City

What you'll study

This degree balances traditional art and design practice with industry-standard digital production workflows. You will study core visual foundations such as drawing, colour, composition and visual storytelling, then progress into specialist game art modules covering 2D concept art, character and environment modelling, texturing, UV mapping, shading and lighting.

Technical and production-focused topics include poly and sculpt modelling, retopology, rigging and skinning, animation basics for games, optimisation for real-time engines and using game engines (commonly Unity or Unreal) to present art assets. Projects emphasise iterative workflows, version control, asset pipelines and collaboration with other disciplines such as game design and programming.

Studio practice is reinforced by modules in professional practice and portfolio development, where you learn project management, pitching, documentation and how to build an industry-ready showreel. The degree culminates in a major individual or group project that demonstrates your artistic specialism and technical competency in a coherent body of work.

• Foundations in drawing, form and visual storytelling
• 2D concept art and digital painting
• 3D modelling: sculpting, retopology and low-poly modelling
• Texturing, materials, PBR workflows and baking
• Rigging, basic animation and motion for games
• Real-time engine workflows and level presentation
• Optimisation for performance and platform constraints
• Professional practice, portfolio and industry collaboration

Typical structure

The course is studio-led with practical workshops, seminars and assessed projects. Learning methods include tutor-led demonstrations, peer critiques, masterclasses from industry practitioners and project collaboration with students from other disciplines.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to have completed secondary education (for example A-levels, BTEC or equivalent qualifications). Admissions assess academic profile alongside a carefully prepared portfolio that demonstrates observational drawing, creative ideas, digital practice and evidence of 2D or 3D work. Mature applicants and those with non-traditional backgrounds are considered on the strength of portfolio and interview.

Typical admissions features:

• A portfolio of creative work showing concept and/or finished pieces, sketchbooks and process documentation
• An interview or portfolio review (in person or online) to discuss your practice and aspirations
• Standard GCSE-level English and maths or recognised equivalents; international applicants must meet English language requirements

Career prospects

Graduates progress to roles across the games and creative tech sectors. Common job titles include concept artist, 3D modeller, texture/ look-development artist, environment artist, character artist, rigging/technical artist and junior game animator. Skills acquired on the degree are also applicable to film VFX, animation studios, AR/VR content creation, architectural visualisation and independent game development.

Many students use the portfolio and showreel developed on the course to enter studios, start freelance careers or pursue further specialist study such as MA-level courses in animation, VFX or advanced game production. The emphasis on real-time presentation and optimisation also prepares graduates for emerging roles in interactive media and immersive experiences.

Why study at City

City’s location in central London gives students easy access to a dense cluster of creative and tech employers, events and meet-ups. The programme combines practical studio tuition with access to industry-standard hardware and software, plus cross-discipline collaboration across design and computing subjects.

Teaching is practitioner-led, with staff who have professional experience in games and related industries and guest speakers from studios and agencies. Students benefit from career support services, portfolio reviews, industry networking opportunities and links that help transition graduates into employment or freelance practice.