BA (Hons) Game Art & Production

Bristol Zoo Gardens Conservation and Education Centre
remains open to students.

You will have private access to the zoo grounds during lectures, to carry out your observations and data collection, but as more animals are moved, this will gradually be carried out at the Wild Place Project. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

Game Art & Production Course

Our BA (Hons) Game Art & Production One-year Top-up Degree programme is an exciting course based in Bristol at our University Centre WISE campus. This innovative third-year degree level provision is available to both existing SGS Higher Education and University Centre degree level students, as well as external applicants with the relevant qualifications. The course is focused on providing you with the relevant skills to become a professional games industry member.

This one-year top-up degree programme combines students from both technical and artistic disciplines, simulating a real-world games development studio environment, further developing professional skills required to create innovative and captivating game content. You will also gain valuable knowledge on how to succeed in the games industry using industry-standard software, methods, and pipelines. Software used includes Unreal Engine game development software; Visual Studios integrated development environment software; Perforce version control software, Autodesk Maya 3D modelling software; ZBrush sculpting software; Photoshop image-editing software; Substance Suite and Ableton audio editing software.

Within the course and as preparation for entering the creative industries, through a combination of elective specialist lectures; dedicated group work; and independent working experiences, students will gain an opportunity to master disciplines established over the past two years and solidify key requirements and skills expected within the games industry. The content will help you develop outstanding communication skills, by assessing your team members complementary strengths. This will thoroughly equip you with the relevant skills and knowledge to build a professional portfolio ready to land your first job in the games industry.

Combining creativity with emerging and established technology, you will be part of a top-up degree offering innovation, imagination, and employability at its heart.

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Why SGS Higher Education and University Centre?

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We have dedicated specialist tutors and smaller class sizes offering you the support you need to help develop at the pace that’s right for you. Alongside this, we have industry professionals providing bespoke lectures within different disciplines.

Get Kraken, our in-house studio offers an exciting opportunity for you to work in a real studio alongside your studies. If selected, you will become part of the team designing and developing a game to be released in the 2nd year of the course!

We are part of Bristol Academy of Media (BAM) so can offer collaboration between the two departments: Games and Media. This helps expand the reach of the course and provides the opportunity to learn about the wider avenues surrounding the technologies used.

Alongside your study you will have the opportunity to get involved in our Sports Academy. Whether you're a top-level athlete or you just want to give something a go, you can get involved with our sports academies, the competing arm of SGS Sport. Students can 'bolt on' a sports academy alongside their full-time study programme.

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Understanding the Games Industry

The games industry is rapidly growing globally. Within the UK, over 44 million people play video games; the industry employs over 47,000 people; and is worth upwards of £4 billion. On completion of the course you can top up to get a BA (Hons) in Game Art and Production or work within the games industry as a freelancer, indie developer, or in a AAA company. Previous students now work for Auroch Digital, Flaming Fowl Studios, Flix Interactive, Double Eleven and many more.

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"I’ve met some of my best friends here"

"I chose UCWISE campus after looking at other Game Art university courses, it turned out to be the best in terms of student output and opportunities. There is a chill, friendly atmosphere with the students and lecturers, I’ve met some of my best friends here."

Emmeline

BA (Hons) Game Art & Production

Study Modules

There are no modules at this level.

There are no modules at this level

DM6004

Final Project/Dissertation

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You'll choose, with your supervisor, an appropriate topic of interest which you want to research. This will be directly relevant to your own area of practice and help you in progressing your own work and ambitions. You will produce a 10-minute assessed presentation of your research proposal, early in the module, and then write a formal dissertation (5800 words) OR create a practical research project such as a media production supported by a critical and evaluative text (2900 words). This module not only reflects industry practice, and prepares you for it, it enables you to create another item for your professional portfolio, which is ready for you to pitch to prospective clients or employers.

Presentation: 20% [10 minutes (plus 5 mins Q&A) or 1200 word equivalent]

Dissertation / Major Project: 80% [5800 words or 2900 words plus a practice-based outcome]

GA6001

Specialist Subject Practices?

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This is an exciting and forward-thinking module which will help you to prepare for a successful career in the gaming sector. You'll have opportunities to investigate issues relating to age, race, gender, identity, appearance and culture, with consideration on how these impact design ideas and product marketing. You will explore the various models of character, environment, narrative, and game design in light of target audience expectations and the ethical underpinning of game art, design, and development. As you research and explore these ideas you will be provided with opportunities to implement your design ideas within a relevant working context.

Assignment: 30% (2100 words or equivalent)

Portfolio: 70% (4900 words or equivalent)

GA6002

Collaborative Development Project

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This module provides an opportunity to collaborate with peers in a multi-disciplinary team, as you will in a professional working environment. Building on both interpersonal and technical skills, you will negotiate roles and create a production plan to develop an artefact, which will then form the basis for critical reflection. You will be presented with simulated industry or live briefs which will require professional consideration. An evaluative and reflective approach will enhance your experience and skills, helping prepare you for a productive and sustainable career. It is assessed by a portfolio and an individual presentation.

Portfolio: 70% (4900 words or equivalent)

Individual presentation: 30% (15 minutes or 2,100 words)

GA6003

Professional Portfolio

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The games industry and the wider creative sector are evolving rapidly, so planning a viable career path is essential to enable you to successfully navigate this increasingly complex professional environment. This module provides an opportunity for you to create your own professional portfolio, which will showcase your mastery of your chosen specialist skill set. We will explore ways in which practitioners position themselves in both commercial and non-commercial contexts. You'll be able to focus on selecting and enhancing a specific specialism in the industry and contextualise it through an exploration of emerging practices. You will learn about effective planning, commissioning, funding and promotion of your work.

Presentation: 30% (15-minute presentation or 2100 words equivalent)

Portfolio: 70% (4900 words or equivalent)

Course Video

Stephen Barton

Programme Lead Game Design, Development, Art & Production, CDO Get Kraken Games

*Programme subject to validation by the University of Gloucestershire

APPLICATIONS FOR SEPT 2023 ENTRY ARE NOW CLOSED FOR THIS COURSE.

Applications for September 2024 entry open on September 5th 2023.

APPLY ON UCAS_(FULL-TIME)APPLY ONLINE_(FULL-TIME)APPLY ONLINE_{(PART-TIME ONLY)}

Campus:

University Centre WISE

Level:

Top-up Degree

Full-time Duration:

1 Year

Full-time Fee (Per Year):

£9,000

Part-time Duration:

2 Years

Part-time Fee (Per Year):

£4,500

UCAS Application Code:

I620

UCAS Entry Tariff:

Entry Requirements

For direct entry onto a Level 6 (Top Up) course, you will need to have achieved a level 5 qualification e.g. HND, Level 5 Diploma or Foundation Degree in a related subject.

CONTACT ADMISSIONS

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