Computer Games Modelling and Animation

Games Expo 2024

Every year our third year students showcase their final year project at the Games Expo Show. Take a look at the video below to see last years showreel:

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

This programme is part of the East Midlands Institute of Technology, for which the University of Derby is the lead institution. The Institute focuses on preparing the current and future generations of innovators to ensure they are skilled in digital, manufacturing and engineering subjects. 

This course is designed in close collaboration with industrial practitioners, technologists, specialists and professional bodies to offer rigorous professional and practical training backed with sound academic theory. 

Throughout this course, 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
• Motion Capture Suite - VICON System industry standard motion capture system using VICON hardware and software
• XR Lab - a dedicated space for mixed-course games development as well as providing a flexible space for visualisation and other projects
• Makerspace where you can turn your ideas into a prototype

You can view our facilities via our Virtual Tour. 

Unreal Academic Partner

The Unreal Academic Partner Programme recognises that this course is committed to providing ongoing, high quality educational opportunities, and is taught by experienced academics with proven curricula, sufficient facilities, and resources to create positive outcomes for students with a variety of personal growth and career objectives.

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. 

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.

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 
• Marmoset Toolbag
• Vicon Shogun

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

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.

You can take an optional industrial placement year between stages two and three of your studies.

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

2025 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2025 entry.

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

2025/26

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

Additional costs and optional extras

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.

Other courses you might like

• Computer Games Programming BSc (Hons)
• Computer Games Modelling and Animation with Foundation Year BA (Hons)
• Data Science and Artificial Intelligence BSc (Hons)

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.