Aalto University Game Design And Production

Full-time studies

study places 22
location Kouvola, Finland
duration of studies 4 years
next application 5.-19.1.2022
tuition fee: for non-EU/EEA citizens 9700 euros,
- scholarship scheme and further information www.xamk.fi/tuition-fees

Part-time studies

study places 24
location Kouvola, Finland
duration of studies 4 years
next application not known
tuition fee: for non-EU/EEA citizens 9700 euros,
- scholarship scheme and further information www.xamk.fi/tuition-fees

The Game Design graduates have the passion for planning and developing the game industry

The graduates of the Game Design degree will master game production with an emphasis on planning and developing games and acquiring a clear understanding of the game industry.

The degree programme focuses on game art and design, design methods and professional tools. Studies in Game Design enable students from different cultural backgrounds to build an international career.

Studies aim to provide competence in the global game design industry with hands-on experience. The studies cover a wide range of different study subjects with an emphasis on 3D modeling, game art and game design.

The students develop their design skills and learn to use professional tools through working on their own game projects. During these projects different game design concepts and prototypes are explored with the aim of improving the students' aesthetic, production, design thinking, visual communication , and team working skills and competences .

G raduates of the Game Design Degree P rogramme are able to create games and interactive products to meet the needs of customers and end users. The graduates are aware of the potential of gamification and game development opportunities in the market, including the public and private as well as the entertainment sector.

game design | game art | 3D modelling | character design | level design | environment design | concept art | game mechanics | animation

Game Design Application FAQ

Answers to most commonly asked questions

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What is Game Design all about?

The structure of studies

The Degree Programme in Game Design consist s of six core competence modules, including practical training and thesis, as well as complementary competences, including optional studies. Your knowledge as a game designer increases and the content of studies follow s 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 as well as game production.
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.

Full-time and part-time studies

In full-time studies, start in September
Students work at the campus in Kouvola from Monday to Friday. This is for you if you value peer support and the network of you r classmates on a daily basis .

Part-time studies, start in January
This is an option for you if you need to incorporate your studies with work or if you are not able to live near the campus. Students come to Kouvola campus approximately every three weeks for two days (Thursday and Friday from 9am till 6pm). The rest of the studies is independent work in your own time.

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 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 in level design, script writing and game design research through developing your own game concept as a member of a team.
Environment design: you learn different aspects of environment design from mise-en-scene and concept art to 3D modeling through developing your own game environment.
Character design: you advance your skills in character design from character development to drawing and animation and 3D modeling through developing your own character.
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.

Teaching language is English and you have to write Thesis's work also in English.

Full-time studies

Take a closer look at the study contents in Study Guide

Part-time studies

Take a closer look at the study contents in Study Guide

Studyinfo.fi

Admission and entrance exams

Feedback from Xamk graduates tells that Xamk is valued by our students.

You have no choice, you're a gamer now

I think that the best thing about Game Design programme is the range. No matter what kind of games you want to make, the course has got you covered. Also, Xamk has Very nice and helpful people. And extremely patient teachers.
- Zuzanna Wolek

Work with talented people from all over the world

If a person asks me about should he/she apply studying Game Design in Xamk, I would say if they are really interested in a dynamic learning environment, where they can enhance their skills in order to expand their career in the game industry, then yes, they won't be disapointed.
- Dinh Tuan Anh

Meduusa Game Design Platform

Our Meduusa Studio presents students with up-to-date equipment which enable s the development of new projects for various platforms. I n addition to traditional class rooms facilities , we have a studio with a motion capture facility and rooms for independent project work.

Students can borrow drawing tablets, digital cameras, game consoles and VR equipment for testing purposes and for their own development projects. All the software and hardware needed is on campus which means that Game Design students do not need to bring their own computers to campus.

The studio is also a great location to run game jams, LAN parties and seminars. In addition to the studio space, there is a sauna at Meduusa Studio that students have utiliz ed during these events.

A lot of the study material is also available online which makes it possible for you to study in your own time as well.

Outside Meduusa Studio, we collaborate with the Degree Programme in Information Technology, located in Kotka , which focuses on game programming.

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 , support ing your own career plans.

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

You can become:

game designer
game artist
3D modeler of assets, characters and environments
level designer
user interface and/or user experience designer
entrepreneur in game design

Widen your perspective

Xamk offers its students the chance to continue their postgraduate degree education into a Master's Degree programme at the prestigious Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, United Kingdom.

Kouvolan kampuksen rakennuksia

Kouvola Campus

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