Games, Animation and VFX

Entry Requirements

For 2024 entry, you will need 80 UCAS Tariff points.

Some typical examples of how you can achieve 80 UCAS Tariff points are detailed below:

• A levels - CDD
• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma - Merit, Merit, Pass (MMP)
• Access to Higher Education Diploma - 45 credits at Level 3, for example, 15 credits at Distinction, 0 credits for Merit and 30 credits for Pass. The required total can be attained from various credit combinations.

Prior Learning and Experience

University Centre St Helens welcomes applications from mature students (aged 21+) and students from a varied range of backgrounds and experience. Offers of a place on the degree will not be based solely upon academic qualifications alone and related skills gained in the workplace will also be considered.

Additional Entry Requirements

All suitably qualified applicants will be invited to attend an interview. This is designed to be an informal meeting, providing you with the opportunity to see if this degree is suitable for your needs. It will also provide an opportunity for you to discuss and explore your career interests with the Programme Leader.

You will need to present appropriate evidence in the form of a physical or digital portfolio. This could include coursework (from brief to final product), independent art/design work, 3D models, level builds (screenshots) and any level design (plans for games and game design documents) and/or creative process that could be diverse from the games industry. Your portfolio should present your full range of skills and knowledge.

Information for International Applicants

If you are a non-EU/EEA/Swiss national, you may need to apply for a Tier 4 visa in order to enter and study in the UK. However, please note that University Centre St Helens does not hold a Tier 4 Sponsor Licence to support student visa applications.

Learning Environment and Assessment

Learning will be theoretical and practical through lectures, workshops, demonstrations, seminars, group critiques, self-directed study, written work, presentations, group work, visits, and guest lectures. Industry-standard software will enhance your learning experience, enabling you to master the skills vital for success in this exciting industry.

Entry into a 'dream job' within the games industry is very competitive and students need to commit to long hours of study. Therefore, we equip you with a high spec personal laptop, fully loaded with software, that is yours to keep.

Our lecturers have a wealth of industry experience, having worked across the globe, on AAA game titles such as Wipeout, Mercenaries, Lord of the Rings and Star Wars Battlefront 1 and 2.

Assessment is carried out throughout the three years of the degree through projects, assignment work, design briefs, computer-based work, presentations of artwork, industry critique and essays. The final year show in your third year will allow you to display your work to a wider audience, including influential industry advocates.

Tuition Fees

For 2024 entry, tuition fees for full-time study are £8,495 per year.

Additional Costs

Course-Related Travel (Placements/Work Experience/Voluntary/Site Visits	Variable dependent on the distance travelled and the method of transportation.
Equipment	Core texts and reading lists should generally be available in the library. However, students may prefer to buy their own copies. These can be purchased from any source. Students will provide their own day-to-day stationary items e.g. pens, pencils, notebooks.
Trips	Estimated cost is £75 per year for various travel and entry costs. Estimated cost is £300 for optional international study visit (subject to student numbers) including estimated £200 spending money.
Volunteering Opportunities for Personal Development	Variable depending on type of activity.

Financial Support

Subject to eligibility, students can apply for a tuition fee loan from Student Finance England to cover the full cost of tuition fees, which means you don't have to pay anything upfront and there's nothing to pay back until you're qualified and earning over £481 a week, £2,083 a month or £25,000 a year. You may also be eligible to apply for additional funding to help with living costs. Visit our finance support page for more information.

Study Enhancement Gift

All new, first year (level 4), full-time undergraduates studying a qualifying Foundation Degree, Bachelor's Degree or Higher National Diploma at University Centre St Helens, will receive a non-repayable Study Enhancement Gift up to the value of £400. This could be a specific gift, such as a laptop, or subject specific equipment, extra qualifications or trips and visits.

For more information, visit our study enhancement gift page.

Careers and Progression

You will be industry ready upon graduation, having developed the core skills to effectively fit into a team and learn new processes and software in an entry-level role in the computer games industry.

The Northwest is an important centre for the game development industry. University Centre St Helens has important links with the local industry, being located centrally in a region that has a cluster of games companies. In recent years, graduates have gained employment with Rebellion and Sony in Liverpool, TT Games in Cheshire and Foundry in Manchester.

As a Game Art graduate, you may have the opportunity to progress into a range of careers, including:

• Game Developer
• 3D Artist
• Studio Manager
• AR/VR Artist