Undergraduate Course 

BA (Hons)

Computer Games Modelling and Animation with Foundation Year

The best bits

  • Build the skills and knowledge you need to apply for an exciting range of specialised 3D art roles
  • Learn how to use Maya, Photoshop, Substance, Unreal Engine 4 and ZBrush as your core set of tools
  • Have access to facilities equipped for games development including our XR (cross-reality) lab kitted out with specialist equipment
  • Spend an optional year on industrial placement as part of your studies – a great experience that really sets you apart in the job market
  • Benefit from the expertise of our teaching team who have fantastic links with industry
  • Create a game as a team in your final year as part of the Game Development module

Computer games represents one of the world’s largest and fastest growing entertainment industries, where specialists with the right mix of technical skills and artistic flair are in high demand. This cutting-edge course gives you vital insights into latest industry practice and sets you up for a dynamic career.

You can also take the BSc (Hons) Computer Games Modelling and Animation without a foundation year. Find out more.

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

Our facilities

You’ll get to use cutting-edge software development tools in our industry-standard laboratories. Facilities include:

A student sitting at a computer with their modelling and animation work on screen
A group of students working in the XR lab
A student with a VR headset on in the XR lab

Our showreel showcases and celebrates work made by students from all years of our degree, including group work and individual projects. Take a look and be inspired by what you could create as a student at Derby.

Work by Computer Games Modelling and Animation students

View BA (Hons) Computer Games Modelling and Animation showreel video transcript

In your final year, you'll work with students on our BSc (Hons) Computer Games Programming degree to create a game. Your game will then be featured in the university's Games Expo.

The Computer Games Expo 2023

View Our Computer Games students video transcript

Foundation Year - helping you to achieve more

Including a foundation year as part of your four-year study programme will give you a head start in your academic and professional life. The foundation year offers the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence – with extensive support from our expert staff – before you advance to stage one of your honours degree. It could also be beneficial if you are planning a career change and want to get to grips with aspects of subjects which are new to you.

Our degrees with a foundation year are continuous, meaning that you won’t need to apply again once you have successfully completed the first year.

What you will study

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.

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus entrance

Undergraduate Open Days

The best way to find out if studying at Derby is right for you is to experience an Open Day. Get a feel for the city and campus, tour our first-class facilities and see where you could be living.

Book your Undergraduate Open DayBook your Undergraduate Open Day

How you will learn

You will study three modules per semester, each delivered through a mixture of lectures, tutorials and practical sessions where you will learn to work with Maya, Photoshop, ZBrush and Unreal® Engine 4. Your year on work placement will take place between stages two and three of your studies.

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.

Person offering support to a student Person offering support to a student with a laptop Student smiling with tutor Tutor smiling with student and laptop

Helping you reach your full potential

Our Personal Academic Tutoring programme supports your academic journey, helping you achieve your goals and unlock your potential.

Explore the programme

Who will teach you

Roisin Hunt

Programme Leader

Awaiting staff photo

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.

RequirementWhat we're looking for
UCAS points72
A LevelDDD
T LevelPass
BTECMMP
GCSEGCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification
Access to HEPass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 0, Merit: 30, Pass: 15

English language requirements

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

Fees and funding

2025/26

 Full-timePart-time
UK

£9,250 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

Careers

The computer games industry needs specialists with a powerful combination of skills so this degree makes you highly employable.

Having completed the programme, you will be capable of creating and animating 3D art in a real-time environment using the very latest techniques. You will also be able to demonstrate your flair and originality to prospective employers.

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 and Rockstar Games.

Cars racing in a forest from Forza Horizon 4

Daniel's dream job at Xbox

Find out how we steered our Computer Games Modelling and Animation graduate Daniel Fern towards a career with Microsoft Xbox.

Read Daniel's storyRead Daniel's story

Getting you career ready

Your degree is only part of your story.

We're here to help prepare you for life after university.

Career Support Image

96%
of UK graduates are in employment or further study.

Top 5
for employability.
Uni Compare Annual Student Review Rankings 2025.

87%
of UK graduates say their current activity is meaningful.

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.

Contact us Contact us

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.

Discover Uni

This is a new course so the data displayed via Discover Uni is for students studying in another subject area.

Full-time

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