BA (Hons)
Undergraduate - Level 4,5 & 6

Game Art

Online
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A game art student working on two screens
Stack of game art books
A game art student working on a 3D model

Develop character, concept and environment art, 3D modelling and sculpting in this career-focused Game Art degree. You’ll develop your own games in collaboration with other students in a structure that replicates the professional environment.

Key Information
  • Where can I study?
    Bristol / Manchester
  • Start Date
    September 2025
  • Study Modes
    Full-Time
  • Course Length
    3 Years
  • UK/Home Fees (Per Year)
    £9,250
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Key Information
Key Information
Game Art

Course Overview

As a game artist, you’ll be joining one of the fastest growing sectors of the games industry where skills are in higher demand than ever before. 

Our BA (Hons) Game Art degree is designed to turn your passion for games and artistic talent into a professional career, teaching you how to create the stunning visuals that bring games to life. 

Over three years, you’ll delve into every aspect of game art, from concept art and character design to environment creation and world-building. You’ll hone your skills using world-class facilities equipped with high-end hardware and cutting-edge software like Autodesk Maya, Substance, Zbrush, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and game engines such as Unity and Unreal. Alongside mastering these tools, you’ll study the fundamental principles of game art and traditional art practices, preparing you to contribute to major game development projects in your second and third years. 

This course is highly practical, offering you the opportunity to work on real game projects that simulate the industry’s fast-paced environment. We’ll inspire you to think creatively, experiment, and push the boundaries of game art. With guidance from industry professionals and access to top-tier facilities, you’ll graduate with a polished portfolio and the technical expertise to excel in the game industry. 

 

Why Choose This Course? 

 

  • Hands-On Experience: Jump straight into real game projects, working with fellow students to create stunning visuals that bring games to life. 
  • Creative Freedom: Explore your unique style and push your creative limits with guidance from industry experts who are there to help you shine. 
  • Future-Ready: Whether you're aiming to be a character designer, concept artist, or 3D modeller, this course sets you up for success in a wide range of exciting roles in the game industry.

This course is delivered at dBs Institute. Taught and awarded by Access Creative College

If you’re based in or hoping to study in London, this course is available to study with Access Creative London.

This course is taught by the dBs Institute and awarded by Falmouth University

Course Details

You will study a total of 18 modules, including a final major project. Programme structures and modules can change as part of our curriculum enhancement and review processes. If a certain module is important to you, please discuss it with the Course Leader.

Full course details, including course aims and assessment criteria can be accessed online, access the full course details.

Female hands holding a game controller

Year Overview

Year 1

Module Breakdown

During the first year of your Game Art degree, you'll build core skills demanded by the industry, and learn about game artists' major roles and techniques.  

Working with industry-standard software, methods and processes, you'll develop your drawing skills, better understand anatomy, and apply these abilities to 3D modelling and related elements.  

You'll learn traditional and digital art skills – both 2D and 3D – alongside concept, environment and character art to build digital worlds and characters

Year 2

In your second year, you’ll grow your confidence in game art and your skills with professional digital tools.  

Where possible, you’ll participate in a collaborative project with game students of different disciplines to give you valuable experience in an industry-style development pipeline.  

An additional specialist practice project lets you hone your skills in a particular area of game art, giving you the opportunity to create high-quality work for your portfolio.

Year 3

With specialism, independence and professional practice at the forefront of your third year, you'll join a multi-skilled team on a game development project.  

Working in a studio environment, you'll contribute art assets using industry-standard methods and pipelines; taking your technical skills to the limit by investigating the use of cutting-edge specialist hardware and software used in games.  

This final year will see you ready yourself for the job market by building a professional portfolio that showcases your talents by displaying the body of work you have produced up to this point. We'll then help you commercialise this work and prepare you for the transition to professional life.

How You'll Learn

You'll create original games through group work, professional practice and Game Jams. You'll also develop practical skills through practice-based workshops and learn to evaluate and improve your work through group tutorials, and individual tutorials.  

You'll learn through practical workshops, lectures, seminars, group and individual tutorials, and tutor and peer feedback on your work.  

 

Assessment Methods 

  • Assessments are 100% coursework. 
  • Written assignments. 
  • Presentations. 
  • Portfolio development of creative, practical and/or technical work.

