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Game Arts and Design

Entry requirements


96-120 tariff points from a minimum of 2 A Levels

Pass a named Access to HE Diploma (e.g. Preferably Art & Design, Humanities or Combined), with at least 33 credits at Merit and/or Distinction.

Considered in combination

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme

26-28

English and Mathematics accepted within as GCSE equivalent.

96-120 tariff points overall. English and Mathematics accepted within as GCSE equivalent.

Considered in combination

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

DD-D*D*

Any subject considered and considered in combination.

Considered in combination

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)

MMM-DDM

In any subject

Considered in combination

96-120 tariff points from a minimum of two Advanced Highers English and Mathematics accepted within as GCSE equivalent.

In combination with Advanced Highers

T Level

M

Preference on Digital Production, Design and Development, but other subjects may be considered on an individual basis.

UCAS Tariff

96-120

Including a minimum of 2 A Levels

Considered in combination

About this course


This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.

Course option

3years

Full-time | 2024

Other options

4 years | Sandwich | 2024

Subjects

Computer games graphics

Computer games design

Bring your creativity to the world of computer games. Learn 3D modelling, 2D art and animation, level design and gameplay coding. Games industry experts will guide you through all aspects of game design and development, building a full understanding of the game creation process and allowing you to specialise in the areas you find most engaging.

* Learn industry-standard software and practices, and have access to the latest hardware, including high-spec gaming PCs and VR headsets.

* Gain invaluable professional experience with the option to take part in a year-long, paid work placement with companies such as Criterion Games.

* Access all areas: keep working into the evening in our dedicated lab space open until 10 pm and take advantage of other amazing facilities, including our 35-seat, 360° immersive vision theatre, VR kits, graphics tablets, game controllers, 3D printers and even an extensive collection of boardgames.

* Learn in our friendly and vibrant setting, working individually and teaming-up with other students. Teaching and learning is practical and project-based and 100% coursework assessed.

* Our inspiring graduates have gone on to work at the world's top games companies, including Electronic Arts, Frontier Developments and Bossa Studios

Modules

The modules shown for this course or programme are those being studied by current students, or expected new modules. Modules are subject to change depending on year of entry and up to date information can be found on our website:
In your first year, get straight into learning the art and coding skills you need as a game designer. You are introduced to 2D design and 3D modelling software, game engines and gameplay coding. Bring your drawings to life with animation and interactivity, and create your first 3D models and games. Learn about storytelling and build your own gaming hardware.

In your second year, you will master more advanced 3D modelling and game programming techniques, and hone your level design skills. Learn about working in the creative industries from visiting speakers, and work with Illustration students to further develop your drawing skills.

An optional paid 48-week work placement offers invaluable practical work experience. We recommend pursuing a placement, as it enhances your final year of study and improves your employability on graduation.

In your final year, you will focus on your own particular areas of interest by selecting from a range of optional modules and set your creativity free in your epic final year project.

Assessment methods

For up to date details, please refer to our website or contact the institution directly

The Uni


Course location:

University of Plymouth

Department:

School of Art, Design and Architecture

Read full university profile

What students say


We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.

89%
Computer games graphics
89%
Computer games design

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

92%
Staff make the subject interesting
92%
Staff are good at explaining things
85%
Ideas and concepts are explored in-depth
90%
Opportunities to apply what I've learned

Assessment and feedback

Feedback on work has been timely
Feedback on work has been helpful
Staff are contactable when needed
Good advice available when making study choices

Resources and organisation

94%
Library resources
79%
IT resources
98%
Course specific equipment and facilities
60%
Course is well organised and has run smoothly

Student voice

Staff value students' opinions
Feel part of a community on my course

Who studies this subject and how do they get on?

93%
UK students
7%
International students
77%
Male students
23%
Female students
62%
2:1 or above
8%
First year drop out rate

Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)

C
C
C

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.

£24,000
med
Average annual salary
93%
med
Employed or in further education

Top job areas of graduates

70%
Information technology and telecommunications professionals
8%
Information technology technicians
3%
Sales, marketing and related associate professionals

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.

£25k

£25k

£28k

£28k

£34k

£34k

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.

Explore these similar courses...

Higher entry requirements
University of Portsmouth | Portsmouth
Computer Games Art
BA (Hons) 3 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 120-128
Nearby University
Arts University Plymouth | Plymouth
Animation & Games
BA (Hons) 3 Years Full-time 2024
UCAS Points: 104-120

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Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF):

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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).

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?

Have a question about this info? Learn more here