Everything you need to know...
International/EU: £14,415 per year (£1,200 for placement year)
Come to an open day
Find out more at our undergraduate open days. Book now for your place.
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.
View our students' work
Find out more about the Media Arts and Communications department and view the work of some of our students.
How you learn
All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which 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.
You learn through
- specialist technical workshops
- group projects
- one-to-one support
- live projects
- industry visits, field trips and festivals
- self-directed and independent study
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.
Course leaders and tutors
Peter Spence
Senior Lecturer in Film and TVCurrently teaching a number of film theory modules on the BA (Honours) Film and Media Production course, Peter is also an award-winning film-maker whose work has scr … Read more
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.
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career as a
- concept artist
- 2D artist
- 3D environment artist
- 3D character artist
- animator
Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for
- Rare
- Electronic Arts
- Sumo Digital
- Rockstar North
- Forsaken Studios
- SEGA Europe
- Framestore
- Jagex
- Lightning Fish
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | Campus facilities | Keeping safe on Campus
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
On this course you work with
- the largest PlayStation teaching facility in the world
- a motion camera lab
- specialist virtual reality space
- our commercial games studio , Steel Minions
- 3Dstudio Max
- Maya
- ZBrush
- Unreal Engine
- Unity
- Phyre Engine
- Marmoset Toolbag
- Photoshop
- Quixel Suite
- Knald
- Substance Painter
- Substance Designer
- Marvelous Designer
- World Machine
- 3D Coat
- Agisoft Photoscan
- Oculus Rift
- PlayStation VR
Learn more about your department
Media, Arts and Communications Facilities Tour
Take a look around the media, arts and communication facilities at Sheffield Hallam University with lecturer Saskia Wilson.
Entry requirements
All students
UCAS points
- 80
With at least 32 points from one A level or equivalent BTEC National qualifications. For example:
- CDD at A Level.
- MMP in BTEC Extended Diploma.
- A combination of qualifications which must include an A level grade C or BTEC grade M.
GCSE
- English Language or Literature at grade C or 4 or equivalents*
- Maths at grade C or 4 or equivalents*
You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.p>
• An Access to HE Diploma with at least 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2. At least 15 level 3 credits must be at merit grade or above from a QAA-recognised Access to HE course, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate.
We may also accept you, if you have limited qualifications but can show evidence of ability and a genuine commitment to studying Media Arts and Communication.
We treat the foundation year as part of the Media Arts and Communication degree programme. Offers made to students will be for four years of study (or five years of study including a placement). This is made up of the foundation year plus one of our Media Arts and Communication degrees.
If your application is successful, you will be invited to submit a portfolio of work to demonstrate your ability. Find out about the selection process and how to produce a strong portfolio.
We welcome applications from people of any age. We may be flexible in our normal offer if you can show a commitment to succeed and have the relevant skills and experience. This must show that you will benefit from and finish the course successfully.
If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.0 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.
Please note the University will only admit students who are aged 18 or over at the point of enrolment.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page. You can also watch a video guide on how to apply.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.
You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.
Year 1
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Creative Synergies In Media Production | Credits: 40 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Media In Context | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Media Project | Credits: 40 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Preparing For Independent Practice And Study | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Year 2
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: 3D Modelling | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Game Design Theory | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Game World Mechanics | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Level 4 Game Project | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Visual Concepts For Games 1 | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Practical |
| Module: Visual Concepts For Games 2 | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Year 3
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Experimental Game Practice | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Year 4
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Module: 3D Games Prototyping | Credits: 20 |
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Module: Placement Year | Credits: - |
Final year
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Module: 3D Game Art | Credits: 40 |
| Module: Final Game Project | Credits: 40 |
| Module: Game Professional Practice | Credits: 20 |
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Module: Life Drawing | Credits: 20 |
| Module: Pre-Production For Animation | Credits: 20 |
| Module: Sound Design And Sonic Arts Practice | Credits: 20 |
| Module: Visual Effects Project | Credits: 20 |
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Module: Placement Year | Credits: - |
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2022/23 is £9,250 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
† If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2022/23 is £14,415 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
Financial support for home/EU students
How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.
Additional course costs
This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
Additional costs for Digital media courses (PDF, 227.4KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
