Why choose the School of Computing, Engineering and Creative Industries
In the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2025, our computing courses rank 4th in their subject field overall; they rank 1st for support, student engagement and sense of community.
The University of Bedfordshire ranks in the UK top 10 for skills development; we rank UK 29th overall (PTES, 2025).
First-hand experience of how the industry operates through collaborative projects with industry partners
About the course
This hands-on, career-oriented course develops advanced knowledge and skills in digital art, animation and emerging technologies for games. It gives you both a strong technical foundation and practical experience of asset creation while building your understanding of new industries such as spatial computing (VR/AR/XR) and virtual production. You work on real-life projects, solving complex problems across games development and enhancing your abilities in 2D and 3D digital asset creation so you are well prepared for a range of careers in this rapidly evolving field.
Partnerships and collaborations
This course has been developed in close collaboration with industry. You also collaborate on projects with industry partners, providing first-hand experience of how the industry operates and allowing you to apply your skills in real-world contexts.
Facilities and specialist equipment
- Specialist games, animation and graphics labs with VR technology and high-spec computers
- Motion-capture and green-screen studios
- Industry-level software including Autodesk 3ds Max, Maya, Unreal Engine and Blender
- Modern computing labs, group study hubs and bespoke teaching spaces in our STEM building
Your student experience
Apply your creativity and craft your own visual environments and characters that captivate players, enhancing their overall gaming experience.
Study in an immersive learning environment where you apply your knowledge to real-world challenges, gaining invaluable experience and building a robust project portfolio.
Benefit from the personalised guidance and industry insights of leading academics who have developed influential projects in games art worldwide.
As well as working on projects with industry partners, you also work collaboratively with students in MA Games Design and other courses.
Take the opportunity to publish your games in collaboration with companies like Andrews.
Benefit from guest lectures by professionals from leading games art and development companies, gaining valuable industry insights.
Course Leader - Dr Jim Wood
Jim joined the School of Computer Science and Technology in 2008 as a Lecturer in Creative Technologies becoming a Senior Lecturer in 2013. He has over 20 years of experience in the education sector and has recently specialised in teaching topics in digital art, animation, visual effects, and games technologies.
Jim currently leads the School’s Creative Technologies subject cluster and is Course Coordinator for BSc (Hons) Computer Animation and Visual Effects.
- Game Art Illustration and Innovative Practice
- Games Art Major Project
- Collaborative Project (Preproduction, Prototyping, Project Management)
- Experimental Techniques (Modelling and Animation)
- Collaborative Project (Development, Deployment, Dissemination)
The assessment strategy used is a balance of coursework, group and individual reports, portfolios, presentations or exams. Presentations are usually given and assessed in the context of a group seminar. You will also produce artefacts in the subject of your specialism.
The method used for the assessments will depend on the nature of the subject being taught in the unit, and the most appropriate method has been chosen.
Constant feedback and advice from a supervisory or unit team will be provided to support you in your work, so that you can gain an insight into whether your work meets the necessary targets.
Careers
Acquiring skills in games art will enable you to join one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing sectors within the global creative industries. Choosing our MA Games Art is a transformative step towards a career in the games-development industry or building and enhancing the skills in your current portfolio. The course equips you for various roles within the gaming industry such as concept art, 3D modelling, games animation and effects. Graduates of this course will be well prepared for roles in game-development studios, film, multimedia production and other related media and digital fields.
Entry Requirements
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £10,000 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit www.gov.uk/postgraduate-loan
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
International
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £16,900
If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email international@beds.ac.uk
