Seeking to turn your artistic vision into breathtaking game environments and striking characters? Our BA (Hons) Games Art with foundation year degree offers highly practical tuition designed to develop your skills in digital asset creation for games development, focusing on 3D modelling, texturing and lighting so you can learn to create artwork for the latest AAA games.
The market value of the UK games industry was approximately £5.35 billion in 2019, and 86% of people aged 16-69 say they have played computer or mobile games in the last year (1). If you are seeking a career in a strong sector of the economy, then a career in games is an excellent choice. From PC, console and mobile games, through to serious games for education and training and the emerging virtual reality games market, software developers are seeking highly qualified games specialists.
The first year of our 4-year BA (Hons) Games Art with foundation year degree offers an introductory study into games. The emphasis is on creativity, with specialisation on the route that you want to follow. Key topics include simple games production using industry recognised platforms and technologies. Our dedicated games team will work to help you develop your skills preparing you for your degree. The aim of our teaching is to develop you to be able to work in the games industry.
The foundation year constitutes a “bridge” between further education and higher education. There is a greater emphasis on practical work, with dedicated support to help you to prepare for the more demanding academic tasks on the degree programme proper.
Once you've successfully completed the foundation year, you'll automatically progress onto the main degree programme where your studies will focus specifically on games art (though you'll have the chance to transfer streams to BSc (Hons) Games Design or BSc (Hons) Games Programming on completion if you prefer (2)). Throughout the degree, we'll take an intensely practical approach that's designed to mimic the working environment found in the games industry. We'll work together to develop your understanding of the creative and technical possibilities of games art. Our studio-based course will guide you from the basics of digital art, through character and environment modelling, texturing, lighting, level design and concept art, to the latest technologies in traditional and handheld game art.
We share your passion for games and offer a supportive atmosphere where you can show your work and respond to critiques, which may come from staff, your peers or guest experts from industry. These sessions help you learn to develop your ideas and improve your presentation and communication skills ready for a career in this ever-growing industry.
(1) Ukie - https://ukiepedia.ukie.org.uk/ accessed on 10 September 2020
(2) Subject to approval by the relevant programme leader
Course Details - Modules
Information about the modules offered as part of this course is available on the University of Bolton’s website.
Course Details – Assessment Method
Details of the learning activities and assessment methods for this course are available on the University of Bolton’s website.
Course Details – Professional Bodies
Professional Bodies are not listed for this Course.
How to Apply
26 January This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application Codes
Course code:
G651
Institution code:
B44
Campus Name:
University of Bolton Main Site, Greater Manchester
Campus code:
Points of Entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
Year 1
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry (Year 2 and Beyond)
Entry Requirements for Advanced Entry are not listed for this Course.
International applicants
Standard Qualification Requirements
Any subjects are acceptable at Level 3.
You should also have five GCSEs at grade C or above or grade 4 to 9 (or equivalent) including English and Mathematics.
We’re happy to consider your application if you have non-traditional entry qualifications provided you can demonstrate relevant experience or a suitable portfolio of work that is deemed a reasonable substitute for the above qualifications. We'll consider your application in line with the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) procedures.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course