BA (Hons) Computer & Video Games (Full Time)

Led by games industry professionals, this course will equip you with the highly specialised skills needed in this growing sector.

Course overview

The BA (Hons) Computer and Video Games at Southampton Solent University is a cutting edge course which gives you the chance to prepare for a career in the fast-moving games industry. You will practise digital art production, and become well versed in the creative and critical aspects of game art, game play and game narrative.

Our staff, with games industry experience and authorship of an impressive portfolio of commercial titles, will ensure you achieve the specialist artistic and computer skills you will need.

Using our fully equipped computer lab, loaded with industry-standard software, you will explore the principles of animation, character design and games genres. You will also have access to our licensed 3D games engine, which will further boost your practical skills, creative portfolio and marketability within this exciting industry.

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Industrial focus

The teaching staff has wide-ranging experience in the games industry and you will have an opportunity to build your own contacts within this industry.

Course content

Year 1

Six core units and one option:

• Principles of Animation
• Drawing 1
• Drawing 2
• CGI 1
• CGI 2
• Animation
• Character Design
• One option from Animation Theory or Game Theory.

Year 2

Four core units and one option:

• Level Design
• Game Production
• Critical Discourse 1
• Digital Character Design
• One option from Life Drawing 1 and 2 or Curriculum Plus or Alternative Production.

Year 3

Three core units:

• Pre-Production option Industry or Conceptual
• Games Major Project
• Critical Discourse 2. 

Why choose this course?

• Designed in collaboration with a major games development company.
• Industry professional teaching staff
• Proven history of graduate employment in major game developers
• Integrated theory and practice.

Assessment

Studio coursework and presentations as well as a major games project in the final year.

Key career skills

Art Production, visualisation, creative thinking, presentation, IT, teamwork.

Projects/work experience

Live client projects including DX Studio and Curve Studios.

Support for placements including Lionhead Studios and Double Six.

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Graduate profile

Mark Rayner

“The course is structured to produce game artists that have the range and quality of skills to work for game developers, and have the qualities these companies desire in employees. The first year consists of a core of improvement of raw drawing skills and traditional 2D animation as well as units about game design and narrative in games. After that we studied 3D modelling, level/environment design, character design, and animation.

During the final year you can specialise in one of these areas, have the chance to work in a team, and can use a game engine of your choice. I worked with another student on a cyberpunk multiplayer team based mod using Valve Software's Source (Half-Life 2) engine. Working in a team allowed me to specialise and handle all the environment/level design, whilst my team mate produced several working player models. Throughout the course we could use top notch machines and industry standard software.

I would recommend this degree to anyone who wants a game artist job because of the staff, all of them are ex (or current) industry practitioners, and bring knowledge, insight and wisdom about the realities of the game industry and game development that has been invaluable.” 

Partner Affiliation Network

The Partner Affiliation Network is a group of companies aligned to each course area in the School of Design with the purpose of supporting a range of activities to help students engage with employers and gain relevant industrial experience. This is achieved through live project work, design competitions, work placements and guest speaker programmes.

All students studying on this course programme will have the opportunity to work with industry.

Supported by:

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