Master of Animation, Games and Interactivity
Student type:
Quick facts
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Entry score
Not applicable
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Duration
Eligible for advanced standing, Full-time 2 years, Part-time 4 years -
Location
Melbourne City -
Fees
AU$24,000 (2020 annual)
Next intake
February, July Entry score
IELTS 6.5
Duration
Full-time 2 years Location
Melbourne City
Overview
Develop expertise through studio practice
In contemporary studio spaces, through reflective practice, you’ll build high-level conceptual and practical skills, and develop a directorial vision of narrative, visual, and interactive media.
Inspired by the research done by teachers and students at RMIT, I’m now trying to think of new ways to utilise artificial intelligence in game design and events, with a focus on emergent social interactions and virtual reality.
– Ole Alfheim, Master of Creative Media (now Master of Animation, Games and Interactivity) graduate, 2010.
Details
Develop your directorial vision as you learn concepts and techniques of narrative, visual, and interactive media in a studio setting.
This course builds on more than 20 years of RMIT’s success in postgraduate teaching and research, focusing on the advanced theoretical and practical aspects of professional production in animation, games, and interactive media.
As you acquire skills in these areas, you will develop a directorial vision and in-depth understanding of narrative, visual, and interactive media through studio projects and collaborations that focus on current global trends.
By the end of your studies, you will have completed a number of major studio works in your specialisation, as well as a substantial amount of research.
Explore practical and theoretical approaches to animation, games and interactive media problems and solutions, and learn from staff who are active practitioners in these fields.
With emphasis on studio practice, this program encourages practical learning. Learn through being immersed in the field as you work on projects and briefs.
Studios allow you to explore concepts, techniques, and modes of communication through the creation of animated linear or interactive productions. You will respond to a series of theoretical and technical principles, real and simulated situations, and practical constraints.
Throughout your studies, you may have opportunities to engage with students from other studios in a setting that encourages peer-to-peer learning.
This degree has strong connections with creative industries through organisations such as the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) and Film Victoria, as well as through numerous festival, seminar and event committees, locally and internationally.
As part of our Guest Speaker and Studio Tour programs, you’ll hear from industry practitioners and visit digital production houses, games and animation studios.
Animation, games, and interactivity offer universally recognisable ways of communicating beyond the spoken and written word, allowing you to produce work of global relevance.
You will be encouraged to enter your projects in and attend local and international events, festivals, and organisations in order to establish your reputation with industry representatives.
You may also choose to pursue a career based on project-based research through RMIT’s international research centres.
Owing to its global reputation as a leader in animation, games and interactive media education, RMIT attracts students from across the world who enrich the learning experience with diverse experiences and perspectives.
RMIT’s Global Mobility Office supports students to undertake an exchange or short-term mobility activity with over 165 partner universities worldwide.
This degree can be completed over 2 years full-time or 4 years part-time.
The Graduate Diploma of Animation, Games and Interactivity is available as an exit award of this degree.
You may be eligible for advanced standing or credit exemptions based on academic results in your previous studies or prior industry experience.
For further information about advanced standing see pathways.
This masters degree can be completed over 2 years full-time.
You may be eligible for advanced standing or credit exemptions based on academic results in your previous studies or prior industry experience.
For further information about advanced standing see pathways.
The course consists of 192 credit points over 2 years full-time or 4 years part-time.
The Graduate Diploma in Animation, Games and Interactivity is available as an exit award of the Master of Animation, Games and Interactivity.
Choose a program structure
Choose a program structure
Program code: MC232
Career
The Master of Animation, Games and Interactivity gives you globally-transferable skills that open career opportunities across the world.
Animation, games and interactive media industries are constantly evolving, often driven by radical technological change.
This specialist degree has been designed to keep pace with this speed of change, and prepare you with the practical skills and theoretical foundations to adapt to and lead change in your chosen industry.
You’ll be equipped to respond to changes in the animation, games, and interactive media fields, with a focus on core principles that can be updated and redefined.
You’ll have many industry networking opportunities and build relationships that can open up future collaborations as your career advances.
Laura’s postgraduate degree at RMIT led to an international career as an in-demand illustrator and animator for television. Read about Laura's journey
Once you graduate you might pursue careers in:
- 2D or 3D animation
- motion graphics design
- interaction design
- visual effects
- games development
- web design
- character design
- pre-production art
- app and web development
- VR and AR projects.
