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DIPLOMA & BACHELOR DEGREE OF GAME DEVELOPMENT

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Develop the skills and knowledge to plan, create, and launch a fully playable video game as a game designer or programmer.

diploma-icon-00 Qualification

Diploma of Game Development
Bachelor of Game Development

 
duration-icon Study Duration

Diploma - 7 months
Bachelor - 2 year intensive
Part-time options available

 
online-delivery-icon-00 Delivery Mode

Weekly online classes
Feedback and support

 
entry-requirements-icon-00 Total Units

Diploma - 6 units
Bachelor - 18 units

 
course-fees-icon-02 Course Fees

Diploma - $10,500 USD
Bachelor - $31,500 USD
*Prices subject to change based on AUD exchange rate

 
start-date-icon-00 Start Dates

January 2024
May 2024
September 2024

 

EXPERT-LED ACCREDITED COURSE

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Transform your passion for games into a career led by professional developers

Learn how to plan, develop, and implement immersive and interactive video games in Unreal Engine. Receive leadership and training from game development experts using professional software and practices, and build essential skills that will allow you to evolve and thrive along with the booming video game industry.

Why study game development at CGSI:

  • Choose an area of specialisation to build highly focused conceptual, creative, and technical knowledge and skills
  • Create industry-level work that studios will notice
  • Master relevant industry software
  • Graduate in less time than a typical degree - two years instead of three
  • FEE-HELP available to eligible students (no upfront fees)
 

CG Spectrum Institute is registered with the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA), ensuring students receive a high-quality education and graduate with reputable qualifications.

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COMPREHENSIVE INDUSTRY TRAINING

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Our interdisciplinary approach to education produces graduates who are well-equipped to navigate and thrive in the constantly changing world of creative technology.

specialised-training-icon-03 Specialised Training

Build industry-focused, specialised technical and creative skills through rigorous practical and theoretical training.

 
conceptual-learning-icon-03 Conceptual Learning

Learn the underlying concepts and principles that govern the creative industries and how to apply them as a working artist.

 
real-world-application-icon-02 Interpersonal Skills Focus

Gain essential skills for success in the real world, including communication, problem-solving, management, and leadership.

 
industry-leadership-icon-01 Industry Leadership

Learn from and network with professionals and academic thought leaders within the world of creative technology.

 
academic-rigour-icon-01 Interactive Training

Engage in hands-on study and assessments that provide a compelling, practical learning experience to prepare you for the industry.

 
job-outcomes-icon-02 CAREER-DRIVEN OUTCOMES

Graduate job-ready with a holistic skillset, polished portfolio or showreel, and support from our career services team.

 

“I'm personally so thrilled these courses are being launched and have been crafted with so much care and real-world industry consideration.”

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Blake MizziCo-Founder & Design Director, League of Geeks

"CGSI has designed a program that stands out amongst existing competitors through its mentorship which allows students to genuinely engage with industry folk.”

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Jamy ZinkVice President Luma Pictures

“CG Spectrum is the first place we look to find quality graduates for junior positions.

 

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Simon RosenthalHead of VFX, Framestore

“This course fills a skills gap in our industry that has lasted far too long. It's really great to see a school being so aligned with industry needs.”

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Rob Lodermeier Animation Supervisor, Flying Bark

CHOOSE YOUR SPECIALISATION

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Specialisation is an integral part of our courses and enables students to hone their skills in a focused area within the broader world of animation and visual effects. It promotes a higher level of creative and technical expertise and helps students determine the career pathway that will lead them to the industry. 

1
REVIEW ALL AVAILABLE COURSE MAJORSChoose from either game design or game programming as your specialisation (major). Read about each option in more detail below.
2
SELECT YOUR MAJOR (SPECIALISATION)When deciding on your area of specialisation, it's important to consider your interests and strengths, along with your career aspirations.
3
HONE YOUR SKILLS AND BUILD A TAILORED PORTFOLIOStudy comprehensive units dedicated to your major each trimester, including building a professional showreel that focuses on your specialisation.
  • Game Design
  • Game Programming

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Specialise in game design and learn the principles and processes that make digital games unique, playable and successful. You'll then put that knowledge into practice to design and implement game systems using industry-standard software. With instruction and support from professional game developers, you'll also explore combat and action gameplay development for PC and consoles, working in an immersive online studio environment.

