Anglia Ruskin University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Course summary
Develop skills essential to the fast-moving computer games industry with our BA (Hons) Computer Games Art degree in Cambridge. Accredited by TIGA, our Computer Games Art degree will allow you to develop art skills relevant to the fast-moving computer games industry. You’ll develop 3D development skills tailored to games, including sculpting, modelling, texturing, characters and environments, enabling you to create characters, environments and more. During your studies, you’ll discover how you can use your visual research, creative experimentation and technical development to forge a career as a computer games artist. You’ll learn how to move from concept to game-ready assets, bringing your work to life using Industry-leading software including UE5, the latest version of Epic’s Unreal Engine, Autodesk Maya, ZBrush and the Adobe Substance Painter. ARU is the place to be for studying Computer Games Art. The East of England has nearly 200 active games companies, with Cambridge itself home to 26 games companies including Jagex, Frontier Developments and Ninja Theory (source: ukie.org.uk’s games map January 2024). By studying Computer Games Art at ARU, you’ll improve your prospects with live briefs and guest speakers from tech giants like Sony, Jagex and Frontier. You’ll also attend exciting events including Gamebridge, hosted annually on the ARU campus. At Gamebridge, students from across the country attend industry-led talks and one-to-one portfolio reviews, whilst showcasing their work and networking with local and global studios as well as other like-minded students. Our flexible modules allow you to explore different aspects of digital art, helping you specialise and future-proof your career. And with our TIGA accreditation, employers will know that your course has trained you in both practical and theoretical application of industry standard practices and the latest industrial workflows. We're also partners with the Global Science & Technology Forum, giving you access to cutting-edge research materials. During your time at ARU, you’ll receive ongoing support to find placements and work experience relevant to your Computer Games Art and you can take an optional placement year. In recent times, ARM, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, Frontier and Just Flight have all offered internships and work opportunities to ARU students. Industry-standard facilities As a Computer Games Art student at ARU, you’ll benefit from:
- High-end computers with graphic tablets
- Motion capture equipment
- Industry-standard SLRs (for HDRI capture)
- HD cameras
- Top of the range 3D modelling, animation, and game software including Maya, ZBrush, Substance 3D, Unreal Engine 5 and Unity 3D
- Podcast and video capture system
Modules
Year 1 Core modules: Game Concepts and Analysis, Digital Sculpting for Games, Game Art Creation. Year 2 Core modules: Collaborative Games Development, Specialised Practice in Games Art, Technical Development for Games, Ruskin Module. Year 3: Work Placement. Year 4 Core modules: Studio Practice for Games, Major Project for Games. Modules are subject to change and availability.
Assessment method
You’ll show your progress through a combination of written and practical work.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- The Independent Game Developers' Association
How to apply
31Jan
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- W283
- Institution code:
- A60
- Campus name:
- Cambridge Campus
- Campus code:
- C
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 96 points
GCSE/National 4/National 5
You will be asked to provide a digital portfolio for review and will be given the option to book a meeting to discuss this with us. If English is not your first language you will be expected to demonstrate a certificated level of proficiency of at least IELTS 6.0 (Academic level) or equivalent English Language qualification, as recognised by Anglia Ruskin University. You may also be accepted to this course with an IELTS 5.5 (Academic level- with no individual score being lower than 5.5) or equivalent English Language qualification as recognised by Anglia Ruskin University, but will then be required to undertake additional compulsory free English language modules in your first year.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9250 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Please note the fee for the placement year is £1,400.
https://www.aru.ac.uk/student-life/preparing-for-university/help-with-finances
Provider information
Anglia Ruskin University
East Road
Cambridge
CB1 1PT