Bachelor in Computer Arts (Top Up)
12 Months (Full-Time) and 18 Months (Part Time) | Degree Start Date: 14-September-2026
The Bachelor Degree in Computer Arts (BA Computer Arts, Stage 3 Direct Entry) at MAGES Institute Singapore lets diploma holders progress directly into the final year of a UK Abertay University degree – no need to study abroad. Built for students with prior qualifications in art, design, animation, games, or related creative disciplines, this 12-month top-up programme turns your diploma into a full bachelor’s degree.
PROGRAMME OVERVIEW
The BA Computer Arts (Stage 3 Direct Entry) programme at MAGES Institute Singapore provides students with the opportunity to progress directly into the third year of study, building upon prior qualifications in art, design, animation, games, or related creative disciplines.
This programme aims to develop students as confident, reflective, and professionally capable practitioners with strong creative, contextual and technical skills aligned to contemporary digital art production.
This year of study focuses on critical contextual understanding, specialist creative and technical development, and sustained engagement in a multidisciplinary production environment. Students deepen their practice through a combination of independent research, advanced option-based creative development, and collaborative professional project work.
They will refine their workflows, broaden their theoretical insight, and demonstrate their abilities through portfolio-led and prototype-focused assessment.
Graduates of the programme will be equipped with the creative, analytical and professional abilities required for employment across digital art fields including game art, visual development, asset production, digital illustration, and interdisciplinary interactive media sectors. Students will gain transferable skills enabling them to work effectively across teams, communicate with clarity, manage complex workflows, respond to critique, and adapt to changing demands within commercial and artistic contexts.
DURATION: 12 Months (Full-Time) and 18 Months (Part Time)
International Students are only offered Full-Time program.
STUDENT-TO-LECTURER RATIO: 18 Students : 1 Lecturer
MODE OF DELIVERY: Blended learning, including classroom lectures, hands-on practical sessions, and self-directed online learning. Learners are not allowed to switch modes after programme commencement.
NOTE: A Pass in all Modules within the maximum study period is required for Graduation.
SOFTWARE TAUGHT: Blender | Photoshop | Substance Painter | Unity | Unreal Engine | Open Office | SQLite | PostgreSQL | UML Tools
HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS: Windows Laptop with a Minimum of: i7 (13th Gen) Processor or Ryzen 7, 16 GB RAM (32 GB recommended), NVIDIA RTX 3060 or above, 500 GB SSD (1 TB recommended)
MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION AND ASSESSMENT: Lectures & Practical (Hands-on Application)
CERTIFICATION: Degree Certificate awarded by Abertay University
12 MONTH PROGRAM MODULES
The modules shown here make up your top-up year at MAGES Institute, leading to an Abertay University degree. Together they sharpen your craft and critical thinking, culminating in a Professional Project that becomes the centrepiece of your graduate portfolio.Critical Studies
Find Out MoreCritical Studies
This module builds the ability to read, question, and situate creative work, your own and others’, within a wider critical and industry context.
You’ll examine published and professional work to understand its methods and intent, then apply that same rigour to your own creative direction.
Expect to work with real critical frameworks, not abstract theory, using them to sharpen how you argue for your ideas and defend your creative choices.
Through this module, students will
- Identify and analyze professional and published work in relation to research practice
- Apply critical frameworks to the discussion of academic arguments and creative practice
- Relate findings to the motivations behind their own creative work
- Develop specialist writing relevant to their domain of practice
By the end, you’ll be able to write and think about your craft with the clarity expected in a portfolio review, studio crit, or industry presentation.
Type: Core
Advanced 3D Practice
Find Out MoreAdvanced 3D Practice
This module takes you deep into the production of game-ready characters, environments, and high-fidelity props. You’ll move beyond building assets and into the decisions behind them, analysing style, narrative fit, aesthetics, and technical constraints at an industry level.
Through this module, students will:
- Research and develop original game art concepts with a defined visual style
- Build 3D assets using industry-recognised methods and best practices
- Apply surfacing and construction techniques that bring authenticity and consistent fidelity to their work
- Present and implement final assets in a game engine to a standard expected in production
By the end, you’ll have planned and executed a full production pipeline from concept through to engine-ready output, with a body of work that demonstrates range across environments, characters, and props.
Type: Elective, 3D Specialisation
Visual Development
Find Out MoreVisual Development
This module builds the full research-to-finished-art cycle central to every concept art department. You’ll ground your practice in industrial and commercial context, developing work that communicates clearly to clients, directors, and audiences.
