- Study Mode: Full time
- Location: Distance Learning
- Duration: One Year
- Start Date: September 2022
You can also study this course:
If you have an undergraduate degree, some industry experience or a genuine love for 3D Game Art, you could take your career to the next level, with this flexible and advanced online course. Upon graduation you’ll have a high-standard showreel to help you join this ever-growing industry.
“The UK has the largest video games sector in Europe with a reputation for attracting and developing world-class talent. Ukie estimates that games companies directly employ 16,140 Full-Time Equivalents, split between 13,840 in games development and 2,300 in games publishing. Including retail, indirect and spillover employment, the games-related workforce is estimated to exceed 47,000 FTE roles. (Source: Think Global, Create Local report, 2020)."
Application guide
For information on how you can boost your career-prospects and apply for our postgraduate courses, follow our application guide.
Postgraduate Open Days
Join us for a Postgraduate Open Day where you can discuss your options and chosen course with our course leaders.
Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?
This course will offer you the chance to focus on creating high quality game art. During your time with us you will be supported by knowledgeable lecturers and industry professionals while also taking advantage of our excellent resources.
The standard of animation and game art at BNU is very high and this is reflected in the proportion of our students who go on to work successfully in the industry afterwards. We also run small classes which ensures that students gain meaningful access to our tutors.
What facilities can I use?
Although this course is online, you’ll still be able to access a range of specialist software and hardware, including;
- Maya
- ZBrush
- Nuke
- Mari
- Substance Suite
- Marvellous Designer
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Cinema 4D
- Redshift Renderer
- Shotgun
- Houdini
- Houdini Engine
- Unreal Engine
- Megascans Asset library
- Advanced Skeleton
- And Ziva among other useful pieces of software
This can all be accessed online through our virtualised computer system which will provide you with all the necessary hardware power to complete the course no matter where you are based. Our licences can also be accessed and used on your own machines by using our Bucks Anywhere service.
This video was our first experiment with our new Xsens motion capture suits. With the help of dancers from BNU’s BA Dance and Performance course, we motion captured a routine on the concourse running though the university and replaced one of the dancers with a version of the Lonely Robot and comped this back into the footage. We also have state of the art Faceware kits for face motion capture.
What will I study?
On this degree you will cover abroad range of topics, from researching into the field of game art, looking at both historical and contemporary practice to generating ideas derived from your findings, we will help you grow your skillset.
You’ll also have the opportunity to explore the wider production pipeline needed for a 3D game. This will cover areas such as;
- modelling
- rigging
- animation
- texturing
- lighting
- And game engines
You’ll then enter the preproduction phase before moving on to the production phase for your main project. This may be a continuation of some of your early ideas or something new and may be done individually or in a group.
How will I be taught and assessed?
We understand that to succeed on a creative course, you must be hands-on with learning. That’s why this degree is 70% practical work and 30% will involve reflective learning journals, presentations and academic reports.
This online course will be delivered via online group sessions and 1:1s with the tutors. You will be able to submit your work in progress on a regular basis in order to receive detailed feedback. You’ll also have access to lectures, other resources and current industry professionals via online lectures.
We encourage you to enter competitions, which will challenge you to produce your best work, and access feedback on your works in progress. We also run a monthly art challenge and provide additional life drawing classes, including online.
Placements Plus
BNU is a Placements Plus university. So, whatever degree you do, you can be sure there’ll be plenty of industry-relevant opportunities on offer, to help you get into your chosen field.
We’ll also prepare you for work beforehand, with special skills for work training, further boosting your CV, and building skills employers will value. In recognition of the value we place on these skills we have incorporated this experience into your study time.
Placements Plus is all about helping you get some valuable experience under your belt while you’re a student, to increase your choices later, and help you get the graduate-level job you want.
What are the course entry requirements?
Graduate entrants to the programme will normally hold an Honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject.
The University also welcomes applicants who have significant industry experience and no formal qualifications. Applicants with a suitable portfolio can be offered places based on artistic ability and experience.
Modules
This provides a guide of the modules that make up your course. You can find more information about how your course is structured on our Academic Advice section.
Year 1 Modules
Research and Experimentation
Character Creation
Game Environments Group Project
Preproduction
Production Project
What are the tuition fees
Home
Home, Academic Year 2022 - 2023
£8,000 per year
International
Overseas/International, Academic Year 2022 - 2023
£8,000 per year
What are my career prospects?
This course helps you grow and develop your skillset and create an industry-standard showreel. Get to know where your interests and talent lies, ready for the career you desire.
Our MA Advanced 3D Games Art course will help prepare you for a range of career possibilities, such as:
- 3D Artist
- Character Artist
- Animator
- Environment Artist
- Technical Animator
Course leader
