BA (Hons) Games Art and Design · Teesside UniversityBachelor's degree · 3 years
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Teesside University · Undergraduate

BA (Hons) Games Art and Design Bachelor's degree at Teesside University

BA (Hons) Games Art and Design at Teesside University sits within Computer Science and covers specialisations such as Software Engineering, Data Science, AI & Machine Learning, Cyber Security, Web & Mobile, Cloud & DevOps, Games, and HCI.

BA (Hons)
Award
3
Years
Full-time
Study mode
90%
in work/study (15m)

About this course

BA (Hons) Games Art and Design is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at Teesside University, based in Teesside University London Campus. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.

For Computing graduates from this provider, 90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 62% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £25,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)

For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Computer Science, see the sections below.

Course evidence score

The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.

9.0
/ 10
Excellent
3 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Exceptional92

Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Graduate outcomes
In work or further study 15 months after graduating
Exceptional90

Moderate evidence Published sample: 40; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 90% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Excellent87

Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 87% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Curriculum & modules

Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.

Year 1 4 modules
  • 3D EssentialsCore
    Module details

    You create computer-generated 3D models using a range of techniques. Learn how to apply materials, textures, lighting and rendering to your finished models.

  • Creative Concept DevelopmentCore
    Module details

    It is important to communicate ideas visually when on a creative journey in visual media. Study the entire preproduction pipeline, from fundamental drawing skills through to generating ideas, design concepts and storyboarding.

  • Motion PrinciplesCore
    Module details

    It's important to understand the principles of motion for anyone entering the computer graphics industry. Learn how to apply the basic laws of physics to create convincing movement in 3D and creative application of motion principles. Create a portfolio of short, animated shots with 3D rigs using industry standard animation software.

  • Technical ArtCore
    Module details

    You learn how to develop technical art solutions by producing dynamic and engaging immersive content, importing assets and creating scenes. Gain a deeper understanding of more advanced engine editor tools, integrating assets, visual effects and animation. Develop your skills in lighting, particle effects, post-processing, advanced node-based material shaders and integration of dynamic effects and events using visual scripting. Integrate games art and animation into a game level using an industry

Year 2 4 modules
  • Digital Sculpting for GamesCore
    Module details

    Explore the use of sculpting software to create digital assets. Learn how to create anatomically accurate characters and creatures. Using relevant sculpting techniques, create digital assets for a range of potential scenarios and themes, from high-end visual effects to AAA games.

  • Enterprise ChallengeCore
    Module details

    You develop a product or service as part of an enterprise project for a real client – they set the brief based on their organisation's strategic needs. Working in small teams, you determine the project aims, objectives, roles, tasks, deliverables, schedules and documentation. You then pitch your project to the client.

  • Games Art PipelineCore
    Module details

    You are introduced to the processes behind the research, design and construction of real-time assets within a contemporary game engine. Cover techniques for 3D modelling and texturing, considering compilation, set design and lighting.

  • Procedural Content CreationCore
    Module details

    Study procedural tools and techniques within the games, animation and visual effects pipelines, learning how they can be developed or employed to increase consistency, productivity and efficiency. You create and present a procedural tool or procedurally generated output that fits in to the games, animation and visual effects pipeline.

Final Year 3 modules
  • Beta ReleaseCore
    Module details

    Work as part of a games development team that is as close to industrial practice as possible. Simulate the working criteria and mix of development skills needed to produce a polished prototype of a computer game concept which would be suitable for publication.

  • Emerging Issues (Game Ready)Core
    Module details

    Games art is an ever-expanding field, with new forms of graphical representations being developed to explore and heighten graphical quality and believability. This module introduces you to the emerging fields and technologies that improve graphical representation, for further realism or from a pipeline point of view. Explore a range of technology and techniques, and how to use these to increase the quality of work for audiences. Put your skills into practice, designing and creating a game asset

  • Final ProjectCore
    Module details

    Design, research and complete your own project to develop the current practice, products or service of a client or your own organisation. Carry out research to validate your hypotheses, test solutions, build prototypes, and make conclusions. Your area of research and practice is defined by the client or organisation. You must ensure that what you're doing adds value and delivers against the brief. You work independently with support from a supervisor.

Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.

Course in depth

What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.

What you'll study

You'll study the design and technical foundations of games, progressing from core computing principles through to specialist practice. A course like this typically begins with programming fundamentals, often in Python and Java, alongside computer systems, architecture and discrete mathematics. In Year 2, you'll usually move into algorithms, data structures, databases and software engineering, with artificial intelligence and machine learning introduced as foundational concepts. By Year 3, you'll typically select from specialist options such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, software engineering, systems and networks, or human-computer interaction, whilst undertaking security, networks and culminating in an individual project where you design, build and evaluate your own game or interactive software. Throughout, the emphasis is on translating computing theory into working systems.

Who it's for

Most entrants to this course held A-levels or equivalent qualifications, with 79% of accepted students coming in with A-levels. The typical UCAS tariff among accepted students falls between 160 and 175 points.

University & format

The BA (Hons) Games Art and Design is a 3-year full-time undergraduate degree studied at Teesside University London Campus. Teesside University is a UK degree-awarding body, and this degree is nationally recognised. Teaching quality holds a Gold award in the Office for Students' TEF 2023. The language of instruction is English. Most recent entrants held A-levels or equivalent qualifications.

Student satisfaction

How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.

The teaching on my course
93%
Learning opportunities
93%
Assessment and feedback
94%
Academic Support
95%
Organisation and management
92%
Learning resources
91%
Student voice
87%

Share of students responding positively.

Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Applicant information

The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.

Application timelineWhat happens next
  1. 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted

    Your application needs a reference before you can send it.

  2. 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications

    Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.

  3. 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice

    Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.

  4. 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline

    18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.

Show 5 later dates
  1. 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens

    Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.

  2. 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers

    Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.

  3. 2027 entryClearing opens

    Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.

  4. 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications

    Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.

  5. 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice

    Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.

Published entry56 points typical offer

Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.

PlacementPublished placement option

Work placement. Availability, selection and pay can vary.

Open daysOpen days & events

See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.

Entry & how to get in

Typical offer (from the provider)The university’s course page lists a typical A-level offer of 56 points. Always check the provider for the current offer and subject requirements.
Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent79% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: 160 - 175 pointsThe most common UCAS tariff band among accepted students. This is what entrants had, not a stated requirement.
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check Teesside University's official course page for the current offer.

Who gets in

What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.

UCAS tariff of entrants

Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.

Qualifications held on entry

QualificationShare
A-levels or equivalent79%
another higher-education qualification17%
an Access course2%
a previous degree1%
Other1%

Entry & your chances

An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.

Competitive entry

Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. Check how your predicted grades compare and whether a contextual offer applies.

Will you get in? Plot your grades

Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.

Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.

Add your grades to see where you land

Your points will drop onto the distribution above, with an honest above / within / below read.

Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.

How to apply

Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.

Apply by13 January 2027, 18:00 UK timefor this course
Typical gradesA*A*A*A-level equivalent admitted students held
UCAS codeI6GAquote this on your application
  1. 1
    Register on UCAS Hub

    Create your UCAS application and add this course (code I6GA). One application covers up to five choices.

  2. 2
    Write your personal statement

    A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.

  3. 3
    Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time

    UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.

  4. 4
    Reply to your offers

    When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.

  5. 5
    Results day & confirmation

    On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.

💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask Teesside University whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.

Fees & funding

What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.

Tuition per year

Homeup to £9,790 / yr
International£17,000 / yr

Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).

Check fees at Teesside University →

For students who normally live in England

illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
£9,790tuition used per year, illustrative full-time England fee-cap scenario
illustrative borrowing over 3 years

2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.

Starting on or after 1 January 2027?

The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.

Paying for it

  • Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
  • Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
  • Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
  • Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.

