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MSc
Tailor you course to your area of interest
TIGA UK Games Education Awards 2021
Create and innovate with Unreal Engine, Substance Suite, and more in our Dedicated Games Centre
Get a flying start in the games industry. If you are an artist or designer, this is an opportunity for you to specialise and build a portfolio of work to make an impact in modern video game design.
In this popular industry, you’ll gain all the right skills to excel as a 3D artist or theory-based games designer. Our course will teach you advanced techniques to use as a character, environment or vehicle and weapon artist, with the aim of setting you up for your future career. As a designer, you will harness the power of ‘Unreal Engine’ to develop complex frameworks, artificial intelligence systems and small games.
At Staffordshire University, see your work come to life using industry-standard software for sculpting, texturing, simulating and 3D painting.
You'll have access to a fully equipped, industry-standard and professional space for games developers as well as technology, teaching time and guidance from experts in the field.
On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MSc 3D Computer Games Design
Part-time options are available.
Our core modules will equip you in advanced research techniques and production skills covering everything from environmental design to character, vehicle and weapon prototyping.
The Msc Project and Portfolio will extend your understanding of a chosen subject, building on the practical skills and theory gained during the course. You’ll be supported by an academic supervisor to develop your ideas. This could be character models, a large-scale environment, a dissertation and academic paper, a game, a series of game prototypes, or a system or framework for a computer game.
Video
Course Director for Games Design, Greg Penninck takes you on a behind the scenes tour of our Games Labs.
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The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.
Students will develop skills in either 3D Environment Art or Games Environment Design. You'll go on to produce portfolio ready pieces using a variety of games development software.
Module code: GAME70254
This module enables you to demonstrate to a high level, the in-depth practical skills and theoretical knowledge accumulated during your programme of study.
Module code: GAME70365
You will go on to produce portfolio ready assets in the fields of either 3D asset creation for vehicles and weapons or playable vehicle and weapon prototypes.
Module code: GAME70256
This module will allow students to work with advanced modelling workflows and online user communities. Students will research topics such as game engine functionality, user content, modular production and online game competitions.
Module code: GAME70406
The aim of this module is to work collaboratively with a team of peers to design, manage and produce either a prototype game or art package. Within assigned groups, students must create either a game or art package built within either Unreal Engine 4 or Unity Engine. Students on this module will leave with a polished piece of collaborative work for use in their own portfolios as well as experience in developing a product in a group environment.
Module code: GAME70405
In this module students will create fantastic systems or 3D models relating to the world of character prototyping. Create amazing, detailed sculptures and 3D characters or design complex blueprints and character abilities using cutting edge techniques.
Module code: GAME70255
We also have a portfolio entrance requirement:
For 3D artists we’d ideally like to see a high–low poly workflow, 3D sculpting, unwrapping, texturing and the use of a games engine to display assets. We’re lenient about this as some of our best graduates have come from non-games degrees such as architectural rendering or animation or had gaps in their portfolio, so feel free to get in touch!
For designers, we’d ideally like to see an example of level designs, videos/demos of small games and examples of visual /c# scripting. We understand that you may not have used Unreal Engine and are lenient to those who come with other Game Engine experience.
Student work from our Games and Visual Effects courses.
For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.
Check our entry and English language requirements for your country.
Home to the Epic Games sponsored Design Centre. A fully equipped space designed to nurture future industry developers studying with us on our Games courses.
Realistically capture multiple human movements simultaneously for the creation of high-quality games, animation and VFX sequences. Our industry standard facility features a 24-camera rig, Vicon hardware and Cara facial performance capture headset.
In addition to our Epic Games Lab, we also have brand new games labs for 2020 which feature dual screen monitors, Wacom tablets and industry software.
The Motion Capture Stage is located in the Cadman Building, working alongside The Smart Zone. This facility hosts sessions that show students how to set up and prepare shoots at a high industry level. The sessions provided give in-depth information that covers each stage, from preparation to exporting data for use within a project.
Our MoCap Studio is used by students from a wide range of subjects, including Film and Media, Games Design, Animation, Drama, Sports Therapy and CGI and Visual Effects.
Find out more about our Motion Capture Stage.
After completing 3D Computer Games Design, you’ll be equipped to work in the following roles:
Eager for more knowledge? Upon completion, you’ll be ideally placed for further academic study at PhD level.
All students have access to Career Connect, our dedicated careers team.
222 students. 48 hours. Discover what happened when we held the largest Global Games Jam in the UK.
