Games Art

at South Staffordshire College - Lichfield Site

FdA

Location

South Staffordshire College - Lichfield Site

South Staffordshire College - Lichfield Site

Start dates available

  • September 2026

Start dates available

  • September 2026

Gain the essential skills for a career as a games artist and learn how to create amazing visual elements within games.

The course will introduce you to both 2D and 3D production, including digital sculpting, environment and character creation, lighting and real-time optimisation. You’ll also explore traditional art skills so you understand composition, colour, form and mood.

We will get you to mirror what happens in a real games studio too, as you complete live briefs, take part in industry collaborations and work in project teams. And through our wider creative community, you can join games jams, industry talks and events such as University of Staffordshire’s Student Games Conference.

The foundation degree is delivered by South Staffordshire College and leads to a qualification awarded by University of Staffordshire. At their Lichfield campus, you’ll have access to a range of specialist facilities, including industry-standard hardware and Wacom-equipped workstations.

Once you complete the programme, you’ll have the chance to ‘top up’ your qualification to a full BA (Hons) in Games Art with an extra year of study at the University. You will also be equipped to go into a junior-level industry role, such as becoming a character artist, prop artist, lighting artist, environment artist or 3D generalist.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: FdA Games Art

Gain the essential skills for a career as a games artist and learn how to create amazing visual elements within games.

The course will introduce you to both 2D and 3D production, including digital sculpting, environment and character creation, lighting and real-time optimisation. You’ll also explore traditional art skills so you understand composition, colour, form and mood.

We will get you to mirror what happens in a real games studio too, as you complete live briefs, take part in industry collaborations and work in project teams. And through our wider creative community, you can join games jams, industry talks and events such as University of Staffordshire’s Student Games Conference.

The foundation degree is delivered by South Staffordshire College and leads to a qualification awarded by University of Staffordshire. At their Lichfield campus, you’ll have access to a range of specialist facilities, including industry-standard hardware and Wacom-equipped workstations.

Once you complete the programme, you’ll have the chance to ‘top up’ your qualification to a full BA (Hons) in Games Art with an extra year of study at the University. You will also be equipped to go into a junior-level industry role, such as becoming a character artist, prop artist, lighting artist, environment artist or 3D generalist.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: FdA Games Art

Course content

In your first year, you’ll be introduced to fundamental principles of art and design and their application within games development. Learning focuses on visual communication, form, materials, composition, and the use of real-time production technologies.

By the end of Level 4, you’ll be able to create game-ready assets from a brief, present their creative process professionally, and demonstrate knowledge of industry-standard tools and workflows.

In your second year, known as Level 5, you will expand you specialist skillset and manage creative projects. Learning continues through lectures, tutorials, and workshops, but with a greater emphasis on independent enquiry, problem-solving and professional collaboration.

You’ll work within simulated studio environments, tackling employer-informed tasks and production processes. Assessments will replicate industry practice through project-based portfolios, presentations, group work and reflective documentation.

In your first year, you’ll be introduced to fundamental principles of art and design and their application within games development. Learning focuses on visual communication, form, materials, composition, and the use of real-time production technologies.

By the end of Level 4, you’ll be able to create game-ready assets from a brief, present their creative process professionally, and demonstrate knowledge of industry-standard tools and workflows.

In your second year, known as Level 5, you will expand you specialist skillset and manage creative projects. Learning continues through lectures, tutorials, and workshops, but with a greater emphasis on independent enquiry, problem-solving and professional collaboration.

You’ll work within simulated studio environments, tackling employer-informed tasks and production processes. Assessments will replicate industry practice through project-based portfolios, presentations, group work and reflective documentation.

Modules

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 where available.

Year 2 compulsory modules
3D Character Modelling For Games 20 credits
Art Of Lighting 20 credits
Industry Perspectives 20 credits
Modular 3D Game Environments 20 credits
Organic 3D Game Environments 20 credits
Realtime 3D Character Production 20 credits

Modules

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 where available.

