Games Art BA (Hons)

Course Content

• Course Details

  On this Games Art BA (Hons) course, you will focus on the production of professional standard art assets for video game development, but you will also be exposed to the whole life cycle of game production from the initial ideas process, through testing and iteration stages, to the final release stage. Students in this game art degree will work with programmers and designers from the Games Programming BSc (Hons) and Games Design BA (Hons) courses to ensure you understand the requirements of games development for specific platforms and markets.

  We will give you the creative skills, technical software skills and industry knowledge about gaming art, required by leading games developers. You will produce a personal portfolio of your work to reflect industry and professional practice needs, informed by historical and contemporary references as well as cultural and social contexts. Take a look at some of our past Games Art students’ work on YouTube.

  Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 24/25. The modules relating to the academic year 25/26 will be available from June 2025.

  • Stage 1
    • Drawing Fundamentals (20 Credits)
      Module code: CSY1076

      Status: Compulsory
      This module introduces students to 2D and 3D visual communication, stimulating visual perception and idea generation. Students will be encouraged to be experimental in their approach to applying suitable media and techniques to communicate technical and aesthetic subjects.
    • Group Game Project: Fundamentals (20 Credits)
      Module code: CSY1077

      Status: Compulsory
      This module introduces students to group working practices within the context of a computer game development project. The module encourages the development of key interpersonal skills needed for collaborative work, such as communication, problem solving, respect and consideration of others, and identifying roles and responsibilities within a multidisciplinary group project.
    • 2D Game Asset Production (20 Credits)
      Module code: CSY1090

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the principles and technical skills used to create 2D digital graphics for video games and other creative industries, and to explore the creative processes required to produce their own digital assets to professional standards.
    • 3D Game Asset Production (20 Credits)
      Module code: CSY1091

      Status: Compulsory
      This module introduces students to the technical 3D modelling skills and creative processes required to produce 3D digital assets within creative industry projects. The module will also introduce students to the study of professional developers and their product standards, to contextualise and understand current market trends and platform limitations.
    • 3D Character Art (20 Credits)
      Module code: CSY1092

      Status: Compulsory
      This module develops the student?s knowledge and practical expertise in 3D modelling, with a specific focus on the technical skills required to produce 3D character models for use in computer games. Students will develop experience with character construction, topological deformation and rigging for animation.
    • Material Development for Games (20 Credits)
      Module code: CSY1093

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the principles and technical skills used to create materials and textures for use in video games and other creative industries. Students explore the creative processes required to produce their own digital materials to industry standards.
  • Stage 2
    • 3D Environment Modelling (20 Credits)
      Module code: CSY2125

      Status: Compulsory
      This module further develops learners? technical 3D modelling skills in application to computer game environment production. Learners are encouraged to produce optimised and efficient digital assets for game environments following industry development standards.
    • Digital Sculpting Fundamentals (20 Credits)
      Module code: CSY2126

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to develop fundamental skills in 3D digital sculpting. Students use relevant digital sculpting software and non-linear creative processes to produce efficiently retopologised 3D models for use within computer game projects.
    • Group Game Project: Advanced (20 Credits)
      Module code: CSY2127

      Status: Compulsory
      This module develops students? professional collaborative skills and experience of the game development process when working in multi-disciplinary groups to develop a 3D digital game to a deadline. Students use effective communication methods, empathy and compromise, problem solving and organisation skills within the context of a computer game project.
    • Concept Art Techniques (20 Credits)
      Module code: CSY2128

      Status: Compulsory
      This module provides students with the opportunity to expand their digital and traditional drawing skills into contemporary concept art techniques for creative industries such as computer game development. They will develop their individual design philosophy and workflow through study of current industry trends and practical application to computer game projects.
    • 3D Art for Game Engines (20 Credits)
      Module code: CSY2129

      Status: Compulsory
      This module develops the technical skills required to integrate 3D game art assets into a real-time game engine. Learners develop game engine specific techniques such as basic scripting, shader and geometry management, lighting and post processing.
    • Digital Sculpting for Character Art (20 Credits)
      Module code: CSY2130