Level up your skills in level design, implementing advanced interactive level blueprints in Unreal Engine and scripting complex artificial intelligence behaviours for user interaction. Graduate with an impressive showreel coupled with essential career and industry knowledge.

 

 

Creative Concepts & Principles

Industry Concepts, Processes & Capabilities

Game Design Specialisation
1 Film & Game Principles, Concepts & Innovations Industry Overview Game Design Foundations
2 Art & Design Concepts & Principles Communicate! Mode, Purpose & Context Designing & Implementing Game Systems
    DIPLOMA EXIT  
3 Concepts & Principles of Story & Visual Narrative Identifying & Solving Problems Action Game Development
4 Concepts & Principles of Lighting & Cinematography Managing Projects & Creative Assets Level Design Pre-Production
5 Leading with Integrity Establishing & Sustaining Your Business Level Design Production
6 Stepping into Industry Marketing Yourself & Your Work Game Design Capstone
    BACHELOR EXIT  
 

COMING SOON! - TAKING EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

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Studying the game programming specialisation will help you master C++, a renowned and versatile object-oriented programming language for games and software applications. Dive into Unreal Engine to create a playable game, including developing game mechanics and building simple levels, while also learning how to debug your gameplay to ensure it runs successfully in complex environments.

Working in an online immersive studio environment, you will explore AI (artificial intelligence), using it to design and build game worlds from scratch and look at complex behaviour trees for more polished and immersive character animation. For those completing the bachelor's degree, refine your work during your final trimester, which focuses on building a professional showreel and getting you job-ready.

 

 

Creative Concepts & Principles

Industry Concepts, Processes & Capabilities

Game Programming Specialisation
1 Film & Game Principles, Concepts & Innovations Industry Overview Programming Foundations
2 Art & Design Concepts & Principles Communicate! Mode, Purpose & Context Game Engine Programming
    DIPLOMA EXIT  
3 Concepts & Principles of Story & Visual Narrative Identifying & Solving Problems Gameplay & AI Techniques
4 Concepts & Principles of Lighting & Cinematography Managing Projects & Creative Assets Networking & Replication
5 Leading with Integrity Establishing & Sustaining Your Business Advanced AI, Animation & Game Mechanics
6 Stepping into Industry Marketing Yourself & Your Work Game Programming Capstone
    BACHELOR EXIT  
 

CREATE AN INDUSTRY READY PORTFOLIO

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CG Spectrum Institute students work on many creative and technical projects, producing industry-level work to add to their portfolio that can help them stand out from the competition in the fast-paced film and games industry.

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TRAINING AND GUIDANCE FROM INDUSTRY PROS

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Direct access to talented artists in the film and game industry helps our students become well-connected, well-trained, and well-equipped for life beyond study. 

TOUCH
Firas Hosn Game Programming
Assassin's Creed 3
While at Ubisoft, AAA programmer Firas released almost a game a year, including Far Cry 3, 4, 5, Assassin's Creed 3, Your Shape, Splinter Cell: Blacklist and Watchdogs 2 and 3.
Firas Hosn Game Programming
Assassin's Creed 3
TOUCH
Heath Smith Game Design
Shadow of the Tomb Raider
AAA Game Designer Heath has 13+ years of experience in top studios in North America and Australia on The Amazing Spider-Man, Hitman, and the Tomb Raider franchise.
Heath Smith Game Design
Shadow of the Tomb Raider
TOUCH
Magdalena Bisogni Core
Mad Max: Fury Road
Mags has over 20 years of experience in production and talent management in high-end visual effects. Her credits include Spider-Man: Far from Home, Captain Marvel, Jojo Rabbit, Game of Thrones, John Wick and many more.
Magdalena Bisogni Core
Mad Max: Fury Road
TOUCH
Kathy Constantin Core
Thor: Ragnarok
Dr. Kathy Constantin has worked in both Production and Recruitment in high-end visual effects; her credits include Captain Marvel, Jungle Cruise, Mortal Kombat, Ford vs. Ferrari, X-Men: Dark Phoenix, Logan, Game of Thrones and many more.
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Thor: Ragnarok

"CG Spectrum was hands down the best decision I've made for my career."

The learning material and staff were great and having an industry mentor was an invaluable asset that really helped me get my break in the VFX industry.

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Alan Robinson
VFX Compositing Graduate

"CG Spectrum was hands down the best decision I've made for my career."

