Game Art BA (Hons)

What makes Game Art at Worcester special?

Our Game Art course mixes high level creativity with cutting edge technology and supports you to find your passion within a broad-ranging subject. Our approach is based on authentic experience with strong industry links, giving you the opportunity to tackle live briefs, collaborative practice, and master industry standard software. You will graduate with the skills needed to pursue careers as character artists, environment artists, concept artists, and technical artists, among many other possibilities.

Our dedicated games studio hosts our teaching sessions and also allows you to come and work independently when it suits you, creating a vibrant, creative space for you to learn and enjoy being part of a community. The course is equipped with the latest industry-standard software and high-spec dual screen PCs, as well as Wacom Cintiq graphics tablets and VR Kit.

You will be supported by our award-winning teaching team to discover your specialism and take part in internationally recognised competitions such as The Rookies, graduating with a professional portfolio ready to take that next step into the industry.

Overview

Key features

Exclusive Game Art Studio equipped with dual-screen high spec gaming PCs featuring industry standard software such as Substance, Zbrush, Marvellous Designer, Marmoset Toolbag, Maya, Motionbuilder and Unity and Unreal Engines, as well as Wacom Cintiq graphics tablets
From concept art to 3d character or environmental asset creation, you will be supported to find your own passion and path in a fast-moving and cutting-edge discipline
Strong industry links throughout the UK including a lively programme of guest lectures and mentors from renowned game studios for events such as our Game Jams, as well as our award winning teaching team who are all practising or industry experienced game artists
Diverse future career possibilities, including AAA studios, mobile and web game development, indie gaming, pre-visualisation and VR/AR production, as proven by our growing list of alumni
UKIE Student Membership gives our students access to industry professionals through dedicated conferences, events and Games Careers Week, supported by Grads in Games
Showcase your talent with our Arts Degree Show at The Art House. This prestigious private view giving you the chance to share your work with industry professionals
Be part of a community, through our authentic game studio and our online discord server that connects students and alumni, supporting personal and professional development throughout the course and beyond after

Register your interest

Enter your details below and we will keep you up to date with useful information about studying at the University of Worcester.

Entry requirements

104

UCAS tariff points

Entry requirements

104 UCAS Tariff points (for example, BCC at A Level). The normal minimum entry requirement for undergraduate degree courses is the possession of 4 GCSEs (Grade C/4 or above) and a minimum of 2 A Levels (or equivalent Level 3 qualifications).

Evidence of prior study in an art and design discipline – or equivalent experience in the case of mature applicants – will be required on application.

Applicants are invited to provide an online portfolio for consideration alongside their application form which helps us to assess your application and, in some circumstances, allows us to make a reduced offer.

Other information

T Levels may be used to meet the entry tariff requirements for this course. Find out more about T levels as UCAS tariff points here.

Further information about the UCAS Tariff can be obtained from the UCAS website.

If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the Admissions Office on 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk for advice.

Student work and facilities

3 students sat at desk using desktop computers

Christian Amendola

Game Art graduate, Christian Amendola, is now fulfilling his career ambitions, working as a 3D artist at a mobile games company.

Months after graduating in 2019, Christian managed to secure a job at Neon Play as a Junior 3D Artist. “The opportunity popped up when I spoke with a recruitment agent who mentioned the company and I managed to email them at the right time as they were looking for a Junior 3D Artist,” he said. Now Christian has progressed to 3D Artist.

“I’ve been working at Neon Play for two years and it’s exactly how I’d imagined it, if not better,” he said. “We work on mobile games - games for mobile phones, so I’m part of the Idle Team. We primarily focus on Idle Tycoon Games. So far I feel I’ve reached my career ambitions. I’m working within the industry, I’m with a great company with amazing colleagues.”

Full story here

Graeme Gordon

Graeme Gordon is a highly respected figurative ceramic sculptor, with 25 years’ experience. But, in a move to adapt to a changing industry, he decided to return to the classroom to learn how to sculpt using the latest computer technology. Now, thanks to his Game Art and Animation degree at the University of Worcester, he has transformed his career.

Graeme would particularly encourage fellow artists in more traditional fields to think about adapting their skills. “I know professional artists who worked in ceramics who now wait on tables or work in supermarkets, who would likely do anything to return to their art careers,” he said. “I see the game industry as the natural successor to the ceramics industry of old. A new frontier of tech companies that present lucrative employment opportunities in the present day for all forms of professional 2D and 3D artist."

