A UNIQUE M.A. PROGRAM

The Master of Arts in Game Design at IULM University offers a distinctive approach to game design at graduate level, exploring digital games as a cultural and artistic expression, situated at the intersection of art, technology, and design. The Program is open to applicants from all over the world. Students from diverse backgrounds in such disciplines as visual and performing arts, architecture, science, the humanities, design, and engineering are encouraged to apply.

an outstanding FACULTY

The Master of Arts in Game Design provides a context for playful experimentation under the guidance of professional game developers, recognized artists, and influential scholars from the United States, Canada, Belgium, France, Ireland, Italy, and other European countries. Through hands-on learning and various projects, students will acquire the skills to develop professional quality video games. The cohort is limited to 9-12 students per year, ensuring each student has extensive support and mentorship from the faculty.

MAKE GAMES THAT MATTER

The Master of Arts in Game Design offers a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to a game design practice focusing on creativity and innovative thinking. Over the course of the year, students will work individually or in teams to brainstorm, research, design, and develop a digital game which will become their final project to submit at international competitions and festivals, using the latest technology and software, including Unity 3D, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe After Effects, Unity 3D, Adobe Audition, Blender, Twine, Ink, Processing and more.

LEARN FROM THE VERY BEST

The curriculum encompasses courses in game design, group critiques, technical and critical seminars, and independent study. The Program places a strong emphasis on individual mentoring. Students will be able to develop a professional portfolio of small to medium scale video games that could set them apart. In addition to the core courses, the GAME TALKS series brings highly acclaimed international designers, artists, and scholars to Milan throughout the year, who interact with students through full-day workshops, critiques, reviews, and informal engagements. Lastly, selected participants will be involved in planning, organizing, and presenting related events at IULM University, including the annual Milan Machinima Festival. 

A CLASSROOM WITHOUT WALLS

All content, resources, and materials are available online. Students can enroll and graduate without ever moving to Milan or entering a classroom. The program offers a mix of online live lectures and seminars, video tutorials, workshops, exercises, and one-to-one sessions with our Faculty and visiting designers. This Master of Arts in Game Design is a classroom without walls: anybody can learn about game designer, no matter where they live.

PROFESSIONAL OUTCOMES

Graduates will acquire all the skills needed to work in the video game industry and develop games. Whether they will decide to become independent creators, join an existing studio, launch their own company or become multimedia artists, critics or curators, they will master the essential production and direction skills. 

STUDENTS OWN EVERYTHING THEY MAKE

Everything that students create during the M.A. - from art to scripts, from textures to soundtracks - belongs to them. Students can release their games or interactive experiences even before they graduate and keep all the profits. Unlike the vast majority of game design programs both at graduate and undergraduate levels, at IULM University students have full control of their intellectual property.

LIVE IN THE MOST EXCITING ITALIAN CITY

Milan is one of Europe’s hottest destinations for culture, design, art, music, food, and entertainment. Italy may have a long history, but in Milan, you will experience the future. In the past decade, Milan has gained an international reputation as a hub for innovation and opportunity in indie game development, becoming a hotspot for annual events related to gaming including festivals, gatherings, exhibitions, and conferences, alongside London, Paris, Hamburg, Cologne, Warsaw, and Malmö.

DISCOVER MILAN’S MOST DYNAMIC UNIVERSITY

IULM University is among Italy’s leading universities in media studies, communication, and languages. Its mission is to train and teach professionals capable of taking on the challenges and grasping the opportunities emerging from international scenarios, while also shaping a new generation of cosmopolitan citizens. The interdisciplinary structure of this M.A. Program supports designers working across different media to foster relationships between artistic and technical practices as well as bridging methodologies throughout the University. In addition to the Program itself, students can take advantage of visiting lecturers and professionals working in such fields as cinema, art, music, television, and other creative industries.

FEATURES

DEGREE LEVEL: Master of Arts (M.A.) Degree

LANGUAGE: English-only 

ATTENDANCE: full-time (mandatory)

DEGREE REQUIRED: B.A., M.A. or significant experience in the field

ECTS: 60

DURATION: 6 + 3 months, 1500 hours overall

ATTENDANCE: 3 days per week (full content available online)

LOCATION: Milan, Italy

FORMAT: Online and offline

START DATE: January 11, 2011

END DATE: July 23, 2021

APPLICATION START DATE: July 1, 2020

APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 1, 2021

TUITION AND FEES

EUROPEAN UNION STUDENTS

Overall cost: €5,490

Pre-enrollment fee: €100 (deductible from the first payment)*

1st Payment: €3.200 due with application, including taxes

2st Payment: €1.190 due March 15 2021

3rd Payment: €1.000** due May 15 2021

Notes

Delayed payment of university instalments entails a fixed default fee of € 75.00.

* the pre-enrolment fee is deducted from the first installment of the fee in case of full enrollment is confirmed. No refund will be due to students who do not confirm their enrollment or are not selected after the interview with the Faculty Committee.

** to the third instalment must be added a virtual stamp duty paid for the issue of the parchment amounting to € 16.

NON-EUROPEAN UNION STUDENTS

Overall cost: €6,588

Pre-submission fee: €100 (deductible from the first payment)

1st Payment: €3.200 due with application, including taxes

2st Payment: €2.288 due March 15 2021

3rd Payment: €1.000 due May 15 2021

FINANCIAL AID & SCHOLARSHIPS

For the 2020-2021 academic year, the M.A. program in Game Design at IULM University offers 3 (three) scholarships each amounting to €3000 (three thousand euros). The scholarships will be awarded based on an evaluation of students’ performance in the Program by the entire faculty. Each scholarship covers approximately one third of the overall tuition fees (for Italian and EU students). Meals, accommodation, and travel expenses are not included. To be eligible for a scholarship, students must be properly enrolled in the M.A in Game Design 2020-2021 at IULM University, in good academic standing, and with tuition fees paid in full. Scholarships are available to all enrolled students, regardless of their background or citizenship status.