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.

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. Detailed instructions on how to provide evidence of your English proficiency are available at universityadmissions.se.

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 in preparation for the degree project in term four. The first term also approaches games from a critical, analytic, social, and practice-based perspective.

The second term builds on this foundation, providing opportunities for students to challenge assumptions about what games are and to push the boundaries of what games can be. By exploring a variety of topics and themes to inform games, new formats, platforms and modes of play, students further reflect on their responsibilities as creators in a bigger, socio-cultural context, and apply theoretical ideas and frameworks to practice. This is done by way of harnessing design research approaches and applying rigorous methods of testing and iteration to game design as practice.

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, Deep Games 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.