Undergraduate course
BA (Hons)
Game Arts and Design
Turn your creativity into captivating games. Master 3D modelling, 2D art, animation, level design and gameplay coding – all guided by industry experts. Explore every stage of game development and specialise in what excites you most.
Our typical offer
104 UCAS points
Create in world-class facilities
Create with cutting-edge tech in world-class facilities – where your ideas come to life in VR, 360° immersion and high-spec game labs.
Shape the future of gaming
Future-proof your career with industry-led, tech-focused training – where innovation, entrepreneurship and ethical practice prepare you to thrive and make an impact.
Break into the industry
Boost your employability with optional year-long, paid placements at top studios like Criterion Games.
About
If you love creating visually stunning games and immersive experiences, this course gives you the chance to focus on the artistic side of game development. You’ll learn to design characters, environments and storylines using industry tools like Unreal Engine and Blender. Graduates go on to work at top companies like EA Games and Aardman Animation, and work on high profile projects like Alien: Romulus and Netflix’s Three Body Problem.
Mr Joel Hodges
Lecturer in Game Arts & Design
This course is for you if...
you’re passionate about creating immersive, engaging games
you enjoy blending creativity and technical skills in game design
you want to master industry-standard tools and workflows
you’re aiming for a career as a game artist, 3D modeller, or level designer
Details
Year 1
Get straight into learning the art and coding skills you need as a game designer. You are introduced to 2D design and 3D modelling software, game engines and gameplay coding. Bring your drawings to life with animation and interactivity, and create your first 3D models and games. Learn about storytelling and build your own gaming hardware.
View year 1 modules below.
Year 2
Master more advanced 3D modelling and game programming techniques, and hone your level design skills. Learn about working in the creative industries from visiting speakers, and work with Illustration students to further develop your drawing skills.
View year 2 modules below.
Placement year (optional)
An optional paid 48-week work placement offers invaluable practical work experience. We recommend pursuing a placement, as it enhances your final year of study and improves your employability on graduation.
View placement year modules below.
Final year
Focus on your own particular areas of interest by selecting from a range of optional modules and set your creativity free in your epic final year project.
View final year modules below.
Year 1 - core modules
- FAPY100 Stage 1 Placement Preparation
This module is aimed at students who may be undertaking a company placement in the third year of their programme. It is designed to assist students in their search for a placement and in their preparation for the placement itself. - GAD4004 Illustration and Concept Art
Explore the fundamentals of 2D illustration for games, including shape, silhouette, lighting, colour, and ideation. Learn digital painting techniques and how to design for specific themes and styles. You'll use industry-standard art software to create compelling visual concepts and develop your creative process from initial idea to finished artwork. - GAD4005 3D Modelling
Learn the essentials of 3D modelling for games, from asset creation to optimisation and integration into real-time engines. You'll build a portfolio of game-ready models using industry-standard tools, gaining hands-on experience with workflows and techniques used across the games industry. - GAD4006 Game Art Practice
Master advanced skills of 2D and 3D asset creation for games, from concept to engine-ready implementation. You'll design, model, texture, and optimise game art while exploring the artistic and technical considerations that shape professional workflows. This hands-on module prepares you to produce high-quality, game-ready assets using industry-standard tools. - GAME4005 Design Practice
Explore board game design through playful experimentation, collaboration, and ethical thinking. You'll develop mechanics, themes, and narrative tone to shape inclusive player experiences. Workshops support prototyping, visual research, and video production, helping you build creative confidence through reflective practice. - GAME4006 Interactive Experience
Explore how storytelling and gameplay work together to shape player experience. Learn how worldbuilding and narrative choices guide interaction and build immersion. Use wireframing tools to prototype interactive stories, and experiment with how design, mechanics, and narrative combine to create meaningful, player-driven experiences.
Year 1 - optional modules
- GAME4007 UI Design
Discover the art of UX and UI design for games by analysing real-world examples and experimenting with fonts, colours, and logos. You'll explore how design shapes identity and accessibility, then apply your skills to build a complete game menu system that balances style, usability, and player experience through iterative design. - GAME4008 Sound Design
Explore the principles of sound design for games by creating and manipulating effects, music, and dialogue to enhance player experience. You'll use industry-standard tools to build dynamic soundscapes and learn how audio integrates into gameplay to shape mood, immersion, and interaction.
