Program Overview

Games Art and Design BA (Hons)

Course Overview

Our award-winning TIGA accredited BA (Hons) Games Art and Design has an international reputation for producing graduates who excel creatively and technically. In 2023 the Rookies ranked Norwich University of the Arts in its global top 30 – and placed us 7th for 3D Animation, 20th for Concept Art and Illustration and 29th for Game Design and Development in their global rankings. In addition, the course was awarded Best Educational Institute in 2023 at the TIGA Awards.

Key Information

• Course duration: 3 or 4 year options
• Annual fees:
  • Home (full-time): £9,535
  • Overseas (full-time): £18,500
• UCAS code: WL21 (3 Year), W280 (4 Year)
• Institution code: N39

Course Details

Integrated Foundation Year (optional)

Our Integrated Foundation Year is designed to equip students with the necessary skills, knowledge and confidence to thrive in their chosen degree subject. The course provides a comprehensive introduction to various disciplines, blending critical thinking and creative problem-solving with practical hands-on experience.

Year 1

• Core Units:
  • Creative Learning (40 credits)
  • Explore and Experiment (80 credits)
• Core Projects:
  • Wayfinding Week
  • Make it Manifest(o)
  • Interchange Week

Year 2

• Core Units:
  • Global Contexts (80 credits)
  • Collaboration (40 credits)
• Core Projects:
  • Wayfinding Week
  • Make it Manifest(o)
  • Interchange Week

Diploma Year (optional)

Students have the opportunity to spend a year after the second of their degree (or the third year if studying for a degree with an Integrated Foundation Year) enhancing their employability options through a Level 5 Diploma.

Final Year

• Core Units:
  • Research and Preparation (40 credits)
  • Resolution and Career Development (80 credits)
• Core Projects:
  • Wayfinding Week
  • Make it Manifest(o)
  • Interchange Week

Accreditations

• The TIGA Accreditation system accredits the very best undergraduate and postgraduate university courses enabling both prospective students and game developers.
• PlayStation First is an international academic programme by Sony with the mission of establishing a network of world-class educations capable of generating fresh talent on Sony's platforms.

Why Study with Us

• Study the fundamentals of game design, industry-leading Unreal Engine, and be introduced to formative theoretical concepts from contemporary academics and practitioners.
• Design and create characters, props, environments and vehicles using 2D and 3D content creation software.
• Develop your skills across concept art, asset production, and indie development shaping your course journey with specialism support.
• Learn how to use computational logic to generate interactivity in the creation of game prototypes.
• Be involved in live briefs and collaborative projects such as games jams, both within Norwich and internationally where teams work together to build games from scratch under a deadline.
• Collaborate with technical-minded BSc (Hons) Games Development students to inspire and elevate each other’s projects.
• Engage in professional networking through our high-profile visiting speakers, or at major events like Develop: Brighton, Women in Games, Ukie Conference and Norwich Games Festival.

Learning and Teaching

This course is taught through a mixture of learning and teaching methods including:

• Group briefings
• Academic tutorials
• Group tutorials
• Workshops
• Critiques (crits)
• Seminars
• Lectures

Assessment

Assessment for this course is entirely coursework-based, meaning there are no exams. Your progress will be evaluated through the projects and assignments you complete for each unit.

Entry Requirements

• Home:
  • A/AS Levels (GCE): 3 A-level qualifications at grades BCC (104 UCAS Tariff points) or above.
  • BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF or RQF): Distinction, Merit, Merit in an art, design or media related subject.
• International:
  • A/AS Levels (GCE): 2 A-level qualifications at grades CC (64 UCAS Tariff points) or above.
  • BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF or RQF): Merit, Merit, Pass in an art, design or media related subject.
• English language qualifications:
  • Most international students are required to hold an English language qualification.
  • Applicants are required to have a minimum UKVI approved IELTS exam score of 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each section.

Fees and Funding

• Tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year:
  • Home: £9,535 per year
  • International: £18,500 per year
• Fees for subsequent years:
  • Tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation, subject to government regulations.
• Funding your study:
  • Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for a bursary, scholarship or loan to help fund your study and enhance your learning experience.

How to Apply

All applications for undergraduate courses will need to be made via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

Related Courses

• Games Development BSc (Hons)
• Animation and Visual Effects BA (Hons)
• Animation BA (Hons)
• Illustration BA (Hons)