Decisions and guidelines

The programme syllabus was established by the Art Faculty Board on 14 June 2018 and enters into force on 1 July 2019

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, from an internationally recognised university. The main field of study must be specialising in games or gaming (e.g. game design, game development, game programming, computer and systems science, information technology).

Language requirements

All applicants need to verify English language proficiency that corresponds to English studies at upper secondary (high school) level in Sweden ("English 6"). This can be done in a number of ways, including through an internationally recognised test such as TOEFL or IELTS, or through previous upper secondary (high school) or university studies.

The minimum test scores are:

• IELTS: an overall mark of 6.5 and no section below 5.5
• TOEFL: Paper-based: Score of 4.5 (scale 1–6) in written test and a total score of 575. Internet-based: Score of 20 (scale 0–30) in written test and a total score of 90
• Cambridge: CAE, CPE

Aims

The aim of the Master Programme in Game Design is that the student will acquire both a systematic understanding of game design as a discipline and the knowledge and skills to be able to independently formulate and solve scientific problems and critically examine the work of others in game design as well as the knowledge required for advanced work in the game industry and related activities.

Learning outcomes

After completing the programme students are expected to be able to

• independently analyse, evaluate and give an account of problems of central importance for game design research on the basis of a scientific and critical approach;
• demonstrate in-depth knowledge of game design through scientific reflection on their own design process and that of others;
• give an account of and use theories and methods in game design research that are relevant to a scientific issue and for in-depth design competence;
• independently plan, lead and carry out an advanced research task in the form of a degree project within set time limits and in a way that contributes to the development of knowledge in the area;
• independently communicate their results both orally and in writing in research and production environments, and, in doing so, give a clear account both of their conclusions and of the knowledge and arguments on which they are based; and
• make assessments, taking relevant scientific, social and etical aspects in gamedesign into account.

Layout of the programme

The programme comprises two years of full-time study (120 credits). Terms one, two and four contain compulsory second-cycle courses in game design.

The programme begins with an introduction to games research, that also includes theory and method as well as scientific writing as preparation for the degree project in term four. The first term also contains courses in game analysis with an in-depth review of different possibilities of analysing games.

The second term contains courses in the areas of game testing; games and society; and Pervasive Games and game research prototypes. In term three the students are able to choose courses – at first or second-cycle level – within or outside the Department. It is also possible to participate in international student exchange within the framework of the University’s or the Department's exchange agreements. During this term the Department offers courses in experimental game design and in various forms of storytelling. The whole of the fourth term is devoted to a degree project.

Instruction

The whole of the master programme is given in English. The types of instruction and examination formats vary from course to course depending on the content and organisation of the course. The instruction normally consists of lectures, seminars and workshops with oral and written assignments to be done individually or in groups. Students demonstrate their knowledge and skills though various examination formats: oral presentations at seminars, written reports and more traditional written examinations.

Students are expected to take increasing responsibility for their learning as the programme progresses. The degree project should reflect the student’s ability to think critically and to formulate and solve a problem independently and in a creative way on the basis of the knowledge and skills provided by the courses in the programme.

Degree

Master of Arts (120 cr) in Game Design.