Game Art with Foundation Year

On this Game Art with Foundation Year course, you can learn to create 2D art, 3D models, textures, animations, and visual assets for modern game engines. You will also look at important topics such as ethical and sustainable design, and how AI tools can be used responsibly in creative workflows.

KEY FEATURES OF THE COURSE:

GRADUATE READY FOR THE WORLD OF WORK: Become a flexible, industry-ready game artist or animator— suited to both indie and AAA studios.

GAMES@DERBY: Join our Games@Derby community, where artists, designers, and programmers work together just like real game development teams.

DEVELOP SKILLS TO TAKE YOU FAR: Build creative and technical skills you can use not only in games, but also in animation, XR and other creative industries.

By the time you graduate, you will be able to:


• Understand modern game art techniques, including 2D, 3D, animation and real-time production.



• Understand how art, design, and programming work together in small, agile teams.



• Use ethical and professional approaches to game development, including the responsible use of AI tools.



• Create and integrate high-quality assets using industry-standard software and workflows.



• Show adaptability, teamwork, and creativity suited to careers in games, serious games or other creative sectors.



HOW YOU WILL LEARN:
Derby has a long-standing reputation in the international games sector, this course is shaped and supported by real studios and professionals.
This course gives you the creative and technical skills needed to work as a game artist, or animator, including modelling, texturing, animation, and integrating art into real-time environments. It has been designed with help from industry professionals, so it stays relevant to the current and future sector needs.

YOUR CAREER.
The programme will support you if you wish to pursue freelance or independent development by offering the opportunity to integrate business and entrepreneurial skills into your studies. Graduates emerge with the ability to thrive in small teams, AAA environments, or broader industries that use real-time technologies such as XR, simulation and virtual production — always grounded in the mindset of a game developer.

Based solely on more than 24,000 student reviews, the University of Derby was named Uni Compare's University of the Year 2027, and voted 1st in the UK for employability and 2nd in the UK for course quality.

Not only that, but 97% of students would recommend the University of Derby*, which we can offer you industry-relevant teaching, state-of-the-art study spaces, multi-award-winning accommodation, and a welcoming, inclusive community.

*Uni Compare 2027