Games Art with foundation year BA (Hons)

<strong>In December 2024, the University of Bolton was granted permission by the Office for Students (OfS) to change its name to the University of Greater Manchester with immediate effect. While we work to update our systems, you may see both names used in the information we provide.</strong><br/><br/>Seeking to turn your artistic vision into breathtaking game environments and striking characters? Our BA (Hons) Games Art with foundation year degree offers highly practical tuition designed to develop your skills in digital asset creation for games development, focusing on 3D modelling, texturing and lighting so you can learn to create artwork for the latest AAA games.<br/><br/>The UK market for video games was £7.05 billion in 2022 (1). If you seek a career in a strong economic sector, then a career in games is an excellent choice. From PC, console and mobile games to serious games for education and training and the emerging virtual reality games market, software developers seek highly qualified games specialists.<br/><br/>The first year of our 4-year BA (Hons) Games Art with foundation year degree offers an introduction to the study of games. The emphasis is on creativity, with specialisation in the route you want to follow. Key topics include simple games production using industry-recognised platforms and technologies. Our dedicated games team will work to help you build your skills, preparing you for your honours degree. Our teaching aims to develop you to be able to work in the games industry.<br/><br/>The foundation year constitutes a bridge between further and higher education. There is a greater emphasis on practical work, with dedicated support to help you prepare for the more demanding academic tasks at the honours degree level.<br/><br/>Once youve successfully completed the foundation year, youll automatically progress onto the main degree programme, where your studies will focus specifically on games art (though youll have the chance to transfer streams to BSc (Hons) Games Design or BSc (Hons) Games Programming on completion if you prefer (2)). Throughout the degree, well take an intensely practical approach designed to mimic the working environment found in the games industry. Well work together to develop your understanding of the creative and technical possibilities of games art. Our studio-based course will guide you from the basics of digital art, through character and environment modelling, texturing, lighting, level design and concept art, to the latest technologies in game art.<br/><br/>We share your passion for games and offer a supportive atmosphere where you can show your work and respond to critiques, which may come from staff, your peers or guest experts from the industry. These sessions help you learn to develop your ideas and improve your presentation and communication skills, ready for a career in this ever-growing industry.<br/><br/>(1) Ukie - https://ukie.org.uk/news/2023/04/uk-consumer-games-market-valuation-2022 - accessed on 23 April 2024<br/><br/>(2) Subject to approval by the relevant programme leader

The University of Greater Manchester puts your needs first, offering a supportive and positive environment so you can achieve your chosen goals. They're all about small class sizes that allow them to know their students by name, courses designed in consultation with industry experts and continued multi-million-pound investment in facilities.<br/><br/>Highlights include: <br/><br/>Bolton One – their £31 million health and sports centre with a modern gym, 15m climbing wall, 25m swimming pool and a competition-level trampoline<br/><br/>National Centre for Motorsports Engineering (NCME) - the only centre in the UK of its kind, staffed by an incredibly experienced team dedicated to preparing students for employment.<br/><br/>School of the Arts – including photography studios, darkrooms, 2D and 3D art workshops and a fully operating theatre.<br/><br/>With their student-focused university approach, the University of Greater Manchester will support your ambitions and ensure you get to enjoy #UniAsItShouldBe.