**Course Overview**
Would you love to create the video games you play? Well, bring your fascination and creativity to this course and we'll enable you to develop your skills to turn your ideas into exciting new games.
Right from the off, you'll be designing, developing and creating new game experiences to create a portfolio that you can hand to future employers.
This is not a programming course; it is all about the art and design work related to video games. So, you'll learn all about art and design work related to video games making you proficient creating story-boarded concepts and turning them into playable prototypes (both 2D and 3D).
The Institute of Arts at the University of Cumbria also runs its own Game Jam game design competition every year. In 2019, we had over 30 games and 200 gamers take part in the competition both as groups and individual entries.
The aim of this programme is to focus on the artistic, technical and professional knowledge and skills required within the computer gaming industry.
You'll develop your own personal iconography and technical skills through a combination of practical work using traditional and online technologies, study of the underpinning principles, work-based and collaborative learning, and authentic work-related assessments with briefs / assignments from industry.
The programme provides a well-rounded education in creative application of technology that provides preparation or continuing professional development for a range of career paths including gaming, web design, software development, e-learning and a range of other related industries.
**Why Choose University of Cumbria**
Our aim is to see you graduate as a highly-skilled and technical artist that this growing and competitive industry expects of you.
- 75% of your studies will be designing, developing and creating practically, so you’ll have every opportunity to create a brimming portfolio of quality and playable games
- Use the 3D and games engine software you will use in the professional industry
- Tutors are active professionals in the gaming industry and you will benefit from their invaluable first-hand experience
- Study on a dedicated arts campus, mixing with other creative minds, including actors and writers, who you’ll be able to work alongside on projects
- Learn entrepreneurial skills to enable you to market yourself and work as a freelance games designer
- Develop a wide range of essential skills including drawing, 3D modelling, texturing and animation
- The 3D models that you create can be used in games, films, adverts and TV shows, even in 3D printing and prototyping
- Develop your own personal iconography
- Your digital skills will be transferrable to other careers, including film and television
- Close support from tutors, who will guide you through your studies
- Art and Design ranks 3rd for Student Satisfaction in the North West (Complete University Guide 2021)
This course can lead to a range of careers, including:
- Games Designer
- Art Director
- Designer
- Concept Artist
- 3D Modeller or Animator for Games
Graduates from the previous iteration of the programme were part of the teams that made video games including Grand Theft Auto, Fable III, Killzone 2, and Crackdown 2. Graduates were also part of the post-production teams involved in making movies including Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Happy Feet, Quantum of Solace and the Chronicles of Narnia.
After leaving the programme Peter Roe went on to work for Pixar and has worked on The Bear. Ian Wharton became creative partner in Zolmo who developed the Jamie Oliver Cooking Application for the iPhone. Michael Malinowski worked for Lionhead Studios. Uisdean Ross went on to become an animator at TT Games and spent his time working with Digital Legos.
Course Details - Modules
Year one - Compulsory modules:
The Institution of the Arts in our Time,
Reflection/Review,
Drawing, Visualisation and Concept Art,
3D Modelling,
Gaming For Game Designers.
Year two - Compulsory modules:
Understanding the Creative Economy,
Working in the Creative Economy,
Concept To Prototype,
Concept Art & Visualisation 2,
Texturing.
Optional modules (subject to availability and demand):
Digital Sculpting,
Games Creation - Design to Distribution,
Motion Capture and Animation for Games,
Digital Painting Techniques.
Year three - Compulsory modules:
Theory and Research Methods in the Arts,
Dissertation,
Group Game Project,
Markets, Audiences & Exhibition,
Major Project.
Course Details – Assessment Method
Assessment Methods are not listed for this Course.
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:
W282
Institution code:
C99
Campus Name:
Carlisle - Brampton Road
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
60 credits, 45 must be graded at Level 3
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Minimum Further Information are not listed for this Course.
English language requirements
Test
Grade
AdditionalDetails
English Language Entry Requirement Information are not listed for this Course.
Unistats information
Student satisfaction :
88%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs):
65%
Go onto work and study:
90%
Fees and funding
EU
13250.0
Year 1
England
9250.0
Year 1
Northern Ireland
9250.0
Year 1
Scotland
9250.0
Year 1
Wales
9250.0
Year 1
International
13250.0
Year 1
Additional Fee Information
Visit www.cumbria.ac.uk/studentfinance for more information about student fees and finance, and for details about our alumni discount.
Provider information
Registered Office
Fusehill Street
Address3 are not listed for this Course.
Carlisle
CA1 2HH
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