On average you should allow for between 40-50 hours per week for your studies, of which approximately 25% will be taught (c.10 hours) and 75% will be self-study.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Apply

Applying for this course is easy! Simply click the "Apply" button below to submit your application directly through our website.
A member of our Admissions Team will then be in touch to discuss your suitability for the course, your interests and to arrange an interview.

Applications for undergraduate degrees are made through the University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). You can apply online through the UCAS website.

The equal consideration deadline for September 2025 entry applications is  29th January 2025. 

UCAS Codes
Campus
Course Code
Campus Code
Institution Code
Bristol
G600
D
D16
Manchester
G601
J
D16

If you would like to make an application for this course, fill in your details below and a member of our admissions team will be in touch to advise you through the application process.

For detailed information on how to apply please take a look at our guide to making an application.

Why Choose dBs

Here at dBs Institute, we pride ourselves on creating a learning environment that reflects the industry that you want to work in. Our state-of-the-art facilities ensure that you are working on professional-grade equipment; our course leaders have years of industry experience to draw from and we foster a community of students and staff that inspires and encourages collaboration. Throughout your studies and beyond, we will also provide you with career support and guidance to reach your future goals.

Facilities

Inside our high-spec game suite
Manchester
Inside our high-spec game suite
Developing projects in the game suite
Manchester
Developing projects in the game suite
Our mo-cap suit in action
Bristol
Our mo-cap suit in action
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    Why Choose an Online Degree at dBs

    Our online Master's degrees offer a high-quality, immersive, and community-driven learning experience, led by industry experts who are passionate about their craft. With 24/7 access to course materials and resources, you can learn at your own pace from anywhere in the world. Plus, our hands-on projects will equip you with practical skills necessary for a successful career in the music industry.
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    Flexible study

    Enjoy the freedom to fit your learning around you. For online students, course content – other than one-to-one sessions – will be available to access whenever suits you. Video materials that have been created for online students will also be made available to students that select to study on-site.

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    Learn from the pros

    You will learn from tutors whose expertise extends across production, composition, sound design, sound engineering, label management, marketing and promotion.

    You’ll also have access to our extensive guest lecture programme, giving you the chance to meet leading industry professionals – ranging from respected producers and performers to specialist technical staff from world-class audio companies.

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    Industry Connections

    As a student of this course, you will be encouraged to apply for placements and opportunities with dBs Pro, our in-house creative audio company.
    This will allow you to further your experience and apply the skills you have been honing, as well as showcase your skills to clients and develop your creative own links in the industry.

    What our students say

    Who better to tell you about our course than students already doing the course? In this video, some of our latest cohort talk about their experience of the dBs online masters degrees.

    What our students say

    Learn what makes dBs Institute so special from the people who matter most - our students!

    Opportunities

    Engaging with our industry

    In our 20+ year history, we’ve built a strong network of contacts across the creative industries, that include AMS Neve, Solid State Logic, Avid and many more.

    Career support

    We strive to equip our students with the skills and opportunities to secure roles across the creative industries, and this goal underpins the student experience at dBs Institute.

    dBs Pro

    dBs Pro is a creative audio company with a difference - it’s dedicated to providing our students with real-world experience alongside their studies.

    Your Future Prospects

    The beauty of game art is how many individual roles sit beneath it, and students studying this course will come away from this degree with the skills and experience to fulfil a great number of them.

    In our career spotlight, we highlight the variety of roles available to graduates of this course and how you can progress into them:

    Register your interest

    Let's get started

    Thinking about an undergraduate degree at dBs? Want to know more about our courses? We're excited to help you explore your options.

    Simply fill out the form below and our dedicated admissions team will be in touch with all the information you need.

    If you're ready to apply, you can also apply directly through UCAS.com

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    Please note that if you are an international student or require a visa to study in the UK you are only eligible to study our online courses.

    Register your interest

    If you’d like to find out more about our postgraduate courses, please fill in the form below. Once submitted, a member of our admissions team will be in touch to discuss our postgraduate course offerings and the next steps of the application process.

    Please note, if you currently live outside of the UK and require a Tier 4 VISA to study in the United Kingdom, we are unable to accept your application for our on campus full-time or part-time postgraduate degree programmes. If this is the case, please apply for one of our online postgraduate courses instead.

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