Year 2 - core modules
- GAME5001: Critical Design
This module develops students’ ability to critically reflect upon design strategies that they can subsequently apply to their own videogame development. Students will evidence what they have learnt via a digital journal. - GAME5002: Professional Portfolio
In this module, students will be given the opportunity to propose and develop a project that follows a chosen area of game design and development. This project will be supported by an allocated tutor that can support and guide through the creative process. Students will be given regular sessions alongside this project that help shape and develop their online portfolio and presence to successfully market and showcase their work. Students will be given tools and methods to help manage time efficiently, implementing regular review processes to iterate on work and manage expectations. - GAME5005: Studio Practice – Challenge Module
In this module, students will join with peers across digital subjects to learn collaborative design and development processes, understanding how to professionally communicate between different disciplines and teams, working towards an immersive experience that is aligned to the UN sustainability goals. Students will be introduced to professional project and source control management tools and processes to enhance their practice and efficiency. Students will form small groups to design and develop a small interactive experience that showcases their learning from their own crafts, and their professional skills. - GAD5001: Asset Production
In this module, students will build on asset production techniques to understand how to prepare large scale asset productions, with considerations for batch production, modular design, procedural game assets and texturing techniques such as trim sheets. Students will create a broad portfolio entry that showcases their skills in numerous areas of asset production in games. Students will learn how to utilise basic scripting in a game engine to generate dynamic assets that are optimised and efficient. Students will also explore utilising additional tools that assist with areas like foliage design and clothing design for games.
Year 2 - optional modules
- GAME5003: Rigging and Animation
This module will provide students with the principles of animation for both objects and characters. They will focus on understanding weights and stretches, exploring different techniques and styles of animation. This will allow the students to experiment and consider which style is best suited to the work they want to create. Students will craft a range of animation elements from object tests to facial rigs on 3D characters, giving a strong understanding of the range of skills encompassed in animation for games, along with a core understanding to critique and analyse animation styles and form. - GAME5004: VFX for Games
In this module, students will explore a range of visual effects pipelines for use in game engines, ranging from particle effects to shaders. Students will learn about how these effects can be used in conjunction with other elements like sound to facilitate engagement and reward to players in games. Students will produce a portfolio of work in this module to set tasks and briefs that tests efficient and visual design practices. - GAME5006: Scanning and Photogrammetry
This module aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of photogrammetry and 3D scanning techniques, tools, and applications. This module covers the fundamental principles of capturing, processing, optimising, and analysing spatial data to create accurate 3D models. Students will gain hands-on experience with both photogrammetric software and 3D scanning hardware to understand their practical applications in various fields such as archaeology, architecture, engineering, gaming, and virtual reality. - GAME5007: MoCap and MoEdit
In this module the students will learn about the delivery of Motion Capture services. Students will explore through all stages of the pipeline, from good stage practices and running a shoot, and the different jobs that are part of it, to delivering fully cleaned and retargeted data. Students will create a portfolio of work that demonstrates core practices within the Motion Capture pipeline, showcasing professional practices and shoot etiquette. - FAPY501: Stage 2 Placement Preparation
This module is aimed at students who may be undertaking an industrial placement in the third year of their programme or are looking for other work opportunities. It is designed build on the Level 1 module (FAPY100) and to assist students in their search and application for a placement and/or other work experience and in their preparation for the placement itself.
Placement year (optional) - core modules
- FAPY604 Digital Art and Technology/Internet Design Placement
An extend period of professional training (at least the duration of both teaching semesters - 36 weeks) spent as the third year of a sandwich programme undertaking an approved placement with a suitable company (either a paid placement or unpaid internship). This provides an opportunity for the student to gain relevant industrial experience to consolidate the first two stages of study and to prepare for the final stage and employment after graduation.
Final year - core modules
- ADA600: Common Dissertation: Critical Practices
The module engages students in situating practice through research, contextualisation and critical reflection, in relation to their final stage study and post University aspirations. Programmes can offer: a traditional dissertation; preparation for an extended dissertation; situating existing practice; or the construction of a new body of work as practice-based research. - GAME6004: Major Project
This module acts as the capstone of the degree, giving students a dedicated self-directed project to design, craft and refine as a major portfolio piece. Students will be allocated a supervisor that will guide and support the development of the work, along with encouraging critical discussion around the chosen theme and topic. Students are encouraged to experiment and innovate in their craft, exploring how their chosen craft can be pushed forward. - GAME6005: Portfolio and Professional Practice
In this module, students will develop and refine a professional portfolio that is ready for applications in the creative industries. Students will be supported by industry professionals that will offer review and advise on how to target specific markets and roles. Students will also craft a range of promotional material to celebrate their existing portfolio of work, that can then be showcased at a final exhibition for the degree. Students will be involved in curating, organising and displaying their work, along learning key events managements skills with partners and key stakeholders.
