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Immerse yourself in a world where art, media and games come together to deliver one of the most distinguished Computer Arts degrees in Europe. Ranked TOP in Scotland for overall student satisfaction (Computer Games and Animation, NSS 2023).
Immerse yourself in a world of digital design on one of the most prestigious Computer Arts degrees in Europe. You’ll delve into subjects like animation, 3D development, concept art, asset and character design.
This professionally accredited course develops your skills and understanding in digital arts and design. You’ll delve into subjects like animation, 3D development, concept art, asset and character design.
We help you to expand your knowledge and discover how to develop your critical and contextual understanding of the digital arts. You’ll lead the design and production of a range of creative content for computer games, digital illustration, concept art, animation, visual effects and much more.
As well as lectures and classes, you’ll have opportunities to engage with industry practitioners, attend visiting lectures, participate in masterclasses and receive project mentoring.
Our open-plan studios cultivate interdisciplinary study. This means you’ll use cutting-edge technology and entertainment production techniques as you work collaboratively with other students in game design and games technology.
Intern and mentorship opportunities
We offer internship/placement opportunities where students apply for placements in third year. Successful candidates work with games studios over the summer, getting professional hands-on experience.
Plus in year three you’ll work directly with industry mentors, developing a prototype project as part of an interdisciplinary team. This mentorship programme runs for successful third year students alongside their studies.
From film and advertising to visual effects and computer games, computer art is everywhere. This means our in-demand graduates work across the world in computer games, film, television and animation - so why not apply now and join them?
This degree is accredited by ScreenSkills, the UK Sector Skills Council for Creative Media Industries, and by TIGA, the trade association representing the UK video games industry.
Undergraduate Open Days
Visit our Dundee campus and find your place at Abertay University.
Our 2024 undergraduate Open Days will be held on ...
Computer art is everywhere ... from film and advertising to gallery installations and computer games. Turn your passion for art into a degree by studying at the top university in the UK for computer games.
Potential careers
Our Computer Arts graduates work across the globe in computer games, film, television and animation. For the last three years, over 10% of graduates have secured employment before graduation, including roles such as:
3D artists and UI artists at leading console game development companies.
Character animators and scene prep artists in television animation.
Character TD and character animators at leading visual effects companies.
Several of our graduates – in partnership with other games students – have successfully set up their own games companies, publishing their creations on mobile, console and online platforms.
Throughout your degree, you’ll work on industry-relevant project briefs, collaborate with industry mentors and receive coaching from academic staff, many of whom are practicing artists with extensive games industry experience.
In year 3 there are internship opportunities with local games companies to help develop your professional developmental skills. Then in year 4 you’ll work directly with industry mentors to develop a prototype creative project as part of an interdisciplinary team.
You can also attend lectures from our industry partners and former graduates that relate to game art, illustration, animation and visual effects.
Dare Academy
Abertay University’s Dare Academy games design competition enables students to gain significant industry exposure and international experience.
Student teams will go through a tough selection process before the best six are chosen to design, test and create prototypes over an intense hothousing period.
We then showcase the games at EGX, the UK's biggest games event, and the top three teams are flown out to visit international games partners and to be profiled.
This is a unique offer for Abertay games students and it ensures you stand out from the crowd.
If you’re applying from overseas or from outside Scotland, we have scholarships available to make your studies more affordable.
All modules shown are indicative and reflect course content for the current academic year. Modules are reviewed annually and may be subject to change. If you receive an offer to study with us we will send you a Programme document that sets out exactly which modules you can expect to take as part of your Abertay University degree programme. Please see Terms and Conditions for more information.
You can tailor your education during your time on the Computer Arts degree, with flexible module briefs and optional modules designed to fit specialist interests and develop depth in your subject knowledge.
Years 2, 3 and 4 use open project briefs and optional modules to support specialisation in areas such as:
Concept Design
Game Asset production
Digital Illustration
Animation
Technical Art
In year 4 you're mentored by industry partners while developing your honours project.
Learning and Assessment
Lectures and practical tutorials are where you’ll work with staff, other students and industry mentors to develop unique solutions to project briefs. Your tutorial sessions will focus on developing innovative ideas, process and technique that lead to a final outcome.
We believe that portfolios of creative work represent artist and designers at their best. Therefore, they form the majority of our assessments, often submitted with supporting documentation to underpin your creative work and intellectual insights. Academic writing also contributes to assessments often in the form of critique or reflective reports to develop your contextual awareness and subject knowledge.
Visual presentations develop critical communication skills and are core to assessment. They will help build confidence and professionalism. With guidance from the academic team and industry mentors, you'll learn how to demonstrate and communicate your process effectively, as well as the best ways to display your work.
There are no formal examinations on the programme.
Art or Photography or Graphic Communication or Production Design. An online portfolio is also required.
Higher (minimum entry) We may make you an offer at the minimum entry grades if you meet the criteria. Find out if you're eligible for minimum entry (see below).
ABB
Art or Photography or Graphic Communication or Production Design. An online portfolio is also required.
A-Level
BCC
Art or Graphic Design or Design and Technology: Production Design
Irish Highers
H2H3H3H3
Art
International Baccalaureate
29 Points
Visual Arts or Fine Art at S5 or H4
BTEC Extended Diploma
DMM
Art & Design or Creative Digital Media Production or Creative Media Production
If you have the potential and motivation to study at university, regardless of your background or personal circumstances, we welcome your application.
We understand some people have faced extra challenges before applying to university, which is why we consider the background in which your academic grades have been achieved when making an offer.
If you expect to receive passes in three Scottish Highers (grades A-C) and have...
been in care, or are a young carer yourself
attended a school or lived in an area where not many people go to university
are eligible for free school meals
are a young person estranged from your family
are a government-recognised refugee or have asylum seeker status
are a registered pupil with sustained engagement in a targeted aspiration-raising programme such as LIFT OFF, LEAPS, FOCUS West or Aspire North
... we encourage you to submit an application.
Support for Ukrainian students
We're keen to offer help to Ukrainian students who may wish to transfer from their existing institution in Ukraine or to register with us as new students for intake in September. There will be no tuition fees charged for the duration of the degree programme, as those with refugee status are treated as ‘Home/Scottish’ students and will also have access to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland bursary and student loans. Our Recruitment Team can help guide applicants.
The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you depends on factors such as your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying.
We offer a range of scholarships to help support your studies with us.
As well as Abertay scholarships for English, Welsh, Northern Irish and international students, there are a range of corporate and philanthropic scholarships available. Some are course specific, many are not. There are some listed below or you can visit the Undergraduate scholarship pages.
The Discover Uni dataset (formerly Unistats) is an official source of information about higher education. It collates comparable information in areas students have identified as important in making decisions about what and where to study.