Computer Games Art
University of Portsmouth
UCAS Code: I630 | Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
University of Portsmouth
UCAS Code: I630 | Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
Entry requirements
A level
120-128 points to include a minimum of 2 A levels. A relevant subject or experience in art/design/creative computing or graphic arts is required.
120-128 Tariff points from the Access to HE Diploma. Must be accompanied by a relevant subject or experience in art/design/creative computing or graphic arts.
Cambridge Pre-U score of 50-54. A relevant subject or experience in art/design/creative computing or graphic arts is required.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
GCSE English and mathematics at grade C/4 or above.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
24 points from the IB Diploma, with 444 at Higher Level. A relevant subject or experience in art/design/creative computing or graphic arts is required.
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)
H3,H3,H3,H3,H3-H2,H2,H3,H3,H3
A relevant subject or experience in art/design/creative computing or graphic arts is required.
Acceptable when combined with other qualifications.
Acceptable when combined with other qualifications.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
A relevant subject or experience in art/design/creative computing or graphic arts is required.
120-128 Tariff points to include a minimum of 2 Advanced Highers. A relevant subject or experience in art/design/creative computing or graphic arts is required.
Acceptable when combined with other qualifications.
T Level
A relevant subject or experience in art/design/creative computing or graphic arts is required.
UCAS Tariff
120-128 points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent. A relevant subject or experience in art/design/creative computing or graphic arts is required.
120-128 points from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate including 1 A level, plus the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate. A relevant subject or experience in art/design/creative computing or graphic arts is required.
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.
**This is a Connected Degree**
Portsmouth is the only University in the UK with the flexibility to choose when to do an optional paid placement or self-employed year. Either take a placement in your third year, or finish your studies first and complete a placement in your fourth year. You can decide if and when to take a placement after you've started your course.
**Overview**
Discover the power of art in games by studying BA (Hons) Computer Games Art at Portsmouth – two-time winner of TIGA's Best Educational Institution award (2021, 2014).
You'll delve into how game assets are created and used by exploring game art and developing your skills across drawing, modelling, animation, texturing, and composition. You can apply that knowledge in many ways, from collaborating with fellow students on live industry projects to working professionally on an optional placement. With our established relationships with acclaimed national and international games companies – including Rare, Codemasters, Jagex, Stainless, and Climax – you’ll always stay on top of the latest industry standards.
By the end of this course, you'll become a versatile games artist ready to transform the games, creative, and tech industries.
**Why study BA (Hons) Computer Games Art at Portsmouth?**
You'll be able to:
- Develop traditional art knowledge by learning concepts such as art theory, observational life drawing, high-resolution digital sculpting, digital substance creation and texture painting
- Gain skills in 3D art by working with real-time engine-compatible 3D modelling, animation rigging and skinning, and engine special effects – with games engines like Unreal and motion capture technologies
- Work with the latest and future technologies in our impressive facilities, including the UK's first ever Centre for Creative Immersive and Extended Reality (CCIXR)
- Enhance your teamworking skills by collaborating with other Games students on game projects, including our annual prize-giving University GameJam
- Expand your cultural horizons by studying abroad in Europe as part of the Turing Scheme
- Wow potential future employers by showcasing your final-year work at our annual Graduate Showcase
Modules
**Year One**
Core modules
- 3D Modelling (20 credits)
- Art Skills for Games (20 credits)
- Art Studio (20 credits)
- Coding and Scripting for Games (20 credits)
- Game Development (20 credits)
- Games Design and Context (20 credits)
**Year Two**
Core modules
- Creative Research and Project Initiation (20 credits)
- Designing for Animation (20 credits)
- Student Enterprise for Games (20 credits)
Optional modules
- Commercial Asset Production for Real Time (40 credits)
- Design and Visual Research for Cinema and Game (20 credits)
- Engaged Citizenship Through Interdisciplinary Practice (20 credits)
- Professional Experience (20 credits)
**Year Three**
Core modules
- Final Year Project (40 credits)
- Real-Time Interactive Group Project: Stage One (20 credits)
- Real-Time Interactive Group Project: Stage Two (20 credits)
Optional modules
- Advanced Graphics Techniques (20 credits)
- Create Worlds (20 credits)
- Designing User Experiences and Interfaces (20 credits)
- Games Research (20 credits)
- Implementing Game Audio (20 credits)
- Motion Capture Applications (20 credits)
- Psychological Theory for Game Designers (20 credits)
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, course content is revised and regularly reviewed. This may result in changes being made in order to reflect developments in research, learning from practice and changes in policy at both national and local levels.
Assessment methods
You'll be assessed through: practical artefacts, presentations (video and in-person), written reports, and exams. You'll be assessed during modules and you'll receive feedback to help improve your learning.
The Uni
University of Portsmouth
Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries
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.
£23k
£29k
£31k
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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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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