BA (Hons) Computer Games Art

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Introduction to our Computer Games Art degree

A digital painting of a homely kitchen interior Take a look at our 2023 Computer Games showreel

Studying Computer Games Art at ARU

Develop skills essential to the fast-moving computer games industry with our BA (Hons) Computer Games Art degree in Cambridge.

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Study at an award-winning university

We're the Times Higher Education (THE) University of the Year. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.

Why study Computer Games Art at ARU?

  • Join a degree that's accredited by TIGA, indicating to employers that you're well-versed in the practical and theoretical application of industry-standard practices and the latest industrial workflows.
  • Study on a course that's a member of the Unreal Academic Partner programme, which recognises university courses that are committed to providing ongoing, high quality educational opportunities.
  • Develop art skills relevant to the fast-moving computer games industry, including sculpting, modelling, texturing, characters and environments, enabling you to create characters, environments and more.
  • Explore different aspects of digital art on our optional modules, helping you specialise and future-proof your career.
  • Work collaboratively in a development studio environment that reflects the professional workplace.
  • Attend exciting industry events including games jams, industry talks, conferences, and festivals, such as our annual student games fest Gamebridge, where you can show your work to major industry reps.
  • Study in a region renowned for computer games: the East of England has nearly 200 active games companies, and Cambridge is home to 26 games companies including Jagex, Frontier Developments and Ninja Theory (source: Ukie Games Map, January 2024).

During your studies, you’ll discover how you can use your visual research, creative experimentation and technical development to forge a career as a computer games artist. You’ll learn how to move from concept to game-ready assets, bringing your work to life using Industry-leading software including UE5, the latest version of Epic’s Unreal Engine, Autodesk Maya, ZBrush and the Adobe Substance Painter.

Course options

Course options

Key facts

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Entry requirements

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Fees and paying for university

Facilities and showcase

A student drawing on a computer screen

Industry-standard facilities

As a Computer Games Art student at ARU, you’ll benefit from:

  • High-end computers with graphic tablets
  • Motion capture equipment
  • Industry-standard SLRs (for HDRI capture)
  • HD cameras
  • Top of the range 3D modelling, animation, and game software including Maya, ZBrush, Substance 3D, Unreal Engine 5 and Unity 3D
  • Podcast and video capture system

Our dedicated Computer Graphics Technical Officer will be on hand to offer training and support. You can also get training in the use of all our creative facilities.

Students around a table discussing a model of a moose

Futures Lab and workshop equipment

Our new digital workshop includes a variety of computer aided manufacturing machines, helping you learn up to date manufacturing and design processes as well as supporting many traditional techniques. These technologies include:

  • 3D printers and scanners - FDM printers; material-specific extruders; SLA Formlabs printers; SLS Formlabs Fuse1; structured light 3D scanners
  • 2D printing and cutting machines - laser cutters; Roland BN20 vinyl printer & cutter; Gerber substrate cutter; Mimaki TX300P sublimation printer.
Artwork by Cami Rouhonen - a person' s head seen in profile with the top of the head portrayed as a mountain peak; on the mountain a person is looking through a telescope

Take a closer look

Our Creative Showcase shines a spotlight on what makes ARU creative and cultural – our spaces, places and people. Find out more about our community, the difference we make, the stories we tell, and the things that inspire us. You can also explore the work of our graduating students in our digital graduate showcase.

Accreditation

TIGA logo

TIGA accredited

Our course is accredited by TIGA, the trade association representing the gaming industry in the UK.

Unreal logo and caption "Academic Partner 2024"

Unreal Academic Partner

Our BA (Hons) Computer Games Art is a member of the Unreal Academic Partner programme, which recognises university courses that have committed to providing ongoing, high quality educational opportunities with an experienced faculty, proven curricula, sufficient facilities, and resources to create positive outcomes for students with a variety of personal growth and career objectives.

Careers – What can you do with a Computer Games Art degree?

82% of the UK computer games industry is educated to at least undergraduate level, according to UKIE’s 2022 census.

The skills and knowledge you acquire on our Computer Games Art degree course will not only help you to land a career in the gaming industry but also equip you with in-demand skills across other sectors, including VFX, film, animation, television and motion graphics.

Through work-based projects, internships and placements, students can get hands-on practical opportunities. In recent times, ARM, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, Frontier and Just Flight have all offered internships and work opportunities to ARU students.

Graduation doesn’t need to be the end of your time with us, of course. You might decide to stay at ARU and continue your studies with our MA Computer Games Development (Art). Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.

Employability and personal career development

Informed by employers, our courses support an integrated approach to employability. You’ll have opportunities to develop the skills and abilities they are looking for and gain a deeper understanding of how your academic learning relates to the world of work through Live Briefs and Ruskin Modules.

You will need to dedicate time outside of your course to develop your employability, through placements, internships or volunteering or through our partner scheme Students at the Heart of Knowledge Exchange (SHoKE). You can evidence this experience on your CV and talk about it in interviews to give you that all important edge.

Our Employability and Careers Service offers a range of expert advice and support to build your unique professional profile, including tailored career appointments, advice on writing your CV, and help to complete job applications. You’ll have 24/7 access to the Careers Centre, our comprehensive online digital resource, which empowers you to start building a Personal Career Development Plan from the very start. Design your future at ARU.

Student work from 2019 Computer Games Art student showcase

SABRINA MINTER

Seeing women succeed in games has made a positive impact on my aspirations and encouraged me to work closely in a field which I now thoroughly enjoy.

SABRINA MINTER

BA (Hons) Computer Games Art

Find out more about Women in Gaming

Apply now for BA (Hons) Computer Games Art

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Life in Cambridge

Our friendly, bustling campus is a stone’s throw from the centre of Cambridge, often described as the perfect student city.

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Want to talk to someone?

Do you have a question that we haven't answered so far? Talk to our application experts. You can also ask our Student Ambassadors about life at ARU.

We're here Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm (please note we close at 3.30pm on the first and third Thursday of the month for staff training), and Friday 9am-4.30pm.

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