Game Design

Structure of studies

The Degree Programme in Game Design consists of six core competence modules, including practical training and a thesis, as well as complementary competences, including optional studies. Your knowledge as a game designer increases and the content of studies follows certain themes:

In the first year, you become familiar with the principles of game design, tools and software as well as project-based work.

In the second year, you further develop skills in pre-production, character and environment design, game development as well as game production. You will be developing your first proper game as part of a team.

In the third year, you adopt knowledge and enhance your game design skills, and form an understanding of game business and development practices through a development project.

In the fourth year, you develop personal competitiveness through practical training and thesis.

The core competence of the degree programme covers 105 ECTS credits through the following modules:

• Working life skills: you develop your skills in studying, communication and languages as well as in acquiring employment.
• Foundation studies: you become familiar with the basic techniques of drawing and painting, storytelling and develop your skills in game design.
• Tools and software: you learn the basic tools and software required in game design.
• Games in context: you advance your knowledge of game business models and the cultural context of games. You develop and fine-tune your digital portfolio.
• Thesis: you further your knowledge and knowhow of a specific area of game design or game art through an independent research and development project. 

The complementary competence of the degree programme covers 90 ECTS credits through the following modules:

• Pre-production skills: you develop your skills through developing your own game concept as a member of a team.
• Environment design: you learn different aspects of environment design from concept art and level design to 3D modeling through developing your own game environment.
• Character design: you advance your skills in character design and 3D modeling skills through developing your own character and assets.
• Game production: you advance your skills of development platforms, user interface design and project management through your own development project.
• Game development: you gain a better understanding of scripting for game engines, 3D modeling and 3D animation that you can utilize in your own game project.
• Advanced game project: you develop your own game in a team from start to finish. You will deepen your practical skills and theoretical knowledge of game mechanics and the key areas of your professional interests.

Practical training 30 ECTS credits

The objective is to promote professional growth by increasing the students’ awareness of the field-specific work tasks and by supporting the students to work as members of a work community.

Optional studies 15 ECTS credits

Optional studies provide the opportunity to develop your own entrepreneurship, specific areas of game design or deepen your understanding of other fields: you can study courses from other degree programmes to meet your own objectives or focus.

Career opportunities

Studies in Game Design enable students from different cultural backgrounds to build an international career. The degree gives you competence through research and development assignments to become an expert in specific areas of game design, supporting your own career plans.

During your studies, you devise your own game projects with the aim of building your own design portfolio that helps you with your employment in the future.

As a Bachelor of Culture and Arts in Game Design you can become: 

• game designer
• game artist
• 3D modeler
• level designer
• user interface and/or user experience designer
• entrepreneur in game design