BA (Hons) Games Art (with a foundation year) Bachelor's degree at Staffordshire
BA (Hons) Games Art (with a foundation year) at Staffordshire. You'll study core theory, research and methods, applied practice, specialist options, an independent project, and professional skills.
About this course
BA (Hons) Games Art (with a foundation year) is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at Staffordshire, based in Stoke on Trent Campus. It runs 4 years, studied full-time.
For Computer games and animation graduates from this provider, 87% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 63% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £24,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Art & Design, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
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)
Moderate evidence Published sample: 35; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 87% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2021-23. Continuation 80% (2021-23; 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 6 modules
- 3D Asset DevelopmentCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Games Art and Concept Art both make extensive use of 3D modelling, texturing and rendering. This module will introduce you to the techniques used in industry to produce assets for a variety of uses.
- 3D Game Props: Pipeline And ProductionCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module provides students with a grounding of 3D Modelling and texturing. Students will learn about the fundamentals modelling and texturing process used in the production of Game Art assets and Concept design workflows. The module allows students to produce a variety of models in different artistic stylisations and photo realistic game props. The focus of the module is on good modelling techniques and on producing visual accuracy in proportions, forms and smoothing.
- Digital Sculpting And Stylised AssetsCompulsory20 credits
Module details
From The Legend of Zelda to Fortnite the world of stylised game art is vast, but what exactly is stylised game art? In this module you will not only find that out but be introduced to industry level digital sculpting and asset creation techniques. By the end of this module, you will be modelling stylised game ready models ready for todays PC and console games.
- Level Art And Visual StorytellingCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module aims to build the students knowledge and skills in visual storytelling. The module looks at the fundamentals of level design, architecture and spatial design to communicate with the player The module will explore Mise-en-scène, set dressing, composition, & environmental storytelling to portray setting, location and theme. The culmination of this is a playable level in Unreal Engine, built using the MegaScans and marketplace assets.
- Principles Of Textures And MaterialsCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module covers the skills to produce texture assets to the standards of the Games Industry. You will learn how to create textures for both realistic and stylised assets using industry standard software packages and methodologies.
- Visual Studies For GamesCompulsory20 credits
Module details
As Game Artists you need to be aware of contemporary media and its application in videogame creation, as well as be able to convey that understanding visually. This module is designed to develop your artistic eye, your critical analysis, and your visual communication skills via a practical portfolio of art and visual analysis.
Year 2 11 modules
- Junior Collaborative Games DevelopmentCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Students will work in a junior role in a group comprised of students from across the suite of games development courses to mimic a games development studio. They will work with other juniors and level 6 students who take the role of seniors, to make a vertical slice of a game.
- 3D Character Modelling For GamesOptional20 credits
Module details
This is your chance to study character creation with a primary focus on developing an understanding of the games pipeline towards producing your first game ready character. Walking the line between using realistic references and creating stylised art works, you will develop a strong foundation of skills to work towards a career as a games character artist.
- Art Of LightingOptional20 credits
Module details
This module will prepare you for lighting multiple mediums of work based on various styles of cinematography, video game lighting, and general lighting theory such as exposure, composition, and mood. You will apply these skills to content inside a game engine using a mixture of metahumans, megascans and free marketplace assets.
- Digital Sculpting Human AnatomyOptional20 credits
Module details
This module will provide you with additional Knowledge of human anatomy, form, volume, whilst developing strong organic sculpting skills. The content will also be focused heavily on functionality of musculature and means of achieving realistic surface tension within digital sculpting packages
- Games Materials And SurfacingOptional20 credits
Module details
This module will give you the opportunity to produce procedural texture assets to the standards of the Games Industry. You will learn how to create realistic surfaces using industry standard software packages to simulate realism.
- Hard Surface 3D Vehicle ProductionOptional20 credits
Module details
This module focuses on learning techniques to produce vehicle models for Games. Students will produce a portfolio of vehicle assets and implement them into a games engine.
- Hard Surface 3D Weapon ProductionOptional20 credits
Module details
Within this module students will learn to create hard surface weapons based on an existing/specific game titles and/or real-world designs. Students will learn a streamlined development processes used in the development and production of game ready weapons. On completion of this module students will be able to demonstrate effective hard surface modelling techniques, produce visually accurate models representative of design references with supporting texture maps and materials.
- Modular 3D Game EnvironmentsOptional20 credits
Module details
This module will prepare you for the creation of an environment art project using modularity. You will employ workflows of modularity, the grid, trimsheets, shader creation, and lighting to form a piece of environment art based on a real world and concept art references.
