Do you love computer games? Kick-start a career designing the animations that bring them to life with a degree in 3D Game Art. On this online course you’ll have access to industry standard software, ensuring everything you learn is current and relevant.
Taught by industry experts this dynamic course gives you the skills and knowledge you need for an industry role and the chance to create a varied portfolio of work to display your talent.
Why study 3D Game Art at BNU?
Study from anywhere
We offer a fully online version of the 3D Game Art course, giving you the flexibility to study from anywhere in the world. This option is perfect for those balancing work, family, or other commitments, as it allows you to learn at your own pace while accessing the same high-quality teaching and resources as on-campus students. With regular virtual feedback sessions and a strong online community, you’ll stay connected and supported throughout your journey.
Industry focused curriculum
BNU's 3D Game Art degree is designed in collaboration with industry professionals, making sure the skills you acquire are aligned with current market demands. You’ll learn everything from character design to environmental modelling, using industry-standard tools like Maya and Unreal Engine.
Career support
Throughout your studies, BNU offers dedicated career services, including workshops, portfolio reviews, and networking events. The program is designed to equip you with the tools needed to navigate the competitive job market confidently.
Portfolio development
The course emphasizes creating a high-quality showreel, a crucial asset when entering the job market. You’ll have multiple opportunities to refine your portfolio with feedback from tutors and industry professionals, ensuring it represents your best work. Graduating with a strong portfolio makes you stand out to employers and sets you up for success.
Track record for graduate success
BNU alumni have secured positions in major VFX houses and game studios, contributing to high-profile projects, including blockbuster films and games. You could follow in the footsteps of graduates who now work at companies like Rockstar Games and Creative Assembly. Their success stories highlight the course's ability to launch creative careers in the games industry.
What facilities can I use?
We’ve made sure you have access to industry-standard equipment and software, including:
State-of-the-art Motion Capture Equipment
Unreal Engine
Unity
Maya
3DS Max
Substance Suite
Zbrush
What will I study?
On this course you will be taught the fundamentals of 3D modelling and animation, and as your studies progress, your skills with modelling will also improve, and you will also learn about games engines and design.
The focus of this course is on professional workflows for creating 3D assets such as characters, props and environments. You will learn how to export and set these up in a games engine and learn the fundamentals of interactivity and gameplay elements. The course has been intentionally designed to be flexible, to allow you as a student to select and pursue your own specialism within the field.
During your time with us you’ll discover both the animation and modelling aspect of the field, which you will then develop to include more advanced aspects such as organic sculpting, hair and clothes.
You’ll undertake individual and project work, having the opportunity to take a set industry style project and a creative project to develop your specialist skills and build an industry ready portfolio.
This course is also offered as a four-year programme, including an initial Foundation Year. The Foundation Year will allow you to develop your academic study skills and build confidence in your abilities, identifying your own strengths and development needs for progression onto an undergraduate degree.
Year one
Core
Introduction to 3D Modelling;
Texturing and Look Development;
Lighting and Rendering;
Animation Principles and The Moving Figure;
Visual Narrative.
Year two
Core
Virtual Environments for Games;
Digital Sculpting;
Simulated FX.
Project.
Optional
Rigging;
Character FX.
Games Engines;
Motion Graphics.
Year three
Core
Industry Production Project;
Portfolio;
Showreel;
Creative Project: Preproduction;
Creative Project: Production.
Our BNU teaching team are industry-professionals, with years of experience working in the sector and training future generations of animators. Through their support and the course you’ll gain the skills and knowledge you need within the industry.
You’ll spend time learning and practicing the skills required by each unit before undertaking summative assessments the form of projects which will enable you to apply and combine their newfound skills together in a meaningful way while tackling tasks commonly found in the industry.
You’ll be taught via online classes and 1:1s supported by a virtual learning environment (VLE) which will serve as a repository for course materials and other essential information such as assignment briefs, in line with university policy.
You will be given access to synchronous sessions each week of termtime with a lecturer who will be online throughout. During these sessions, you will also have the opportunity to ask questions and get real time responses and feedback from lecturers and other learners. Normally these will begin with a group seminar or demonstration and then break into 1:1s where you will have the opportunity to discuss your individual progress directly with their lecturer. Sometimes these seminars will be used for presentations and review in a manner that mimics the dailies process in industry.
In addition to this there will be video based lecture content focused on the demonstration of essential skills and clarification and expansion of key concepts and techniques. This will be facilitated via the online learning platform, where you will be able to access a set of recorded lectures which will be an average of 10 minutes in length. These will be delivered as appropriate to each individual module.
Other learning techniques that will be employed appropriately to the situation include:
Demonstrations for new techniques
Group work
Video feedback
Peer review
Use of books, magazines, video and online resources
Research methods
You will regularly be set formative tasks related to the weekly content or be working towards your own project objective as agreed with the lecturers. This will enable you to apply your learning in new contexts. You will also be able to submit your work for asynchronous formative review from the lecturer which will be delivered as a video commentary on your work.
You will also be expected to join a closed online group where you will be able to discuss the work and ask questions throughout the week. It is expected that both lecturers and students will contribute and answer questions. This will also be a place for you to post your work for peer discussion and review.
Assessments will be largely practical coursework along with critical analysis and evaluation which will come mainly in the form of essays and presentations. The practical elements will mimic the kind of work that junior artists will carry out in industry, as far as reasonably practicable.
This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.
Buckinghamshire New University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?
The following entry points are available for this course:
Visit bnu.ac.uk/international to find out more about applying to BNU as an international student!
Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | We require an IELTS score of 6.0 (with no element lower that 5.5) or a recognised equivalent. |
BNU English Language Requirements https://www.bnu.ac.uk/study/general-entry-requirements
We aim to cultivate an environment where individuality, diversity, and academic excellence thrive.
Our decision-making process is not just about grades; we assess the entire application, including personal statements, relevant experience and where appropriate portfolios. Within our Contextual Offer Scheme, we strive to embrace students whose educational and social backgrounds may have influenced their academic journey.
This underpins how we champion an inclusive community that transforms lives.
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.
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
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Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
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.
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| EU | £8110* | Year 1 |
| International | £8110* | Year 1 |
| England | £8110* | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £8110* | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £8110* | Year 1 |
| Wales | £8110* | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £8110* | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £8110* | Year 1 |
* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
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.
Buckinghamshire New University tuition fees cover the cost of instruction, assessment, and core academic materials. However, additional costs may be incurred for course-related items or requirements, such as, but not limited to:
Additional costs will vary by course. It is your responsibility as a student to budget for any additional expenses associated with your studies.
For further details on what is included in your tuition fees, please check bnu.ac.uk/fees-and-funding
There are several ways you can fund your studies, including sponsorship and student loans. You may be able to use ELCAS credits for some of our courses. We also have scholarships and bursaries to help support our students.
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