Leeds College of Art joins TIGA

The Leeds College of Art has joined the UK video game industry trade association TIGA.

The college offers two courses aimed specifically at students looking to work in the games industry: A Foundation Degree in Digital Film, Games & Animation (two years, full time) and a BA (Hons) Top-Up Degree in Digital Film, Games and Animation (one year, full time).

“Our Digital Film, Games and Animation courses equip students with the broad range of skills needed to work in the computer games sector,” said Course leader Michael Smith.

“As well as developing strong technical skills, students learn how to address related issues and problems in an independent way, across a diverse range of platforms.”

Smith went on to describe the College’s reasons for joining TIGA, describing it’s desire to develop relationships between the games industry and it’s students.

“We are particularly enthusiastic about cross platform story telling in all its guises be it through Games, Film, Animation or indeed interactive storytelling on the web,” he said.

“We would like to see TIGA continue to forge links between education and the industry. We are an institution striving to help graduates develop skills that are cross transferable and have longevity, and not just provide students with skills that are required today.”

Smith also spoke about his hopes of getting more women involved with the industry.

“As a result of our new course title, direction and ethos our application and acceptance rates from young women has increased substantially from previous years,” he added.

TIGA CEO Richard Wilson said: “TIGA is committed to improving communication between educators and industry. In our view this is key to the long-term success of the British games industry. We hope to work closely with the Leeds College of Art to promote collaboration between the college and our member base.”