Games Art with foundation year

In December 2024, the University of Bolton was granted permission by the Office for Students (OfS) to change its name to the University of Greater Manchester with immediate effect. While we work to update our systems, you may see both names used in the information we provide.

Seeking to turn your artistic vision into breathtaking game environments and striking characters? Our BA (Hons) Games Art with foundation year degree offers highly practical tuition designed to develop your skills in digital asset creation for games development, focusing on 3D modelling, texturing and lighting so you can learn to create artwork using techniques used in the latest AAA games.

There are over 2250 active games companies in the UK, with over 150 in the North West of England alone (1). Our Games Art degree was designed after consultation with industry experts from a number of these companies and aims to prepare you for a career creating interactive worlds and charismatic characters for the games industry.

The first year of our 4-year BA (Hons) Games Art with foundation year degree offers an introduction to the study of games. The emphasis is on creativity, with specialisation in the route you want to follow. Key topics include simple games production using industry-recognised platforms and technologies. Our dedicated games team will work to help you build your skills, preparing you for your honours degree. Our teaching aims to develop you to be able to work in the games industry.

The foundation year constitutes a "bridge" between further and higher education. There is a greater emphasis on practical work, with dedicated support to help you prepare for the more demanding academic tasks at the honours degree level.

Once you've successfully completed the foundation year, you'll automatically progress onto the main degree programme, where your studies will focus specifically on games art (though you'll have the chance to transfer streams to BSc (Hons) Games Design or BSc (Hons) Games Programming on completion if you prefer (2)). Throughout the degree, we'll take an intensely practical approach designed to mimic the working environment found in the games industry. We'll work together to develop your understanding of the creative and technical possibilities of games art. Our studio-based course will guide you from the basics of 3D art, through to the creation of props, character and environment modelling and design, texturing, lighting and presentation.

We share your passion for games and offer a supportive atmosphere where you can show your work and respond to critiques, which may come from staff, your peers or guest experts from the industry. These sessions help you learn to develop your ideas and improve your presentation and communication skills, ready for a career in this ever-growing industry.

(1) Ukie, UK Games Map - https://ukie.org.uk/uk-games-map - accessed on 19 July 2025

(2) Subject to approval by the relevant programme leader