- Study Mode: Flexible and Distributed Learning
- Location: Distance Learning
- Duration: Three Years
- Start Date: September 2022
You can also study this course:
On this online course you’ll have access to the right tools to kick-start your career in 3D Games Art. We have purpose bought, up-to-date hardware and use industry standard software, ensuring everything you learn is current and relevant.
Taught by industry experts this dynamic course gives you the skills and knowledge you need to kick-start your career.
Open Days
We understand that when it comes to deciding where you’d like to study, there are a lot of things to consider. Come along to our Open Day and discover why BNU could be the place for you. You can find out more about your course, meet the course team, and get all your questions answered.
Application Guide
For everything you need to know about applying, check out our Application Guide. You can find useful information for each stage of your application journey – from before you even apply to what to do if you receive an offer, and everything in between.
Why study this subject?
The global gaming market is one that continues to expand, and with this so do job opportunities. Gaming offers a world of opportunity and with the right skills and abilities, 3D Games Art can help you kick-start a rewarding and creative career.
You could work for companies like Epic Games, Nintendo or Sony, or perhaps set up your own independent company to pursue your passion. Your love of gaming together with your creative and modelling skills could see you in numerous roles - from 3D Artist and Animator to Environmental Artist or Technical Animator.
Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?
At Buckinghamshire New University we focus on preparing you for work in the industry, helping you to stand out to employers when you graduate. With the right teaching and learning opportunities, it’s possible to turn your passion for gaming into a rewarding and successful career.
Led by our enthusiastic and dedicated team of industry-savvy practitioners and experienced academics, you will have the freedom to explore all areas of 3D Games Art. During your time with us you may also get direct access to guest lectures and can benefit from live project briefs, master classes, and plenty of networking opportunities.
On this dynamic course you’ll have access to all the software you need to bring your ideas to life. Our Small group sizes enable staff and students to work together as a friendly and collaborative community of learners. It also means you’ll benefit from more one to one support with your lecturer.
What facilities can I use?
We’ve made sure you have access to industry-standard software, which we review yearly to ensure we are producing industry-ready graduates. Some of which includes:
- Unreal Engine
- Unity
- Maya
- 3DS Max
- Substance Suite
- Zbrush
Amongst a range of other software.
Whilst studying with us you will use our BucksAnywhere web service, which provides access to many of the software applications you use for learning and studying. BucksAnywhere can be used from your own device or from a University owned PC or laptop, from any location.
This video was our first experiment with our new Xsens motion capture suits. With the help of dancers from BNU’s BA Dance and Performance course, we motion captured a routine on the concourse running though the university and replaced one of the dancers with a version of the Lonely Robot and comped this back into the footage. We also have state of the art Faceware kits for face motion capture.
What will I study?
On this course you will be taught the fundamentals of 3D modelling and animation, and as your studies progress, your skills with modelling will also improve, and you will also learn about games engines and design.
The focus of this course is on professional workflows for creating 3D assets such as characters, props and environments. You will learn how to export and set these up in a games engine and learn the fundamentals of interactivity and gameplay elements. The course has been intentionally designed to be flexible, to allow you as a student to select and pursue your own specialism within the field.
During your time with us you’ll discover both the animation and modelling aspect of the field, which you will then develop to include more advanced aspects such as organic sculpting, hair and clothes.
You’ll undertake individual and project work, having the opportunity to take a set industry style project and a creative project to develop your specialist skills and build an industry ready portfolio.
How will I be taught and assessed?
You will receive a set of pre-recorded video lectures each week which will contain the learning content as well as a guidance document on how to use the material. You will be able to complete these at times convenient to yourself. This will last for approximately 10 weeks depending on the module. You will also be given a task to complete which will allow you to apply your learning.
You will be able to submit your progress at regular intervals for a feedback video from the lecturer. There will also be a scheduled group online discussion each week where the lecturer will introduce the topic and invite students to discuss and ask questions.
After the lecturing period is over you will be given an industry focussed practical task for each module and you will also be required to keep a reflective learning journal. The practical work is generally 70% of the assessment. At the end of the course you will compile your best work into a showreel.
What are the course entry requirements?
A typical offer will require a UCAS tariff score of: 88 - 112
A minimum of two full A-levels (or equivalent) is required. Every application is considered on an individual basis.
For further details of our international English entry requirements, please visit our international pages.
Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements for the three-year undergraduate programme, or those who do not feel fully prepared for a degree course, can apply for a four-year programme including a Foundation Year; find out more.
This provides a guide of the modules that make up your course. Please refer to the Programme Specification at the bottom of the Course Details tab for the full breakdown of core and optional modules, as well as the credits needed to complete your degree. You can find more information about how your course is structured on our Academic Advice section.
Year 1 Modules
3D Modelling & The Pipeline
Texturing & Look Development
Lighting & Rendering
Animation Principles & The Moving Figure
Visual Narrative
Rigging
Year 2 Modules
Virtual Environments for Games
Games Engines
Destruction Simulation
Digital Sculpting and Organic Modelling
Character FX
Year 3 Modules
Industry Production Project
Portfolio Piece
Creative Production Project
Showreel
What are the tuition fees
Home
Home, Academic Year 2022 - 2023
£7,400 per year
International
Overseas/International, Academic Year 2022 - 2023
£7,400 per year
What are my career prospects?
Throughout your time with us we’ll support you on the route to your chosen career. We’ll help you to develop crucial skills, encouraging you to become enterprising, employable and good leaders. We also help you find employment after graduation. Have a look at our Careers and Employability pages to find out more.
Our 3D Games Art course will help prepare you for a range of career possibilities, such as:
- 3D Artist
- Character Artist
- Animator
- Environment Artist
- Technical Animator
Graduates can also choose to study for a postgraduate course.
Course leader
