Overview
The Game Art programme at Media Design School offers an intensive pathway for aspiring creatives to master the technical and artistic demands of the global gaming sector. Students engage in a collaborative environment that mirrors professional studio structures to produce industry-standard visual content.
This degree focuses on the creation of beautiful environments and believable characters, allowing students to devise interactive stories and digital illustrations. Within the first sixteen weeks, learners create their own 2D game, eventually progressing to complex 3D projects. The curriculum is designed to foster both individual artistic style and the technical proficiency required for international audiences.
Why Game Art at Media Design School?
Media Design School provides a studio-simulated environment where students collaborate across disciplines, working alongside programmers to develop high-quality games. The institution is recognised for its award-winning student projects and strong industry connections. Facilities support both traditional and digital art practices, ensuring graduates are prepared for a sector larger than the music and movie industries combined.
The teaching approach emphasises creative problem-solving and is underpinned by the history and philosophy of technology. Students benefit from a diverse cohort and dedicated faculty who provide mentorship throughout the three-year journey. This practical focus ensures that every student builds a professional portfolio that demonstrates their readiness for the competitive global market.
Tuition Fee Breakdown
- International fee: NZD 34550 per year
- National fee: NZD 12300 per year
Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.
Syllabus
Modules may include:
Year 1
- Game Design Principles
- Art and Design Foundation - Environment
- Art and Design Foundations - Anatomy
- 2D Visual Asset Generation
- 3D Visual Asset Generation
- Game Production Foundation
- Creative Technologies: Game Studies I
- Technical Art I
Year 2
- People and Games
- Rapid Game Prototype
- Advanced 2D
- Advanced 3D Modelling
- Technical Art II
- Animation
- Real-time Animation
- Professional Practice and Communication
Year 3
- World Design
- Level Design
- Creative Technologies: Game Studies III
- Game Project: PreProduction
- Game Project: Alpha
- Game Project: Gold
- Portfolio Presentation and Critique
Careers with Game Art
Graduates are prepared for various specialised roles within the interactive entertainment industry. The programme focuses on developing the specific technical skills required for high-level production pipelines. Potential career paths include:
- Character Artist
- Environment Artist
- Technical Artist
These roles involve designing visually stunning characters, building immersive 3D landscapes, and bridging the gap between art and programming teams. Graduates find opportunities in game development studios, where they balance visual quality with technical performance constraints.
Programme Structure
Courses include:
- Game Design Principles
- Art and Design Foundation
- 2D Visual Asset Generation
- 3D Visual Asset Generation
- Game Production Foundation
- Creative Technologies: Game Studies
- Technical Art
Key information
Duration
- Full-time
- 36 months
- Part-time
- 96 months
Start dates & application deadlines
- StartingApplication deadline not specified.
- StartingApplication deadline not specified.
Language
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Credits
Delivered
Campus Location
- Auckland, New Zealand
- Sydney, Australia
- Brisbane, Australia
Disciplines
Visual Arts User Experience Design Game Design View 46 other Bachelors in Visual Arts in New ZealandWhat students do after studying
Academic requirements
We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.
English requirements
Prepare for Your English Test
AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.
- Trusted by 300k learners
- 98 accuracy using real exam data
- 4.9/5 student rating
Other requirements
General requirements
- NCEA University Entrance NCEA Level 3: Three subjects at Level 3, made up of 14 credits each. Literacy 10 credits at Level 2 or above, made up of: 5 credits in reading 5 credits in writing Numeracy 10 credits at Level 1 or above, made up of: achievement standards (specified achievement standards available through a range of subjects), or, unit standards, package of three numeracy unit standards: 26623, 26626, 26627. (All three required)
- If you are enrolled at a New Zealand secondary school and have not yet completed your NCEA (CIE or equivalent) qualification you can still apply now for admission. When your NCEA results are available in January, we will check them and contact you.
- IB and CIE University Entrance More information on alternative eligible qualifications such as IB or CIE, click here.
- Special Entry, Discretionary Entry and Cross Credits If you don't have university entry, you may still be able to apply for this course.
Student Insurance via Studyportals Partner
Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items like Additional medical costs, Repatriation, Liability etc. Make sure your student insurance covers your needs.
Studyportals partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.
Get your student insurance nowStarting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.
Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at Media Design School and/or in your country of interest, please visit Student Insurance Portal.
Tuition Fees
-
International Applies to you
Applies to youNon-residents34550 NZD / year≈ 34550 NZD / year -
Domestic Applies to you
Applies to youCitizens or residents12300 NZD / year≈ 12300 NZD / year
Living costs
Auckland
The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.
Funding
This programme is taught in different countries. Which country are you interested in?
- Australia
- New Zealand
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Scholarships Information
Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Game Art.
Available Scholarships
You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.
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