TIGA, the network for games developers and digital publishers and the trade association representing the games industry, today announced that Anglia Ruskin University’s BA (Hons) Computer Games Art was awarded TIGA Accreditation. This confirms that this course is delivering the skills students require to work in the games industry. The course was accredited at its first attempt with no conditions, an indication of the high quality of BA (Hons) Computer Games Art.
Of the previous graduates of BA (Hons) Computer Games Art who were tracked, around 40 per cent found employment in games and simulation companies. If other jobs that require the skills gained on the course are included, then just over 60 per cent of students found appropriate jobs. Looking at all graduate destinations the total employment level approached 100 per cent.
The following areas of exceptional good practice were identified by the accreditation team:
- First year and second year students collaborate on group projects. Also, the bringing together of game artists and game programmers to work together on game development projects was identified as an important way of preparing students for work in the games industry.
- Students on the course have opportunities to work with industry right from the first year and continue to engage with industry throughout the course.
- Students on the course have good support when starting up their own business. Students can study the option ‘Business for the Creative Arts’; take advantage of the Start-up Laboratory where students get advice on how to run a company; and the ‘Big Pitch’ event where students can, ‘Dragon’s Den style’, compete for £30,000 sponsorship.
- The most recent National Student Survey showed that satisfaction with the course was at a remarkable 100 per cent! It was also good to see from the National Student Survey that: ‘Staff have made the subject interesting’ (93%), ‘Staff are good at explaining things’ (100%) and ‘I have received sufficient advice and support with my studies’ (93%) all scoring so high. These scores are indicative of a dedicated and supportive course team.
TIGA is confident that the course delivers a range of art skills at an appropriate depth and breadth for the games industry. The course is likely to be of particular interest to students who wish to work on a large independent project in the final year in order to develop specialist skills; fully supported and guided by a skilled course team that has the breadth of knowledge and experience to respond to students’ needs in their chosen specialist areas.
Dr Richard Wilson, CEO of TIGA, said:
“TIGA Accreditation system accredits the best undergraduate and postgraduate university and college game courses. Our Accreditation system showcases excellence and propagates good practice. Our Accreditation system empowers students and developers to find eminent courses that are educating impressive graduates.
“The TIGA Accreditation Panel thoroughly examined Anglia Ruskin University’s BA Computer Games Art programme. The Panel judged that the course is robust, its academic staff passionate and its students highly satisfied. The University is equipping graduates with the skills that they need to work in the games industry.”
Dr Mark Eyles, TIGA Educational Advisor and Animation, Games & Enterprise Section Lead at the University of Portsmouth, said:
“The excellent BA (Hons) Computer Games Art does a great job of preparing students for work in the games and related industries. There is a very strong focus on industry, including opportunities to work with both large AAA game developers and small indie games companies.”
Course Leader of BA (Hons) Computer Games Art, Dr Baris Isikguner, said:
“We are very happy to join the strong ranks of TIGA Accredited Courses and we are delighted that TIGA has recognised our efforts to develop a firm game art education to yield talented artists with valuable skills. A creative platform where students can acquire the best possible training and prepare for industry has always been our goal. It is a joy to see this goal was listed as one of the key achievements in the accreditation process.”
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About TIGA
TIGA is the network for games developers and digital publishers and the trade association representing the video games industry. Since 2010, TIGA has won 24 business awards and commendations and has been successfully accredited as an Investors in People organisation three times. TIGA focuses on three sets of activities:
- Political representation
- Media representation
- Business services
This enhances the competitiveness of our members by providing benefits that make a material difference to their businesses, including a reduction in costs and improved commercial opportunities. It also means our members’ voices are heard in the corridors of power and positively represented in national, broadcast and UK video game trade media.
Get in touch:
Tel: 0845 468 2330
Email: info@tiga.org
Web: www.tiga.org
Twitter: www.twitter.com/tigamovement
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TIGAMovement
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/tiga
For further information, you can also contact:
Dr Richard Wilson, TIGA CEO: richard.wilson@tiga.org