Digital art showing high-rise buildings in a city at night-time
BA (Hons) Placement year available

Computer Games Art

Develop art skills relevant to the fast-moving games industry including sculpting, modelling, texturing, characters and environments.

Discover how to use visual research, creative experimentation and technical development to forge a career as a computer games artist.

You’ll learn how to move from concept to game-ready assets, bringing your work to life using industry-leading software including Unreal Engine 5, Autodesk Maya, ZBrush and the Adobe Substance Painter.

Why ARU?
  • Study in a region renowned for computer games, with 26 games companies in Cambridge alone (source: Ukie Games Map, January 2024).

  • Attend exciting industry events including games jams, industry talks, and festivals including our annual Gamebridge.

  • Explore different aspects of digital art, helping you specialise and future-proof your career.

  • Work collaboratively in a development studio environment that reflects the professional workplace.

  • Study on a course that's a member of the Unreal Academic Partner programme, recognising university courses that are committed to providing ongoing, high-quality educational opportunities.

Logo: THE Awards 2023
 

Study at an award-winning university

We were named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.

Course options

Course options

Key facts

Looking for different course options?

Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.

Year 1
  • Game Concepts and Analysis
  • Digital Sculpting for Games
  • Introduction to Game Art
  • Game Art Creation
  • Into ARU
Year 2
  • Collaborative Games Development
  • Specialised Practice in Games Art
  • Technical Development for Games
  • Ruskin Module (15 credits)
Year 3
  • Studio Practice for Games
  • Major Project for Games
Module details

To prepare you for university study, you can take a foundation year at the start of this course. Find out more about foundation years.

Year 1
  • Foundation in Art and Design
Module details

You can choose to take an optional placement year as part of this course. Placements typically happen in Year 3, and your course will take four years overall. Find out more about placement years.

Year 3
  • Work Placement - Cambridge School of Creative Industries
Module details

Read profiles of teaching and research staff on this course.

Facilities

From gaming and 3D modelling software through to HD cameras and graphic tablets, our games studio is filled with the latest industry-standard tools and equipment.

Our dedicated Computer Games Technical Officer will be on hand to offer full training and support.

You can also get training in the use of all our creative facilities, including a digital workshop with variety of computer aided manufacturing machines.

Accreditation

TIGA

Our course is accredited by TIGA, the trade association representing the gaming industry in the UK.

TIGA logo

Careers

82% of the UK computer games industry is educated to at least undergraduate level, according to UKIE’s 2022 census.

The skills and knowledge you acquire on our Computer Games Art degree course will not only help you to land a career in the gaming industry but also equip you with in-demand skills across other sectors, including VFX, film, animation, television and motion graphics.

Through work-based projects, internships and placements, students can get hands-on practical opportunities. In recent times, ARM, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, Frontier and Just Flight have all offered internships and work opportunities to ARU students.

Graduation doesn’t need to be the end of your time with us, of course. You might decide to stay at ARU and continue your studies with our MA Computer Games Development (Art). Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.

Employability and personal career development

Informed by employers, our courses support an integrated approach to employability. You’ll have opportunities to develop the skills and abilities they are looking for and gain a deeper understanding of how your academic learning relates to the world of work through Live Briefs and Ruskin Modules.

You will need to dedicate time outside of your course to develop your employability, through placements, internships or volunteering or through our partner scheme Students at the Heart of Knowledge Exchange (SHoKE). You can evidence this experience on your CV and talk about it in interviews to give you that all important edge.

Our Employability and Careers Service offers a range of expert advice and support to build your unique professional profile, including tailored career appointments, advice on writing your CV, and help to complete job applications. You’ll have 24/7 access to the Careers Centre, our comprehensive online digital resource, which empowers you to start building a Personal Career Development Plan from the very start. Design your future at ARU.

Student work from 2019 Computer Games Art student showcase

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 MINTER

BA (Hons) Computer Games Art

Find out more about Women in Gaming

Entry requirements

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UK students

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