Oliver Miles
3D artist
Graduated: 2010
- 3 years
- 4 years with foundation year
20222023
If you’re looking to study the BA (Hons) Computer Games (Art) degree, but don’t have the relevant qualifications or experience, this foundation year will help you develop the core skills and knowledge to progress onto one of our related industry-focused undergraduate degrees.
You’ll cover key subject areas such as game art, game design, animation, CGI, VFX and code, and work on exciting practical projects designed to help you learn key digital design skills. You’ll also be supported to develop key transferable skills in preparation for your degree level studies.
The computer games art degree covers computer graphics, the business of games, employability and project management. This broad comprehension will help put students in the best possible position to find employment after graduation.
Students benefit from free access to our dedicated high-spec computer games lab, where they can make use of industry-standard software from Adobe, Autodesk and Epic (Unreal Engine).
Using these facilities, students build up a varied portfolio of creative work. From character models and level design to environment rendering and textures, this portfolio helps students to demonstrate their competencies to potential employers.
At Solent, our excellent industry links play a key part in student development, and past students have had the opportunity to work on live briefs for real clients. In addition, our academic team is formed of expert professionals who have wide-ranging experience in computer game technology and the gaming industry.
Additionally, Solent is a founder member of SIGN. This not-for-profit network was established to represent and support independent video games developers and facilitate growth in the south’s independent video games development sector.
This video 'Are you Ready?' is available as a text transcript, with a description of visuals.
Why choose this course?
Student work
Solent student wins prestigious gaming award
Course features
Further studies
After successfully completing your studies, there's an opportunity to continue your studies at Solent
Foundation year available
If you're not quite ready for a full undergraduate degree, there's alternative entry through one of our foundation years
Specialist facilities
This course has access to specialist facilities
Top-up option
If you have an appropriate Level 5 qualification, you can top it up to a degree in just a year
Who is this course for?
Solent’s Foundation Year in Digital Arts is intended for students without the required UCAS points for direct entry. This could be mature students returning to education, students without the required qualifications, or students looking to change career path after completing further education qualifications.
What does this course lead to?
This foundation year will help you build the relevant skills and knowledge to enter onto one of our related degree programmes. This can lead to a career in the multi-billion pound games industry in areas such as video game studios and art production, to film and animation studios.
Graduates have gone on to roles such as freelance concept artist or 3D artist, working for a range of companies including MicroNav, Real Visual, Ninja Theory and FuturLab.
Meet the team
The University cannot guarantee any particular members of staff will teach specific aspects of the course in the future, but will endeavour to ensure the teaching team maintains their balance of experience and qualifications.
Facilities
During your studies you’ll have access to our dedicated computer games lab with industry-standard hardware and the latest software, including Adobe, Autodesk and Epic’s world-class Unreal Engine toolset.
Our vibrant campus brings state-of-the-art facilities to enhance your learning and elevate your student experience. Our award-winning teaching building, The Spark is centred around students and offers a stimulating study environment with flexible learning spaces. Away from studying, why not try out the gyms, fitness studios and sports halls in our £28 million Sports Complex, or watch a blockbuster film at our student-run cinema with Dolby Atmos audio.
Come to an open day
Fancy a sneak peek? Take a look around!
Core modules
Digital Art Design
What you learn on this module will help you further decide what course you want to study, or what creative industry you would like to work within.
Digital Art Discovery
This module will focus upon independent investigation and exploration, with feedback and support from your tutor. You will independently learn about the discipline you wish to work within, specifically the jobs roles, key skills and responsibilities within that discipline.
Digital Art Industries
The aim of this module is to enable you to gain a better and broader insight and understanding of each of the digital art industries whose practical skills we cover on Digital Art Design.
Digital Art Portfolio
You will learn how to present your work to a professional standard and how to construct and create both a development blog and portfolio of work that are relevant to the digital art or skill you want to work within.
Digital Art Projects
You will learn how to apply the practical skills and knowledge you have acquired to a number of practical design pieces of work that you independently create and take full responsibility for.
Digital Art Final Project
This module is your opportunity to further explore and develop the practical skills you have identified as important within your preferred discipline through the exploration and discovery you have undertaken within the Digital Art Discovery module.
How you will learn and be assessed
You will learn by:
You may be assessed by a combination of:
Coursework
Portfolios
Essays
Solent’s curriculum framework builds on our unique, creative and applied approach to teaching. The transformation of students’ lives is at the heart of our mission as a university, and our curriculum – informed by the latest theory – reflects this shared educational vision.
Find out more
Study support
The student achievement team are on hand to help you succeed during your studies at Solent. They aim to contact you at key times during your time here with personalised information, advice and guidance, by email or phone.
Access Solent provides information, advice and guidance for disabled students.
All students can access Succeed@Solent, Solent's online guide to getting better grades. It offers extensive, practical information and advice on topics such as academic writing, research and presentations.
Why choose the industry?
The computer games development sector is now worth more than the film and music industries combined. The UK computer games industry is the largest in Europe, generating £2bn in global sales each year. With the booming casual games market and the ever increasing popularity of mobile computing devices, this industry growth is likely to continue.