Through this module, students will:
- Conduct advanced visual research into commercial art production and integrate those insights into their own work
- Develop original concepts with a defined visual style through iterative 2D digital methods
- Expand on the expectations and themes of a creative brief with depth and originality
- Present and communicate design decisions visually and verbally to an industry standard
By the end, you’ll have a commercially credible body of work that reflects how concept artists think, iterate, and deliver in the games and entertainment industries, alongside a clear understanding of pipeline processes from first sketch to final delivery.
Type: Elective, Concept Art Specialisation
Professional Project
Find Out MoreProfessional Project
The Professional Project places students in a multidisciplinary team to deliver a real interactive media project, each taking on a role matched to their specialisation, whether that’s concept art, 3D art, design, or development.
Through this module, students will:
- Communicate with clients and stakeholders throughout the production cycle
- Pitch, present, and defend their team’s creative and technical decisions
- Research and test technical pipelines suited to the project
- Produce project documentation, planning materials, and production schedules
- Design, develop, test, and deliver a functional interactive prototype as a team
The output is a vertical slice of gameplay or interactive experience, taken through the full lifecycle from ideation to delivery. Students will demonstrate competence in their chosen discipline while integrating their work with teammates across different specialisations.
16 YEARS OF INSPIRATION & AWARDS
Our school proudly marks 16 years of cultivating creative talents and receiving prestigious awards.
FINALIST | 2021
Game Of The Year- Finalists for DARKEST DELIVERANCE
FINALIST | 2020
Game Of The Year - KAISAKE'S REVENGE Game
FINALIST | 2019
Game Of The Year - KELINCI KANVAS Game
TOP 10 | 2019
Production Excellence- Mobile (World Ranking)
WINNER | 2018
Game Of The Year - HORDE Game
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
UPCOMING INTAKES
14 September 2026
Full-Time
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Minimum Age: 18 years old or above (based on date of birth) at point of start class.
English Proficiency:
Local Students:
- GCE ‘O’ Level English – Requires a minimum of C6 English grade
- Pass interview with the Academic Director and assessment by Academic Board (if student does not meet the above English requirement.
International Students:
- IELTS – 6.0 overall (with no element below 5.5)
- Minimum of 10 years senior high school education where the medium of instruction is English with
minimum score of 65% in English.
Minimum Age: 18 years old or above (based on date of birth) at point of start class.
Academic Qualification:
- Applicants must hold a relevant diploma or equivalent qualification (minimum 240 SCQF credit points or equivalent) from a recognised institution in a cognate discipline. Direct entry to Stage 3(Year 3) requires completion of Stage 2 equivalent content in computer science, software engineering, games programming or a closely related technical discipline.
PROGRAM FEES
International Students
SGD 26,596.00
(Incl of 9% GST)
Singapore Citizens & PRs
SGD 25,724.00
(Incl of 9% GST)
Grants and Scholarships are available.
Message us at enquiry@mages.edu.sg
Fees Breakdown
BA COMPUTER ARTS (TOP UP)
| Total Payable (SGD) (Singaporeans & PR) |
Total Payable (SGD) (International Students) |
|
|---|---|---|
| Administration Fee (Non-FPS) | 1,744.00 | 2,616.00 |
| Course Fees Payable | 23,980.00 | 23,980.00 |
| Total Fees Payable | 25,724.00 | 26,596.00 |
All Items above are Inclusive of 9% GST
Click Here for Miscellaneous Fees
Application Fees
- Local Students – SGD 545.00 (Inclusive of 9% GST)
- International Students – SGD 817.50 (Inclusive of 9% GST)
Payment Notes
- Non-Refundable Application Fee is not summed up in above table
- Course Fees Payable (Inclusive of 9% GST) is fully protected as required by EduTrust FPS
- MAGES Institute of Excellence has adopted the Insurance Scheme
- Students are advised to refer only to the official invoice or email communication from MAGES Institute for accurate account details and payment instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What degree will I receive?
A BA Computer Arts awarded by Abertay University, Scotland. This is the same degree awarded to on-campus students in Dundee.
Do I need to travel to the UK?
No. The entire program is delivered at MAGES Institute in Singapore.
How long is the program?
12 months full-time or 18 months part-time (subject to batch confirmation).
Do I need my own laptop?
Yes. Windows laptop with minimum i7 (13th Gen) or Ryzen 7, 16 GB RAM, NVIDIA RTX 3060 or above, 500 GB SSD.
Can international students apply?
Yes. International students are offered the full-time program. MAGES Institute will assist with student pass applications.
What are the English language requirements?
IELTS 6.0 overall with no element below 5.5, or equivalent. Applicants whose prior qualification was delivered and assessed entirely in English may be exempt.
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