BA (Hons) Games Art

• Game engine technologies
• Essential games art pipelines 
• Games art concepting 
• Art Fundamentals 
• Concept Art 
• Prototyping 
• Industry Documentation Methods 
• 2D pipelines 
• 2D games art pipelines 
• 3D art pipelines 
• 3D games art pipelines 
• Character design 
• Environment design 
• Games culture and studies 
• Game Art fundamentals 
• Working in teams 

If you are studying the BA (Hons) Games Art with Integrated Foundation Year version of this course, key topics of your integrated foundation year will include:

• Introduction to the fundamental principles of games and animation 
• Core elements of design and art: line, shape, color, value, form, texture, and space 
• Exploring digital software and applications Relevant to design and user interaction 
• Presenting Research and Ideation with Clarity, Critical Thinking, and Reflection

If you choose to add an Integrated Foundation Year on this course, you will be first introduced to the fundamental principles of games art, animation and illustration. Your foundation year gives you the time, space and support to explore your strengths, build confidence and prepare for the demands of project-based, industry-focused learning. Modules are as follows:

• Module 1: Diagnostic exploration - making informed choices
• Module 2: Technical - Technical knowledge in practice
• Module 3: Specialist - Innovating specialist practice
• Module 4: Integration - Integrated practice for progression to Higher Education

Please note: Students starting this course with the Integrated Foundation Year in September 2026/27 will study the 2027/28 approved modules in Years 1, 2 and 3.

Year 1

You will focus on the key skills required for games art and an introduction to the entire games art lifecycle. You will engage in debate around the cultural impact of games in today’s ever changing environment.  

Key study topics in year one include:  

• Introduction to games software pipelines  
• Introduction to games art culture and practice 
• Introduction to art fundamentals  
• Making concept art 3D assets for games 
• 3D games environments

On Games Art at Ravensbourne, we champion collaborative practice. Alongside your specialist modules, you will be given the opportunity to work on exciting group projects with your fellow games department students. Working with others helps you bring to life more expansive and wondrous games. 

Year 2

In Year 2, you will explore character design and modelling processes and you will finish the year by having the unique opportunity to develop your own games studio to try and replicate industry practice. You will research concepts and build for AAA game, independent games and tabletop.   

Key study topics in year two include:  

• Introduction to 3D character modelling and sculpting pipelines 
• Learn the principles of design design to create sticking characters that are full of life  
• Learn about the numerous art roles in gaming industries. 
• Work on an project set by industry 
• Games studio work to create more realised game projects 

Year 3 

In Year 3, you will refine the skills acquired in year two and focus your efforts towards developing a considered piece of work for your final submission. 

Year 1

Year 1 introduces the full games art lifecycle, building core skills while exploring the cultural impact of games. Students collaborate on a variety of projects with the wider Ravensbourne community, creating increasingly ambitious and imaginative games art outcomes.

Modules may include: 

• Rave Beginnings in Games
• Art Fundamentals
• 3D Tool Kit - Assets
• Working in Games
• Concept Art and Digital Painting
• 3D Tool Kit - 3D Worlds

Year 2

Year 2 focuses on character art, including design, modelling and digital sculpting. Students also develop skills in 2D games art and VFX workflows. The year culminates in an exciting opportunity to establish and run a simulated games studio, reflecting real industry practice.

Modules may include: 

• Character Development
• Digital Illustration to Interactive Media
• Digital Sculpting 
• VFX & Motion Capture
• Games Studio Culture
• Games Team Project

Year 3

In the final year, students engage with professional practice while refining their specialist skills. They produce a considered and polished body of work that reflects their creative identity and supports their ambitions beyond university.

Modules may include: 

• Games Art Industry Portfolio
• Pre-production for the Games Industry
• Games Studio Project
• Game Art Production Project

All modules are subject to revalidation.

Our campus 

You'll study in a building designed to encourage collaboration between the different disciplines and practices within Ravensbourne, and to stimulate the work of innovative professionals and creative collaboration.

It features a variety of workspaces, including social and quiet areas, high-tech creative suites, technology hubs, design studios and more. 

Want to see where you'd be studying up close? When you book a guided building tour, you can see our fantastic facilities for yourself and find out more from one of our helpful student ambassadors.

Our local area

Ravensbourne is ideally connected - North Greenwich station is just a 2-minute walk away from our campus and offers amazing views from the Greenwich Peninsula.

These transport links offer an easy route to some of London's major business hubs, perfect for reaching possible placements or networking events with employers in the worlds of business or technology.  

At Ravensbourne we accept a wide range of qualifications for entry onto our courses, whilst also considering the context in which they were achieved. For this course, we would usually require a GCSE Grade 4 or above in English in addition to any of the below;

• Three A Levels at grade CCC or above
• BTEC Extended Diploma at grade MMM
• UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma
• T Level (pass or above)
• Access to Higher Education Diploma
• International Baccalaureate at grade 24 or above
• Other/Mixed qualifications equivalent to 96 UCAS Tariff points

At Ravensbourne we take a flexible approach to admissions, as we want you to know exactly what you need to achieve in your exams to guarantee a place on the course. We still think exams are important and look forward to hearing about your successes, but we place just as much importance on the work you will share with us as part of our portfolio process.

Interview and portfolio requirements

BA (Hons) Games Art

Admission onto this course is also subject to successful completion of a portfolio (or showreel). 

We are looking for aspiring artists who have a curiosity for both games and art. We would like to see a variety of both traditional and digital art and design work that showcases your suitability for the course.

Examples of work could include the following.

• Character design
• Life drawing (understanding of anatomy)
• Painting
• Mixed media
• Pages of sketchbook work
• Environmental (evidence of understanding of perspective)
• Digital drawing
• Modelling

Please show evidence of how research has informed your work as an artist/ designer, we are keen to see artists who think deeply about their work.

 We recommend using a platform like ArtStation or similar.

Ravensbourne accepts a wide range of qualifications whilst also considering the context in which they were achieved. For this course, we would usually require a GCSE Grade 4 or above in English in addition to any of the below;

• Two A Levels at grade DD or above
• BTEC Extended Diploma at grade PPP
• UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma
• T Level (pass or above)
• Access to Higher Education Diploma
• International Baccalaureate at grade 24 or above
• Other/Mixed qualifications equivalent to 48 UCAS Tariff points

We take a flexible approach to admissions, as we want you to know exactly what you need to achieve in your exams to guarantee a place on the course. 

There are no interview or portfolio requirements for this course.