Bachelor of Games and Interactive Entertainment

Overview

• Be a part of Queensland’s leading video game industry, responsible for titles such as Hellboy, Fruit Ninja, the children's game Viva Pinata Party Animals and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed. 
• Gain experience throughout the whole process of game and interactive media development.
• Specialise in animation, digital media, game design or software technologies.
• Combine your major study with a minor in animation, digital media, entrepreneurship, game design, mobile and network technologies, physics for games, software technologies or sound design.
• Complete a major group project in your third year, producing a significant piece of digital work using PC, mobile devices, consoles or virtual reality.

Details

Choose your career path in this multibillion dollar industry. This degree allows the development of creative skills ranging from the technical to the artistic. You will gain experience in the whole process of game and interactive media development, from identification and evaluation of ideas, creation of design concepts, critique of existing and potential products, analysis of cultural impact and industry trends, through to the development and delivery of a final product.

You will learn about the games and interactive entertainment industries through interacting with industry members, reviewing the development process of games and related products, participating in class discussions and studying industry literature. You will discover visualisation, interaction and communication techniques as applied to games and interactive media. A strong foundation in both entertainment technology and creative skills is complemented with options in games programming, including graphics programming and game artificial intelligence. You will be introduced to generic programming concepts and problem-solving strategies, team work, and the ethical and social responsibilities of an interactive media professional.

Why choose this course?

This course is a collaboration between the faculties of Science and Engineering, and Creative Industries, allowing you to be taught design and technology skills from the experts in their field.

Massive cultural changes are occurring due to the advent of consumer 3D technology. This has changed the expectations and abilities of people, creating more jobs for the industry.

Queensland is leading the video game industry with figures showing the state earns more than any other from interactive entertainment. The state’s game developers generate approximately $55 million per year; a 40% slice of Australia’s video games earnings, according to an Australian Bureau of Statistics report. Queensland game companies also employ almost half of the video game industry’s workforce, with Brisbane becoming a hub of games talent, producing games for a worldwide audience.

Popular games titles produced in Queensland include Hellboy, Fruit Ninja, the children’s game Viva Pinata Party Animals and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed.

Career outcomes

Depending on your specialisation, graduates may find employment as a games/digital media programmer, game designer, simulation developer or designer, animator, film and television special effects developer, games/digital media reviewer, video game tester, sound designer, mobile entertainment and communications developer, web developer, digital product strategist, computer systems engineer, multimedia designer, software engineer, or technical officer.

Professional recognition

The software technologies major within this course is accredited by the Australian Computer Society (ACS). ACS accreditation is internationally recognised by the Seoul Accord.

Other study options

• Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Games and Interactive Entertainment
• Bachelor of Games and Interactive Entertainment/Bachelor of Mathematics

Units

Course structure

The 24-unit degree comprises:

• five core units plus a 36-credit-point final-year project (three units equivalent)
• eight units in your chosen major
• four units in a secondary area of study, also known as your minor
• four optional units where you can choose units from across QUT to complement your studies.

Majors

Choose your primary area of study, also known as your major, from:

Animation

This major includes foundation studies in the production of animation and motion graphics; history of animation practices; and programming which includes object orientation, 3D computer graphics and computer-generated art. You will develop skills enabling you to work in areas such as computer games, interactive media arts, web applications, sound design, adaptive music and interactive public art works.

Game Design

This major provides you with hands-on game design experience, as well as knowledge of narrative and immersion (drawing the player into the game), and game-level design to provide the skills necessary to create interesting and unique game worlds.

Software Technologies

This major will prepare you for careers in the game and simulation industries such as software tester, video game tester, game programmer and software tools developer. You will study technological aspects of computer games, games engine and tools development. Companies used to provide ‘in-house’ training for programming skills; however they are now turning to tertiary institutions to provide appropriately qualified graduates.

Minors

• Animation
• Advanced Animation*
• Digital Media
• Entrepreneurship
• Game Design
• Legal Issues
• Marketing
• Mathematics for Games
• Mobile and Network Technologies
• Physics for Games
• Software Technologies
• Advanced Software Technologies^
• Sound Design 

Your course

Year 1

Entry requirements

Minimum academic requirements

Did you complete secondary school in Australia?

Course fees

Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. All fees are based on current fixed fee prices. We review fees annually.

Scholarships and financial support

You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.

These scholarships are available for this course:

View all scholarships