MA Concept Art at University of Staffordshire

Programme overview

MA Concept Art develops advanced creative, technical and research skills for concept art across games, film, animation, publishing and related visual development industries. Students produce original concepts for characters, environments, props, vehicles and key art, and build professional 2D workflows. The course ends with a major masters project and is taught at the Stoke-on-Trent campus.

Duration: 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time | Intake: September 2027 | Location: Stoke-on-Trent, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

Modules include Abstraction and Adoption of Style, Pipeline and Production Art, Studio Simulation, Industry Practice, Game Masters Project Research and Planning, and Game Masters Project Implementation and Evaluation (30 credits each). Work covers visual communication, style development, digital painting, mood boards, style guides and portfolio development.

Career pathways

Concept artist, visual development artist, character designer, environment designer, prop or vehicle designer, key art artist, art director, freelance concept artist, entrepreneurial IP developer; progression to PhD study is also possible.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

A 2:2 or above undergraduate degree (or equivalent). A portfolio showcasing artistic skills is required, ideally showing strong foundational art skills such as drawing, painting, visual storytelling, character or environment design, understanding of design iteration, and experience with digital painting software. Applicants from related fields such as fine art, graphic design or illustration are welcome. International applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in each component (CEFR B2), or an equivalent approved qualification (PTE Academic 59 overall with no less than 54 in each area; LanguageCert Academic SELT 65 overall with no less than 60 in each component).

Domestic applicants: GBP 9,720 for the whole programme (2027/28). UK / Channel Islands full-time fee for the whole course; a 25% alumni discount may apply to graduates of a University of Staffordshire undergraduate degree Source

Intake: September 2027

Duration: 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time

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