Game Art with Foundation Year

Please check the Sheffield Hallam University website for the latest information.

Course summary

- Prepare for the degree with an extra foundation year at the start.

- Develop technical production skills through the creation of 2D and 3D artwork.

- Collaborate in creative projects alongside programmers.

- Work with cutting edge tools to produce various game art styles, and work to art limitations for use on different gaming platforms.

- Work in partnership with Sony within our commercial games studio, Steel Minions.

- Study at the only university in the UK to produce a game on a Sony platform.

This course will equip you with the practical skills required to work in the games industry ranging from concept to post-production, and you will graduate with a portfolio of projects.

How you learn

At Sheffield Hallam, all our courses are designed to engage you with the world and challenge you to think in new ways. You’ll get to collaborate with others, and you’ll be taught in a supportive environment where you can thrive.

The course is suitable if you don't meet the entry requirements for our BA (Hons) Games Art course, or you want extra preparation before starting degree-level study. You share the first year with other media arts and communication foundation year students, then move on to the degree.

Throughout this course you will build a professional quality portfolio that is aimed at meeting the requirements of potential employers. The teaching and learning on this course is designed to help you do this.

In the foundation year, you'll study wide-ranging media arts and communication topics, while also focussing on your particular subject area and completing assignments in that field. You'll grow as a creative, and begin developing a professional portfolio. You'll also become familiar with Hallam's exceptional facilities and staff, so you're fully prepared for undergraduate study.

Applied learning

Work placements

In year four, you have the opportunity to take a one-year paid work placement, which is an excellent way to enhance your graduate employment potential. Games design is a very competitive industry, and there are a limited number of placements available in games companies. You are supported in finding a placement by our experienced Placement and Employability Team who have a large range of employer contacts.

Live projects

You will have the opportunity to work on commercial opportunities with real-life clients. Previous students have designed game levels and concepts for Pixel Bullies and Sumo Digital, and worked with English Heritage to create a virtual tour of Conisbrough Castle.

Networking opportunities

During your degree you will have access to careers advisers, employability enhancing workshops and networking opportunities including guest speakers and master classes from the creative media industry. We also help you to master social media for networking and making contacts.

A number of industry days and events (Game Republic events, Pathways) are also held on campus where you can network with and attend talks and workshops run by creative media industry professionals and organisations.