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Computer Arts

Course details
  • BA (Hons)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-time
  • 14/09/2026
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Abertay Campus

Course summary

Immerse yourself in a world of digital design on one of the most prestigious Computer Arts degrees in Europe. You’ll delve into subjects like animation, 3D development, concept art, asset and character design.

This professionally accredited course develops your skills and understanding in digital arts and design. You’ll delve into subjects like animation, 3D development, concept art, asset and character design.

We help you to expand your knowledge and develop your critical and contextual understanding of the digital arts. You’ll lead the design and production of a range of creative content for computer games, digital illustration, concept art, animation, visual effects and much more.

As well as lectures and classes, you'll have opportunities to engage with industry practitioners, attend visiting lectures, participate in masterclasses and receive project mentoring.

Our open-plan studios cultivate interdisciplinary study. This means you’ll use cutting-edge technology and entertainment production techniques as you work collaboratively with other students in game design and games technology.

Intern and mentorship opportunities

We offer internship/placement opportunities where students apply for placements in third year. Successful candidates work with games studios over the summer, getting professional hands-on experience.

Plus in year three you’ll work directly with industry mentors, developing a prototype project as part of an interdisciplinary team. This mentorship programme runs for successful third year students alongside their studies.

From film and advertising to visual effects and computer games, computer art is everywhere. This means our in-demand graduates work across the world in computer games, film, television and animation - so why not apply now and join them?

The 2024 Complete University Guide named us the top Scottish modern university for Art & Design.

Abertay is the top International School for video games design (Princeton Review 2024). Which makes Abertay the best video games school in Europe.

Accreditations

This degree is accredited by TIGA, the trade association representing the UK video games industry.

Modules

https://www.abertay.ac.uk/course-search/undergraduate/computer-arts/#modules

Assessment method

Much of your time will be spent in lectures and practical tutorials where you work with staff, peers and industry mentors, to develop solutions to project briefs. Tutorial sessions focus on developing ideas, process and technique to lead to a final outcome. Portfolios of creative work form the majority of assessment, often submitted with supporting documentation to underpin creative practice. Academic writing contributes to many assessments, often in the form of critical analysis or reflective reports. Verbal presentations are core to assessment, exposing your research and development process to the programme team and industry mentors. Assessment on the programme is in the form of portfolios of creative work, academic writing of critical and reflective form, and through verbal presentation of own and others work in critical and/or reflective modes. There are no formal examinations on the programme.

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
GW42
Institution code:
A30
Campus name:
Abertay Campus
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3

Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)

Year 2 - Higher National Certificate or equivalent
Year 3 - Higher National Diploma or equivalent

Please see website for accepted courses

Open days

Entry requirements

Standard Qualification requirements

A level - BCC

To include Art or Graphic Design or Design and Technology: Production Design Entry into Year 2 with AAB to include Art and Computer Science or Design Technology

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DMM

Art and Design Creative Digital Media Production Creative Media Production

Scottish Higher - ABBB

To include Art or Photography or Graphic Communication or Production Design

Scottish Advanced Higher - AAB

Entry into Year 2 to include Art and Graphic Communication or Computer Science

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 26 points

With 3 subjects at a minimum at S5 or H4

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H2, H3, H3, H3

To include Art

Scottish HNC - Pass

Entry into Year 2 with HNC Computer Arts & Design - Graded Unit B Entry into Year 1 with an HNC in one of the following:- 3D Computer Animation - Graded Unit B 3D Design - Graded Unit B Art & Design - Graded Unit B Contemporary Art Practice - Graded Unit B Digital Design & Development - Graded Unit B plus essential subject at B Games Development - Graded Unit B plus essential subject at B Interactive Media - Graded Unit B Media Analysis & Production - Graded Unit B plus essential subject at B Visual Communication - Graded Unit B

Scottish HND - Pass

Entry into Year 3 with HND Computer Arts & Design - Graded Unit B Entry into Year 2 with an HND in one of the following:- 3D Computer Animation - Graded Unit B Contemporary Art Practice - Graded Unit B Creative Print Making - Graded Unit B Entry into Year 1 with an HND in one of the following:- Art & Design - Graded Unit B Digital Design & Development - Graded Unit B plus essential subject at B Games Development - Graded Unit B plus essential subject at Higher B Visual Communication - Graded Unit B

HNC (BTEC) - M

Entry into Year 1 with Creative Media Production

HND (BTEC) - M

Entry into Year 2 with Creative Media Production

T Level - M

Digital Production, Design & Development Digital Production, Design & Development (Pearson)

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

A level - CCD

To include Art or Graphic Design or Design & Technology: Production Design

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - MMP

Art & Design Creative Digital Media Production Creative Media Production

Scottish Higher - ABB

To include Art, Photography, Graphic Communication or Production Design

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 25 points

With 3 subjects at a minimum at S5 or H4

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H2, H3, H3, H3

To include Art

Find out more about minimum qualification requirements for this course.

Additional entry requirements

Portfolio
You will be required to submit an e-portfolio of your work

English language requirements

We look for applicants to have achieved an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with no individual test lower than 5.5. Some degrees have higher requirements - refer to the 'entry routes' tab of each degree for more detail.

List of English Language Requirements https://www.abertay.ac.uk/studying/informationforinternationalstudents/english-requirements/

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We don't just look at your grades, admission is based on academic merit, considering personal circumstances and potential. We look for applicants to demonstrate relevant and appropriate level of academic achievement as well as personal and professional experiences providing an indication of ability to meet the demands and professional requirements of the course. For a small number of courses, additional means of assessment such as an interview or portfolio may also be required.

Learn more on the Abertay University website

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Data from:
This course and 3 other computer games and animation courses
Date range:
2022-2024

Offer rate for UK school & college leavers

89% Students aged 17/18 who applied to this course were offered a place.

This course has a required grade that may not be listed in the data. Check the entry requirements for the full qualification requirements.

How do you compare?

See how students with your grades have been accepted onto this course in the past.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

65 Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)

80 Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
England£9790Year 1
Northern Ireland£9790Year 1
Wales£9790Year 1
Channel Islands£9790Year 1
Republic of Ireland£9790Year 1
Scotland£1820Year 1
EU£16950Year 1
International£16950Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

International/EU fees are £17,950 for the following courses:-
BA (Hons) Computer Arts
BSc (Hons) Computer Game Applications Development
BSc (Hons) Computer Games Technology
BSc (Hons) Computing
BSc (Hons) Computer Science
BSc (Hons) Computer Science with Cybersecurity
BSc (Hons) Ethical Hacking
BA (Hons) Game Design and Production
BSc (Hons) Visual Effects for Games and Realtime Media

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