Entry requirements

Academic requirements

A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, from an internationally recognised university. Also required is 30 credits in game design or game development.

Language requirements

Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6. This requirement can be met either by achieving the required score on an internationally recognised test, or by previous upper secondary or university studies in some countries.

Aims

The program aims to provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to explore a subject area or scientific question in an experimental, creative, and practically applicable way, through game development and design. Additionally, the education is intended to promote new ways of understanding, communicating, collaborating, and exploring complex systems, by leveraging the unique characteristics of games and relevant technologies.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

Upon completion of the program, students shall be able to:

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the main field of game design, including advanced knowledge in the area such as advanced theories of games and their medium-specific characteristics
• show in-depth knowledge of current game design research, particularly in game development, creativity, innovation, and play
• demonstrate advanced methodological knowledge within the main field of game design.

Skills and Abilities

Upon completion of the program, students shall be able to:

• demonstrate the ability to integrate and apply knowledge by independently formulating questions and creating design frameworks suitable for the subject and for experimental game projects
• demonstrate the ability to plan and implement a coherent design throughout the game development process, ensuring that message, form, and technology interact to create a compelling experience for a specific target audience
• demonstrate the skills required to work within experimental, creative practices combined with interdisciplinary teamwork and collaboration
• demonstrate the ability to analyze, assess, and synthesize complex phenomena, questions, and situations even with limited information, and translate the relevant information into a creative and interactive form
• demonstrate the ability to clearly present decisions or discuss information, problems, and solutions orally and in writing within given timeframes, in dialogue with various groups.

Values and Attitudes

Upon completion of the program, students shall be able to:

• demonstrate the ability to playtest and evaluate methods for assessing different types of game design in relation to experience and communication goals, taking social and ethical aspects into account
• demonstrate awareness of ethical considerations in research and game development work
• demonstrate awareness of the possibilities and limitations of game research, as well as its role in society
• demonstrate the ability to identify their need for further knowledge and take responsibility for their own learning and knowledge development.

Layout of the programme

The programme includes 1 year fulltime studies, in total 60 credits, including a degree project, 15 credits.

The first semester consists of two mandatory courses: Introduction to Experimental Game Design (15 c) and Methods for Advanced and Reflective Practice (15 c).

The second semester consists of two mandatory courses: Game Development and Communication (15 c) and Degree Project in Experimental Game Design (15 c).

Degree

The program leads to a Master of Arts degree with a major in Game Design (60 cr).