Games Art

MA

Location

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Start dates available

  • September 2027
University of Staffordshire Courses

UK's #1 Games Institute

TIGA Best Educational Institution 2025

Outstanding development environment

Learn from industry professionals in sector-leading facilities

Extensive industry links

Gain access to our strong network of connections with leading international games studios

On our MA Games Art, you’ll develop the advanced creative, technical and research skills needed to produce professional 3D art for games and interactive entertainment.

You’ll design and create high-quality game-ready assets using contemporary rendering, lighting, optimisation and engine workflows. The course focuses on research-informed creative practice and industry-aligned production methods, helping you build portfolio work that demonstrates both artistic judgement and technical confidence.

You’ll explore visual storytelling, advanced 3D art production, studio simulation and professional practice, before completing a major masters project in your chosen specialist area.

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

Duration

This course is usually completed in 1 academic year when studying full-time or 2 academic years when studying part-time. 

Part-time study

This course is available as a part time study course.

Get a flying start in the games industry! As a game artist, this is an opportunity for you to enhance your skills and build a portfolio of work to make an impact in modern video game art creation.

In this popular industry, you’ll gain all the right skills to excel as a games artist and take your skills to the next level. Our course will teach you advanced techniques such as realistic modelling, materials and lighting, environment design and develop further your skills in the field of game research.

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

Duration

This course is usually completed in 1 academic year when studying full-time or 2 academic years when studying part-time. 

Part-time study

This course is available as a part time study course.

Course content

The course focuses on advanced 3D game art production, experimental visual storytelling, studio simulation and professional games art practice. You’ll develop high-quality game-ready assets and learn how to communicate your creative and technical decisions to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

You’ll work with contemporary production workflows, including modelling, materials, lighting, rendering, optimisation and engine implementation. Through research-informed practice and reflective critique, you’ll develop a professional portfolio that demonstrates your specialist strengths.

The course culminates in a major masters project, where you’ll plan, implement and evaluate an original piece of games art work. This could include advanced character, environment, prop, vehicle or other specialist asset work aligned to your career goals.

Our core modules will equip you in advanced game art design and implementation skills covering everything from advanced from advanced realistic modelling to materials, lighting and presentation. The Negotiated Project 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. Examples of this advanced character models, large-scale environments, or a dissertation and academic paper.

Professional body accreditation

Accredited by TIGA (The Independent Game Developers' Association) as delivering skills relevant to the games industry. TIGA accreditation is applicable to courses meeting any of a wide range of games industry needs, such as programming, art, design and entrepreneurship.

Modules

The modules listed below are an indicative list of the modules that make up the course. 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 provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module. 

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.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Experimental Visual Story Telling 30 credits
Game Masters Project Research And Planning 30 credits
Studio Simulation 30 credits
Year 2 compulsory modules
Advanced 3D Game Art Production 30 credits
Game Masters Project Implementation And Evaluation 30 credits
Industry Practice 30 credits

Entry requirements

2:2 or above undergraduate qualification (or equivalent). 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!

2:2 or above undergraduate qualification (or equivalent).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!

Facilities

Games Labs

Our world-class games development studios are fully equipped with the latest industry-standard software and hardware to give you a professional design and programming experience.

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Motion Capture Studio

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. This facility hosts sessions that show students how to set up and prepare shoots at a high industry level.

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Careers

On successful completion, you’ll be prepared for specialist games art roles across the games and interactive entertainment industries. Your portfolio will demonstrate advanced 3D art production, contemporary workflows, technical problem-solving, research-informed practice and reflective professional development.

Potential career paths include:

  • Character artist
  • Environment artist
  • Prop artist
  • Vehicle artist
  • Materials or lighting artist
  • Technical artist
  • Art producer
  • Games academic or researcher

You’ll also be well placed for further academic study at PhD level. All students have access to Careers, Placements & Employability, our dedicated careers team.

Students on this programme have the opportunity to enhance their studies with a placement year, gain valuable work experience, and take part in international activities—potentially supported by the Turing funding.

All students have access to Careers, Placements & Employability, our dedicated careers team.

After completing 3D Computer Games Design, you’ll be equipped to work in the following roles:

  • Character Artist
  • Environment Artist
  • Vehicle Artist
  • Level Designer
  • Art Producer
  • Teaching games design/Games academic

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.

