Turn your hobby into a career in this exciting industry of stories, characters, challenges, and rewards.
What's on this page?
Whether you’re more Mario Kart or Call of Duty, gaming is the UK’s fastest growing entertainment industry, with digital purchases of games having overtaken film and music combined.
You could pursue a career in one of the 2,000 UK-based game design studios, as most graduates do, working your way up to senior developer, producer, or technical director. Or you could use your design, programming, coding, and engineering skills in the technology, media, marketing, entertainment, or computing sectors.
As an animator, you could bring your drawings and characters to life on screen in one of the UK’s animation hotspots like Belfast, Bristol, Cardiff, Dundee, Edinburgh, London, or Manchester. Digital animation is also a key part of the Government’s funding plans for the creative sector, so the scene is constantly evolving.
The impact you could make
- Work as part of a creative team to design and build an innovative new computer game.
- Capture people’s imagination by designing and developing your own video game, whether for fun or as your profession.
- Create an animated story that tells children all about the history of an exciting venue or museum.
What you could study
- Introduction to 3D computer animation
- Character modelling and animation techniques
- Story and scriptwriting
- A.I. scripting for games
- Algorithms and data structures
- Computer games marketing
- Indie game development
- Experimental gameplay
- Games engine creation
- Theory of games design
Chat to a current computer games and animation student
Chat to a current computer games and animation student using UniBuddy.
Some conversation starters for you:
- Ask which modules they really enjoyed.
- Find out how easy it was for them to make friends on their course.
- Do they have any tips on your personal statement?
- Did they do anything to prep for uni before they went?
- Are there books, podcasts or YouTube channels they would recommend?
Chat to students powered by 
Example module
"The large game development modules are my favourite, since I can work in a team environment to make a game and improve my skills as a writer, not just through my own creativity but through working with others."
Second year game development student, Falmouth University
Example assignment
"My concept art assignment to create designs for a dark fantasy Wizard of Oz video game adaptation. I'm also really enjoying my honours project, I've had the freedom to make my own project: a visual novel focused on romance through an asexual/queer lens."
Fourth year computer arts student, Abertay University
Maths
Computing
Physics
IT
Media studies
Digital technology
Hard skills you'll develop
- Computer coding
- Design skills and knowledge
- Computer systems and applications knowledge
Soft skills you'll develop
- Communication and teamwork
- Analytical thinking
- Attention to detail
- Creativity
- Problem solving
Available jobs
403,165 vacancies in past year
6.43% growth over next 8 years
Average salary
£47,634
Up to £78,593
What is a…. motion designer?
You may never have heard of a motion designer, or motion graphic designer, but they create moving artwork that’s used in TV, film, and on digital platforms. They use 3D modelling, animation, and visual effects to create eye-catching characters, scenes, and sequences for film studios, software companies, and advertising agencies. Many also work for themselves. Motion designers may also progress into things like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) design.
Getting in: Entry requirements
Find out more about what you'll need to study computer games and animation at university or as an apprenticeship.
Average requirements for undergraduate degrees
Entry requirements differ between university and course, but this should give you a guide to what is usually expected from computer games and animation applicants.
A levels
BBC
Scottish Highers
ABBBB
Vocational
BTEC DMM
Other Level 3/Level 6 qualifications (e.g. Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma or an SQCF Level 6) may be accepted as an alternative
Study for a degree in IT and digital while earning at the same time. Listen to our brand new podcast on degree apprenticeships from our expert panel, hosted by Radio 1’s Katie Thistleton.
This dynamic industry is a fusion of artistry and technology, and it's an ever-evolving field that constantly pushes the boundaries of innovation. For those considering a career in animation, you're not just creating characters and visuals: you are telling stories, and in developing your animation skills you can work in film, TV, advertising, corporate communications, games, and immersive tech. The future of animation is bright, and the opportunities are growing. It's an ever-changing and engaging field, with many different specialisms and job roles from production to design and art.
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Find out more
Read our guide to digital and IT apprenticeships.
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Careers in the games industry
Watch this YouTube video from ScreenSkills about the ‘where, why, and what’ of careers in the games industry. -
How to become a games designer
Watch this BBC Bitesize world of work video about how Rhianne became a video games designer. -
Animation UK
Check out the news section of Animation UK’s website to keep up-to-date with industry news and events, and read articles on things like how recent animated movies were made. -
This is how podcast
Listen to interviews with inspiring people who’ve carved a career in the gaming and digital industry, like Amrita, who's become a UX/UI designer with Rockstar Games.
Skills, experiences, and interests to mention
- Really look at the detail of the course you’re applying to, as different courses will focus on different specialisms of game design and/or animation. Then tailor you statement towards the qualities they’re looking for, whether that’s a focus more on design or technical skills, or a combination of those.
- Most game design and animation courses will be looking for people who are creative and innovative. What original projects or hobbies have you undertaken, such as making a short film or animation of your own, or designing your own game or coding? Or maybe you’ve taken a hobby like pottery, painting, or graphic design and put your own spin on it?
- Technical skills, like analytics, data handling, and programming will also be important, so demonstrate you have an understanding of that through courses you’ve taken, or projects you’ve done inside or outside of school.
- Can you also critique the work of an animator or game design company you like? Be specific about what you like about the drawing or design elements, what you think does and doesn’t work, and how you’d change it.
- Demonstrate you can work with others and independently, as teamwork and self-direction will both likely be involved in any future jobs. Have you had a part-time job, or a sport or hobby, that involved both those skills?