Games Art BA
Teesside University Campus, United Kingdom
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Games Art
Teesside University
Games Art & Digital Media
Program Overview: BA (Hons) Games Art at Teesside University
The BA (Hons) Games Art at Teesside University prepares you for a career as a computer games artist, where you create a game's characters, assets, environments, creatures and vehicles, as well as producing concept art and storyboards. You develop your artistic skills and explore specialised areas including 3D character sculpting, photo-real texturing and surfaces, hard surface modelling, shaders, material, lighting and effects, game engine implementation, concept art, environment art and character art.
Teesside University has been ranked the number 1 video game design and development school in the UK and number 5 in Europe in the GAMEducation 2025. The course is recognised by ScreenSkills, the industry-led skills body for the UK's screen-based industries, and carries the ScreenSkills Select quality-mark indicating it is among the courses best suited to prepare students for a career in the screen industries.
You also develop skills for a career in digital media, typically in areas of film, TV, advertising and multimedia, through to architectural and product visualisation. The program features hands-on experience through GameJam events, industry competitions, and the annual Animex international animation and games festival, where you can learn from experts at studios such as Rockstar, Pixar, Disney and Sony.
Key Program Highlights
- Ranked number 1 video game design and development school in the UK by GAMEducation 2025, and top North East University for Animation and Game Design in the Guardian University Guide 2026
- ScreenSkills Select accredited course, recognised as among the best for preparing students for careers in the UK screen industries
- Access to state-of-the-art facilities including high-spec dual-screen computers, graphics tablets, Cintiq studios, motion capture studio, VR development studio and green screen facilities
- Strong industry connections with placement opportunities at studios including Microsoft, Rare, Team 17, Sumo Digital, Ubisoft and many more
Curriculum & Modules
The BA (Hons) Games Art curriculum is designed to build your skills progressively from foundational 3D modelling and texturing through to advanced specialisations in character art, environment art and technical art. You learn through lectures, tutorials and practical projects, working with industry-standard tools such as Unreal 5 and Unity, and develop a professional portfolio throughout the course. In your second year, you participate in a unique simulated game studio experience, working alongside games designers and programmers.
3D Modelling and Texturing Fundamentals
30 creditsYou are introduced to the fundamental principles used in the production of real-time 3D models and 2D texture assets. Learn how to create, unwrap, texture and render hard surface 3D models for game environments.
Environment Art for Games
30 creditsYou study the research, planning and authoring of environment asset content for games engine integration. Adopt industry techniques including architecture research, real-time terrain creation, modelling and texturing for environment assets, VFX and lighting for real-time content.
Visual Design and Contemporary Art Practice
30 creditsYou broaden your artistic and visual horizons and develop your observational skills. Study contemporary and historical visual arts across games, cinema, fashion, graphic design, architecture, product design and typography.
Digital Sculpting for Games
30 creditsFocus on creating organically sculpted assets, characters and creatures that could be used within a game, TV or film environment. Learn core sculpting skills and techniques using leading industry software.
Technical Art and Game Engine Implementation
30 creditsDevelop your understanding of custom asset pipelines in authoring games art to a real-time game level. You are introduced to technical art solutions, building on your skills to create engaging immersive environments which meet hardware budgets and rendering performance.
Team Game Production (Journeyman)
30 creditsWork with students from across all the games courses to develop a game slice in a team. Experience working in a production environment using Unreal 5 and Unity, focusing on specific skills in your own field while gaining valuable teamwork and professional skills.
Elective & Specialisation Options
Admission Requirements
Teesside University welcomes applications from students with a range of qualifications and backgrounds. Each application is considered on a case-by-case basis, and the university may also accept alternative qualifications. To apply for the BA (Hons) Games Art, submit your application through Uni4Edu, and our team will guide you through the entire process.
Academic Requirements
- UCAS Tariff Points96-112 UCAS points from relevant qualifications
- Portfolio RequirementA portfolio is required if your Level 3 qualifications do not include a creative subject such as art, design, drawing, animation or games art/design
- Portfolio ContentYour portfolio should demonstrate fundamental drawing skills such as life drawing and observational drawing, alongside showing your creativity
- International BaccalaureateContact Uni4Edu for equivalent IB diploma requirements
- Credit TransferIf you have gained credits at Level 4 or higher in a related subject from previous study, credit transfer towards your new course may be possible
English Language Requirements
- IELTSOverall score of 5.5
- PTE AcademicScore of 59
- Cambridge EnglishScale score of 162
Required Documents
Application Deadlines
For personalized admission guidance, document verification, and application support, please contact Uni4Edu
Scholarships & Funding
Teesside University offers a range of scholarships to support international students pursuing their studies. These scholarships are designed to recognise academic excellence and help make studying in the UK more accessible. Contact Uni4Edu for personalised guidance on which scholarships you may be eligible for and assistance with the application process.
Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship
GBP 7,000 fee waiver (first year)A prestigious scholarship recognising outstanding students who demonstrate skills and commitment to becoming future global leaders. Awarded as a one-off fee waiver in the first year of study, recipients are expected to act as ambassadors for the university.
Global Excellence Scholarship
GBP 2,000 fee waiver (first year)Available to international fee-paying students on undergraduate or postgraduate programmes. The scholarship is automatically assessed based on your course application, and awards are made at the discretion of the International Scholarships Committee.
Teesside University Advance
Apple iPad loan plus GBP 100 annual creditEligible undergraduate students can loan an Apple iPad with Office 365 and a compatible keyboard, plus receive GBP 100 credit each academic year to buy books and other learning resources. Subject to eligibility criteria.
For detailed tuition fee information, please contact Uni4Edu — we will guide you through the costs and available funding options for this program.
Career Prospects
Graduates of the BA (Hons) Games Art program at Teesside University have gone on to build successful careers at some of the most renowned games, film and visual effects studios worldwide. The program also develops transferable skills applicable to careers in digital media, film, TV, advertising, multimedia, architectural visualisation and product visualisation.
Potential Career Roles
Where Graduates Work
Rankings & Recognition
Teesside University is widely recognised for its excellence in games education and creative digital technologies. Named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2025 and awarded Triple Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023, the university continues to build its reputation both nationally and internationally. Its games programs are particularly celebrated, consistently ranking among the top in the UK and Europe.
| Subject | Ranking Body | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Animation & Game Design | Guardian University Guide | #1 in North East England |
| Video Game Design & Development | GAMEducation | #1 in UK, #5 in Europe |
| Teaching Quality | Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide | #23 of 131 UK Universities |
| Student Satisfaction | Complete University Guide | #26 of 130 UK Institutions |
How to Apply
Applying for this program is easy with Uni4Edu. Our team will guide you through every step of the process — from document preparation to final enrolment.
Contact Uni4Edu
Reach out to our team via email or phone. We will assess your profile and confirm your eligibility for this program.
Prepare Your Documents
Our advisors will provide you with a personalised checklist of required documents and help you prepare your application package.
Submit Your Application
Uni4Edu will submit your application on your behalf and keep you updated on its progress throughout the review period.
Receive Your Offer
Once accepted, we will help you understand your offer, arrange visa support if needed, and guide you through the enrolment process.
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