Students on this programme have the opportunity to enhance their studies with a placement year, gain valuable work experience, and take part in international activities—potentially supported by the Turing funding.

All students have access to Careers, Placements & Employability, our dedicated careers team.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

This course uses a postgraduate, research-informed and industry-aligned approach to learning. You’ll develop your skills through active, practice-based teaching that reflects contemporary games art production and studio workflows.

Teaching activities may include lectures, seminars, workshops, lab sessions, production exercises, studio simulation, peer critique, portfolio development, one-to-one supervision and independent project work. You’ll use industry-standard tools and game engines to develop, test and present your work.

Our teaching is supported through our Virtual Learning Environment, Blackboard, where you can access learning materials and continue your development outside scheduled sessions. You’ll also use the Digital Academy to document progress, share work and receive formative feedback.

Assessment

Assessment is designed to reflect professional games art practice. You’ll produce a range of portfolio-ready work, including game-ready assets, creative portfolios, production breakdowns, workflow evaluations, reflective critiques, presentations and a major independent masters project.

You’ll receive formative feedback throughout the course through workshops, Digital Academy posts, lab sessions, peer critique and one-to-one meetings. Formal assessments at the end of each module contribute to your module mark.

Learning support

In addition to the excellent support you will receive from your course teaching team, our central Academic Skills team provides group and one-to-one help to support your learning in a number of areas. These include study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills); written English (including punctuation and grammatical accuracy); academic writing (including how to reference); research skills; critical thinking and understanding arguments; and revision, assessment and examination skills (including time management).

Additional support

Our Student Inclusion Services support students with additional needs such as sensory impairment, or learning difficulties such as dyslexia.

Feedback

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.

Teaching

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:

  • Work with others on group work
  • Delve deeper into subject areas in workshops
  • Be expected to study independently
  • Work on a project and portfolio

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.

Assessment

Your course will provide you with opportunities to test your understanding of your subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Each module normally includes practice or ‘formative’ assessments, for which you receive feedback from your tutor. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark. There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. This includes a range of coursework assessments, such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations, final year, independent project and written examinations. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.

Learning support

In addition to the excellent support you will receive from your course teaching team, our central Academic Skills team provides group and one-to-one help to support your learning in a number of areas. These include study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills); written English (including punctuation and grammatical accuracy); academic writing (including how to reference); research skills; critical thinking and understanding arguments; and revision, assessment and examination skills (including time management).

Additional support

Our Student Inclusion Services support students with additional needs such as sensory impairment, or learning difficulties such as dyslexia.

Feedback

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.

Staff

You will be taught by an expert 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.

Please note, teaching team staff members may change during your studies.

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Daniel Webster

Senior Lecturer

Dan is a highly experienced 3D artist with professional skills in Character, Environment, Vehicular modelling, and Animation for the Games industry.

Daniel's profile
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Dr Kieran Hicks

Course Director

Dr Kieran Hicks is a game design lecturer, they are the director of the DEMI research centre. Their research explores games from user-based and design-based lenses, using games as a tool to engage diverse groups in beneficial activity.

Kieran's profile

Fees

For the course starting on 20 September 2027 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands
Full-time £9,720 per course

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.

Alumni discount

If you've previously completed a University of Staffordshire undergraduate degree (excluding HND and foundation degrees) you may be entitled to a discount of 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.

Not included in the fees:

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.

The cost of materials for the development of a student’s individual practice and work. Additional costs vary dependent upon student’s own choice of materials and approach to their practice.

Optional personal insurance when borrowing equipment such as cameras, lighting equipment etc. for extended period of use off campus [Approx. £50-£100]. It may be possible to add some items to home contents insurance.

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.The cost of materials for the development of a student’s individual practice and work. Additional costs vary dependent upon student’s own choice of materials and approach to their practice.Optional personal insurance when borrowing equipment such as cameras, lighting equipment etc. for extended period of use off campus [Approx £50-£100]. It may be possible to add some items to home contents insurance.
Accommodation and living costs

Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation

Sources of financial support

Providing you are studying towards a full Masters qualification you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan 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.

Apply now to Games Art

Location Award Study option Start date
Stoke-on-Trent campus MA Full-time 20 September 2027 Apply now

Apply now to Games Art

Applications are not currently open for this course.

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. 

Have you considered?

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