the tests. The benefit of this module is that it will allow you to fine tune the project through your own role within the development. 
• Project: This module is designed to be the pinnacle of student achievement across the programme. You will create a substantial games project that will require a wide range of skills from a collaborative group. You will act as Indie Studios and be encouraged to pursue regional and national funding schemes to produce a well-rounded games product and release it on a portfolio platform. 

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal academic framework review, so may be subject to change.

Entry requirements & applying

The academic requirements for the course are 96-112 UCAS tariff points at GCE A-level or equivalent. Appropriate AS-Level and Level 3 Key Skills qualifications will also be taken into account.

The programme welcomes applications from anyone who can demonstrate a commitment to the subject and the potential to complete their chosen programme successfully. This can be established by showing appropriate academic achievements or by demonstrating that they possess the knowledge and ability equivalent to the academic qualifications.

Candidates may be interviewed and asked to display a portfolio of their work. Experience may also be taken into consideration depending on the extent and depth of such subject knowledge. Students from overseas, or who are unable to attend an interview, are asked to send their portfolio of work digitally for consideration.

Teaching & Assessment

How you’ll be taught

Teaching and learning on this course are designed to support students from a variety of diverse backgrounds. Students will be able to access their tutors both during sessions and outside of sessions to get help and support from their tutors. Where relevant, additional staff may be part of the learning environment to support, such as Learning Support Assistants, Personal Assistants, and Sign Language interpreters.

This course uses a combination of learning environments including significant use of computer lab rooms, production and assessment meeting rooms, collaborative working environments, and lecture theatres. All delivered sessions will be supported by our VLE platform Moodle, with content such as internal and external videos, lecture slides, additional notes, and important links and files that will always be available.

During your first year of study, you will be timetabled into four tutor-led sessions a week, usually over three days, with the remaining time suggested for self-directed learning. These directed sessions will run at between two or three hours each depending on the module. Some modules will be taught with the wider games suite and will include students from other games courses, and some will be purely for students on Game Art. All modules are delivered within the games team with the games suite.

How you’ll be assessed

Due to the nature of the subject, the course is portfolio-focused with students creating work that represents their development and has no formal exams.

Assessment methods include the production of games and game elements, practical work, presentations and pitches, assessment meetings, technical documentation, production data, and portfolio submissions. Additionally, during project modules, additional strategies will be in place to track and balance work within teams to ensure fair assessment and consistent development over longer periods of time.

Teaching and Learning

We offer workshops and support sessions in areas such as academic writing, effective note-making and preparing for assignments.

Students can book appointments with academic skills tutors dedicated to helping deal with the practicalities of university work. Our student support section has more information on the help available.

In terms of particular needs, the University’s Inclusion Services can provide appropriate guidance and support should any students require reasonable adjustments to be made because of a recognised prevailing disability, medical condition, or specific learning difference.

Career prospects

Our dedicated Careers and Employability team is committed to helping you achieve your professional goals. They provide personalised advice, useful resources, and extracurricular employability events to prepare you for the job market.

Graduates of this course can pursue careers in: 

• 3D Character Artist
• Environmental Artist
• Character Animation
• 3D Asset Artist
• Concept Artist
• Technical Artist
• Weapon/Vehicle Artist
• UI/UX Developer
• 3D Sculpting
• Product Design

Additionally, you may choose to further your expertise through postgraduate studies. Explore our postgraduate courses for more information.

Fees & funding

You do not have to pay your tuition fees upfront.

The fees you pay and the support available will depend on a number of different factors. Full information can be found on our fees & finance pages. You will also find information about what your fees include in the fee FAQs.

All fees are subject to any changes in government policy, view our undergraduate fees.

For international students looking to study this course please see our international fees.

Programme specification

Accommodation

At Wrexham University, we offer on-campus en-suite rooms within our Wrexham Student Village. These private, fully furnished spaces are conveniently located, providing easy access to campus facilities, study areas, and social spaces. Plus, you’re just a 10-minute walk from the city centre!

With all bills included, free Wi-Fi, 24/7 security, and large social areas, you’ll find everything you need for a great student experience.

Explore our student accommodation options to find your perfect home away from home.

International

This course is open to international students, for information about the university’s entry requirements for EU/international students, please visit our international section.