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      Study game design abroad

      An in-depth guide to studying game design as an international student.

      Find game design programs

      Explore game design programs abroad

      See 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.

      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

      Alternative software development degrees

      Best countries to study game design

      Best universities to study game design

      See all universities offering game design programs

      How to study game design abroad

      1. University & program search

        Find the right program for you and your career aspirations

      2. Application guidance

        We'll get you to the right place to start your application

      3. Visa & travel advice

        Get help after application, all the way to your first day at university

      Our team of advisors is ready to support you at every step of your study abroad journey.
      Our services are 100% free for students like you because we're funded by universities.

      Start your search Get free advice

      Game design study abroad programs

      Game design undergraduate programs

      Bachelor's in game design

      • false

        Animation - Storyboarding and Character Design - BFA DePaul University, USA

        Program type
        Bachelor's
        Duration
        4 years
        Annual tuition fee
        40,551 USD

        Fee in university's local currency 40,551 USD

        Start date
        January, March, September
        Show program overview about Animation - Storyboarding and Character Design
      • false

        Game Design - BA (Hons) (with foundation) Technological University Dublin, Ireland

        Program type
        Bachelor's
        Duration
        5 years
        Annual tuition fee
        13,838 USD

        Fee in university's local currency 11,500 EUR

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

        Applied Arts: Game Design - BA (Hons) Sheridan College, Canada

        Program type
        Bachelor's
        Duration
        4 years
        Annual tuition fee
        16,492 USD

        Fee in university's local currency 20,886 CAD

        Start date
        September
        Show program overview about Applied Arts: Game Design
      • false

        Game Design and Production - BA (Hons) Abertay University, UK

        Program type
        Bachelor's
        Duration
        4 years
        Annual tuition fee
        21,556 USD

        Fee in university's local currency 15,500 GBP

        Start date
        September
        Show program overview about Game Design and Production
      • false

        Game Development: Game Design - BA Trinity Western University, Canada

        Program type
        Bachelor's
        Duration
        4 years
        Annual tuition fee
        17,577 USD

        Fee in university's local currency 22,260 CAD

        Start date
        September, January
        Show program overview about Game Development: Game Design
      See all bachelor's degrees in game design

      Associate in game design

      • false

        Animation and Game Design - AA Berkeley City College, USA

        Program type
        Associate
        Duration
        2 years
        Annual tuition fee
        7,950 USD

        Fee in university's local currency 7,950 USD

        Start date
        August, January, June
        Show program overview about Animation and Game Design
      See all associate degrees in game design

      Diploma in game design

      • false

        Digital Media and IT: Game Design - UGDip Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Canada

        Program type
        Undergraduate diploma
        Duration
        2 years
        Annual tuition fee
        15,322 USD

        Fee in university's local currency 19,404 CAD

        Start date
        September
        Show program overview about Digital Media and IT: Game Design
      See all undergraduate diplomas in game design

      Certificate in game design

      • false

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

        Program type
        Undergraduate certificate
        Duration
        1 year
        Annual tuition fee
        7,950 USD

        Fee in university's local currency 7,950 USD

        Start date
        August, January, June
        Show program overview about Introduction to Animation and Game Design
      See all undergraduate certificates in game design

      Pathway in game design

      • false

        Game Design - FdA Buckinghamshire New University, UK

        Program type
        Undergraduate pathway
        Duration
        2 years
        Annual tuition fee
        17,384 USD

        Fee in university's local currency 12,500 GBP

        Start date
        September
        Show program overview about Game Design
      See all undergraduate pathways in game design

      Game design graduate programs

      Master's in game design

      • false

        Game Design - MFA DePaul University, USA

        Program type
        Master's
        Duration
        2 years
        Annual tuition fee
        27,680 USD

        Fee in university's local currency 27,680 USD

        Start date
        January, March, September
        Show program overview about Game Design
      See all master's degrees in game design

      Diploma in game design

      • false

        Game - Design - OCDip Fanshawe College, Canada

        Program type
        Postgraduate diploma
        Duration
        3 years
        Annual tuition fee
        12,977 USD

        Fee in university's local currency 16,434 CAD

        Start date
        September
        Show program overview about Game - Design
      See all postgraduate diplomas in game design

      Certificate in game design

      • false

        3D Animation and Character Design - OCGCert Fanshawe College, Canada

        Program type
        Postgraduate certificate
        Duration
        1 year
        Annual tuition fee
        13,286 USD

        Fee in university's local currency 16,826 CAD

        Start date
        September
        Show program overview about 3D Animation and Character Design
      See all postgraduate certificates in game design

      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.