Program Overview

Overview

Join the innovative world of game art with our BA (Hons) Game Technical Art course. This course bridges the gap between art and technology, training you in 3D modelling, animation, motion capture, and real-time rendering techniques. Our labs are equipped with the latest digital sculpting and animation tools to bring your artistic visions to life.

Why Choose Us?

• Access to developer kits - We are proud to be one of the first universities that can offer access to developer mode or dev kits from the three major video game platforms - PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo.
• We work in partnership with Unity and Unreal - This means that we have met strict standards of excellence and are authorised to offer training courses and Unity Certification Exams on behalf of Unity Technologies.
• State-of-the-art facilities - Our computing facilities include a dedicated computer games development lab which houses high specification game development PCs, VR and AR headsets, and gaming peripherals.
• BCU are winners of Excellence in Games Research Award at the TIGA UK Games Education Awards 2024, 'best educational initiative and talent development' at the TIGA Games Industry Awards 2023 and the Innovative Teaching Award at the TIGA Games Education Award 2023.
• Ranked in the top 5 in the UK for animation and games design (Guardian League Table 2024).
• You are given the opportunity to collaborate with students from other disciplines within the University and external companies, such as our recent Fashion Police project with Fashion students and the West Midlands Police Museum.

Entry Requirements

Essential requirements

• 112 UCAS Tariff points. Learn more about UCAS Tariff points.
• Applicants will also need to submit a good portfolio

GCSE and other level 2 requirements

• This course does not require evidence of GCSE qualifications. Please see A Level, BTEC and other level 3 requirements below.

A Level, BTEC and other level 3 requirements

• Qualification| Entry requirements
  • A Level / AS Level |
    • A Level: 112 UCAS Tariff points / BBC (or equivalent)
    • AS Level: Must be in a different subject to A Levels
    • A maximum of four subjects will be considered
  • Pearson BTEC (Diploma / Extended Diploma/ Extended Certificate) |
    • 112 UCAS Tariff points
    • Diploma accepted with one A Level or equivalent level 3 qualifications
    • Extended Certificate accepted with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications
  • T Level |
    • Merit overall
    • All subjects considered
  • Access to HE Diploma |
    • Pass with 60 credits, 45 credits at level 3
  • OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications | 112 UCAS Tariff points
  • NCFE CACHE Level 3 qualifications | 112 UCAS Tariff points
  • WJEC Level 3 qualifications |
    • 112 UCAS Tariff points
    • Considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualification(s)
  • Irish Leaving Certificate (Highers) | Minimum of 112 UCAS Tariff points, achieved in five Higher level subjects
  • Scottish Higher / Advanced Higher | 112 UCAS Tariff points from three Advanced Highers (CCD) or two Advanced Highers (CD) plus two Highers (CC)
  • Welsh Baccalaureate | 112 UCAS Tariff points. Considered with three A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications
  • UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma | Merit overall

International qualifications

International Baccalaureate Diploma

• Obtain a minimum of 28 points overall.

EU / International students

• Please see your country page for further details on the equivalent qualifications we accept. In addition to the academic entry requirements listed above, international and EU students will also require IELTS 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in each band.

Fees & How to Apply

UK students

• Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
• Award: BA (Hons)
• Starting: Sep 2026
• Mode: Full Time
• Duration: 3 years
• Fees: £9,535 in 2026/27
• Apply via UCAS

International students

• Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
• Award: BA (Hons)
• Starting: Sep 2026
• Mode: Full Time
• Duration: 3 years
• Fees: £18,570 in 2026/27
• Register interest

Course in Depth

Year one

• In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
  • Game Programming 20 credits
  • Modelling 20 credits
  • Game Asset Pipeline 20 credits
  • Game Mechanics 20 credits
  • Animation 20 credits
  • Game Design 20 credits

Year two

• In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
  • Procedural Modelling 20 credits
  • Rigging and Motion Capture 20 credits
  • Game Studio Production 20 credits
  • Worldbuilding 20 credits
  • Computer Graphics 20 credits
  • Collaborative Practice 20 credits

Year three

• In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
  • Organic Sculpting 20 credits
  • Virtual Production 20 credits
  • Dynamics and Effects 20 credits
  • Console Game Development 20 credits
  • Individual Honours Project 40 credits

Employability

• In the BA (Hons) Game Technical Art course at Birmingham City University, we prioritise equipping you with a robust set of skills tailored to enhance your future employability in the fast-evolving gaming industry.

Facilities & Staff

• At Birmingham City University, the BA (Hons) Game Technical Art course boasts cutting-edge facilities designed to mimic a professional game development environment. Our labs are outfitted with high-performance PCs and industry-standard software like Unity and Unreal Engine, ensuring students can tackle game projects with the tools used in top studios.

Our staff

• Mathew Randall
  • Senior Lecturer
  • Dr Mathew Randall is a Senior Lecturer at Birmingham City University in the UK, where he lectures in visual effects and computer graphics. He is a member of the Graphics and Vision Research group, specializing in real-time analysis and manipulation of motion captured performances and applications of virtual production technology. He is a senior...
• Lianne Forbes
  • Senior Lecturer and Course Leader in BA Visual Effects
  • Lianne has 14 years of high-end VFX film industry experience. Her focus is on forging strong links between the University and industry. She plans to develop student awareness of industry practices and produce more opportunities for them to engage with industry professionals.