Games Art MA

Duration

13 Months

22 Months

Location

Stoke-on-Trent campus

Stoke-on-Trent campus

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.

Use your artistic skills to help bring heroes and monsters to life and create breathtaking visual features in games.

Our MA in Games Art covers concept art, how to develop characters and environments, and how to craft vehicles, weapons and other props.

You will also explore experimental visual storytelling techniques and learn all about the importance of lighting and materials. The course enables you to focus on the area you want to specialise in for a career.

Our multi award-winning games department is one of the largest in the UK and you’ll be taught by experts with years of experience, ensuring you receive practical guidance that’s both relevant and up-to-date. You can tap into our industry links too.

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

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

Part-time study

This course is available as a part time study course.

Part-time study

This course is available as a part time study course.

Course content

The modules include mastering advanced techniques such as realistic modelling, where you’ll design 3D assets that can be used in games, animation, movies or virtual reality. You will look at how to correctly light a model and design different materials for it such as clothing.

It will give you an insight into the array of specialist areas that games artists can go into, from styling characters’ hair through to texturing cloud backdrops.

Other modules cover how to manage projects, develop professional practice and entrepreneurship, and explore research methods.

The course will culminate in the Games Master Project, which is an in-depth piece of work on your chosen theme. Examples include creating advanced character models or large-scale environments or producing a dissertation.

You’ll have access to our wide range of facilities, including our industry-standard Vicon Motion Capture Studio and VR studios.

By the end, you’ll have mastered the technical skills in character art and environment art to develop exciting new games art, designs and gameplay experiences. And you’ll have the professional portfolio to match.

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.

Best educational institution for games - it's official!

News

University of Staffordshire have rounded off their 20 years of games celebrations with a significant industry win.

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.

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
3D Modelling For Realism 20 credits
Materials, Lighting And Presentation 20 credits
Professional Practice And Entrepreneurship 20 credits
Year 2 compulsory modules
Creative Art Style Practice 20 credits
Experimental Visual Story Telling 20 credits
Game Master Project 60 credits
Project Management And Research Methods 20 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!

For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.

Choose your country

Check our entry and English language requirements for your country.

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Facilities

Epic Games Centre

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.

Watch video View virtual tour

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. Read more

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.
Watch video View virtual tour

Careers

Our Games Art graduates have achieved worldwide success, including landing jobs as artists at Playground Games, Codemasters, Dovetail Games and Sumo Digital.

After completing the MA in Games Art, you’ll be equipped to work in a variety of roles, including:

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

You could also go on to become a games academic and teach Games Art. You will be ideally placed for further academic study at PhD level.

 All students have access to Career Connect, our dedicated careers team.

Teaching and assessment

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.

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.

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.

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.

You will typically need to complete 10 – 15 hours of independent work each week. However, the actual study time will vary from student to student.

Your study time will include scheduled classes, independent learning and assessments. It will vary depending on your module choices.

Independent learning

Students will be expected to undertake independent learning activities in which they develop further the content taught in lecturer-led sessions. This will include the application of games art creation techniques, practising use of game art tools, and independent research.

Students will be expected to undertake independent learning activities in which they develop further the content taught in lecturer-led sessions. This will include the application of games art creation techniques, practicising use of game art tools, and independent research. 

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.

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

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 22 September 2025 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Full-time £9,165 per course £16,750 per course

For the course starting on 22 September 2025 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Part-time £10,260 per course £16,740 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 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.

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 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.

Apply

Location Award Study option Start date
Stoke-on-Trent campus MA Full-time 22 September 2025 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. 

Have you considered?

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Social Inclusion

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

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

Research Excellence Framework 2021

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

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021