Game Design and Digital Art [with Foundation Year]

Gain essential skills with a degree in Game Design and Digital Art at ARU Peterborough, and equip yourself with competencies highly valued by employers, such as multidisciplinary teamwork that mirrors real-world industry standards.

Step into the dynamic and exciting world of the games industry with our extended BSc (Hons) degree in Game Design and Digital Art at ARU Peterborough This full-time, three-year course is crafted to provide you with essential skills in game design and digital art and equip you with competencies highly valued by employers, such as multidisciplinary teamwork that mirrors real-world industry standards.

If you’re eager to explore a broad range of roles and skills in the game design and digital art industry while keeping your career options versatile, then this degree course in Game Design and Digital Art is tailored for you.

During your first year you will study Literacies in Higher Education, Introduction to Life Sciences, Contemporary Issues and Into ARU, to prepare you for studying at degree level. Then in year 2 you’ll combine foundational game design skills with technical specialisations such as game art and animation, character design, environmental design, immersive experience development, interactive storytelling and level design, to dive into a learning experience that prepares you for a versatile career in the gaming industry, ready to adapt and thrive in its ever-evolving landscape. Courses at ARU Peterborough are designed to help you become a life-long learner, ready to pivot in your career and respond to changes in this fast-moving industry.

Studying at ARU Peterborough offers unique advantages. You will learn in our state-of-the-art gaming labs, featuring cutting-edge resources like the eXtended Reality Peterborough immersive reality suite and have access to various VR and Mixed Reality headsets. These facilities are part of our new, purpose-built university premises in Peterborough, designed to ensure you engage with industry-standard tools and software. Our curriculum, co-developed with regional and national employers, ensures you graduate with the skills in high demand within the sector.

While the Game Design and Development course has a focus on artistic principles and skills during the third and fourth years, this course will focus 3D modelling and animation for Characters and environment, user interface design and art production for immersive experiences.

Beyond the traditional classroom, you will benefit from guest speakers, live project briefs, and team-based game development projects. These experiences are designed to enhance your specialist knowledge and develop your technical, presentation, and communication skills, giving you a competitive edge in your future career.

As a graduate, you will enter a vibrant industry with opportunities for long-term careers in various roles, from game designers and digital artists to project managers and technical consultants with established studios or, alternatively, you will be in the position to start your career as an Indie Game Developer. The gaming industry is known for its rapid growth and innovation, offering a promising and exciting career path.

Choose ARU Peterborough’s BSc (Hons) in Game Design and Development and take the first step toward becoming a game designer or developer equipped not just with practical skills but with a deep understanding of the industry’s needs and challenges. Let’s shape your future together.

Year 1:
Into ARU
Literacies in Higher Education
Contemporary Issues
Extended Project

Year 2:
Narrative Game Design
Designing Game Mechanics
Level Design and Rapid Game Prototyping
Game Monetisation, Analytics & Engagement
Specialist Practice In Gaming

Year 3:
3D Modelling & Animation
The Art of User Interfaces
Ruskin Module
Environmental Art and Design
Team-Based Game Development

Year 4:
Real-Time 3D and the Art of Immersive Experiences
Experimental Practice in Gaming
Game Studio Design and Development

Assessment on this course is highly practical, through a diverse array of methods tailored specifically to the field of game design and digital art, including portfolios, presentations, demonstrations, pitches, and the creation of game artefacts within both individual and collaborative projects.