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to develop students? skills in 3D digital character sculpting. Students will design and build 3D character models through the study of organic forms such as anatomy, skin, hair and clothing with consideration of polygonal topology and rigging for animation
  • Stage 3
    • Group Project 3 (Games) (20 Credits)
      Module code: CSY3031

      Status: Compulsory
      As the final module of the Group Project series this module aims to place significant emphasis on independent learning, development and responsibility, through the creation of a social game following industry practices.The production process and design of the groups games, are student-directed and supported through a module supervisor in conjunction with some, tutor lead lectures.The games should demonstrate the understanding of the complete development life cycle (design through to publication), where the final submission should be aimed at appearing in the public domain.This game ought to be seen by the students as a ?marque product? worthy of appearing in their professional portfolio, to assist with gaining employment.
    • Visual Studies for Games 3 (20 Credits)
      Module code: CSY3050

      Status: Compulsory
      This module builds on the level five visual studies module with the aim of providing learners with the opportunity to expand on skills and understanding, learnt in the first two years, through the vehicle of an associated creative project. Learners will be encouraged to further develop individual design philosophies and styles within the learning constraints of a creative brief. The module provides the opportunity for learners to research, integrate and apply established working practices, concepts and principles within a commercial setting and to deadlines.The two items of assessed work associated with Visual Studies 3 are intended to support:1. The ?Art Director Portfolio, Final Major Project? level six module2. To further enhance individual learner portfolios to meet requirements for interviews (ongoing practice)
    • Professional Practice in Games (20 Credits)
      Module code: CSY3051

      Status: Compulsory
      The main aim of the module is to ensure students are fully aware of the needs and expectations of the contemporary digital industry through an understanding of its social, economic and cultural climate. The module aims to enable students to pitch projects in terms of concept and business models; establishing and maintaining a personal website; identifying trends and market possibilities; encouraging participation in competitions; developing presentation and self-promotional skills; making job applications and preparing for interview.
    • Art Director Portfolio, Final Major Project (60 Credits)
      Module code: CSY4021

      Status: Compulsory
      The module integrates and draws together the various aspects of the programme gained during study at levels 4, 5 and 6.The main aim of the module is to ensure students are prepared for their first steps towards the industry, by allowing them opportunity to develop a body of highly polished work demonstrated and refined via regular critiques of work in progress.This module gives them opportunity to specialize on developing content for their portfolio. The work developed will be as close to industry standard and expectations, as feasible, and will be tailored towards the specific areas of the individuals interest such as; Concept Art, Environment Art, Animation, UI design etc.This module is to support through mentoring the individual students on their professional journey.

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• Student Perks

  At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.

  If you join this full time Games Art degree at Northampton, you will receive a laptop when your course begins*. The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home for game art courses.

  Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills about gaming art you’re learning during your games art course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd. We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.

  To check out the full list of perks, visit our Student Perks page or dedicated International Perks page.

  *UK fee payers only (see Terms and Conditions for further details).

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• Integrated Foundation Year (IFY)

  The Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) offers a new and exciting route into studying for a degree, attracting ambitious and driven students who are willing to learn and advance.

  If you have non-standard qualifications or do not quite meet the admissions requirements we can offer you a fantastic opportunity to study a four year programme which includes an Integrated Foundation Year. The Integrated Foundation Year will help you develop the theoretical/practical and academic skills you need, in order to successfully progress to the full award.

  Our four-year courses will enable you to successfully follow the degree pathway of your choice while gaining essential study skills. The foundation year of your chosen degree will be studied on a full-time basis and is aimed at supporting the transition to higher education. Years two, three and four are then studied as a standard degree programme.

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• FAQs

  How will I be taught on the Games Art BA degree?

  Your teaching will take the form of practical activities, group work, assignments, seminars and written assessments around games art.

  How will I be assessed?

  Assessment on the games art degree is a mixture of studio based design projects (continual assessment), portfolio development, and written assignments. At each stage, there will also be a joint group project with students from the Games Design BA (Hons) course, resulting in a fully developed game.

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