We know that everyone learns differently. So not only do we use traditional ways of teaching like lectures, but we also use problem-based learning to help you apply your skills.
For this course, you'll:
Our teaching is supported through our Virtual Learning Environment called Blackboard. This means you can access a range of materials to support your lectures wherever you are.
We’ll also assign you a supervisor to support you throughout your research project.
There are two types of assessments: practice (also called formative) or formal (also called summative).
Practice assessments do not count towards your final mark. These are your chance to test your understanding – and learn how to improve for the real thing.
You’ll have formal assessments at the end of each module. These will include portfolios, literature reviews and presentations.
Your course tutors will provide lots of support. But you can also take advantage of our Academic Skills team, who can help you with:
If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our Student Inclusion Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.
We know that it’s important for you to be able to gauge your progress. So, your tutor will give you feedback on any practice assessments you do. You can also use our digital academy forum to post your work and gain feedback from staff.
We usually give you feedback on formal assessments within 20 working days, but the format will vary for each module.
Your study time will include scheduled classes, independent learning and assessments. It will vary depending on your module choices.
As well as timetabled sessions, we know it’s important for you to discover things on your own terms. This could involve:
We’ve invested in state-of-the-art facilities to help you make the most of your private study time. Whether you need a library, a computer or a lab, you’ll find it at Staffordshire University.
You will be taught by a teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. The team includes senior academics and professional practitioners with industry experience.
Senior Lecturer
Dan is a highly experienced 3D artist with professional skills in Character, Environment, Vehicular modelling, and Animation for the Games industry.
For the course starting on 25 September 2023 the tuition fees are:
If you would like to know more about the fees listed and what this means to you then please get in touch with our Enquiries Team.
If you've previously completed a Staffordshire University undergraduate degree (excluding HND and foundation degrees) you may be entitled to a discount of up to 25% off your course fees for any subsequent postgraduate taught course (terms apply, see the alumni discount page for details). If you have any questions about how this relates to you, please contact feesandbursaries@staffs.ac.uk.
If you have previously completed an undergraduate degree with us, you may be entitled to an alumni discount off your course fee for any subsequent postgraduate taught course. For further information please contact feesandbursaries@staffs.ac.uk.
Travel, and accommodation costs incurred by compulsory trips and visits away from the University that are directly linked to the learning requirements of a specific module.
The estimated cost of text books over the duration of the course. All essential text books are available from the library, but some students chose to purchase their own copies.
Travel, subsistence, entrance fees etc. incurred by optional trips and visits away from the University related to the course.
Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees.
For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation
Providing you are studying towards a full Masters qualification you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan of up to £11,570 to help with tuition fees, maintenance and other associated costs. Student loans are available for many of our postgraduate degrees and are provided by the Student Loans Company (SLC). The loan can cover a wide range of postgraduate study options; part-time, full-time and distance learning.
For more information and how to apply visit masters loan.
On this course I have someone to structure me and guide me. On this course I have someone to structure me and guide me. You can learn a lot on your own but I think it’s better to have an extra pair of eyes to give you suggestions on how to improve – and that was a big part of the reason I came back to Staffs.
On this course I have someone to structure me and guide me.
On this course I have someone to structure me and guide me. You can learn a lot on your own but I think it’s better to have an extra pair of eyes to give you suggestions on how to improve – and that was a big part of the reason I came back to Staffs.
The lecturers' industry experience has been a god send. I chose the course because video games make me happy and I wanted to pursue a career I knew I'd love. If you use the tools given to you by the University such as the labs, the lecturers, and online materials, with enough dedication and not being afraid to ask for help or a second opinion, you will succeed with flying colours. The lecturers' industry experience has been a god send and their honesty when critiquing the work, whilst it might seem tough to swallow, makes it so much better than you can imagine.
The lecturers' industry experience has been a god send.
I chose the course because video games make me happy and I wanted to pursue a career I knew I'd love.
If you use the tools given to you by the University such as the labs, the lecturers, and online materials, with enough dedication and not being afraid to ask for help or a second opinion, you will succeed with flying colours.
The lecturers' industry experience has been a god send and their honesty when critiquing the work, whilst it might seem tough to swallow, makes it so much better than you can imagine.
Applications are not currently available for this course.
If you are offered a place at Staffordshire University, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.
Students of Staffordshire University enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations.
StudentCrowd University Awards 2022
Complete University Guide 2022
The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023
Research Excellence Framework 2021
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