Becoming a game designer couldn’t be easier, with our range of courses equipping you with the varied skills and knowledge you need to succeed in creating games. You will leave our specialist university college with the portfolio needed for entry into an exciting new and ever evolving industry.
University College 3 years Online Studies
Oslo Kristiansand
Combining cutting edge technology with creativity
The games industry is growing at an accelerated rate, with many new avenues of technological advancement that change how we interact with digital content and each other. Games technology has spread to various industries, including Film and TV, Health, and Military industries, as well as general gamification found in many products and services around us.
It’s time to be part of this growing and exciting field, combining cutting edge technology with creativity.
We acquire knowledge that is highly relevant for the working life. Markus Hristov, student
The program in interactive media is very industry-relevant. Ásgeir Örn Kristjánsson, student
Bachelor in Interactive Media - Games features a broad overview of future professional opportunities. You will be able to design user-friendly interfaces and interactions of digital games, create 3D assets and code for games and movies along with working with character design and game world environments.
How to develop a concept from initial design to finished product through narrative design is a focus of the programme. By combining traditional design skills and creative processes with cutting-edge technologies, we focus on your creative ability and aesthetic presentation.
The aim of the study is to prepare you for entry into the games industry, producing a strong portfolio for work applications and to encourage entrepreneurship, and for applications to further studies.
Programme Structure
During the first year of study, you will explore the theoretical foundation of visual culture, learn important characteristics of gameplay, interaction mechanics, communication skills, in addition to preliminary software skills.
The second year focuses on your skill development and in-depth with the methods and procedures used to create environment assets and explore coding and physics interactions for games.
The third year is centred around the final year project of your own design making an interactive experience, from game design to final product under the supervision and guidance of experienced staff.
Year 1: 60 ECTS
- Problem Based Learning and Research Methodologies (5 ECTS)
- Form and Context (10 ECTS)
- Game Assets 1 (10 ECTS)
- Narrative (10 ECTS)
- Game Play (10 ECTS)
- Level Design (5 ECTS)
- Studio 1 (10 ECTS)
Year 2: 60 ECTS
- Editing (5 ECTS)
- Game Assets 2 (10 ECTS)
- Conceptualisation (10 ECTS)
- Technical Direction (5 ECTS)
- Ludic Studies (10 ECTS)
- Game Assets 3 (10 ECTS)
- Studio 2 (10 ECTS)
Year 3: 60 ECTS
- Design for Interactivity (10 ECTS)
- Procedural Animation (10 ECTS)
- Industry Studies (5 ECTS)
- Bachelor Project (35 ECTS)
Knowledge:
- Knowledge of important topics, theories, issues, processes, tools and methods within the fields of Interactive Media and Games
- Demonstrate familiarity with current research and development work in the general Interactive Media field and in Games in particular
- Knowledge of the key principles, theories, tools and techniques in the area of Interactive Media (Games), ability to evaluate these tools and techniques, and to apply them in a variety of situations
- Demonstrate ability to update his/her knowledge in the area of Interactive Media (Games), both through academic study and professional development
- Knowledge of the history, traditions, and distinctive character of Interactive Media (Games) and its place in, and potential impact on society
- Understand social, psychological and ethical issues relating to Interactive Media (Games) and presenting the results to stakeholders
- Knowledge of applying Interactive Media principles, tools and techniques within complex scientific and industrial fields
Skills:
- Demonstrate the ability to apply academic knowledge and relevant results of research and development work to practical and theoretical Interactive Media (Games), and make well-founded, informed and justified decisions and choices
- Demonstrate ability to reflect upon own academic practice and professional development, identify areas for improvement, and to adapt to future tools, techniques and technology
- Demonstrate ability to find, evaluate and refer to information and scholarly subject matter and present it in a manner that sheds light on the problem
- Demonstrate ability to appropriately and effectively create and develop Interactive Media and Games projects in an appropriate multimedia format for each particular challenge
- Demonstrate ability to select and use the primary tools and techniques to create and develop appropriate and professional work in the field of expertise
- To critically select and apply a range of analytical and methodological problem solving techniques, based on research, and to be able to interpret the solutions and present results appropriately
- The ability to identify appropriate stakeholders and communicate, network and collaborate with these stakeholders at an appropriate level
General Competence:
- Identify and appropriately act on complex ethical issues arising within academic and professional practice within the specialist field of Interactive Media (Games)
- Plan, execute and manage a variety of assignments and projects over time, alone or as part of a group, to successful conclusion and in accordance with ethical requirements and principles
- Communicate effectively using appropriate forms of communication electronically, orally and written, being able to present problems, solutions, theories and academic arguments in a professional manner
- Communicate and exchange opinions, ideas and other subject matters such as theories, problems and solutions, with others with background and/or experience in Interactive Media (Games), through the selection and application of appropriate methods of communication, thereby contributing to the development of good practice within the community of practice
- Demonstrate the ability for self-reflection as part of a lifelong learning strategy
- Familiarity with current and new thinking and trends within the field of Interactive Media (Games), and innovations in the field
As an online student you are required to purchase the required equipment and software. As a Campus student the required equipment and software is available for use.
Required Equipment:
- A reliable internet connection.
- Headphones or headset – with a microphone.
- PC/Laptop with the following specifications:
- Microsoft® Windows® 10 or 11.
- CPU: 64-bit Intel® or AMD® multi-core processor with SSE4.2 instruction set.
- GPU: Geforce RTX / GTX, or Radeon Pro W (Minimum Nvidia Geforce GTX 970 or Radeon FirePro).
- RAM: 32 GB RAM (Minimum 16 GB).
- Storage: 500 GB (SSD/NVMe is highly recommended)
Recommended Equipment:
- A Wacom Drawing Tablet
- 2 monitors, or 1 ultrawide screen
- 1 additional storage drive (Minimum 1 TB is recommended)
- Webcam
Required Software:
As a student you will be provided student licences, until then you should explore the software.
Some software and tutorials may require access to a Windows operating system (either as a host or as a virtual machine) to function optimally.
Career Opportunities
The competence you will achieve as a graduate provides multiple opportunities for a career within a wide range of industries. Games is not only for the entertainment and commercial industry, the skills are widely used in the health sector, for e-learning, in engineering, visualisation and simulation in oil, gas and maritime industries, countless mobile applications, combined with military technologies and many, many more.
As a graduate you can apply for work as:
- Game Developer
- Game Producer
- Environment Artist
- Level Editor
- Level Designer
- UI Artist
- Interactive Media Designer
Further Studies
Students who wish for further training can apply for related studies at the master level by Norwegian or international universities.
Do you have questions about the program or your education choice in general? Register and get free study guidance.
Watch recording of livestream
We recommend watching the latest livestream on Interactice Media - Games and Animation, hosted by Joshua Griffin 10 March 2023.