Final year - optional modules
- GAME6001: Game Design
In this module, students will demonstrate their skills in design, team development practices and their own craft that has been demonstrated through their portfolio of work to this stage. Students will be given the opportunity to pitch ideas and form teams, bringing an idea to life in the form of a demo. Students will work professionally to set deadlines and goals set through the module, working in a studio format. Students will craft a press-kit for their game and create a trailer that could be used to pitch the game to potential investors. - GAME6002: Interaction Design
This module focuses on the experimentation and fabrication of interaction devices and experiences that allow audiences to interface with digital experiences. Students will explore the considerations for accessibility and fabrication tools needed in designing and developing game controllers, along with exploring the world of alternative controllers using custom hardware. Students will produce an interaction device that can interface with a crafted experience. - GAME6003: Experience Design
In this module students will explore the world of creative and artistic installation, learning how to curate and craft an experience to be part of an interactive exhibit. Students will learn a range of prototyping and experimental design processes that will explore outside of the world of games. Students will explore physical computing devices, and display techniques such as dome projection and projection mapping.
Which games degree is right for you?
Choosing the right course is the first step toward your future in the dynamic world of gaming.
Whether you're passionate about creating stunning visuals, crafting immersive gameplay experiences, or building the next generation of game engines, there's a degree for you.
Perfect for creative minds who want to design the visual world of games. Focus on 3D modelling, 2D art, animation and level design. Get hands-on with industry-standard tools and bring art to life.
Ideal for those who love to code and design interactive gameplay. Master programming, prototyping and game mechanics design. Bring your ideas to life through programming in C++ and scripting.
For the tech-minded who want to dive deep into computer science with a game-focused twist. Develop game engines, artificial intelligence and programming tools. Build a solid foundation in software engineering principles.
The recognises institutions committed to providing high-quality educational experiences through knowledgeable faculty and proven curricula.
Our Senior Technician Andrew Banks has also been awarded a Silver Status as an Unreal Authorised Trainer.
The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.
Experience
The University gives us access to everything we could need to create games. We have full-blown drawing platform suites, we have a visual dome so we can do 3D Dome experiences, motion caption software, recordings booths, everything we need to build every single section of game design interactive experiences XR and VR.
Glen, BA (Hons) Game Arts and Design graduate
I’ve learnt a large array of industry-relevant skills such as 3D modelling, coding and animation. The course has also pushed me to gain better skills in areas such as presenting/public speaking, and working in a team alongside other people to make games.
Esther, BA (Hons) Game Arts and Design graduate
When it comes to networking during our course, they've brought in a lot of people from different areas of the industry. You can get involved with research and you can get involved with other projects outside of the University.
Glen, BA (Hons) Game Arts and Design graduate
Learn from experts in their field
Learn from expert coders, artists, designers and creative technologists working at the cutting edge of games, VR, robotics, sound and interactive media. Our hands-on, project-based approach builds your coding and creative skills from the ground up – no experience needed. We’ll equip you for a fast-changing digital world, where creativity and critical thinking is always in demand.
Mr Joel Hodges
Lecturer in Game Arts & Design
Dr Rafael Arrivabene
Lecturer in Game and Experience Design
Dr Lauren Hayhurst
Lecturer in Narrative Design
Life in °µÍø½âÃÜ
°µÍø½âÃÜ's maritime history and coastal location have an undeniable influence on life in the city. The walk from our main campus to the seafront is only about one mile, providing loads of opportunity to relax and unwind during your studies. You don’t need to leave the city to get to the coast!
The overall vibe of the city is perfect. You are by the sea so it is still laid back, but you have all the conveniences of living in a city.
Jenna
Current student
Current student
Life in the city
Discover what °µÍø½âÃÜ and its unique geographical location have to offer
Explore your accommodation options
Discover our range of student accommodation options and find out how you can get a guaranteed place in halls
Our large student population, active Students' Union, and abundance of student-led clubs and societies blend to create a busy and vibrant student scene
Careers
Our graduates work at top companies like Facebook, Pixar and EA – or thrive as indie developers and start-up founders. With 2,000+ game studios in the UK, you can build a career close to home in one of the world’s fastest-growing industries.
Your BA (Hons) Game Arts and Design degree opens doors to roles like game artist, coder, designer or producer – and builds skills valued across tech and creative sectors. Optional paid placements with studios like Criterion Games give you real-world experience and industry connections.
*Data is from the Graduate Outcomes Surveys covering the three years of 2019/20 – 2021/22. Graduates were surveyed 15 months after graduating. Data displayed is for UK-domiciled, first degree, full-time graduates who are working, studying or looking for work.
I knew it would be really rewarding to experience working as a designer for a team of over a hundred people and to learn from industry veterans, and that a placement would boost my understanding of the game development industry. Looking back on it now, I can safely say it did!
