Introduction
Channel your creativity and develop the next generation of video games. Join a multi-skilled team and become part of a vibrant games and technology community.
Already have an ARU degree? You may be eligible for our Alumni Scholarship for students starting postgraduate courses.
If you have a degree in an art and design or computer games-related subject, our arts-based course will allow you to specialise in games art at Masters level.
Study in Cambridge, home to developers including Jagex, Frontier Developments and Ninja Theory, and access cutting-edge research materials through our partnership with the Global Science & Technology Forum.
Boost your career prospects. With our TIGA accreditation, employers will know that your course has trained you in both practical and theoretical application of industry standard practices and the latest industrial workflows.
Course options
Key facts
Student work
Aditya Panchbhai, AMP-LS 2149, 2024
Convertible ambulance developed to be operational on the harsh and diverse terrains of the Avatar universe.
Aditya Panchbhai, Nandighosh, 2024
Spacecraft inspired by Arjuna's chariot from the epics of Mahabharata, blending historical and futuristic sci-fi elements.
Raghad Rudy Ahmad, Dorado, 2024
A recreation of the Overwatch map ‘Dorado’ with the Day of the Dead theme.
Raghad Rudy Ahmad, Zeniba's Cottage, 2024
A stylised recreation of Zeniba's cottage from Spirited Away.
Sanzhan Zhaksylyk, Coven Ahri, 2024
Recreation of the Coven skin for Ahri from League of Legends.
Sanzhan Zhaksylyk, Snow Moon Morgana, 2024
Recreation of the Snow Moon skin for Morgana from League of Legends.
Tony Hsu, Surreal Liminal Space, 2024
Surreal liminal space where antique appliances serve as containers to store dreams and consciousness.
Tony Hsu, Titan, 2024
Abandoned robot toy lying on giant tree house. Lost memories of childhood, becoming realistic in the woods.
Entry requirements
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Fees and paying for university
Facilities and showcase
Industry-standard facilities
As a Computer Games student at ARU, you’ll have access to:
- High-end computers with graphic tablets
- Motion capture equipment
- Industry-standard SLRs (for HDRI capture)
- HD cameras
- Top of the range 3D modelling, animation, and games software including Maya, ZBrush, Substance 3D, Unreal Engine 5 and Unity 3D
- Podcast and video capture system
Our Computer Games Technical Officer will be on hand to offer training and support. You can also get training in the use of all our creative facilities.
Futures Lab and workshop equipment
Our new digital workshop includes a variety of computer aided manufacturing machines, helping you learn up to date manufacturing and design processes as well as supporting many traditional techniques. These technologies include:
- 3D printers and scanners - FDM printers; material-specific extruders; SLA Formlabs printers; SLS Formlabs Fuse1; structured light 3D scanners
- 2D printing and cutting machines - laser cutters; Roland BN20 vinyl printer & cutter; Gerber substrate cutter; Mimaki TX300P sublimation printer.
Outstanding student support
Join our postgraduate student community and:
- benefit from award-winning learning facilities, including extensive library and IT resources
- learn from expert staff who will guide your research interests and career development
- receive full support from our Employability Service, while you're studying with us and after you graduate
- access support, should you need it, with study skills, health and wellbeing, and more.
Take a closer look
Our Creative Showcase shines a spotlight on what makes ARU creative and cultural – our spaces, places and people. Find out more about our community, the difference we make, the stories we tell, and the things that inspire us. You can also explore the work of our graduating students in our digital graduate showcase.
Accreditation
TIGA accredited
Our course is accredited by TIGA, the trade association representing the gaming industry in the UK.
Lecturers
Ian Brown
Senior Lecturer Practitioner
Barış Işıkgüner
Associate Professor
Amanda Surowka
Lecturer
Careers
Our MA Games Development (Art) gives you the chance to specialise in the design and technical implementation of computer games, whether you already have a games-related degree, you’ve recently graduated with a degree in a related subject, or you work in another creative industry and are looking to move into this area.
The skills you’ll learn are relevant to other forms of games – including board and educational games – allowing you to consider various career options in these areas too. You might also pursue roles in gamification, user experience (UX), visual effects (VFX) or project management.
While you’re studying here and after you graduate, you can access support through our dedicated Employability Service.
Graduation doesn’t have to be the end of your time with us. You could choose to continue your academic career with a PhD programme at ARU. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and save £400 on your fees.
SABRINA MINTER
Seeing women succeed in games has made a positive impact on my aspirations and encouraged me to work closely in a field which I now thoroughly enjoy.
SABRINA MINTERBA (Hons) Computer Games Art
Find out more about Women in Gaming
Benefits of postgraduate study
Improve your employability, progress in your career, and take on an intellectual challenge with our flexible postgraduate degrees.
Postgraduate study at ARU
Life in Cambridge
Our friendly, bustling campus is a stone’s throw from the centre of Cambridge, often described as the perfect student city.
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