Full story here.

Course content

Our courses are informed by research and current developments in the discipline and feedback from students, external examiners and employers. Modules do therefore change periodically in the interests of keeping the course relevant and reflecting best practice. The most up-to-date information will be available to you once you have accepted a place and registered for the course. If there are insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, this might not be offered, but we will advise you as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative.

Year 1	Mandatory Game Art: Design, Theory and Concepts Game Construction I Core Skills 2D: Drawing & Digital Art Core Skills 3D: Character Creation	Optional Core Skills 3D: Props Game Construction II Option modules from the Centre for Academic English and Skills.
Year 2	Mandatory Advanced Character Creation Game Art Environments Production Design	Optional Character Rigging and Motion Capture UI Design Game Development
Year 3	Mandatory Pre-Production Practices Game Art Individual Portfolio Project (Dissertation equivalent module) Professional Practice I	Optional Group Game Development Project Supplementary Skills for Game Artists

Year 1

Mandatory

Game Art: Design, Theory and Concepts
Game Construction I
Core Skills 2D: Drawing & Digital Art
Core Skills 3D: Character Creation

Optional

Core Skills 3D: Props
Game Construction II
Option modules from the Centre for Academic English and Skills.

Year 2

Mandatory

Advanced Character Creation
Game Art Environments
Production Design

Optional

Character Rigging and Motion Capture
UI Design
Game Development

Year 3

Mandatory

Pre-Production Practices
Game Art Individual Portfolio Project (Dissertation equivalent module)
Professional Practice I

Optional

Group Game Development Project
Supplementary Skills for Game Artists

Student showcase

Teaching and assessment

The University places emphasis on enabling students to develop the independent learning capabilities that will equip you for lifelong learning and future employment, as well as academic achievement.

A mixture of independent study, teaching, and academic support through the personal academic tutoring system enables you to reflect on progress and build up a profile of skills, achievements, and experiences that will enable you to flourish and be successful.

Teaching

Game Art is primarily a practical subject with most sessions delivered in our dedicated Game Art Studio.

You are taught through a combination of interactive workshops and lectures, tutorials and group-based tasks, to become a highly creative thinker in the exciting, fast-moving game development industry. Interactive lectures take a variety of formats and are intended to enable the application of learning through discussion and small group activities as well as technical instruction. Seminars enable the discussion and development of understanding of topics covered in lectures with a more conceptual or theoretical basis, and practical sessions in computer labs or dedicated art spaces are focused on developing subject specific craft skills.

In addition, meetings with personal academic tutors are scheduled on at least 4 occasions in the first year and three occasions in each of the other years of a course.

You have an opportunity to work on live briefs and connect with game developers through our industry mentors who support a variety of events throughout the course.

You use industry-standard development software and have access to computer facilities throughout the course, supported by a team of knowledgeable technicians in both our dedicated studio and The Art House.

Contact time

In a typical week, you will have around 12 contact hours of teaching. The precise contact hours will depend on the optional modules selected and in the final year you will normally have slightly less contact time in order to do more independent study in your chosen specialism.

Typical class contact time will be structured around lectures, workshops, practical projects, seminars, tutorials, critiques, group work and discussion, and guest speakers.

Independent self-study

In addition to the contact time, you are expected to undertake around 24 hours of personal self-study per week. For example, each module will give you around 3 hours of contact time and you will be expected to carry out a further 6 - 7 hours of independent study related to that module. With four modules of study per semester, this equates to a 40 hour working week which emulates professional working practice.

Independent learning is supported by a range of excellent learning facilities, including the Hive and library resources, the virtual learning environment, and extensive electronic learning resources including video tutorial database LinkedIn Learning, as well as bespoke video resources created by academic tutors.

Assessment

The course provides opportunities to test understanding and learning informally through the completion of practice or ‘formative’ assignments. Each module has one or more formal or ‘summative’ assessments which are graded and count towards the overall module grade.

Assessment methods include a range of coursework assessments such as digital portfolios, digital artefacts, essays, reports, presentations and a final year independent project.

The precise assessment requirements for an individual student in an academic year will vary according to the mandatory and optional modules taken, but a typical formal summative assessment pattern for the course would include:

Visual and written research
Learning journal or online portfolio site
Finished artwork and digital assets
Presentations
Learning Reports
Essays

Please note that modules within the Creative Arts often have more than one assessment item, which may be presented as part of one collective portfolio. For example, an assessment for a 15-credit module could ask for a portfolio in response to a Brief, which would include a practical project with a finished artefact such as digital models, as well as demonstrable research and a written report that reflects on the practical work.

