Course overview
Are you creative and love computer games Want to combine your art skills with cutting-edge creative technology Study computer games art and bring your passions to life. The popularity of computer games shows no signs of slowing down with the regular release of new sophisticated and innovative products, and smartphone apps – many developed in the UK. As a computer games artist you create a game's characters, assets, environments, creatures and vehicles, as well as producing concept art and storyboards. You develop your artistic skills and explore specialised areas including 3D character sculpting, photo-real texturing and surfaces, hard surface modelling, shaders, material, lighting and effects, game engine implementation, concept art, environment art and character art.
Top reasons to study this course
Number 1: Teesside University has been ranked the number 1 video game design and development school in the UK and number 5 in Europe. (GAMEducation 2025, [tees.ac.uksource)](tees.ac.uksource)).
Nationally recognised: Teesside University is ranked the top North East University for Animation & Game Design in the Guardian University Guide 2026. (58 institutions ranked, [tees.ac.uksource)](tees.ac.uksource)).
Industry links: take part in [Animex](https:animex.tees.ac.uk), our annual international animation and games festival featuring experts from Rockstar, Pixar, Disney and Sony.
Real-world experience: enter GameJam events, take part in industry competitions and Beta test upcoming games before they are released.
Career-ready: our ExpoSeries of events allow you to showcase your skills to industry professionals who are seeking to recruit new and rising talent.
Industry recognition: our course is recognised by ScreenSkills, the industry-led skills body for the UK's screen-based industries, and carries the ScreenSkills Select quality-mark which indicates courses best suited to prepare students for a career in the screen industries.
Guidance and support: 100% of BA (Hons) Games Art students agreed that they have received sufficient support, advice and guidance in relation to their course (National Student Survey 2025, [tees.ac.uksource)](tees.ac.uksource)).
Employability
Graduates have gone on to work as artists, level designers, 3D modellers and texture artists at a range of games companies including 3rd Dimensions, Atomic Planet, Bizarre Creations, Creative Assembly, Electronic Arts, Eutechnyx, Halch, Media Molecule, Microsoft Rare, Naughty Dog, Ninja Theory,Rebellion, Rockstar North and Rockstar San Diego, Sega, Sony, Streamline, Supermassive Games, Traveller's Tales, Ubisoft, Venom, Weta Digital and many more.
You also develop skills for a career in digital media – typically areas of film, TV, advertising and multimedia – through to architectural and product visualisation.
We have excellent relationships with many businesses, giving you the opportunity to apply for summer, year-long and graduate placements with key organisations such as Microsoft, Rare, Team 17, ZeroLight, R8 Games, Hammerhead VR, Dojo Arcade, Schlumberger, Sumo Digital and Coastsink.
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