Computer Games Arts

Postgraduate

Online

£ 9,250 + VAT

Description

  • Type

    Postgraduate

  • Methodology

    Online

The UK is one of the leading global centres of the games industry and is recognised as a dynamic birthplace for new ideas and emerging talent. Located less than ten miles from the country’s largest games hub in Guildford, our BA (Hons) Computer Games Arts degree has access to some of the biggest hitters in the industry.

You’ll join a vibrant community of practitioners that actively seeks creative challenges, embraces experimentation and encourages independent thinking. Supported by our industry-experienced lecturing team and practitioners, you’ll cultivate a deep grounding in a series of key topics, covering art skills and observational drawing.

About this course

On this course you’ll explore interactive and digital environments, 3D and 2D concept and asset development or production, current tools and technologies, games design disciplines, theory and context, as well as commercial perspectives. You’ll also learn industry methodologies such as Agile Development, complete a major project demonstrating a working game environment, and produce a portfolio.

On this course, you’ll have access to outstanding industry software such as CGI Autodesk Entertainment suites (Maya, 3D Studio Max, Motionbuilder and Mudbox), Quixel Suite, Zbrush, Unity, XNA, Adobe CC, a sound production studio with Pro Tools, and film and animation facilities. You’ll also have access to production cameras, workshops and digital editing studios.

Whether your ambition is to become a games artist, designer, producer, 3D modeller, concept or texture artist, this degree offers you the perfect springboard into the games industry.

Using the skills they’ve gained with us, our graduates have progressed into the industry, working on both AAA console titles and quirky independent games (iOS and Android), in the fastest growing and most exciting sectors in the digital creative industries.

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Subjects

  • Design
  • 3d training
  • Art
  • 3D
  • Image
  • Project
  • Industry
  • Production

Course programme

Course content - 2017 entry
  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

In the first year, you'll be introduced to the University and the technical workshops and facilities available to you. On the course you’ll learn the technical and conceptual skills that will give you a solid foundation from which to explore your areas of specialist activity.

  • View the course summary from 2016 entry

Please note, syllabus content indicated is provided as a guide. The content of the course may be subject to change.

Course modules
  • 3D Art Production

    Introduces and develops the key art skills and software knowledge needed to develop ideas and create tangible 3D art assets in the context of entertainment design and computer games development.

  • Gameplay and Interactivity

    We'll introduce you to fundamental concepts of gameplay, computer games design, and computer games programming as applied to an interactive games context. This unit explores: games design and play concepts; core programming concepts and methodologies and games authoring concepts and techniques.

  • Moving Image Culture

    You'll explore a range of key concepts central to an understanding of historical and contemporary moving image visual culture, from celluloid film to games and digital media.

  • Visual Design

    You'll develop the key art skills and software knowledge needed to communicate ideas and create tangible art assets in the context of entertainment design and games development. You'll gain a solid grounding in the traditional art skills and principles that underpin visual design. You will also be introduced to practical digital arts software, which you will use to produce outcomes testing your technical and conceptual skills.

The second year focus is on finding your own specialist way of working and you’ll be encouraged and supported to start working more independently. During this year you may also have the opportunity to complete an industry work placement or even study abroad.

  • View the course summary from 2016 entry

Please note, syllabus content indicated is provided as a guide. The content of the course may be subject to change.

Course modules
  • Games Art

    Building on the arts units in year one, you'll focus on your personal artistic and intellectual development. You'll research and create advanced visualisations and art assets while developing your own strategies for independent learning in the subject area.

  • Games Production

    Introduces you 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.

  • The Next Level

    Through case studies of video games, moving image, interactive multimedia and visual arts, we'll explore areas of the cultural, legal, social, aesthetic and intellectual dimensions of new media technologies.

The third year will see you achieve a greater level of independence with self-managed research, study and practice, resulting in a final major project and a written dissertation.

  • View the course summary from 2016 entry

Please note, syllabus content indicated is provided as a guide. The content of the course may be subject to change.

Course modules
  • Dissertation

    You'll undertake a substantial period of sustained, individually negotiated research on a subject related to the contextual and/ or theoretical concerns of your discipline or chosen area of practice, towards the provision of structured written argument.

  • Project Alpha

    You'll demonstrate your capacity for sustained, high quality work independently or in a small group. You'll give a presentation/pitch outlining your proposed project which you will develop and carry through to completion in the Project Beta unit.

  • Project Beta

    Building upon the framework you have created in the Project Alpha you produce a fully resolved body of work. This unit represents the culmination of your ideas, creativity and exploration into Computer Games Arts at UCA. Through it you will demonstrate your creativity, skill and knowledge of recognised games industry practices and pipelines to a professional standard.

  • View the course summary from 2016 entry

Please note, syllabus content indicated is provided as a guide. The content of the course may be subject to change.

Course modules

Computer Games Arts

£ 9,250 + VAT