The learning material and staff were great and having an industry mentor was an invaluable asset that really helped me get my break in the VFX industry.

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Alan Robinson
VFX Compositing Graduate

Studios that have hired our graduates

THE FILM AND GAME INDUSTRY IS BOOMING

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The advancements and accessibility of technology offer unprecedented opportunities for digital artists to forge a successful and secure career in the creative industry.

$2.32T Global entertainment & media value
30% Projected Growth by 2027
2.5M Expected Global Jobs Worldwide by 2027
$81K Mid-range Annual Salary

*Data sourced from PwC and Glassdoor

Career Pathways

This course offers many career opportunities in the creative industry. As you progress with your studies, and depending on your major, you will master a range of skills that can prepare you careers in some of the following:

  • Game Designer
  • Game Programmer
  • Level Designer
  • AI Game Programmer
  • Gameplay Engineer

Game Designer

Game designers focus on the function of a game, creating systems, rules, and gameplay to ensure it’s playable, fun, and engaging. They oversee both the foundation and execution of the game mechanics and overall user experience.

$75,200 /yr*

*Average Base Pay (Glassdoor)

Game Designer

Game designers focus on the function of a game, creating systems, rules, and gameplay to ensure it’s playable, fun, and engaging. They oversee both the foundation and execution of the game mechanics and overall user experience.

$75,200 /yr*

*Average Base Pay (Glassdoor)

Game Programmer

Using one or more programming languages, a game programmer brings a game to life through their code, helping to set up a game engine and ensuring that the production runs smoothly. They can specialise in a range of areas, including in AI.

$79,628 /yr*

*Average Base Pay (Indeed)

Game Programmer

Using one or more programming languages, a game programmer brings a game to life through their code, helping to set up a game engine and ensuring that the production runs smoothly. They can specialise in a range of areas, including in AI.

$79,628 /yr*

*Average Base Pay (Indeed)

Level Designer

Level Design, a specialisation of game design, focuses on the creation and practical implementation of levels, environments, stories, and quests while considering flow, pace, space, entry and exit points, and guides.

$86,400 /yr*

*Average Base Pay (Glassdoor)

Level Designer

Level Design, a specialisation of game design, focuses on the creation and practical implementation of levels, environments, stories, and quests while considering flow, pace, space, entry and exit points, and guides.

$86,400 /yr*

*Average Base Pay (Glassdoor)

AI Engineer

Artificial Intelligence engineers (or AI game programmers) are responsible for creating algorithms that set the behaviour of characters and elements by customising the reactions of gameplay—such as pathfinding and camera control—to the actions of the player.

$116,000 /yr*

*Average Base Pay (Glassdoor)

AI Engineer

Artificial Intelligence engineers (or AI game programmers) are responsible for creating algorithms that set the behaviour of characters and elements by customising the reactions of gameplay—such as pathfinding and camera control—to the actions of the player.

$116,000 /yr*

*Average Base Pay (Glassdoor)

Gameplay Engineer

Focusing on player usability, gameplay engineers write code to affect gameplay, including overseeing user interface issues, player notifications, gameplay mechanics and upgrades, as well as testing, software integration, and an element of design.

$79,200 /yr*

*Average Base Pay (Glassdoor)

Gameplay Engineer

Focusing on player usability, gameplay engineers write code to affect gameplay, including overseeing user interface issues, player notifications, gameplay mechanics and upgrades, as well as testing, software integration, and an element of design.

$79,200 /yr*

*Average Base Pay (Glassdoor)

They genuinely care, and they work very hard for you!

"The staff are really awesome. There are plenty of extra curriculars on offer. The TAs have running friendly competitions. They regularly have workshops and Q&As with big name studios like Industrial Light and Magic. You get out what you put in, but they do their best to make a lot of good available to you while you're there. I'm very happy with their services."

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Harold CCONCEPT ARTIST

YOUR CREATIVE CAREER STARTS HERE

Get your course guide and speak with our admissions team to discuss how we can help you achieve your career goals.

QUESTIONS? WE'VE GOT ANSWERS

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Our FAQ section provides additional information about our game development courses, to help you make an informed decision about your higher education in creative technology.

What are the admission requirments?

Below are the entry requirements for both Australian citizens and international students.

 

Australian Citizens & Residents: School Leavers

School leavers must satisfy the following requirements:

EITHER An Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (Year 12 certificate) or equivalent; A Certificate IV or higher qualification (for example, a TAFE Diploma) or higher.