England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.

Funding matched to this course

Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for

All Teesside University funding →

Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.

Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.

StudyKit · free

Still deciding what to study?

StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.

Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check

Careers & earnings

What Computer Science graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.

Graduate earnings: this course

WhenMedianTypical rangeGraduates
15 months after£25,000£22,500 – £29,00040
3 years after£21,000£16,500 – £28,000475
5 years after£26,500£20,500 – £36,000525

Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 40; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23.

Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course

90%
in work or further study 15 months on
62%
in highly skilled work or study
87%
continue past their first year
60%
find their work meaningful
55%
say work fits their future plans
  1. 1Graduate / Junior DeveloperFirst engineering role · 0–2 yrs
  2. 2Software EngineerShipping features end-to-end · 2–5 yrs
  3. 3Senior / Lead EngineerOwning systems and mentoring · 5–9 yrs
  4. 4Principal / Engineering ManagerArchitecture or leading teams · 9+ yrs

How pay grows: this course vs Computer Science nationally

Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£25,000
£25,000 – £35,000
After 3 years LEO
£21,000
£23,375 – £33,000
After 5 years LEO
£26,500
£29,750 – £42,000
national rangethis course’s medianaxis £19,500 – £43,500

National figures for Computer Science graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.

Work out your pay

Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.

What happened to 100 students?

Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.

90 of 100

were in work or further study

15 months after graduation

77% working10% working and studying3% in further study62% in highly skilled work or study

Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 40; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.

Value compared with similar courses

How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Computer Science courses at the same study level.

This course £26,500Peer median £34,500Middle 50% £29,000–£43,000
12th percentile

Compared with 1,820 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.

UK occupations graduates enter

Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.

  • Web and Multimedia Design ProfessionalsSOC 2020 214 · 23% of published destinations · ASHE median £32,574
  • Information Technology ProfessionalsSOC 2020 213 · 17% of published destinations · ASHE median £55,357
  • Sales occupationsSOC 2020 71 · 12% of published destinations · ASHE median £15,975

Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 180; response rate: 54%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.

Job market & outlook

How Computer Science graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.

85%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across Computer Science courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes
75%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled
85%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuation

How AI is changing the work

AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.

What AI takes off your plate

  • Boilerplate and scaffolding code
  • First-pass tests and docs
  • Routine debugging and refactors
  • Standard data wrangling

More human than ever

  • System design and architecture trade-offs
  • Reviewing and owning correctness & security
  • Translating fuzzy problems into software
  • Leading delivery and mentoring

The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.

Roles & employers

Where Computer Science graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.

Where they work

  • Tech companies
  • Banks & fintech
  • Consultancies
  • Government (GDS) & startups

Is this course right for you?

The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.

💷

Student finance

For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.

📈

Where graduates go

90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £25,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.

🎯

Your entry chances

Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.

Official-data snapshot

Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 9.0 out of 10: NSS 92.1% · in work or study 90% · continued 87%.

Who studies here and in this subject?

Provider- and UK subject-level context.

Teesside University

All students21,570
International28.5%
Aged 25+57%

Computing across the UK

Students205,990
Aged 25+31.2%

HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.

Local crime-data context

A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.

Around Teesside University London Campus

3,218 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.

Violent Crime 702Anti Social Behaviour 541Shoplifting 452Theft From The Person 363Other Theft 295

Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.

Is Computer Science right for you?

Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.

International students

What applying to Teesside University from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.

Tuition fees

International tuition is £17,000 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.

English language

Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.

Student visa

You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.

Scholarships & funding

Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check Teesside University’s funding pages.

Living costs

Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.

Working while you study

A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.

Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with Teesside University and gov.uk before you apply.

Common questions

Entry is competitive. Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. The most common tariff band among recent entrants was 160 - 175 UCAS points. Use the calculator on this page to see where your predicted grades would put you; many universities also make lower contextual offers.
Set by Teesside University. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
For Computing graduates from this provider, 90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 62% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £25,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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