The Master will also prepare you for further study through higher degree research. It is connected with a number of RMIT research centres engaged in international, world-leading research, including ACMI X, and RMIT’s Centre for Games Design Research, which includes areas such as the Exertion Games Lab (XGL) and Creative interventions, Art and Rehabilitative Technology (CiART).
Admissions
You must have:
- Successfully completed an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification), or
- At least three years of professional experience in the animation, games, interactivity and/or digital media area.
You must have:
- Successfully completed an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification), or
- At least three years of professional experience in the animation, games, interactivity and/or digital media area.
Entry requirements
You must:
- Complete and submit the selection task by 14 February 2020. Submissions will be assessed in the order they are received until this date unless places are filled prior. The link to submit your selection task will appear on the applicant dashboard after you have submitted your application.
- Attend a folio presentation
Selection task
The selection task requires:
- An statement outlining why you wish to study this program, what you hope to achieve in your time at RMIT and where you think it might lead you in terms of a career and/or personal development (maximum 300 words).
- A short outline of a three month, full-time, personal project you may undertake if selected for this program. Include a context for the work (similar works, practitioners, formats, technologies), a theme and possible formats (film, game, installation, etc.) It's important that you discuss the content of this project in your proposal. This outline will only be used for selection purposes. Feel free to make use of images that help to represent themes (maximum file size 5MB).
- A folio comprising 15 to 30 pieces of your work. The folio should contain a variety of work in relevant fields of art, design, media or scholarship that demonstrates your interests and creative thinking as well as your conceptual, design and technical skills. Examples of work to include in your folio are drawings, paintings, graphic designs, photographs, motion graphics, digital images, models, sculpture, video, interactive media, games, websites, short writing pieces, and/or 2D and 3D animation. Include links to animated or interactive works if you have been practicing and studying in these areas. You may also include development work as well as finished work. You should provide a short annotation of each work. If your work is collaboration please detail precisely your role and the role of the collaborator/s (maximum 200 words).
Images must be formatted as PNG or JPEG. Flash animation and QuickTime movies are acceptable, however, please ensure that the files are built or exported and open independently of the creator program. Files must be no larger than 5MB. If your folio is hosted online, you may supply the URL.
Pre-selection kit: You must submit a completed pre-selection kit along with your application.
Interview: If shortlisted, you may be required to attend an interview (either in person or by phone/video call).
To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0)
- TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 79 (with minimum of 13 in Reading, 12 in Listening, 18 in Speaking and 21 in Writing)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 58 (with no communication band less than 50)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 176 with no less than 169 in any component.
For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.
Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Advanced Plus Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.
Pathways
If you have successfully completed one of the following qualifications specialising in animation, games, interactivity or digital media, you will be eligible for exemption as follows:
Qualification level |
Exemptions |
Remaining program duration |
|---|---|---|
Bachelor Degree |
48 credit points (equivalent to one semester full time study) |
144 credit points (equivalent to three semesters full time study) |
Bachelor Honours Degree |
96 credit points (equivalent to two semester full time study) |
96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study) |
Graduate Certificate |
48 credit points (equivalent to one semester full time study) |
144 credit points (equivalent to three semesters full time study) |
Graduate Diploma |
96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study) |
96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study) |
* Duration indicated is the normal study duration; for some programs spring and summer semesters may be offered, reducing the study time.
Credit
You may also be eligible for further credit. Learn more about eligibility for credit transfer and recognition of prior learning.
Exemptions from this program will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.
Masters exemptions
You may be eligible for advanced standing up to a maximum of 2 semesters (equivalent to 96 credits points). Eligibility for advanced standing is based on your previous studies and is assessed on a case by case basis.
Learn more about eligibility for credit transfer and recognition of prior learning.
Fees
2020 indicative annual fees
Full-fee places: AU$24,000*.
Additional expenses
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$308* maximum fee for 2020.
- Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.
Annual fee adjustment
*Amounts quoted are indicative fees per annum, and are based on a standard year of full-time study (96 credit points). A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.
Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
Defer your payment
This program is offered on a full-fee paying basis only. If you are offered a place, you will need to pay the full tuition costs of your program. However, eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.
Learn more about fees for postgraduate study.
How does a HELP loan work?
If your FEE-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to 100% of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.
You only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.
For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student. The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2020 is $308.
You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.
For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.
You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.
The annual tuition fee for 2020 is AU$31,680.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2020 commencement is AU$64,320.
In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) in each calendar year.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) - Student visa holders must have cover for the total duration of their visa.
- Some programs incur additional expenses.
You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.