Program Overview

MA Games Art

The MA Games Art program at Manchester Metropolitan University is designed to extend students' existing knowledge and skills in games art, exploring the subject in a range of academic contexts. The course synthesizes industry-standard tools, techniques, and processes with emerging technologies and disruptive research.

Course Overview

The program aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of games art, including character and creature design, environment art, and visual effects. Students will work closely with a specialist team of games artists, creative practitioners, and researchers to develop their skills and knowledge.

Features and Benefits

• Extend practice guided by expertise from subject specialist academics
• Explore the next generation of production techniques and workflows from industry-experienced lecturers
• Engage with research and knowledge exchange from the SODA academic research community
• Showcase talent by expanding the game art portfolio through exciting and innovative projects

Year 1

Core Modules

• Interdisciplinary Practice 1 (Games Art): Create characters, creatures, and environments for immersive experiences and world-building, working across the interdisciplinary SODA community.
• Interdisciplinary Practice 2 (Games Art): Develop a series of project outcomes that question and create relationships between game ideas and associated interdisciplinary practices.
• Independent Project: Apply contextual knowledge and interdisciplinary skills to produce a body of self-directed work, further honing creative skills and practical methodologies.

Option Modules

• Co-Lab 6 (Games Art): Investigate, explore, and apply the four SODA research themes, developing co-creative working skills and consolidating knowledge of research methodologies.
• Critical Study: Enhance skills in academic postgraduate study, including advanced academic writing, argument development, and critical commentary.
• Perspectives: Explore a range of different perspectives on art and culture, integrated with ways of thinking that open out wider viewpoints on themes impacting creative work.
• CG Industry Pipeline: Build awareness and understanding of workflow processes in visual effects post-production and computer-generated productions.
• Sustainability and Digital Arts: Consider the role of digital arts as a catalyst for sustainable futures, examining cultural models and considerations surrounding sustainability and environmental awareness.
• Digital Art Activism: Investigate and communicate social, political, and environmental issues through digital art, using techniques such as digital mapping and virtual reconstructions.
• Spaces in XR Storytelling: Produce a finessed, critically informed Extended Reality immersive proposal and pitch deck, deploying practical skills and research knowledge.
• Professional Practice: Develop knowledge, understanding, and awareness of professional practice in the discipline and wider associated industries.
• Exploration in CG: Explore innovations and future technologies within the CG/VFX disciplines, investigating new advances and developing knowledge of emerging changes to existing workflows.
• VFX Group Production: Collaboratively work within a large-scale project, applying industry-standard working practices and skillsets.

Study and Assessment

• Full-time: 20% lectures, seminars, or similar; 0% placement; 80% independent study
• Part-time: 20% lectures, seminars, or similar; 0% placement; 80% independent study
• Assessment: 100% coursework; 0% practical; 0% examination

Entry Requirements

• At least a 2:2 undergraduate UK honours degree in a relevant discipline
• Equivalent EU/international qualifications are also accepted
• Overseas applicants require IELTS with an overall score of 6.5 and no less than 5.5 in any category, or an equivalent accepted English language qualification

Fees and Funding

• UK and Channel Island students: Full-time £12,000 per year, Part-time £2000 per 30 credits
• EU and non-EU international students: Full-time £22,000 per year, Part-time £3667 per 30 credits
• Scholarships and funding opportunities are available for both UK and international students

Careers Support and Prospects

• Graduates will have the opportunity to develop a specialized portfolio demonstrating knowledge, skills, and creative expertise required to become highly valued employees within the growing games and related industries.
• 93.7% of UK-domiciled, full-time, postgraduate taught graduates are employed or in further study 15 months after graduation.
• The university offers careers support and resources, including the Careers Service, Future Me, and Rise, to help students prepare for their careers and achieve their goals.

Related Courses

• BA (Hons) Games Art
• MA Animation

Disclaimers

• The program is subject to annual review and major review (normally at 6-year intervals) to ensure an up-to-date curriculum supported by the latest online learning technology.
• The university is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS), and more information on the role of the OfS and its regulatory framework can be found at officeforstudents.org.uk.