The Art of Video Games (Integrated Masters)

Create the games you want to play

Video games are evolving and growing across all devices, making it an exciting time to study and work in the industry, with over 28,000 people making games professionally in the UK (source: TIGA) Games tools and skills can also be applied to lots of other industries, including VFX, virtual production, architecture, real-time immersive media (theme parks and entertainment) or even the medical and engineering professions. The opportunities are endless.

Designed with industry experts from Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, this course develops your creative, technical, and professional skills. Learn from tutors with experience from EA, Rebellion, and Jagex while specialising in areas like advanced modelling, lighting, texturing, real-time FX, and foliage. Attend hands-on tutorials at our industry-standard London studios, learn in-demand skills and tools and build industry connections. You’ll graduate with a portfolio of high-quality work, ready to apply to work on your dream game.

Why choose this course

• Ranked 1st in the world for Production Excellence in Immersive Media by The Rookies

• Based in London - home of some to the best video games studios in the world

• Partnership with Epic Games - the first Unreal Engine Authorized Training Center in the UK and an Unreal Engine Academic Partner.

• We’re a member of TIGA, the trade association for the UK video games industry, with the vision to make the UK the best place in the world to develop video games.

• Work on industry-standard briefs and experience real-life scenarios, just like in a professional studio

• Successful alumni - you’ll join our community of thousands of Escapees, many of whom have gone on to work at some of the world’s top studios including Creative Assembly, Epic Games, Playground Games, Rare and Rockstar Games

• Study in a studio environment that mirrors current industry practice, using professional software such as Unreal Engine

• Professional input - our advisory board of experts, from the likes of Creative Assembly and Improbable, help develop and keep this degree up to date. You will also receive feedback on some of your work from industry professionals

• Specialism - tutors will help you to choose from advanced modelling, advanced lighting, advanced texturing and materials, real-time FX and foliage.

First year (Level 4 - 120 credits)

Students on our BA/MArt Animation, Game Art and Visual Effects degrees study common modules in their first year. This will give you the all-round skills needed to become a professional, and a chance to choose a different specialism if you change your mind before your second year (subject to availability).

Creative Foundations - Craft (30 credits)
Creative Foundations - Project (30 credits)
Computer Animation - Core (15 credits)
Video Game Art - Core (15 credits)
Compositing for VFX - Core (15 credits)
3D for VFX - Core (15 credits)

Second year (Level 5 - 120 credits)

You’ll start to focus on video games, developing your specialist skills and working in teams on industry-style projects

Video Game Art - Pro (30 credits)
Video Game Art - Advanced (30 credits)
Specialism (15 credits)
Industry Studio Project (45 credits)

Third year (Level 6 - 120 credits)

You’ll hone your skills and begin to demonstrate the level of knowledge to be a professional artist.

Advanced Specialism (30 credits)
Professional Practice (30 credits)
Professional Studio Project (60 credits)

Fourth year – Integrated Masters students only (Level 7 - 120 credits)

Keen to further refine your skillset, considering working freelance, or one day dream of starting your own studio? As part of a team, you’ll work like a real outsourced studio, each taking on different roles relevant to your expertise. You’ll learn about business, entrepreneurship and the know-how for an impressive portfolio career.

Creative Research & Development (30 credits)
Commercial Studio Project (60 credits)
Business of Innovation (30 credits)

Formative assessment

The majority of modules contain at least one piece of practice or ‘formative’ assessment for which you receive feedback. Formative assessments are developmental and do not count towards your overall module mark.

Summative assessment breakdown

Level 4 and 5:
For Level 4 and 5 modules, your assessment will be split into two parts:
• 75% product - you will be required to create a product (short computer animation, rendered image of a 3D object composited shot, etc) to a specified brief, then present it in front of a panel and demonstrate how you have met the learning outcomes in your work
• 25% retrospective - you will be required to write a reflective analysis and present it for moderation and assessment.

Level 6:
The professional studio project module will be assessed just like level 4 and 5 modules; for the two other modules (advanced specialism, professional practice), 100% of your mark will be based on a self-evaluative portfolio.

Level 7:
If you’re doing the four-year MArt programme, you will be required to complete level 7 modules. The assessment of these modules will be split into four parts corresponding to four stages of the project - explore, ideate, accelerate, and incubate. Each stage will be equal to 25% of your final mark.

Progression:
In order to progress to the next stage (from first to second year, and from second to third year), you will have to achieve 120 credits at the end of the academic year.

For further information, please see Escape Studios' website escapestudios.ac.uk.

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

• Course does not award QTS