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Study game design abroad

Find programs that match your eligibility and aspirations then apply with reduced application fees, a free assessment and access to a dedicated advisor.

Find your perfect game design programs abroad

Find game design programs you love that match your needs & aspirations, where you stand a high chance of acceptance.

Find other programs in game design

Game Design degrees abroad

If you’re hoping to make a career out of your passion for video games, then game design could be the right program for you. You’ll learn how to design the next best selling game and market it to consumers across the world.

Once just a fun hobby, video games have now transformed into a multi-billion pound industry. You’ll study every stage of the game design process, including original concepts, prototype development, testing, and evaluation. As well as honing your technical skills in coding and programming, you’ll consider the theories behind successful games.

Studying abroad is the best way to truly understand the global scale and influence of the games industry. You’ll learn about the interests and behaviors of different cultural markets, and see how consumer trends vary around the world.

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  1. Find your ideal program

    Filter 10,000s of programs down to a shortlist perfect for you, where you have a strong chance of getting admitted

  2. Apply online via Studee

    Complete our application form and enjoy reduced application fees and access to unique Studee scholarships for many universities

  3. We assess within 48hrs

    We complete an 85-point assessment within 2 business days, help you with improvements then submit to your university

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    We chase the university for your admission decision and keep you updated. We all celebrate your admission!

Carbon compensation - We'll plant trees in your name to compensate for the carbon generated by all your flights to and from university.

All our services are 100% free as we're funded by universities. You pay deposits and tuition fees directly to the university.

* Price based on similar application assessment services from other providers

Game Design program structure

Bachelor’s degrees in games design require at least three years of full-time study. However, they can take longer depending on where you study and whether you complete a placement.

It’s possible to study games design as a BA or a BSc. BA courses concentrate more on the scripting and storytelling of games, while BSc programs focus on technical aspects like programming and testing. It’s important to choose the degree classification that suits your interests and ambitions.

If you’re keen to continue your education, you can enroll in a postgraduate program. Master’s degrees take between one and two years to finish, while PhDs usually last between four and six years.

You’ll learn through a mixture of lectures, creative workshops, technical labs, seminars, and tutorials.

The exact content of your timetable will depend on your university and the modules you select, but here are some of the fundamental topics you’ll likely cover:

  • Character animation techniques
  • Scripting for games
  • Theory of games design
  • Concept and design
  • Prototype development
  • Games engine creation
  • Algorithms and data structures
  • 3D modeling

Game Design study abroad programs

Game design undergraduate programs

Bachelor's in game design

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    Art: Interaction & Game Design - BFA California State University, East Bay, USA

    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Duration
    4 years
    Annual tuition fee
    16,509 USD

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    January
    Show program overview about Art: Interaction & Game Design
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    Game Design (Melbourne Campus) - BGD AIT Academy of Interactive Technology, Australia

    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Duration
    3 years
    Annual tuition fee
    17,250 AUD

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    February, May, September
    Show program overview about Bachelor of Game Design (Melbourne Campus)
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    Game Design - BFA New York Film Academy, USA

    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Duration
    3 years
    Annual tuition fee
    29,408 USD

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    August, January, May
    Show program overview about BFA Game Design
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    Communication Design: Game Design & Interactive Media - BSc California State University, Monterey Bay, USA

    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Duration
    4 years
    Annual tuition fee
    16,647 USD

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    August, January
    Show program overview about Communication Design - Game Design & Interactive Media
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    Digital Media: Game Design Track - BA University of Central Florida, USA

    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Duration
    4 years
    Annual tuition fee
    22,468 USD

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    January, May
    Show program overview about Digital Media (BA) – Game Design Track

Associate in game design

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    Game Design - AFA New York Film Academy, USA

    Program type
    Associate
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    37,226 USD

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    August, January, May
    Show program overview about AFA Game Design
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    Animation and Game Design - AA Berkeley City College, USA

    Program type
    Associate
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    10,740 USD

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    August, January
    Show program overview about Animation and Game Design
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    Game Design (Diablo Valley College) - AA Colleges of Contra Costa, USA

    Program type
    Associate
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    9,840 USD

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    August, January
    Show program overview about Game Design (Diablo Valley College)

Diploma in game design

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    Game Design (Melbourne Campus) - Dip AIT Academy of Interactive Technology, Australia

    Program type
    Undergraduate diploma
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    17,250 AUD

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    February, May, September
    Show program overview about Diploma of Game Design (Melbourne Campus)
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    Game Design and Development - OCADip Canadore College of Applied Arts and Technology, Canada

    Program type
    Undergraduate diploma
    Duration
    3 years
    Annual tuition fee
    17,908 CAD

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    September
    Show program overview about Game Design and Development

Certificate in game design

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    Introduction to Animation and Game Design - Cert Berkeley City College, USA

    Program type
    Undergraduate certificate
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    10,740 USD

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    August, January
    Show program overview about Introduction to Animation and Game Design

Game design graduate programs

Master's in game design

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    3D Games Art - MA Teesside University, UK

    Program type
    Master's
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    15,000 GBP

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    September, January
    Show program overview about 3D Games Art
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    Game Design - MA American University, USA

    Program type
    Master's
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    34,596 USD

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    January, September
    Show program overview about Game Design
  • false

    Game Design - MFA DePaul University, USA

    Program type
    Master's
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    23,868 USD

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    September
    Show program overview about Game Design
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    Game Design - MPhil Abertay University, UK

    Program type
    Master's
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    14,750 GBP

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    October, February, June
    Show program overview about Game Design
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    Game Design - MA Falmouth University, UK

    Program type
    Master's
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    17,950 GBP

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    September
    Show program overview about Game Design MA

Doctorate in game design

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    Game Design - PhD Abertay University, UK

    Program type
    Doctorate
    Duration
    3 years
    Annual tuition fee
    14,750 GBP

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    October, February, June
    Show program overview about Game Design

Certificate in game design

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    Digital Design: Game Design - OCGCert George Brown College, Canada

    Program type
    Postgraduate certificate
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    32,078 CAD

    Fees are displayed in the university's local currency

    Start date
    September
    Show program overview about Digital Design – Game Design (Postgraduate) (G405)

Future game design careers

A degree in game design will propel you into one of the globe’s hottest industries. You’ll have the technical expertise and creative flair needed to launch an exciting and lucrative career.

You could apply your skills across several sectors and roles, but here are some of the positions you’d be most suited to:

  • Games developer
  • Games programmer
  • Games tester
  • Animator
  • Software developer
  • Web designer
  • Data scientist
  • Systems analyst

If you don’t know what to do after graduation, arrange an appointment with your university’s careers office. They can help you figure out your interests, find work experience, and perfect your resume.