Sheffield Hallam University
UCAS Code: W280 | Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
Entry requirements
Access to HE Diploma
An Access to HE Diploma with at least 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2. At least 15 level 3 credits must be at merit grade or above, in an art or media-related programme from a QAA-recognised Access to HE course, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
GCSE English Language at grade C or 4, and GCSE Maths at grade C or 4.
UCAS Tariff
This must include at least 64 points from two A levels, or equivalent BTEC National qualifications. For example: BBC-BBB at A Level, DDM in BTEC Extended Diploma, Merit overall from a T level Qualification, or a combination of qualifications, which may include AS levels, EPQ and general studies.
You may also need to…
Present a portfolio
About this course
This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.
**Please check the Sheffield Hallam University website for the latest information.**
**Course Summary**
- Learn industry-standard tools and advanced techniques in state-of-the-art studios.
- Apply them to various game art skills, from character design to environmental art.
- Explore diverse game art styles on leading gaming platforms, including PlayStation.
- Engage with games developers and our commercial games studio, Steel Minions.
- Collaborate with game designers and programmers on cutting-edge projects.
Our BA Game Art course offers an engaging and collaborative learning environment, where you’ll develop artistic and technical skills in an industry-focused subject. You’ll push boundaries and innovation, emerging as a globally minded game artist who’s ready to make a positive impact on the gaming world. Students have previously worked with games studios such as Playground Games, Rockstar and Sumo Digital.
**How You Learn**
Our course is designed with key principles of engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing a supportive environment where you can thrive.
On this course, based in our bespoke teaching suites, you’ll join a dynamic and collaborative learning community. With their support you’ll undertake creative adventures, explore possibilities and challenge conventions. You'll be taught by staff who have industry experience and/or are research active.
We’ll encourage you to contribute as a creative thinker and doer – applying your knowledge to industry, culture and society. To support your learning journey, we employ a wide range of teaching approaches.
**Key themes**
During your first year, we’ll lay the groundwork for your journey – with an emphasis on self development, exploration, and both practical and experiential acquisition of knowledge and skills.
We’ll dedicate your second year to expanding your skills and understanding while discovering your areas of interest. We’ll emphasise research and development, as well as contextual application and production.
In your third year, we’ll shift the emphasis to the development and realisation of your professional identity as a game artist. You’ll create an industry-focused portfolio to showcase your expertise – evidencing the attributes, skills and knowledge you’ve gained on the course.
By the time you graduate you’ll have the skills, knowledge and confidence to make a meaningful impact in the ever-evolving world of gaming.
**Applied learning**
**Work experience**
You can take part in Hallam’s enterprise programme, forming your own studio and developing independent games.
You’ll also have the opportunity to arrange a placement in between your second and third years. This gives you valuable work experience to prepare you for your future career – as well as an Applied Professional Diploma to add to your CV.
You’ll also work on a range of projects simulating real-world working environments, allowing you to expand your skill set, your confidence, your resilience, and your ability to navigate professional interactions.
These experiences are carefully integrated into your coursework to facilitate the development of crucial knowledge, skills and professional behaviours.
**Field trips**
In your first and third year, you’ll have the opportunity to take field trips to professional settings, cultural institutions and organisations – exploring different working environments and expanding your cultural understanding.
**Guest speakers**
During your course you’ll be able to hear from a diverse range of professional guest speakers who share their experiences, insights and knowledge – offering you unique perspectives on industries and career paths.
Modules
Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.
You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.
**Year 1**
**Compulsory Modules**
Game Art Development 1 | Coursework (100%)
Game Art Production | Coursework (100%)
Game Art Theory | Coursework (100%)
Game Project | Coursework (100%)
**Year 2**
**Compulsory Modules**
Art Direction For Games | Coursework (100%)
Game Art Development 2 | Coursework (100%)
Game Art Pathways 1 | Coursework (100%)
Interactive Realities | Coursework (100%)
**Elective Module**
Study Abroad - Creative Industries | Coursework(100%)
**Year 3**
**Optional Modules**
Placement Year
**Final Year**
**Compulsory Modules**
Alternate Realities | Coursework (100%)
Final Game Project | Coursework (100%)
Game Art Pathways 2 | Coursework (100%)
Research And Development Proposal | Coursework (100%)
Assessment methods
Coursework
Tuition fees
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Extra funding
Scholarships, discounts and bursaries may be available to students who study this course.
The Uni
Sheffield Hallam University
College of Social Sciences and Arts
What students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if the overall teaching satisfaction score here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.
How do students rate their degree experience?
The stats below relate to the general subject area/s at this university, not this specific course. We show this where there isn’t enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Computer games and animation
Teaching and learning
Assessment and feedback
Resources and organisation
Student voice
Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
The stats in this section relate to the general subject area/s at this university – not this specific course. We show this where there isn't enough data about the course, or where this is the most detailed info available to us.
Computer games and animation
What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
This is a relatively new subject area for this kind of data, so we don’t currently have very much information to display or analyse yet. Gaming is a growing industry, and if it continues to grow we should see the rather high unemployment rate coming down over the next few years. Much the most common jobs for graduates who do get work after six months are in programming roles - but as things stand, be aware that jobs in the field are very competitive and personal contacts - either through family, friends or via specialist employment agencies - are a crucial way into the industry so be prepared to talk as well as code!
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Computer games and animation
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£24k
£28k
£32k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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This is the percentage of final-year students at this university who were "definitely" or "mostly" satisfied with their course. We've analysed this figure against other universities so you can see whether this is high, medium or low.
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This information is from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), for undergraduate students only.
You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.
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Post-six month graduation stats:
This is from the Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education Survey, based on responses from graduates who studied the same subject area here.
It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.
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Graduate field commentary:
The Higher Education Careers Services Unit have provided some further context for all graduates in this subject area, including details that numbers alone might not show
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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
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