Members of the teaching staff have wide-ranging experience in the games industry and can help you to build your own contacts.
Solent is the founder member of the Southern Independent Games Network (SIGN) providing students with many crucial networking and knowledge sharing opportunities.
Tuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2022/23 academic year are:
- UK, EU (settled status) and Channel Island full-time fees: £9,250 per year
- International full-time fees: £14,250 per year
For further information, please visit our tuition fees page.
Extra course costs
While most course costs are covered by your tuition fees, some essential resources and optional extras may need to be paid for separately. For advice on budgeting and managing your money, please contact student.funding@solent.ac.uk.
Bursaries, scholarships and financial support
Solent University offers a range of bursaries and scholarships that provide financial assistance or waive fees for tuition or accommodation. Each bursary or scholarship has specific eligibility criteria. Check out our bursaries and scholarships pages to find out more.
Graduation costs
There is no charge to attend graduation, but you will be required to pay for the rental of your academic gown (approximately £45 per graduate, depending on your award). You may also wish to purchase official photography packages, which range in price from £15 to £200+. Graduation is not compulsory, so if you prefer to have your award sent to you, there is no cost. Extra guest tickets will go on sale after results publication and will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis. The cost per ticket is currently £15. Please note, we do not guarantee there will be any extra tickets available to purchase.
Financial information videos
Student finance in under three minutes Student funding - the essentials
Entry requirements
Please select an option below:
Key entry requirements
48 UCAS tariff points
- from A-levels, a BTEC Extended Diploma at PPP or BTEC Diploma at MP, T-level Pass (D or E) or equivalent.
- An `optional’ online portfolio submission may be required as part of the selection process.
- For more information about UK qualifications, please refer to our course entry requirement statement.
Key entry requirements
As a general guide, we look for qualifications that are equivalent to the British high school A-levels.
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about EU qualifications, please refer to our course entry requirement statement.
Key entry requirements
As a general guide, we look for qualifications that are equivalent to the British high school A-levels.
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about international qualifications, please refer to our course entry requirement statement.
Note to all international students requiring a visa:
All international applicants need to be aware that the English language requirements to attend Solent University, and the English language requirements to obtain a visa from the Home Office, may be different. This means that if you meet the Solent University language requirement to gain a place on the course, you may still have to meet additional requirements to be granted with a visa by the Home Office.
We strongly advise all applicants to visit the Home Office website which outlines all the requirements for a successful visa application and to take a look at this PDF document which outlines both Solent University and Home Office requirements for a number of language tests.
48UCAS Points
Any questions?
Contact our admissions team!Call: 023 8201 5066Email: admissions@solent.ac.uk
How to apply
Any student applying for the first year of a full-time/sandwich undergraduate course must apply through UCAS (University and Colleges Admissions Service). This includes mature, overseas and EU students.
Nearly all schools and colleges offer their students the facility of applying electronically through the UCAS website using 'Apply'; it may also be used by those applying independently in the UK and overseas. This facility and all course information can be found on the UCAS website: www.ucas.com.
Your application should reach UCAS by 26 January if you hope to enter a course the following autumn. Early application is advised for the most popular subject areas. Late applications may be made until the end of June. The UCAS Code for the University is S30, code name SOLNT.
Alternative entry options
Top-up route:
We welcome applications from students currently studying a Foundation Degree, DipHE, HNC, HND or modules of an undergraduate degree course at another university, who wish to enter directly into Years 2 or 3 of one of our undergraduate degree courses. Please contact our admissions team for more information: contact us
Language requirements
Applicants who do not have English as their first language will be required to demonstrate an approved level of proficiency in the use of the English language. The agreed minimum requirements for this course are:
-
IELTS 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each individual component
-
or equivalent.
Qualifications are checked before enrolment, and international students must bring their original certificates or certified copies when coming to study at the University.
Pre-Sessional English programme
The University also offers a pre-sessional English programme for international students who wish to improve their level of English before starting a degree course.
We will prepare you for your future
The course is directed at art production for computer games. It also provides transferable skills in the creative industries such as model-making for film and television.
- 3D modeller
- Prop artist
- Environment artist
- Technical artist
We will help you start your career
The Solent Futures team is committed to getting students into great careers.
While you are studying, the team can help you with finding work experience or placements, link you with a mentor, check your CV, or offer one-to-one guidance.
If you're in your final year, we also have graduate job opportunities just for Solent graduates.
Find out more
Support at Solent
All students at Solent University have access to a range of specialist support services. Whether you are having financial difficulty, need additional help with academic skills or want advice on setting up your own business you'll find that help is always on hand.
Most of our specialist support services are based around the Student Hub, a central space where you can access all the information and support you may need during your time at University. The Student Hub is the first point of contact if you have any queries relating to your course, including questions about your timetable, options, and assessments and extenuating circumstances.
We work in partnership with the University to build a sense of pride and confidence in your Union, University and student experience.
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Make your application
- 3 years
- 4 years with foundation year