Bachelor of Design (Games)
Student type:
Quick facts
-
Duration
Full-time 3 years -
Location
Melbourne City -
Fees
Next intake
February, July
Entry score
IELTS 6.5
Duration
Full-time 3 years Location
Melbourne City Fees
AU$32,640 (2019 annual)
Next intake
February, July
Overview
Become skilled in producing rich interactive experiences by developing your conceptual game design and specialist art skills.
This unique program provides specialist training in computer-generated design with particular emphasis on game studies and art practice. You'll study design, narrative, imaging, modelling and animation (2D and 3D), concept art and game environments.
RMIT has developed two dedicated games research groups with a specific focus on international world-leading research, attracting expert staff who teach the most up-to-date and cutting-edge ideas.
Details
This program has a strong focus on creative studios, encompassing lab teaching from industry professionals and featuring guest lecturers.
You will have access to a play testing environment, enabling you to assess game-playing responses and behaviours. This allows you to learn by doing and understand the user experience first hand.
You will work in both an individual and collaborative environment producing individual and group projects and folios, and be assessed by both staff and peers.
All programs are delivered in English. You will have access online and digital resources through the myRMIT student portal.
This program has close connections to the local independent games industry through teaching staff, overseas industry projects, games events, festivals and exhibitions.
RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.
Throughout your studies you will be encouraged to seek national and international exposure for your work by entering local and overseas festivals. Your project outputs will be of international standard so that you can develop a career in the global games industry. International exchange opportunities are also encouraged.
RMIT’s Education Abroad Office (EAO) supports students to undertake an exchange or short term mobility activity with over 165 partner universities worldwide.
This program offers a unique learning environment in that students are responsible for driving their chosen projects, by developing and implementing ideas established in the first semester.
Year 1
You will be introduced to the unique and world-class game design studio courses including:
- critical game studies
- game history
- imaging and 2D artwork
- game engines.
Year 2
You’ll grow your understanding of game studies and games production through the main studio courses and will find modules focussing on:
- concept art and advanced imaging
- 3D character design
- sound design for interactive environments
- experience design.
Additionally, you will begin your journey as a broadly educated designer by taking electives across the School of Media and Communication (in areas such as journalism, film, cultural studies, sound or animation) and from the wider university.
Year 3
You’ll study in studios that address games design and analysis, games industry and professional portfolio skills. You’ll produce a major team project aimed at a completed and publically-available game at the conclusion of the year, launching your career either within games, or as a games graduate using their craft to expand the definition of games in other areas.
Choose a program structure
| Title | Location | Duration | Plan code | CRICOS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Design (Games) | City Campus |
3 years (6 semesters) full-time
|
3 years (6 semesters) full-time
|
BP214P12 | 074978G |
Choose a program structure
Program code: BP214
Career
Upon graduation you will be equipped to start your own successful company and artistic career. This program provides regular learning interaction with students from Bachelor of Information Technology (Games and Graphics Programming) in a studio that reflects the constantly evolving practices of the games industry.
Graduates from the program are independent thinkers and developers known for their self-sufficiency and as a result, many are employed by design companies around Australia. This program will prepare you for the new games economy, currently dominated by apps but always evolving.
Learn the skills required to work in the broader games and creative industries, or to launch your own successful company and artistic career. Graduates have gained the aesthetic and technical abilities within the disciplines of art and design that enable them to work as:
- 2D and 3D game artists
- game designer
- level designer
- interface designer
- researcher
- concept artist
- animator
- 3D visualisers and modellers
- producers
- art directors.
Admissions
The highest level of education you have previously completed will determine which category applies to you.
Entry to this program is competitive. Applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on their academic achievement, e.g., ATAR or GPA (including any adjustments).
Applicants with recent secondary education (current or within the past two years)
Successful completion of an Australian Year 12 senior secondary certificate of education or equivalent in 2016, 2017 or 2018. If applicable, this includes equity access schemes and any other adjustment factors.
School Network Access Program (SNAP)
The SNAP access scheme is designed to increase tertiary access and participation of eligible students from SNAP partner schools.
Applicants with Vocational Education and Training study
Satisfactory completion of an Australian Certificate IV or above (or equivalent).
Applicants with Higher Education study
Satisfactory completion of at least two courses (subjects) at an Australian undergraduate level (or overseas equivalent).
Applicants with Work and Life Experience
Successful completion of an Australian senior secondary certificate of education (Year 12) or overseas equivalent.
Prerequisites: VCE Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL (or equivalent) or achieve an overall score of at least 155 in the STAT multiple choice.
You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent senior secondary school qualification) with a minimum 65% average (check calculator below).
Equivalent qualifications may also include completion of the RMIT Foundation Studies program or a recognised post secondary diploma in the relevant discipline with the required grades.
Meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee entry. Your application will still need to be assessed and accepted.
You must:
- complete and submit the Games pre-selection kit.
- VTAC applicants register and submit the selection kit here.
- All kits must be submitted by the dates noted below for each VTAC round:
- Early round (Non year 12 only): 27 September 2018
- Main round (All applicants): 2 November 2018
- All subsequent rounds (if places are available): 15 February 2019
- RMIT current or recent students you will receive an email prompt to complete the selection kit when you submit your direct application.
- All kits must be submitted by 6 March 2019*
- *Kits will be assessed in the order they are received until this date unless places are filled prior.
- All kits must be submitted by 6 March 2019*
- attend a folio presentation (some applicants only*).
- if further information is needed to make a selection decision, you will be invited to present your folio.
