BSc (Hons) in Computer Games (Art and Animation)

GCU's Computer Games programmes aim to produce graduates with the right mix of practical skills and technical knowledge to enter the computer games industry.

We have excellent studio facilities including HD Video Production Suite, Art Studio, Digital Audio Recording Studio, Game Design Studio featuring 3D Laser Scanning tools, Motion Capture tools and a Rapid Prototyping machine. There is a User Experience lab where games can be tested and evaluated and a Virtual Reality lab containing a full-featured Driving Simulator and other VR equipment such as Oculus Rifts. In Years 1, 2 and 3 students in all programmes take part in an Integrated Project, an opportunity for students from the different disciplines to make games together. You'll also enjoy guest lectures by industry experts.

Computer Game artists conceptualize and construct the virtual world for a game. They establish the game art style and look, develop concept art, sculpt, model, texture and animate environments, characters, vehicles, and objects. This programme will create graduates who will combine their traditional art skills with the latest creative technology in 3D art and animation and will have the awareness of technological capabilities and limitations of gaming platforms. Both programmes will introduce you to the modern practices of 3D content creation, help you realize your career path and offer you the ability to specialize.

Your career

Graduates have gone on to work at Rockstar, Electronic Arts, Sony and Guerrilla Games.

International student start dates

For new international students, orientation events start on 14 September 2018. This extra time is specifically designed to assist new international students in settling into the UK and GCU prior to the start of general student induction and teaching.

There will be a whole host of fun and informative activities taking place during this period, including campus and city tours, as well as welcome events where you can meet other international students.

Work placement

The programme offers an optional placement year between third and fourth year.

HM Forces

In partnership with HM Forces, GCU has identified this programme is being particularly suited to military and ex-military men and women. Visit the HM Forces Careers Zone for more information on the services we provide.

Assessment methods

We use a traditional range of methods include examinations, coursework, class tests, presentations, computer-based exercises and written reports to assess our students. We have strong links to key industrial solution providers such as Autodesk, Adobe, and Unity and work closely with them to ensure our teaching is closely matched to current best industrial practice. The students benefit from guest lecturers from the creative industries while industry workflows and discussions are promoted and embedded into teaching and assessment to ensure that all of our teachings is relevant to the workplace. As well as developing virtual design solutions, students have access to a range of rapid prototyping and physical modeling resources such as 3D printing and CNC milling machines. Our students also have access to a high definition digital video studio and motion capture suite.

Teaching methods

The students on our course benefit from regular presentations from high profile industry leaders in computer animation and games design and guest lecturers from the creative industries. The industrial project in the fourth year is designed to give the students an opportunity to work on a real-world brief in partnership with an external company. This project can be realized by working on a one day per week placement. Where possible module coursework’s are designed to allow students to develop their personal portfolio which is essential for starting out in a career in the creative industries. Each year students are encouraged to take part in the Scottish Game Jam, a 48hr competition to develop a video game which is held at the GCU campus.