BSc (Hons) Computer Games Design with Animation

Program Overview

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Staffordshire University's Computer Games Design with Animation program combines technical and artistic skills, preparing graduates for careers in the fast-paced game development industry. Students learn motion capture, animation, and 3D modeling, and integrate game design and programming to create real-time animation models. The program boasts industry connections, cutting-edge facilities, and a curriculum designed to meet the demands of the booming games industry.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

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Overview:

• Staffordshire University's Computer Games Design with Animation degree program combines technical and artistic skills, making graduates highly sought after within the games industry.
• Students learn motion capture techniques, technical and hand-keyed animation, and 3D character modeling.
• Program integrates game design and aspects of programming to ensure real-time animation models integrate into a games engine.

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Objectives:

• Prepare graduates for careers in the fast-paced, constantly evolving world of game development.
• Equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed through a combination of hands-on practical work, in-depth theoretical study, industry-standard approaches and software.

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Program Description:

• The largest games development department in the UK provides students with access to numerous industry contacts, including Flix Interactive, Sumo Digital, Cloud Imperium Games and animation experts Carse and Waterman.
• Industry-ready graduates leave with strong connections, impressive portfolios, and valuable experiences.
• Program curriculum designed to meet the demands of the booming games industry, although the animation skills learned can also apply to film and virtual production.
• First year covers game asset creation, design, game engine scripting and animation.
• Second-year choices range from cinematics for game designers to prototyping 3D assets and the art of lighting.
Students create handcrafted bespoke characters and gameplay experiences.
• Collaborative games module brings together students from across the department to create a game.
• Third year involves developing a student's own project, applying the learned skills and showcasing the work to a panel of industry judges at the final-year show GradEX.
• Faculty boasts industry professionals and academics with years of games industry experience, providing practical advice and up-to-date guidance.
• Facilities include a high-tech Vicon motion capture studio and specialized games center, featuring the Unreal games engine, VR and mixed reality lab, green screens and wall projections, alongside hundreds of PCs and game development opportunities with Sony, Vive, Oculus, and more.
• Cutting-edge program equips students with skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the fast-paced, constantly evolving world of game development through hands-on practical work and in-depth theoretical study, covering game design, animation, programming, and more.

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Outline:

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First year:

• Introduces game design principles, game engines in game creation, 3D asset creation, game asset animation (all taught using industry-standard approaches and software).

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Second year:

• Choose from various modules covering environment modeling, character modeling, lighting, hand-keyed animation, hard-surface modeling, cinematics, and using animations in a games engine, alongside collaborative game project development.

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Third year:

• Advanced topics like visual effects in games engines and emergent, cutting-edge tools, with senior students leading a collaborative effort with level 5 students to create another game product.

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Fourth year:

• Introduces game design principles, game engines in game creation, 3D asset creation, game asset animation (all taught using industry-standard approaches and software).

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Fifth year:

• Choose from various modules covering environment modeling, character modeling, lighting, hand-keyed animation, hard-surface modeling, cinematics, and using animations in a games engine, alongside collaborative game project development.

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Sixth year:

• Advanced topics like visual effects in games engines and emergent, cutting-edge tools, with senior students leading a collaborative effort with level 5 students to create another game product.

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Assessment:

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Written exams

• 79% practical assessments, no written exams in year 4.

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Coursework

• 100% coursework in undergraduate years 0-3, 21% in years 5 and 6.
• 0% coursework in postgraduate year 4.

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Teaching:

• Taught through lectures, seminars, workshops and laboratory practicals.
• Timetabled meetings with personal tutor at least twice a year.
• First-class learning spaces throughout entire program.
• Initial blended approach in lab, transitioning towards independent research and reflection, supported by VLE and Digital Communities.
• Gradual transition from traditional teaching to tutor support as student drives learning, focusing on creating an industry portfolio and career planning with project tutors.
• Each module normally includes practice or 'formative' assessments with feedback from the tutor.
• Formal or 'summative' assessments at end of each module, including essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations, final year independent project, and written examinations, with grades counting towards module mark.
• Academic Skills team provides group and one-to-one support for study skills, written English, academic writing, research skills, critical thinking, argument understanding, revision, assessment, examination skills (including time management).

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Careers:

• Graduates are in high demand and work across the globe, with some at Ubisoft and Rockstar North on Grand Theft Auto V.

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Other:

• The context also mentions the Virtual Production Studio, Global Games Jam, Epic Games Lab, Motion Capture Studio, VR, AR and Mixed Reality Lab.
It also provides information about undergraduate open days and study times.

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Tuition fees for BSc (Hons)-Full-time Study option UK / Channel Islands International Full-time £9,250 per year of study £16,750 per year of study Tuition fees for BSc (Hons)-Full-time Study option UK / Channel Islands International Full-time £9,250 for your first year subsequent years will be charged at the University standard rate £16,750 for your first year subsequent years will be charged at the University standard rate Tuition fees for BSc (Hons)-Full-time Study option UK / Channel Islands International Full-time £9,250 per year of study £16,750 per year of study Tuition fees for BSc (Hons)-Full-time Study option UK / Channel Islands Part-time £4,620 per year of study UK and Channel Island students: This tuition fee is agreed subject to UK government policy and parliamentary regulation. If the UK government passes appropriate legislation, the fee for subsequent years of study may increase in each academic year.

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But this increase will not exceed the rate of inflation as measured by RPIX.

Any change in fees will apply to both new and continuing students. The University will notify students of any change as early as possible. UK and Channel Island students: This tuition fee is agreed subject to UK government policy and parliamentary regulation. If the UK government passes appropriate legislation, the fee for subsequent years of study may increase in each academic year.

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But this increase will not exceed the rate of inflation as measured by RPIX.

Any change in fees will apply to both new and continuing students. The University will notify students of any change as early as possible. no repeat years or breaks in study). For students starting their studies from 2019/20 onwards, a discounted fee of no more than 20% of the normal tuition fee will be payable to Staffordshire University for your placement year. UK and Channel Island students: This tuition fee is agreed subject to UK government policy and parliamentary regulation. If the UK government passes appropriate legislation, the fee for subsequent years of study may increase in each academic year.

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But this increase will not exceed the rate of inflation as measured by RPIX.

Any change in fees will apply to both new and continuing students. The University will notify students of any change as early as possible. no repeat years or breaks in study). When studied part time, the duration of the course and the amount of fees you’ll pay each year depends on the speed at which you wish to progress through it. This is called the ‘intensity of study’. The usual study pattern on this programme enables you to complete modules totalling 60 credits in your first year of study. If you follow this pattern of study you will complete the course in six years. You will pay the pro rata (equivalent) fee shown for your first year of study. This tuition fee is agreed subject to UK government policy and parliamentary regulation. If the UK government passes appropriate legislation, the fee for subsequent years of study may increase in each academic year. But this increase will not exceed the rate of inflation as measured by RPIX . Any change in fees will apply to both new and continuing students. The University will notify students of any increase as early as possible.

• RPIX is a measure of inflation equivalent to all the items in the Retail Price Index (RPI) excluding mortgage interest payments.