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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

    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

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    3. Visa & travel advice

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    Our team of advisors is ready to support you at every step of your study abroad journey.
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    Game design study abroad programs

    Game design undergraduate programs

    Bachelor's in game design

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      3-D Animation and Game Design - BFA University of the Incarnate Word, USA

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      29,900 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 29,900 USD

      Start date
      January, August
      Show program overview about 3-D Animation and Game Design
    • false

      Game Design - BSc 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
      -
      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
      16,739 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 20,886 CAD

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

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

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      16,499 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 16,499 USD

      Start date
      August, January
      Show program overview about Art: Interaction & Game Design
    • false

      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

      Fee in university's local currency 16,647 USD

      Start date
      January, August
      Show program overview about Communication Design - Game Design & Interactive Media
    See all bachelor's degrees in game design

    Associate in game design

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      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

    Certificate in game design

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      Game Design Level II - 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 Game Design Level II
    • false

      Game Design - Cert Full Sail University, USA

      Program type
      Undergraduate certificate
      Duration
      7 months
      Annual tuition fee
      10,500 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 10,500 USD

      Start date
      January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
      Show program overview about 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
      17,381 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

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      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
    • false

      Game Design - MSc Full Sail University, USA
      • Online

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      35,000 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 35,000 USD

      Start date
      January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
      Show program overview about Game Design
    See all master's degrees in game design

    Diploma in game design

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      Game - Design - OCDip Fanshawe College, Canada

      Program type
      Postgraduate diploma
      Duration
      3 years
      Annual tuition fee
      13,171 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

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

      Program type
      Postgraduate certificate
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      13,485 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.