Games and Entertainment Technology
See study programmeThe study programme gives practical, job-related knowledge on developing digital products, services and games for different target audiences. It focuses mainly on developing digital content like online services, games and products related to training, events, entertainment, advertising and such.
The candidate will get a solid foundation in programming, traditional art, game design, ludology, and 3D game asset creation. All teaching is in English. The candidate will learn computer programming and use advanced computer software and tools to create exciting games and online interfaces (2D and 3D), mobile services, online sites and custom-made units for entertainment and information.
Students will learn fundamentals within art, sound, game design and programming in the first year. From semester 2 throughout 6 there are several project courses, and in the 3rd semester students can choose between a number of elective courses.
Goals
The main goal of this study programme is to teach how to create digital products—like apps, presentations, and games—that can be used on mobile devices, in training sessions, at events, or for entertainment. The candidate gains skills from many areas, including computer programming, game design, art, building user interfaces, teaching methods, simulations, and how to develop, publish, manage, and share these digital systems.
Content
The study programme offers courses that provide the knowledge and skills to develop services, presentations and games:
- game design and development
- game programming and animations (in 2D and 3D)
- mobile and wireless technologies, and databases
- project management, innovation and entrepreneurship
- ethics and professional practice
- project courses
Game design and development
During the first year the candidate will learn about design principles for game development and how to develop games for web or mobile deployment. These are the basis for further development of more advanced games created in courses in the 2nd and 3rd year. Classes also focus on skills like storytelling and drawing. The ethical and cultural aspects of making video games for a global audience are also addressed.
Game programming and animations (in 2D and 3D)
Some courses will give the candidate deeper understanding of programming and animation in a 2D and 3D setting. Additionally they will learn skills and gain knowledge in developing, managing and documenting games with the proper functionality and interface to give users a good experience.
Mobile technologies and databases
Developing modern video games also requires understanding of data storage and information management and how to utilize this when creating games and exchanging data across the internet. Knowledge and skills regarding databases, video game engines and communication networks’ functionality are also an important part of the programme.
Project management, innovation and entrepreneurship
The study programme focuses throughout all terms on projects and teamwork, with several production and project courses. In this programme, project management, innovation and entrepreneurship is an integral part of several courses..
Ethics and professional practice
Game development also requires knowledge in ethics in the field, as well as learning to know the industry, both historically and of today. Critical thinking and reflections are important parts of several courses.
Project courses
Two production courses are courses in collaboration with the Bachelor's programmes in CG Art and Animation and Bachelor in Film & TV Production, where students can work in interdisciplinary projects, developing artefacts, focusing on storytelling and virtual production. The students will have specified roles in the team. Later in the study programme, the students can develop their own work in a specialized subject area or engage in an interdisciplinary project. In the bachelor project the students can work alone or in teams to develop research-driven solutions to real-world problems.
The candidate’s learning outcomes
A candidate who has completed the education has the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:
Knowledge:
The candidate
- has thorough knowledge of the field of game design
- has advanced knowledge of programming languages relevant for game development
- has advanced knowledge of developing and implementing simple animations to be used within digital games
- has advanced knowledge of 3D modeling, rigging and rendering
- has advanced knowledge of themes in innovation and entrepreneurship, relevant to the field of game development
- has advanced knowledge of sound production and the importance of the sound experience in digital games
- has advanced knowledge of the history, ethics, moral, laws and regulations relevant to the field of game development
Skills:
The candidate
- has advanced knowledge of project planning, project management and documentation
- has advanced skills in process management for development projects, looking to develop digital products
- has advanced skills in programming and programming languages that are relevant for game development
- has advanced skills in developing and implementing simple animations to be used in digital games
- has advanced skills in 3D modeling, rigging and rendering
- has advanced skills in sound production for creative digital products
- has basic art skills required for communicating and sketching creative ideas and concepts
General competence:
The candidate
- has thorough knowledge in the field of ethics, culture and society
- has thorough knowledge of gaming addiction and how to handle this, seen from a game developer perspective
- has thorough knowledge of collaborative learning and the importance of good communication and good communication routines to keep a flow in game development projects
Admission requirements:
Higher Education Entrance Qualification (generell studiekompetanse), the requirements are specified in the GSU-list.
How applicants are ranked: If there are more applicants than available places, qualified candidates will be ranked based on their grade points and additional points from secondary school / high school education.
Documentation: To have your application processed, you must upload documentation that clearly demonstrates you meet the admission requirements. Applications without sufficient documentation will not be considered. For more information about the application process and admission requirements.
Tips for international applicants:
If you are not a Norwegian citizen or do not have a residence permit in Norway, you must apply through Søknadsweb. Applicants applying through Samordna opptak are required to document Norwegian language skills.
Costs for semester registration and course literature apply.
The candidate is required to use their own laptop computer capable of running the software being used in the study programme. The candidate must bring the computer every day for classes or study work. Minimum requirements for this computer can be found at the university website.
Additionally the candidate must provide data storage of their own that covers their need for storing files in all subjects.
From the academic year 2023/2024, non-EU/EEA/EFTA applicants are required to pay tuition fees at Nord university, for each academic year.
Tuition fees will be charged to international students with citizenship from outside the EU/EEA/EFTA, as of the academic year 2023/2024.
Students who have started their study programme before the autumn semester 2023 are not required to pay tuition fees.
Please note that some applicants can apply for an exemption from paying tuition fees.
Nord university does not offer scholarships or grants.