- Organic 3D Game EnvironmentsOptional20 credits
Module details
This module will prepare students for the creation of organic enviro
- Realtime 3D Character ProductionOptional20 credits
Module details
An exciting opportunity to learn how to convert a high-poly character sculpture into a game-ready asset for use within a games engine. You will learn how to create realistic details by implementing industry-standard software and methodologies.
- Stylised 3D Character ArtOptional20 credits
Module details
Game Characters are what connects and immerses a player to fantastical game world, and the game world is not the only thing that can be awesome. Enter stylised characters, when it comes to them you are not limited to the ordinary and can push the boundaries. In this module you will learn to adhere to and break the rules of anatomy all in the name of style, whilst also being taught industry standard techniques for digital sculpting and game ready character production.
Year 3 9 modules
- Games Art And Concepts Live Brief And EmployabilityCompulsory20 credits
- Games Development ProjectCompulsory40 credits
- Senior Collaborative Games DevelopmentCompulsory20 credits
- Advanced Character ArtOptional20 credits
- Advanced Environment ArtOptional20 credits
- Advanced Game Creature ProductionOptional20 credits
- Advanced Hard Surface Vehicle ProductionOptional20 credits
- Advanced Hard Surface Weapon ProductionOptional20 credits
- Hero Prop DioramaOptional20 credits
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 develop your visual language and making skills across a broad foundation before specialising in games art. A course like this typically begins with visual studies, design principles and materials, establishing core knowledge of colour, composition and form. You'll learn both traditional and digital processes through hands-on workshops, and explore the art and design history that informs contemporary practice. As you progress, you'll undertake sustained studio projects and live briefs with real-world deadlines. In your later stages, you'll focus deeply on specialist pathways such as graphic design, illustration, fine art, fashion & textiles, or UX & digital. You'll culminate in a self-directed major project, culminating in a degree show where your work is publicly exhibited. Professional practice modules prepare you to position your portfolio for industry or self-employment.
Who it's for
This course suits students who want to develop practical and theoretical knowledge in games art. Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent qualifications; recent accepted students typically had a UCAS tariff of 160–175 points. The foundation year is designed to prepare you for degree-level study. 85% of students continue past their first year, either still enrolled or having completed their studies.
University & format
This is a four-year full-time BA (Hons) degree at the University of Staffordshire, studied at the Stoke on Trent Campus. Taught in English, the course includes a foundation year to support your transition into higher education. The University of Staffordshire is a recognised UK degree-awarding body, and degrees are nationally recognised. The course holds Silver for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
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.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Placement year. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
Entry & how to get in
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
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 93% |
| another higher-education qualification | 4% |
| an Access course | 1% |
| a foundation course | 1% |
| No / unknown prior qualifications | 1% |
| Other | 1% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
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.
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.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code I741). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write 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.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results 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.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Standard capped home fee at English providers (2026/27); Scotland, Wales & NI differ.
Check fees at Staffordshire →For students who normally live in England
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.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
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.
Careers & earnings
What Art & Design graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £24,000 | £22,000 – £30,000 | 35 |
| 3 years after | £22,500 | £17,000 – £28,500 | 295 |
| 5 years after | £29,000 | £22,000 – £36,500 | 300 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 35; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in art & design · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Art & Design nationally
National figures for Art & Design 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.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 35; 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 Art & Design courses at the same study level.
Compared with 1,698 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.
- Information Technology ProfessionalsSOC 2020 213 · 27% of published destinations · ASHE median £55,357
- Web and Multimedia Design ProfessionalsSOC 2020 214 · 18% of published destinations · ASHE median £32,574
- Elementary occupationsSOC 2020 9 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £19,087
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: 130; response rate: 61%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Job market & outlook
How Art & Design graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
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
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Art & Design graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Design studios & agencies
- In-house brand teams
- Games & media companies
- Freelance & self-employed
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Art & Design graduates.
Fine Art TechnicianFirst Choice StaffPharmacy Technician – Brand New State-of-the-Art HospitalCompass AssociatesArtificial Intelligence Engineering ManagerMBN SolutionsArtificial Intelligence EngineerExperis UKDelivery Driver (Part Time 24 hours) - AndoverOcado LogisticsCompliance Business PartnerNashrock Insurance RecruitmentIs 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
87% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £24,000. 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 8.1 out of 10: NSS 76.7% · in work or study 87% · continued 80%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
University of Staffordshire
Design, and creative and performing arts across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Stoke on Trent Campus
1,636 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Art & Design right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to Staffordshire from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by Staffordshire; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. 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 Staffordshire’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 Staffordshire and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at Staffordshire
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
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