Abu Dhabi University

What you'll study

The programme combines creative, artistic and technical subjects to give a comprehensive grounding in contemporary game development. Teaching is studio-led and project-based, with students progressing from foundational skills to team-based productions and a final capstone game.

• Core design and theory: Game Design Principles, Level Design, Interactive Narrative, Playtesting and Player Research.
• Art and animation: 2D Art for Games, 3D Modelling and Texturing, Character Rigging, Concept Art, and Game Animation.
• Technical and production skills: Introduction to Game Programming (commonly using engines such as Unity and Unreal), Scripting for Gameplay (C# or similar), Tools and Pipeline, and Production Management for Games.
• Specialist topics: User Experience (UX) and Interface Design for Games, Sound Design and Implementation, Procedural Content, Artificial Intelligence for Games, and Virtual/Augmented Reality development.
• Professional practice: Industry-focused modules such as Game Business and Monetisation, Portfolio Development, and an Internship or Industry Placement option.
• Capstone: A final-year team project where students plan, produce and publicly present a complete playable title, demonstrating skills across design, art, programming and production.

Structure

The degree is delivered over multiple levels with studio projects, seminars and lab work. Students typically begin with foundation modules in art and computing, move to intermediate integrated projects, and complete a major collaborative capstone. Assessment combines practical projects, portfolios, presentations and reflective documentation.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a recognised secondary school leaving certificate. Typical offers consider school grades, portfolio quality and evidence of suitable skills or interest.

• Academic qualification: High school diploma, international qualifications such as A‑levels or IB, or an equivalent secondary qualification recognised by the university.
• Portfolio: A short portfolio demonstrating creative work is usually required — examples of drawings, digital art, level design concepts, small prototypes or relevant coursework are appropriate.
• English language: Proficiency in English is required; applicants must meet the university's English language standards through prior study in English or an approved test equivalent.
• Alternative routes: Applicants without a directly comparable qualification may be considered for a foundation year, bridging courses, or mature‑entry pathways with relevant experience.

Specific entry thresholds and documentation requirements are set by Abu Dhabi University and should be checked with the admissions office.

Career prospects

Graduates leave with a portfolio of projects and practical experience suited to a range of roles across games and interactive media. Career destinations include:

• Game Designer or Level Designer
• Gameplay Programmer or Technical Designer
• 3D Artist, Character Artist or Animator
• UI/UX Designer for interactive applications
• Sound Designer and Audio Implementer
• Technical Artist or Tools Developer
• Quality Assurance Tester and Production Coordinator
• VR/AR Developer and Simulation Specialist
• Indie developer or entrepreneur launching independent titles

Graduates also pursue related opportunities in film and animation studios, educational technology, simulation and training, and may continue to postgraduate study in game development, computer science or digital arts.

Why study at Abu Dhabi University

Abu Dhabi University offers a campus environment with dedicated labs and studios equipped for contemporary game development workflows and industry-standard software and engines. The university emphasises hands-on, team-based projects and supports students in building industry-ready portfolios through coursework, internships and showcase events.

Located in the UAE, the programme benefits from proximity to a growing regional games, media and technology sector and opportunities for collaboration with local creative businesses and technology partners. Students also gain access to career services, industry guest lectures and cross-disciplinary electives across computing, media and design that broaden employability and creative practice.