How you learn

Our course is designed with key principles of engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing a supportive environment where you can thrive.  

On this course, based in our bespoke teaching suites, you’ll join a dynamic and collaborative learning community. With their support, you’ll undertake creative adventures, explore possibilities, and challenge conventions. You'll be taught by staff who have industry experience and are research active.

We’ll encourage you to contribute as a creative thinker and doer – applying your knowledge to industry, culture, and society. We employ a wide range of teaching approaches to support your learning journey. 

You learn through: 

• practical studio workshops  
• collaborative group projects  
• technical demonstrations  
• individual and group tutorials 
• peer reviews 
• lectures 
• external visits and field trips 

Key themes

During your first year, we’ll lay the groundwork for your journey – with an emphasis on self-development, exploration, and both practical and experiential acquisition of knowledge and skills.

We’ll dedicate your second year to expanding your skills and understanding while discovering your areas of interest. We’ll emphasise user research and development, as well as contextual application and production.  

In your third year, we’ll shift the emphasis to the development and realisation of your professional identity as a game artist. You’ll create an industry-focused portfolio to showcase your expertise – evidencing the attributes, skills and knowledge you’ve gained on the course. 

By the time you graduate you’ll have the skills, knowledge and confidence to make a meaningful impact in the ever-evolving world of gaming.

Course-level support

We offer a holistic and person-centred approach to assessment, focusing on portfolios of individual creative work, scaffolded by targeted briefs. We offer an inclusive environment where divergent ideas, histories and practices are encouraged to thrive. Collaborating with students from different disciplines enhances your creativity, with projects that develop your critical thinking and communication skills.  

You’ll be supported in your learning journey towards highly skilled, graduate-level employment through a number of key areas. These include: 

• access to specialist services to help with your personal, academic and career development
• access to our Skills Centre with one-to-ones, webinars and online resources, where you can get help with planning and structuring your assignments 
• industry-specific employability activities such as live projects, learning in simulated environments and networking opportunities 

Course leaders and tutors

Adam Shepherd

Senior Lecturer in Creative Media

I teach within Games Design. During my time at the university I have taught 3D modelling, Rigging, Texturing and Animation through levels 4-7, as well as various ski … Read more

Applied learning

Work experience

You can take part in Hallam’s enterprise programme, forming your own studio and developing independent games.

You’ll also have the opportunity to arrange a placement in between your second and third years. This gives you valuable work experience to prepare you for your future career – as well as an Applied Professional Diploma to add to your CV. 

You’ll also work on a range of projects simulating real-world working environments, allowing you to expand your skill set, your confidence, your resilience, and your ability to navigate professional interactions.  

These experiences are carefully integrated into your coursework to facilitate the development of crucial knowledge, skills and professional behaviours. 

Field trips

In your first and third year, you’ll have the opportunity to take field trips to professional settings, cultural institutions and organisations – exploring different working environments and expanding your cultural understanding. 

Guest speakers

During your course you’ll be able to hear from a diverse range of professional guest speakers who share their experiences, insights and knowledge – offering you unique perspectives on industries and career paths. 

Networking opportunities

We’ll encourage you to attend Hallam’s careers and employability events, connecting with professionals, graduates and potential employers. Building a strong professional network is so helpful for your future success, and these events provide the perfect platform for you to get started. 

We also encourage you to take part in national and international ‘Game Jams’ that have the potential to make a significant impact on your career advancement and exposure. You’ll get to work as part of a team to develop a game in an informal and fun environment. It’s a great opportunity to be creative and work on something that won’t be formally marked. Taking part in these sorts of activities/events allows you to showcase your skills, gain recognition and create valuable opportunities for yourself.

Future careers

This course prepares you for a career in: 

• Concept Art/Pre-Production for Creative Industries 
• 3D Character development  
• 3D Prop Development 
• Game Environment Design and Creation 
• Realtime Lighting, Cinematics and VFX 
• Game Art Direction 
• Interactive Entertainment 
• The Metaverse! 

Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for 

• Rare 
• Electronic Arts 
• Sumo Digital 
• Steel City Interactive 
• Rockstar North 
• Epic Games 
• SEGA  
• Framestore 
• Jagex 
• Rebellion 
• NDreams 
• D3t 
• Creative Assembly 
• KudosQA 
• Digital Extremes 
• Ripstone 
• Playground Games 
• Expression Games 
• Media Molecule 

And many more! 

Where will I study?

You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.

City Campus

City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.

City Campus map | City Campus tour 

Location

Howard Street
Sheffield
S1 1WB

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Adsetts library

Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.

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Entry requirements

Fees and funding

• Home students
• International students

Home students

Our tuition fee for UK students on full-time undergraduate degree courses in 2025/26 is £9,535 per year (capped at a maximum of 20% of this during your placement year). These fees are regulated by the UK government and therefore subject to change in future years. We are currently reviewing our tuition fees for the foundation year stage of this course following the Government announcement of fee changes for some foundation year courses and will confirm fees as soon as possible.

If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.

International students

Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £17,155 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.

Financial support for home/EU students

How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.

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Additional course costs

The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.

General course additional costs

Additional costs for Sheffield Creative Industries Institute (PDF, 268.6KB)

Legal information

Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.