Games Art BA (Hons)

Course Content

• Course Details

  On this Games Art BA (Hons) course, you will focus on the production of professional standard art assets for video game development, but you will also be exposed to the whole life cycle of game production from the initial ideas process, through testing and iteration stages, to the final release stage. Students in this game art degree will work with programmers and designers from the Games Programming BSc (Hons) and Games Design BA (Hons) courses to ensure you understand the requirements of games development for specific platforms and markets.

  We will give you the creative skills, technical software skills and industry knowledge about gaming art, required by leading games developers. You will produce a personal portfolio of your work to reflect industry and professional practice needs, informed by historical and contemporary references as well as cultural and social contexts. Take a look at some of our past students’ work on YouTube.

  Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 22/23. The modules relating to the academic year 23/24 will be available from June 2023.

  • Stage 1
    • Group Project 1 (Games) (20 Credits)
      Module code: CSY1025

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is ?To integrate and draw together the various aspects of the programme gained during study at level 4. The aim is that the shared Team Project (ideally small groups of 3-6 students) is a vehicle for the students from both pathways to come together and to develop a 2D digital game that enriches their individual pathway skills by exposure to requirements of the complementary pathway.
    • Visual Studies for Games 1 (20 Credits)
      Module code: CSY1048

      Status: Compulsory
      This module introduces students to 2D and 3D visual communication. It is concerned with stimulating visual perception and idea generation. Students will be encouraged to be experimental in their approach and apply suitable media and techniques to communicate technical and aesthetic subjects appropriate to a creative programme.
    • 2D Digital Practice (40 Credits)
      Module code: CSY1049

      Status: Compulsory
      Through workshop and session based activities, learners will be introduced to the 2D technical skills and creative processes required to produce digital assets within the creative industries.The module aims to develop necessary skills for example: creation and manipulation of textures, concept images and UI/UX design.
    • 3D Modelling (40 Credits)
      Module code: CSY1050

      Status: Compulsory
      Through workshop and session based activities, learners will be introduced to the 3D technical skills and creative processes required to produce digital assets within the creative industries.Demonstrated via a written submission, the module will also introduce students to the study of developers, their products and/or the industry, as a means to contextualise and understand trends and market forces.
  • Stage 2
    • Group Project 2 (Games) (20 Credits)
      Module code: CSY2035

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is ?To integrate and draw together the various aspects of the programme gained during study at level 4 & 5. Building upon the personal/group lessons learnt in CSY1025 the aim of this team project module is to work ideally in small multi-disciplinary groups of 3-8 students to develop a 3D digital game.
    • Visual Studies for Games 2 (20 Credits)
      Module code: CSY2065

      Status: Compulsory
      This module builds on the level four visual studies 1 module with the aim of providing learners with the opportunity to expand their skills and understanding. Learners will be encouraged to further develop their individual design philosophies and styles. The module provides the opportunity for learners to research, integrate and apply established working practices, concepts and principles within a creative setting, and to work to deadlines.Students will appraise and justify the appropriate media which could include: ? Pencil, ? Crayon, ? Acrylic paints, ? Pastels, ? Markers ? Digital to fulfil the requirements of a project / assignment.
    • 3D Modelling - Technical Art (40 Credits)
      Module code: CSY2066

      Status: Compulsory
      Through workshop and session based activities, learners will develop further their 3D technical skills and creative processes required to produce and use digital assets within the creative industries following a development pipeline. Learners will be introduced to the underlying reasons behind asset creation, why they are built the way they are. In digital games, this might relate to the requirements of a game engine or target platform.
    • 3D Organic Modelling (40 Credits)
      Module code: CSY2067

      Status: Compulsory
      Through workshop and session based activities, learners will develop further their 3D Organic modelling skills and creative processes required to produce and use digital assets within the creative industries. Intentionally prescriptive, the module is designed through series of technique and skill building exercises. Relevant digital content creation tools will be used for the creation of organic and other assets.
  • Stage 3
    • Group Project 3 (Games) (20 Credits)
      Module code: CSY3031

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is: to emphasie independent learning, development and responsibility, through the creation of a social game following industry practices; implement production process and design of the groups games, through self-directed and supported support from a module supervisor in conjunction with some, tutor lead lectures; implement a game to demonstrate the understanding of the complete development life cycle; publication of the game in the public domain.
    • Visual Studies for Games 3 (20 Credits)
      Module code: CSY3050

      Status: Compulsory
      This module builds on the level five visual studies module with the aim of providing learners with the opportunity to expand on skills and understanding, learnt in the first two years, through the vehicle of an associated creative project. Learners will be encouraged to further develop individual design philosophies and styles within the learning constraints of a creative brief. The module provides the opportunity for learners to research, integrate and apply established working practices, concepts and principles within a commercial setting and to deadlines.The two items of assessed work associated with Visual Studies 3 are intended to support:1. The ?Art Director Portfolio, Final Major Project? level six module2. To further enhance individual learner portfolios to meet requirements for interviews (ongoing practice)
    • Professional Practice in Games (20 Credits)
      Module code: CSY3051

      Status: Compulsory
      The main aim of the module is to ensure students are fully aware of the needs and expectations of the contemporary digital industry through an understanding of its social, economic and cultural climate. The module aims to enable students to pitch projects in terms of concept and business models; establishing and maintaining a personal website; identifying trends and market possibilities; encouraging participation in competitions; developing presentation and self-promotional skills; making job applications and preparing for interview.
    • Art Director Portfolio, Final Major Project (60 Credits)
      Module code: CSY4021

      Status: Compulsory
      The module integrates and draws together the various aspects of the programme gained during study at levels 4, 5 and 6.The main aim of the module is to ensure students are prepared for their first steps towards the industry, by allowing them opportunity to develop a body of highly polished work demonstrated and refined via regular critiques of work in progress.This module gives them opportunity to specialize on developing content for their portfolio. The work developed will be as close to industry standard and expectations, as feasible, and will be tailored towards the specific areas of the individuals interest such as; Concept Art, Environment Art, Animation, UI design etc.This module is to support through mentoring the individual students on their professional journey.

