Computer Games Modelling and Animation BA (Hons) - Computing

Course details

Study options

Full-time: 3 years (4 years with a placement year)

UK fee

£9,535 per year (2025/26)

International fee

£16,900 per year (2025/26)

UCAS points

112 (September 2025 entry)

UCAS code

I710

Start date

September

Location

Derby Campus

The best bits

Learn how to use an extensive range of software and tools, including Maya, Unreal Engine and ZBrush
Access specialist facilities equipped for games development including our XR (cross-reality) lab
Study a course that has a Houdini Certified School status
Take advantage of a year on placement and gain industry experience
Create 3D art for a range of games including first person shooter, real time strategy, city and builder
Work as a team to create a brand new game to showcase at our annual Games Expo

_Top20for academic supportNational Student Survey 2024 - Computer Games and Animation subject area

92^%of students agreed that staff are good at explaining thingsBA (Hons) Computer Games Modelling and Animation - National Student Survey 2024

Houdini Certified School status

We have received Houdini Certified School status which shows the high quality of teaching provided on this course. It also displays our dedication to teaching you the skills and knowledge of industry relevant programmes so you can graduate with confidence using a range of software going into the job market.

Another benefit to this certification is that you can receive a home licence to use on your own device up to a year after you've graduated.

Learn in a city rich with game development history

The city of Derby has a rich heritage of game development, stretching back to the 1980s. Its most famous asset is Lara Croft who became famous in the Tomb Raider series of games. These were made by Core Design, the building of which is around the corner from the University where we are teaching the Game Developers of tomorrow how to make games.

There are also a range of computer games development companies in the area such as Bulkhead who are based in Derby and Dambuster and Free Radical who are in Nottingham.

Specialist facilities

You'll create and animate 3D art in a real-time environment using latest techniques and state-of-the-art software development tools in our industry-standard laboratories. Facilities include:

Computer Games Labs - home to our specialist software access and hardware facilities

XR Lab - a dedicated space for mixed-course games development as well as providing a flexible space for visualisation and other projects

CAVE Lab provides data visualisation hardware containing a 270-degree 3D projection set-up

Makerspace where you can turn your ideas into a prototype

Inspiring student work

In your final year, you’ll work with students on our Computer Games Programming BSc (Hons) degree to create a game from scratch. Your game will then be featured in the University’s Games Expo – a public event where you’ll gain exposure to veteran developers and artists from within the games industry. Take a look at the stunning images and showreel showcases that celebrate work made by our students. And hear what our students have to say at our Games Expo.

Computer Games student stories

VR work puts David in the top 30 under 30

David's virtual-reality work on surgical planning led him to be recognised as a future leader in Forbes Česko in the Czech Republic.

Gaming students set up their own studio

After working together in their second year, four Computer Games students set up their own business and released their first game - Cheftastic! Buffet Blast.

Daniel's dream job at Xbox

After Daniel completed his degree, he landed his dream career working for Microsoft Xbox as an Environmental Artist at their Playground Games studio.

What you will study

Back to Module List

Code:

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

How you will learn

You will study three modules per semester. Each will be delivered through a mixture of lectures, tutorials and practical sessions. In these sessions, you will learn to work with a range of hardware and software, including:

Autodesk Maya
Autodesk 3Ds Max
Substance
Houdini
ZBrush
Photoshop
Unreal Engine
Unity Engine
Steam

In our XR Lab you will use specialist games and visualisation hardware, including Vive Pro Eye headsets, Rifts and Wacom drawing tablets. There are eight workstations outfitted with 2080 graphics cards so you can approach raytracing projects and AI workloads

Our CAVE Lab allows multiple users to experience a shared virtual environment within the 270-degree 3D projection set-up. Workstations with Tesla graphics cards for data processing and AI projects are also available.

How you will be assessed

Assessment is 100% coursework through a mixture of group and individual assignments. In the final year, 25% of your assessment will be for a personal project.

Your year on work placement will take place between stages two and three of your studies.

Who will teach you

Roisin Hunt

Programme Leader

Roisin Hunt

Roisin is a Lecturer in Computer Games Modelling and Animation.

View full staff profile →

Entry requirements

2025 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2025 entry.

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

Requirement	What we're looking for
UCAS points	112
A Level	BBC
T Level	Merit
BTEC	DMM
GCSE	GCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification
Access to HE	Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 15, Merit: 24, Pass: 6

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)

Fees and funding

2025/26

	Full-time	Part-time
UK	£9,535 per year	N/A
International	£16,900 per year	N/A

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.

Additional costs and optional extras

How to apply

Please look at our application deadlines before you apply.

UK students

If you are in Year 13 and applying for a full-time undergraduate course (including our joint honours courses), we recommend that you apply through UCAS.

Apply through UCAS

If you are applying to study part-time, or already have your qualifications, or wish to join at Year 2 or 3, you should apply directly to the University.

Apply directly to the University

International students

Find your agent

Apply through UCAS Apply directly to the University

Careers

Your future

The computer games industry needs specialists with a powerful combination of skills so this degree makes you highly employable. In addition, you will discover that the skills you have developed can be transferred to a range of different industries such as film and visualisation.

Previous graduates have gone on to work for companies such as:

Epic Games
Bloc Digital
Jaguar Land Rover
Bulkhead Interactive
Sumo Digital
Ubisoft
Rockstar Games

Contact us

If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.

Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.

Computer Games Modelling and Animation

BA (Hons)