Year 1 compulsory modules
3D Asset Development 20 credits
3D Game Props: Pipeline And Production 20 credits
Digital Sculpting And Stylised Assets 20 credits
Year 2 compulsory modules
Principles Of Textures And Materials 20 credits
Professional Practice 20 credits
Visual Studies For Games 20 credits
Year 3 compulsory modules
3D Character Modelling For Games 20 credits
Art Of Lighting 20 credits
Realtime 3D Character Production 20 credits
Year 4 compulsory modules
Industry Perspectives 20 credits
Modular 3D Game Environments 20 credits
Organic 3D Game Environments 20 credits

Location

You will study at South Staffordshire College - Lichfield but receive a qualification from University of Staffordshire.

Lichfield offers a wide range of courses at Further Education and Higher Education level, in addition to a range of adult and community courses.

South Staffordshire College - Lichfield website
South Staffordshire College - Lichfield logo

Entry requirements

You'll need a minimum of 64 UCAS points. Other combinations of qualifications and experience will also be considered on an individual basis, as will Level 3 qualifications not currently listed on the UCAS tariff.

All applicants are individually assessed via a portfolio review. Check out our top tips for what to include in your Games Art portfolio. 

You'll need a minimum of 64 UCAS points. Other combinations of qualifications and experience will also be considered on an individual basis, as will Level 3 qualifications not currently listed on the UCAS tariff.

All applicants are individually assessed via a portfolio review. Check out our top tips for what to include in your Games Art portfolio. 

Careers

Past graduates of University of Staffordshire have achieved worldwide success, securing jobs in games studios around the globe. One graduate was Lead Character Artist at Naughty Dog, working on The Last of Us, before moving to Avalanche Studios in New York. We also have artists at Playground Games, Codemasters, Dovetail Games and Sumo Digital.

Past graduates of University of Staffordshire have achieved worldwide success, securing jobs in games studios around the globe. One graduate was Lead Character Artist at Naughty Dog, working on The Last of Us, before moving to Avalanche Studios in New York. We also have artists at Playground Games, Codemasters, Dovetail Games and Sumo Digital.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

The FdA Games Art integrates academic and work-based learning through studio practice, live briefs, and employer-informed projects. The course ensures students develop practical, creative, and professional skills.

Assessment

Assessment replicates industry practice through project-based portfolios, presentations, group work, and reflective documentation. These activities build professional competence, communication, and adaptability in response to authentic production challenges.

Teaching

The FdA Games Art integrates academic and work-based learning through studio practice, live briefs, and employer-informed projects. The course ensures students develop practical, creative, and professional skills.

Assessment

Assessment replicates industry practice through project-based portfolios, presentations, group work, and reflective documentation. These activities build professional competence, communication, and adaptability in response to authentic production challenges.

Fees

For the course starting on 21 September 2026 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Full-time £6,350 per year of study £6,350 per year of study

For the course starting on 21 September 2026 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands
Part-time £3,480 per year of study

UK and Channel Island students: This tuition fee is agreed subject to UK government policy and parliamentary regulation. If the UK government passes appropriate legislation, the fee for subsequent years of study may increase in each academic year. But this increase will not exceed the rate of inflation as measured by RPIX**. Any change in fees will apply to both new and continuing students. The University will notify students of any change as early as possible. Further information about fee changes would be posted on the University’s website once this becomes available.

**RPIX is a measure of inflation equivalent to all the items in the Retail Price Index (RPI) excluding mortgage interest payments.

Apply now to Games Art

Location Award Study option Start date
South Staffordshire College - Lichfield Site FdA Full-time 21 September 2026 Apply now

Apply now to Games Art

Location Award Study option Start date
South Staffordshire College - Lichfield Site FdA Part-time 21 September 2026 Apply now

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at University of Staffordshire, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of University of Staffordshire 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.

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2025

for Social Inclusion

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026

for First Generation Students

The Mail University Guide 2026

in the UK for Games Education

Rookies Games Design and Development 2023, 2025

TIGA Best Games Institution 2024, 2025

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021