Computer Games Art [with Foundation Year]

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.

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

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.

Careers

Gain the skills to land a career in the gaming industry, and open doors to other sectors, including VFX, film, animation, television and motion graphics.

82% of the UK computer games industry is educated to at least undergraduate level, according to UKIE’s 2022 census – so completing this degree is highly likely to boost your employment prospects.

Graduation doesn’t have to be the end of your time with us. You might stay at ARU and study for a Masters, such as our MA Games Development (Art). Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.

We offer hands-on practical opportunities through work-based projects, internships and placements with companies like ARM, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, Frontier and Just Flight. You’ll also improve your prospects with ‘live briefs’ and guest speakers from tech giants like Sony, Jagex and Frontier.

Teaching

Start the course by discovering the core skills and processes that computer games artists use, and understand where creative vision and technology meet.

You’ll also meet the challenge of translating concept images into game-ready 3D assets.

Later in the course you’ll study in a studio environment, developing your skills in rendering and lighting techniques to expand the expressive range of your artwork.

Finally, you’ll develop artefacts for your portfolio, take on live briefs for industry partners, and complete a Major Project that will bring together all your skills and knowledge.

Year 1: Foundation in Art and Design.
Year 2: 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.
Year 3: Studio Practice for Games; Major Project for Games.
Modules are subject to change and availability.

You’ll show your progress through a combination of written and practical work.

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• The Independent Game Developers' Association