Feedback

You will receive feedback on practice assessments and on formal assessments undertaken by coursework. Feedback is intended to support learning and you are encouraged to discuss it with personal academic tutors and module tutors as appropriate.

We aim to provide you with feedback on formal course work assessments within 20 working days of hand-in.

Programme specification

For comprehensive details on the aims and intended learning outcomes of the course, and the means by which these are achieved through learning, teaching and assessment, please download the latest programme specification document.

Trips, events and visiting speakers

Students working with Game Art visiting speakers

Promotion for a Game Art visiting speaker - Jason Pickthall

Promotion for Game Art visiting speaker - Toby Hynes

Promotion for Game Art visiting speakers

Game Art visiting speaker - Presentation read "Video games are good for you"

Student working with Game Art visiting speaker

Meet the team

Here are a few of the current members of the department who you may meet when you study this course. Visit the Schools of the Arts 'Meet our Experts' page for the full list of department staff.

Jacqui Edwards

Prior to beginning her teaching practice at the University of Worcester, Jacqui enjoyed over a decade working as a character animator for the games industry.

Her work within game development encompassed a wide variety of genres and platforms, from AAA titles with big name franchises to casual games for indie developers. Expertise in character animation was developed through this practice in both keyframe and motion capture.

Jacqui's commercial work also included many years as a freelance animator, and she has a strong belief in bringing the ethos of creative enterprise and practical experience into her teaching.

Jacqui's research interests include female representation in games, and she is a Women in Games Ambassador.

Jacqui is also the Quality Coordinator for the School of Arts.

Owen Simons

Owen Simons is a Lead 3D artist and animation director with over 20 years industry experience. He has contributed to a diverse range of projects including computer games, animated TV series, adverts and educational videos. For 10 years he worked as CG Lead for Sun and Moon Studios, a prominent animation and games production company based in Bristol. He was responsible for overseeing all of the studios CG output and managed teams of artists in the creation of numerous game and animation projects. Recently he directed an ident for E4; designed and directed EyeGaze games for the gaming charity Special Effect; and lead a team of artists in the creation of a vast amount of 3d characters and props for the Games Workshop animated series “Hammer and Bolter”.

Owen developed his love for teaching whilst working at the University of Worcester as an associate lecturer, and now splits his time between a part time position as Technical Director for Sun and Moon Studios and as permanent member of the University’s Game Art teaching team. His modules focus on the development of technical and artistic skills in 3D asset creation, utilising his commercial experience and knowledge of industry standard workflows and techniques.

Zara Sharma

Zara has been involved in game art and design since the early 2000s, including commercial work as a freelancer alongside work in education. She has been active in games education since 2009 and has previously been a finalist in the Women In Games Awards for Educational Impact due to her work in this field. Founding and running a business has taught Zara many lessons, she’s happy to share tips and strategies with students that wish to pursue careers as indie game developers.

Careers

Game Art offers good graduate prospects for working within the games industry or related areas.

This includes:

3D Character Art
Environmental Art
Concept Art
Technical Art
UI/UX design
Level Design
VFX
Animation

Game Development is an expanding sector in the creative industries, contributing over £7.05 billion to the UK economy in 2022. The West Midlands is a region with a high number of employees in the game industry in the UK. The University is therefore ideally placed for work placement opportunities for Game Art students and graduates.

Our collaborative and authentic approach gives flexibility and a wider view of the world, which is attractive to employers. As well as boosting your employability, this course provides an ideal base from which to go on to postgraduate study.