 

Australian Citizens & Residents: Non-school Leavers

EITHER An Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (Year 12 certificate) or equivalent; A Certificate IV or higher qualification (for example, a TAFE Diploma) or higher.

Domestic applicants whose qualifications were completed in programs where English was not the language of instruction must also meet CGSI’s IELTS (or equivalent) entry requirements specified in the English Language Proficiency Assessment Policy (see bullet points below).

 

Non-visa Holding Online International Student

Non-visa-holding online international students must also satisfy one of the following requirements:

EITHER A Senior Secondary Certificate of Education or equivalent; A Certificate IV or higher qualification (for example, a TAFE Diploma) or higher.

Applicants for admission to all courses at the Institute are required to demonstrate and meet one of the following minimum English Language Proficiency standards:

EITHER Successful completion of secondary education, or an Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) award at Level 4 or above, in which English was the medium of instruction and assessment, and the final year of study was undertaken during the five (5) years immediately prior to commencement of study with CGSI; 

OR achieving the minimum requirements of an approved English Language test (as per the bullet points below) within two (2) years prior to the commencement of study. Minimum requirements for each respective test are as follows:

  • IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System): Overall Band Score 6.0 with a minimum sub-score of 5.5 in writing, reading, speaking and listening.
  • TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Internet-Based Test (iBT): 75 or better overall and no score less than 17.
  • PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English Academic): Overall score of 54 with no sub-score less than 46.

Applicants to any of the CGSI courses must provide documentary evidence that they meet English Language Proficiency requirements.

 

Special and/or alternative entry: Articulation pathway admissions Articulation arrangements are being explored with a number of providers for students who meet the entry requirements for CGSI’s courses. These arrangements cover a pathway from AQF level 5 diploma qualifications.

Diploma-holding applicants seeking credit for the first two trimesters of the bachelor program must demonstrate the currency of their technical skills prior to this credit being applied. This may require an interview and/or a technical proficiency assessment.

 

What software will I need?

Your studies will require you to download and get acquainted with a variety of software. Some of your software requirements will depend on your major (specialisation).

General:

  • Shotgrid - educational licence 
  • Canvas - free licence
  • Nuke by Foundry - (non-commercial) educational licence

Game Design Specialisation:

Game Programming Specialisation:

 

What are the hardware requirements?

We recommend a minimum of 32GB RAM. For more information, see links below to hardware and systems requirements for core subjects and specialisations.

General:

Game Design Specialisation:

Game Programming Specialisation:

 

Please note: as the software we use is regularly updated, please check the specs against the latest available version at the time of enrolling.

 

Do you offer Financial Aid?

CG Spectrum Institute ensures that individuals can access high-quality education and professional development without significant financial barriers, empowering them to achieve their goals and excel in their chosen fields.

Australian Students:

All higher education AQF Award Courses offered at CGSI are supported by the Australian Government’s FEE-HELP program.

Domestic students who meet specific eligibility criteria can access FEE-HELP, which allows them to borrow money for all or part of their tuition fees and repay the loan through the tax system once their income reaches a certain threshold.

For more information, please head to the Tuition and Fees page on our website.

International students:

There is a range of financing options suited to your situation and country. Please contact our friendly admissions team for more information on how we can support your learning journey.

 

Is this course Accredited?

CG Spectrum Institute is registered with the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA).

All CGSI degrees and diplomas are accredited, providing students with credible and recognised qualifications.

About TEQSA:

TEQSA stands for the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency. It is an independent regulatory body in Australia responsible for assuring the quality and standards of higher education institutions. 

TEQSA-accredited qualifications are widely recognised, allowing students to pursue further studies or employment opportunities around the world.

 

How do I apply?

Ready to take the next step toward your future? Head to our application page now to start your creative journey with us. Whether you're aspiring to learn, grow, or advance your career, our application process is your gateway to a world of opportunities. Don't wait any longer; seize the moment and begin your application today. Your future awaits!

APPLY NOW

 

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EXPLORE OUR OTHER COURSE OFFERINGS

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Learn more about our different accredited creative courses that will help you pursue your dream career in the film and games industry.

STILL NEED HELP DECIDING?

If you still have questions, require more information on our degrees and diplomas, or are unsure about admission requirements, contact our helpful course advisors.