- Folio presentations will be held in October (VTAC Early round) and November/December (VTAC main round).
- For all subsequent rounds and direct applicants, folio presentations will be arranged after you have submitted your application.
- Some applicants will be selected based on their pre-selection kit and will not be required to attend a folio presentation. These applicants will receive an advisory email by mid November.
- VTAC applicants register and submit the selection kit here.
Advisory letters will be sent in late October (Early round) and late December (Main round).
Pre-selection kit
The pre-selection kit includes:
- Personal statement: Please select three areas in which you have the most interest from the below list, and describe your interest and experience in each of the interest areas you have selected (maximum 300 words).
- Visual art
- Game narratives
- Game criticism and analysis
- Game rules
- Environment design
- Character design
- Sound design
- Independent games
- Modding and other experimentation
- Folio: Please provide samples of your previous work representing one or more of the interest areas listed above. Compile your works into a single PDF (no more than three pages). Under each piece of work in the PDF, provide a short description of your artistic intentions and/or outline your creative process. Please ensure you write your full name and VTAC ID / RMIT application number in the top right corner of all pages.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
The Indigenous Access Program will support your application into RMIT programs through an informal interview process with support from the Ngarara Willim Centre. Your relevant life, work, educational and training experience as preparation for study, in addition to any formal qualifications, are all considered.
Elite Athlete Program
The RMIT Elite Athlete Program (REAP) supports elite athlete and emerging athletes to achieve sporting and academic excellence.
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 (Paper Based Test): minimum score of 580 (TWE 4.5)
- TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 92 (with minimum of 20 in all sections)
- 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 Advanced Plus Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.
Pathways
Fees
In 2019, the annual student contribution amount (tuition fee) you will pay for a standard year of full-time study is between AU$6,566 to AU$10,958*.
* 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.
Additional expenses
Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$303 maximum fee for 2019.
Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.
Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
Learn more about fees for undergraduate study.
Defer your payment
You may be eligible to apply for a HECS-HELP loan, which can be used to defer payment of up to the full amount of your student contribution fees. You may also be eligible to apply to defer payment of your SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme.
All undergraduate and honours degrees have Commonwealth supported places (CSP) available. In 2019, the annual student contribution amount (tuition fee) you will pay for a standard year of full-time study is between AU$6,566 to AU$10,958.
In a CSP, your tuition fees are subsidised by the Australian Government. Your share of the fee (student contribution) is set each year by the Australian Government and is determined by the discipline areas (bands) of the courses in which you enrol, not the overall program.
How much can I expect to pay for my Commonwealth supported place?
Courses (subjects) fall into one of three bands. The band determines the student contribution amount for the course.
Amounts listed in the table below are based on a standard, full-time study load (96 credit points per year) with all courses in the same band. A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load or for enrolment in courses (subjects) from a combination of bands.
You can learn how to calculate your exact tuition fees for units from different bands at fees for Commonwealth supported students.
Maximum student contribution amount for Commonwealth supported places in 2019
Student contribution band by course (subject) |
Maximum annual student contribution amount in 2019 |
Band 1: humanities, behavioural science, social studies, clinical psychology, foreign languages, visual and performing arts, education, nursing |
$6,566 per standard year |
Band 2: mathematics, statistics, computing, built environment, other health, allied health, science, engineering, surveying, agriculture |
$9,359 per standard year |
|
$10,958 per standard year |
HECS-HELP Loans
The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the HECS-HELP loan scheme, which allows eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) to defer payment of up to the full amount of their student contribution.
SA-HELP Loans
You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.
How does a HELP loan work?
If your HECS-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to the full amount of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.
You will 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 2019 is $303.
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 2019 is AU$32,640.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2019 commencement is AU$103,680.
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.
All undergraduate and honours degrees have Commonwealth supported places (CSP) available.
In a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), your tuition fees are subsidised by the Australian Government. Your share of the fee (student contribution) is set each year by the government and is determined by the discipline areas (bands) of your individual enrolled courses, not the overall program.
As a CSP student, you may be eligible to apply for a HECS-HELP loan, which allows you to defer payment of up to 100% of your student contribution.
Learn more about fees for undergraduate study.
How much can I expect to pay for my Commonwealth supported place?
Courses (subjects) fall into one of three bands. The band determines the student contribution amount for the course.
Amounts listed in the table below are based on a standard, full-time study load (96 credit points per year) with all courses in the same band. A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load or for enrolment in courses (subjects) from a combination of bands.
You can learn how to calculate your exact tuition fees for units from different bands at Fees for Commonwealth supported students.
Maximum student contribution amount for Commonwealth supported places in 2018
| Student contribution band by course (subject) | Maximum annual student contribution amount in 2018 |
|---|---|
| Band 1: humanities, behavioural science, social studies, clinical psychology, foreign languages, visual and performing arts, education, nursing | $6,444 per standard year $805 per standard (12 credit point) course |
| Band 2: mathematics, statistics, computing, built environment, other health, allied health, science, engineering, surveying, agriculture | $9,185 per standard year $1,148 per standard (12 credit point) course |
Band 3: law, accounting, administration, economics, commerce, dentistry, medicine, veterinary science |
$10,754 per standard year $1,344 per standard (12 credit point) course |
HECS-HELP
The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the HECS-HELP loan scheme, which allows eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) to defer payment of up to 100% of their student contribution.
How does a HELP loan work?
If your HECS-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 will 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 2018 is $298.
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 total indicative tuition fee for 2018 commencement is AU$99,840.
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.