Fees and funding

Full-time tuition fees	UK and EU students The Government has announced that it will increase tuition fees and maintenance loans by 3.1% from the 2025/26 academic cycle. Subject to approval, the University intends to increase our tuition fees in line with this and as per our terms and conditions. This means that from September 2025 the standard fee for full-time home and EU undergraduate students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees will be £9,535 per year. For more details on course fees, please visit our course fees page.	International students The standard tuition fee for full-time international students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees in the 2025/26 academic year is £16,700 per year. For more details on course fees, please visit our course fees page.
Part-time tuition fees	UK and EU students The Government has announced that it will increase tuition fees and maintenance loans by 3.1% from the 2025/26 academic cycle. Subject to approval, the University intends to increase our tuition fees in line with this and as per our terms and conditions. This means that from September 2025 the tuition fees for part-time UK and EU students on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees will be £1,190.83 per 15-credit module, £1,587.77 per 20-credit module, £2,381.66 per 30-credit module, £3,175.55 per 40-credit module, £3,572.50 per 45-credit module and £4,763.32 per 60 credit module. For more details on course pages, please visit our course fees page.
Additional costs	Every course has day-to-day costs for basic books, stationery, printing and photocopying. The amounts vary between courses. If your course offers a placement opportunity, you may need to pay for an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.
Accommodation	Finding the right accommodation is paramount to your university experience. Our halls of residence are home to friendly student communities, making them great places to live and study. We have over 1,000 rooms across our range of student halls. With rooms to suit every budget and need, from our 'Traditional Halls' at £131 per week to 'Ensuite Premium Halls' at £228 per week (2025/26 prices). For full details visit our accommodation page.

Full-time tuition fees

UK and EU students

The Government has announced that it will increase tuition fees and maintenance loans by 3.1% from the 2025/26 academic cycle. Subject to approval, the University intends to increase our tuition fees in line with this and as per our terms and conditions. This means that from September 2025 the standard fee for full-time home and EU undergraduate students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees will be £9,535 per year.

For more details on course fees, please visit our course fees page.

International students

The standard tuition fee for full-time international students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees in the 2025/26 academic year is £16,700 per year.

For more details on course fees, please visit our course fees page.

Part-time tuition fees

UK and EU students

The Government has announced that it will increase tuition fees and maintenance loans by 3.1% from the 2025/26 academic cycle. Subject to approval, the University intends to increase our tuition fees in line with this and as per our terms and conditions. This means that from September 2025 the tuition fees for part-time UK and EU students on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees will be £1,190.83 per 15-credit module, £1,587.77 per 20-credit module, £2,381.66 per 30-credit module, £3,175.55 per 40-credit module, £3,572.50 per 45-credit module and £4,763.32 per 60 credit module.

For more details on course pages, please visit our course fees page.

Additional costs

Every course has day-to-day costs for basic books, stationery, printing and photocopying. The amounts vary between courses.

If your course offers a placement opportunity, you may need to pay for an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.

Accommodation

Finding the right accommodation is paramount to your university experience. Our halls of residence are home to friendly student communities, making them great places to live and study.

We have over 1,000 rooms across our range of student halls. With rooms to suit every budget and need, from our 'Traditional Halls' at £131 per week to 'Ensuite Premium Halls' at £228 per week (2025/26 prices).

For full details visit our accommodation page.

How to apply

Part-time applications

If you would like to apply to study this course part time, please complete our online application form.

Applying through UCAS

Single Honours:
Game Art BA (Hons) - I758

Joint Honours:
Please visit the individual joint honours course pages for UCAS links:
Animation and Game Art BA (Hons) - I680

UCAS is the central organisation through which applications are processed for entry onto full-time undergraduate courses in Higher Education in the UK.

Read our How to apply pages for more information on applying and to find out what happens to your application.

UCAS Code

I758

Apply Via UCAS

Get in touch

If you have any questions, please get in touch. We're here to help you every step of the way.

Social Media

Instagram: @UoWGameArt
Facebook: WorcesterGameArt
Twitter: @WorcsGameArt

Admissions Office

admissions@worc.ac.uk

01905 855111

Jacqui Edwards

Course leader

Jacqui.Edwards@worc.ac.uk

What makes Game Art at Worcester special?

Overview

Key features

Register your interest

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Other information

Student work and facilities

Book your place at an Open Day

Christian Amendola

Graeme Gordon

Course content

Year 1

Mandatory

Optional

Year 2

Mandatory

Optional

Year 3

Mandatory

Optional

Student showcase

Study Game Art as part of a joint honours degree

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

Contact time

Independent self-study

Assessment

Feedback

Programme specification

Final Year Art Shows

Trips, events and visiting speakers

Meet the team

Jacqui Edwards

Owen Simons

Zara Sharma

Careers

Careers and Employability

Fees and funding

Full-time tuition fees

UK and EU students

International students

Part-time tuition fees

UK and EU students

Additional costs

Accommodation

How to apply

Part-time applications

Applying through UCAS

UCAS Code

Get in touch

Social Media

Admissions Office

Jacqui Edwards

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