Program Overview

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Computer Games Modelling and Animation BA (Hons)

Course Description

Create innovative 3D art for a range of games including first person shooter, real time strategy, city and builder. Learn how to use an extensive range of software and tools, including Maya, Unreal Engine and ZBrush. Study a course that has a Houdini Certified School status and is an Unreal Academic Partner (2024). Take advantage of a year on placement and gain industry experience. Access specialist facilities equipped for games development including our XR (cross-reality) lab. Work as a team to create a brand new game to showcase at our annual Games Expo.

Study Options

• Full-time: 3 years (4 years with a placement year)
• UK fee: £9,535 per year (2025/26)
• International fee: £16,900 per year (2025/26)
• UCAS points: 112 (September 2025 entry)
• UCAS code: I710
• Start date: September
• Location: Derby Campus

Why Study Computer Games Modelling and Animation at Derby?

• Create innovative 3D art for a range of games
• Learn how to use an extensive range of software and tools
• Study a course that has a Houdini Certified School status and is an Unreal Academic Partner (2024)
• Take advantage of a year on placement and gain industry experience
• Access specialist facilities equipped for games development
• Work as a team to create a brand new game to showcase at our annual Games Expo

The Degree Show 2025: Made It

Our Degree Show offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience the very best of emerging contemporary art and design practice from our final year students.

Games Expo 2024

Every year our third year students showcase their final year project at the Games Expo Show. Take a look at the video below to see last years showreel:

Learn in a City Rich with Game Development History

The city of Derby has a rich heritage of game development, stretching back to the 1980s. Its most famous asset is Lara Croft who became famous in the Tomb Raider series of games. These were made by Core Design, the building of which is around the corner from the University where we are teaching the Game Developers of tomorrow how to make games.

Specialist Facilities

This programme is part of the East Midlands Institute of Technology, for which the University of Derby is the lead institution. The Institute focuses on preparing the current and future generations of innovators to ensure they are skilled in digital, manufacturing and engineering subjects.

What You Will Study

• Year 1
• Year 2
• Optional Placement Year
• Year 3

Core Modules

• Introduction to 3D Modelling
• Computer Games Modelling
• Concept Development for Digital Application
• Game Studies
• Game Texture Development
• Introduction to 3D Animation

How You Will Learn

You will study three modules per semester. Each will be delivered through a mixture of lectures, tutorials and practical sessions. In these sessions, you will learn to work with a range of hardware and software, including:

• Autodesk Maya
• Autodesk 3Ds Max
• Substance
• Houdini
• ZBrush
• Photoshop
• Unreal Engine
• Unity Engine
• Steam
• Marmoset Toolbag
• Vicon Shogun

How You Will Be Assessed

Assessment is 100% coursework through a mixture of group and individual assignments. In the final year, 25% of your assessment will be for a personal project.

Who Will Teach You

• Roisin Hunt, Programme Leader
• Dr Patrick Merritt, Lecturer in Computer Games Programming, Augmented and Virtual Reality
• Jon Pledger, Senior Lecturer
• Dr Joshua Jackson, Lecturer in Computer Games Modelling and Animation

Careers

The computer games industry needs specialists with a powerful combination of skills so this degree makes you highly employable. In addition, you will discover that the skills you have developed can be transferred to a range of different industries such as film and visualisation.

Previous graduates have gone on to work for companies such as:

• Epic Games
• Bloc Digital
• Jaguar Land Rover
• Bulkhead Interactive
• Sumo Digital
• Ubisoft
• Rockstar Games

Entry Requirements

• UCAS points: 112
• A Level: BBC
• T Level: Merit
• BTEC: DMM
• GCSE: Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification
• Access to HE: Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 15, Merit: 24, Pass: 6
• English language requirements: IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)

Fees and Funding

• UK: £9,535 per year (2025/26)
• International: £16,900 per year (2025/26)

Additional Costs and Optional Extras

• Software: Z Brush and Adobe Creative Cloud via university labs. Maya, Substance Suite, Unreal Engine - available for free download at home
• Study trips: previously EGX Birmingham £15, Harry Potter World £35
• Industry speakers
• Wacom PTH-651-ENES Intuos Pro Graphics Tablet - from £229.99 (This is the model recommended by the College - others are available)
• Printer consumables - approx. £100 per annum
• Recommended to purchase a portable hard drive - approx. £50 -£100
• Personal computer with high end graphics card for game development outside of University - prices vary but on average £1500

How to Apply

• UK students: apply through UCAS
• International students: apply through our online application portal
• Part-time students: apply directly to the University

Discover Uni

• 73% say staff value students views and opinions about the course
• 86% of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well
• 100% in work or doing further study 15 months after the course

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