Graduate Leah on her industry placement with EA Games
The placement made me better at productivity and time keeping – at my placement and my current job we had to time our work so that it could be charged correctly; it’s something that I know some people in the industry struggle with, but thanks to my placement I can do it without any stress.
Graduate Ella on her experience on placement with Sponge Learning
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Tuition fees for new full-time students starting in
Full-time study
£9,790 per year
£9,790 per year
Module fees for repeated or part-time study
£815 per 10 credits
£815 per 10 credits
Tuition fee price changes
The Government has announced that tuition fees from Academic Year 28/29 onwards will be subject to automatic annual inflationary increases, which we believe will be at a similar rate to the recent annual increases to fees, and may continue to be inflation based. The University may increase annual tuition fees in line with the Student Contract and the maximum tuition fee caps set by the Government from time to time.
We understand that clarity around tuition fees is important when planning your studies and we advise you to monitor this page regularly to stay informed of any updates to your tuition fees.
More information about
fees and costs of studying
.
Tuition fees for full-time international students starting in 2026-2027 academic year.
Full-time study
£18,150 per year
£18,150 per year
Tuition fee price changes
Our fees are reviewed on an annual basis. Fees and the conditions that apply to them are the most up to date but are still subject to change in exceptional circumstances. More information about
fees and costs of studying
.
UK Government announcement on tuition fees
The UK Government has announced that a levy on tuition fee income in the region of 6% of an international student’s tuition fees may be introduced. If implemented, the University reserves the right to increase your tuition fees accordingly. The Government has made it clear that it has not officially decided on its stance and it is possible that the eventual levy amount or arrangements may differ from the initial proposal. Therefore, the University reserves the right to adjust tuition fees in accordance with the Government’s final position on this levy.
We understand that clarity around tuition fees is important when planning your studies. Therefore, please note that the tuition fee shown on this page may change as a result of the introduction of a levy. We advise you to monitor this page regularly to stay informed of any updates to your tuition fees.
Additional costs
This course is delivered by the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business. Studying a course in this faculty may incur additional costs relating to placement or equipment requirements.
Fund your studies
As an undergraduate at °µÍø½âÃÜ, there are plenty of funding options available, including tuition fee loans, living cost loans, scholarships, bursaries and support funds.
Supporting students with the cost of living
The cost of living in the UK has risen faster than household income, meaning that most people will have less to spend on essential goods and services. This is an ongoing situation that is likely to affect everyone in some way.
The University provides advice and guidance and has a range of services, facilities and offers to help students with rising everyday costs.
Apply
Entry requirements
Our typical offer
104 UCAS points
104 UCAS points
You may be eligible for a contextual offer
A levels
104 points from a minimum of 2 A levels.
BTEC National Extended Diploma
DMM in any subject.
Access to HE Diploma
Pass a named Access to Higher Education Diploma (preferably Art and Design, Humanities or combined), with at least 33 credits at merit and/or distinction.
T level
Merit in Digital: Digital Production, Design and Development or Digital Support Services.
International Baccalaureate
26 overall.
Portfolio
Applicants are required to submit a portfolio, with an optional informal interview, for entry onto this course. If you have any questions, please contact our Admissions Team; drop us an email at applications@plymouth.ac.uk or alternatively give us a call on +44 1752 585858.
Other qualifications
Other combinations and non-A level qualifications also considered.
Extended entry requirements
To be accepted onto a degree course with us, you must have a suitable English language qualification.
Ready to apply?
All applications for undergraduate courses are made through UCAS.com. Please refer to the course facts below when completing your application for this course.
UCAS course code
W282
W282
Institution code
P60
P60
Duration
3 years
(+ optional placement)
Course type
Full-time
Study location
°µÍø½âÃÜ
°µÍø½âÃÜ
Entry requirements
We welcome applicants with international qualifications and we accept a range of qualifications from across the globe.
Our typical offer
104 UCAS points
104 UCAS points
BSearch entry requirements for your country
5
English language requirements
To be accepted onto a degree course with us, you must have a suitable English language qualification.
Ready to apply?
As an international student, you can apply for this course through UCAS or an agent in your country.
Need support with your application?
- Personal statement guidance
- student visa support
- travel and arrival information
- and more.
UCAS course code
W282
W282
Institution code
P60
P60
Duration
3 years
(+ optional placement)
Course type
Full-time
Study location
°µÍø½âÃÜ
°µÍø½âÃÜ
Visit us at an undergraduate on-campus open day
Open days are the best way to get a feel for studying an undergraduate degree at the °µÍø½âÃÜ.
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The results of the National Student Survey (NSS) and the Graduate Outcomes survey (GO) are made available to prospective students and their advisors through the Discover Uni website.