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• Entry Requirements

  Standard entry requirements apply. A typical offer is:

  • BCC at A Level or,
  • DMM at BTEC, or
  • Pass (C and above) at T Level

  All selected applicants will be invited for a portfolio review and discussion.

  For more more information on how to make an application, please visit our How to Apply page.

  If you are an International student and would like information on making an application, please see our How to Apply page.

  Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) Entry Requirements

  Admission to this foundation course is normally:

  • DEE at A Level or,
  • MPP at BTEC or,
  • Pass (D or E) at T Level

  However, we would also like to hear from you if you have professional or industry experience instead, a range of other qualifications or self-developed subject knowledge that relates to the course you wish to study.

  English Language Requirements

  All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:

  • IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 5.5 in all bands
    for study at undergraduate level

  For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.

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• Fees and Funding

  2023/24 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 23/24 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • UK – Full Time: £9,250
  • UK – Part Time: £1,540 per 20 credit module
  • UK – Integrated Foundation Year: £9,250
  • International – Full Time: £14,750
  • International – Integrated Foundation Year: £14,750

  Additional Costs

  Materials for workshops and for master classes, entry to competitions associated with your programme of study, and those visits that are necessary for your course are all made available at no additional charge.

  You will be expected to have a basic drawing kit for the start of the course, including a sketchbook, pencils, pens etc. A complete kit list will be supplied before the start of the course, which will cost approximately £20 in total. In addition we expect that you have a large portable storage device to save your work to. This could either be a USB memory stick or portable hard drive. A 64GB USB memory stick will cost from around £15.  All submissions of work are required to be done via DVD. We have 6 DVD submissions a year so we advise you to buy a spindle of 10 DVDs before the first submission in December, which will cost around £4.

  • EGX Rezzed Games convention:  £20 (annually)

  2022/23 Tuition Fees
  

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 22/23 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • UK Full Time: £9,250
  • UK Part Time: £1,500 per 20 credit module
  • UK Integrated Foundation Year: £9,250 for the foundation year; thereafter standard fees apply
  • International Full Time: £14,000
  • International Integrated Foundation Year: £14,000 for the foundation year; thereafter standard fees apply

  Additional Costs

  Materials for workshops and for master classes, entry to competitions associated with your programme of study, and those visits that are necessary for your course are all made available at no additional charge.

  You will be expected to have a basic drawing kit for the start of the course, including a sketchbook, pencils, pens etc. A complete kit list will be supplied before the start of the course, which will cost approximately £20 in total. In addition we expect that you have a large portable storage device to save your work to. This could either be a USB memory stick or portable hard drive. A 64GB USB memory stick will cost from around £15.  All submissions of work are required to be done via DVD. We have 6 DVD submissions a year so we advise you to buy a spindle of 10 DVDs before the first submission in December, which will cost around £4.

  • EGX Rezzed Games convention:  £20 (annually)

  For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.

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• Student Perks

  At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.

  If you join this full time Games Art degree at Northampton, you will receive a laptop when your course begins*. The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home for game art courses.

  Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills about gaming art you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd. We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.

  To check out the full list of perks, visit our Student Perks page or dedicated International Perks page.

  *UK fee payers only (see Terms and Conditions for further details).

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• Integrated Foundation Year (IFY)

  The Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) offers a new and exciting route into studying for a degree, attracting ambitious and driven students who are willing to learn and advance.

  If you have non-standard qualifications or do not quite meet the admissions requirements we can offer you a fantastic opportunity to study a four year programme which includes an Integrated Foundation Year. The Integrated Foundation Year will help you develop the theoretical/practical and academic skills you need, in order to successfully progress to the full award.

  Our four-year courses will enable you to successfully follow the degree pathway of your choice while gaining essential study skills. The foundation year of your chosen degree will be studied on a full-time basis and is aimed at supporting the transition to higher education. Years two, three and four are then studied as a standard degree programme.

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• FAQs

  How will I be taught?

  Your teaching will take the form of practical activities, group work, assignments, seminars and written assessments around games art.

  How will I be assessed?

  Assessment is a mixture of studio based design projects (continual assessment), portfolio development, and written assignments. At each stage, there will also be a joint group project with students from the Games Design BA (Hons) course, resulting in a fully developed game.

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Careers and Employability

This course will give you all the skills and experience you need to find work in the broad field of games design and games art.

Previous students have gone on to work at:

• Playground Games
• Firesprite
• Codemasters
• Jagex
• Austella VR
• Totem Learning
• Dream Harvest Games
• Sumo Digital

You may also be able to secure work in areas such as animation, architectural visualisation, visual effects, and model-making for film and TV.