Course description
MA Game Art
At Escape Studios, we created this degree as a response to industry demand for new creative talent. The UK consumer games market was worth a record figure of £7.16bn in 2021 (source Ukie). Games skills can also be applied to other industries, including VFX, virtual production, architecture, real-time immersive media (theme parks and entertainment) or even the medical and engineering professions. The career perspectives are endless.
This postgraduate degree packs in all the content from our popular 18-week course with hands-on tuitions. It then takes you to the next level, with two major projects that will allow you to put everything you’ve learned into practice to create a killer portfolio. A collaborative group project will get you working with other students like a real studio, and an individual final project will be your chance to further specialise, improve your skills and finesse your portfolio, under the guidance of industry professionals and tutors.
You’ll create lifelong connections and start building your network. Our studio connections, industry-trained tutors, Talent Development Team support and Aftercare programme will set you in the right direction for a successful career in video games.
Do you work at this organisation and want to update this page?
Is there out-of-date information about your organisation or courses published here? Fill out this form to get in touch with us.
Upcoming start dates
Suitability - Who should attend?
Entry requirements
Minimum requirements
An undergraduate honours degree in art and design, architecture, computing or engineering-related subjects.
Applicants without a degree who have significant industry experience in game or related creative subjects will be considered.
Suitable applicants will be asked to submit a postgraduate portfolio.
International students
We welcome applications from qualified candidates all over the world.
Postgraduate applicants will need a good undergraduate degree in a relevant subject (or significant professional experience) and a postgraduate portfolio.
View individual country requirements on our website. If yours are not listed, then please contact us.
English language requirements
All our courses are taught in English. If your first language is not English, you may need to complete an English language test, such as a Pearson English language test (PTE Academic) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test, to demonstrate you have the language skills needed to complete your degree.
Qualification and score required
IELTS: 6.0 IELTS (with a minimum of 6.0 in Reading and Writing and 5.5 in Speaking and Listening)
PTE: 62 including 60 in each subtest
Cambridge English: Advanced & Proficiency: 176 (with a minimum of 169 in Reading and Writing and 162 in Speaking and Listening)
Internet-based TOEFL: 90 Overall including at least 22 in Reading, 21 in Writing, 17 in Listening and 20 in Speaking
International students will be required to hold a Secure English Language Test (SELT) at B2 in order to be able to apply for a visa to study at Escape Studios on a student visa. ViewQualifications that are accepted by UKVI on our website.
You may be exempt from proving your English level if you are from an English-speaking country listed as recognised for visa purposes or have a degree level qualification obtained in one of these countries. The latest list is available on the UK Government website.
For students who have a SELT at B2 but who do not meet our requirements, we can also consider alternative qualifications. Please contact our Admissions Team for more information.
If you’d like to discuss your circumstances before applying, please contact us.
Training Course Content
Module 1 - Foundation development
-
Art direction
-
Introduction to modelling
-
Introduction to Unreal Engine 5
-
Modularity
-
Texturing and materials
-
Introduction to lighting
-
Introduction to blueprints
Module 2 - Advanced games development
-
Introduction to digital sculpting
-
Advanced modelling
-
Advanced Unreal Engine 5
-
Baked and procedural textures
-
Advanced materials
-
Advanced lighting
-
Foliage and SpeedTree
Module 3 - FX and technical art
-
Introduction to FX
-
Particles in Niagara
-
Blueprints
-
Photogrammetry
-
Virtual cinematography
-
Materials for FX
Module 4 - Collaborative studio project
Module 5 - Production project
Why choose Escape Studios
Top 6% of Institutions for Graduate Employability -- by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)
First Unreal Authorised Training Center in the UK
Expenses
Fees for 2024 entry
London campus:
-
UK students: £18,995
-
International students: £19,995
Live online: £15,995
Our postgraduate fees are payable within the first 18 weeks of the course, with a deposit to be paid before the start of the course. Please note, we review our fees every year.
Fees include:
-
Escapee Aftercare and career support, including help and advice on your CV, showreel and job applications for 12 months after the end of your course.
-
Free Autodesk student registration allowing access to educational versions of software such as Maya and Arnold.
-
18 weeks of classroom study followed by 12 weeks of remotely directed learning and a 12 to 15-week remotely directed final project. All with feedback from your lead tutor and from an industry professional.
Funding for UK students
To be eligible for funding from Student Finance England, you must be studying on an eligible course at a provider registered with the Office for Students (OfS). Escape Studios is registered with the Office for Students and our Master’s programmes are eligible for funding.
Payment plans
We offer a range of payment plan options for all courses. Following an initial deposit at registration stage, your chosen payment plan will break down your remaining fees into up to six equal instalments, to be paid over the course length.
Contact our Admissions Team or visit our website for any questions about fees, funding, payment plans and scholarships.
Continuing Studies
You’ll graduate with a degree, a mix of strong creative, technical and soft skills, include communication and teamwork, and a killer portfolio put together with advice from tutors and industry professionals. Ready to apply to your first job in the industry!
Some of the opportunities you can consider once you’ve finished your studies include:
-
Game Artist
-
Environment Artist
-
Prop Artist
-
Material Artist
-
FX Artist
-
Level Artist
-
Lighting Artist
-
Foliage Artist
-
Technical Artist
-
Visualisation Artist
-
Real-Time Generalist
-
Real-Time Generalist in Virtual Production
-
Real-Time FX Artist
-
Real-Time Cinematic Artist
-
Unreal Engine Artist
-
Producer
Our students have gone to work as both specialist and generalist artists in studios creating games and real-time graphics, including Rare, Rockstar, Ubisoft and Improbable. Those not only apply to video games but are also used in VFX (film and TV production, virtual production), real-time immersive media (augmented reality, theme parks, rides, entertainment), cinematics, architecture visualisation, VR visualisation, simulations for medical professions and the automotive and engineering industries.