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Games Art BA, Games Design BA and Games Programming BSc Welcome Pack

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Welcome to BA Games Art, BA Games Design, BA Animation and BSc Games Programming 2023.

​​We would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to your studies at the University of Northampton. The purpose of this document is to help you prepare for coming to study with us and give you an opportunity to meet members of your programme team as well as other students who’ve chosen the same course. We want to make sure that you are inspired, anchored, prepared, and enabled to succeed.
​
​It gives me great pleasure to welcome you onto the games and animation provision at the University of Northampton. The following guide is designed to provide you with some essential information about these programmes, and how you can make the best of your time while studying with us.
​
​As a programme team, we have worked hard to develop the courses we offer into qualifications that are industry relevant and attractive to potential employers. Our fundamental aim is to provide you with the employability skills that are needed to obtain a career within these creative industries.
​
​As a challenging, yet highly rewarding course selection, I am confident that with the required commitment and work ethic, you will enjoy the material presented throughout your time as a student at the University of Northampton.
​
​Good luck with all your studies.

Your Programme Leaders

Games Art BA (Hons)

Daniel McCaul, Senior Lecturer in Games Art Dan McCaul

Senior Lecturer in Games Art

Daniel.McCaul@northampton.ac.uk

Games Design BA (Hons)

David Nicholls

David Nicholls

Lecturer in Games Programming

​David.Nicholls@northampton.ac.uk

Animation BA (Hons)

Lewis Sanderson, Senior Lecturer in Computer Games Development​Lewis Sanderson

Senior Lecturer in Computer Games Development

Lewis.Sanderson@northampton.ac.uk

Games Programming BSc (Hons)

Anastasios Bakaoukas, Senior Lecturer in Games Programming
Dr Anastasios Bakaoukas

Senior Lecturer in Games Programming

Anastasios.Bakaoukas@northampton.ac.uk

 

 

Welcome and Induction Sessions

To welcome you to your Games programme, we will be holding a series of induction sessions:

  • Tuesday 19 September  

    • Session: Meet the Course Staff
    • Time: 11am onwards
    • Location: The Atrium, Creative Hub, Waterside Campus (this is on the ground floor of the Creative Hub near where you walk in the main doors)

    This will be a face-to-face session that gives new students an opportunity to ask general questions about their course and study here at UON, as well as meet staff and fellow students.

    Also, we will be hosting a Personal Academic Tutor Meeting during this session – see below for more information about your Personal Academic Tutor.

    Wednesday 20 September

    • Students’ Union activities will be running across the campus. Please see the Students’ Union website. It will be updated in advance of Welcome Week with further information.

    Thursday 21 September  

    • Session: Library Induction – this is a session to introduce students to the resources and services available at the University of Northampton library.
    • Times:
      – Games Art: 12pm
      – Animation: 12.30pm
      – Games Design: 1pm
      – Games Programming: 2pm
    • Location: Learning Hub, second floor by the yellow desk on the second floor of the Learning Hub (the desk is very close to the Library Help Desk)

    Induction Investigation is an interactive game across the Learning Hub, introducing new students to the building and library services. You will be in a small group, exploring the building, finding and solving puzzles as you go. You will be met by a member of staff by the yellow desk on the second floor of the Learning Hub.

    • Also on Thursday 21 September Students’ Union activities will be running across the campus. Please see the Students’ Union website. It will be updated in advance of Welcome Week with further information.

    Friday 22 September

    • Session: How to Login to University Systems:  This is a session to provide help to enrolled students in using university computers, OneDrive cloud storage, external hard drives, and other basic technology for study.
    • Times: 
      – Games Art: 10am
      – Games Design: 11am
      – Games Programming: 12pm
      – Animation: 1pm
    • Location: Creative Hub, CH120

Equipment

​​​Your module teaching will take place in up-to-date Windows/PC based computer studios. Whilst it is possible to complete assignments using only the university facilities, in reality much of your practical portfolio development will need to be done outside of timetabled sessions in order to achieve a professional standard and a good degree. We recommend all students have access to an up-to date PC at home that meets the minimum specification of the software we use, for example:

  • ​OS: Windows 10 (64bit, version 1909)
  • ​CPU: Intel Core i3, AMD Ryzen 3
  • GPU: Nvidia Geforce GTX 1070, Nvidia Quadro M2000, AMD Radeon RX 580
  • ​VRAM: 8GB RAM: 16GB Hard drive: 256 GB SSD

​In addition, we recommend that students have a portable USB connecting SSD drive (like the Integral 240GB Portable SSD Drive USB) to store and transport work between home and university, rather than a memory stick.

Additionally, Animation and Games Art BA (Hons) students will need some basic drawing materials, i.e. sketchbook, pencils, charcoal, eraser etc.

​The University can provide digital drawing tablets for use on campus, but it is also recommended that Animation and Games Art BA (Hons) students consider acquiring their own for home use.​​

 

Your Personal Academic Tutor

Each student is allocated to a Personal Academic Tutor (PAT). As first year Personal Academic Tutors are also first year module leaders, you will have the opportunity to meet your Personal Academic Tutor in your first week of module teaching.

As a First Year, your Personal Academic Tutor will be:

You will have the opportunity to schedule a 1-to-1 meeting with your PAT in the first weeks of the semester. The PAT meeting would be a good opportunity for you to discuss any questions you may have about personalised support if you haven’t already contacted those teams directly.

At the University of Northampton, our Personal Academic Tutors meet regularly with their tutees, both in group and in 1-to-1 sessions. They will help you to reflect on how your studies are going and explore actions you can take to maximise your chances of success.

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