The MSc in Digital Games brings together students from many backgrounds to create innovative and exciting digital games. You are encouraged to explore your personal approach to game creation by combining your game design education with either critical analysis or technology specialisations. In all cases, you will fully engage with the processes of game design and creation, as well as logistical concerns such as project and business management. The degree culminates in producing a completely developed digital game or a theory-based dissertation. The programme is taught by experts from a variety of fields, providing diverse perspectives on game creation and criticism. As digital games continue to evolve, the programme will also expand to provide the skills and knowledge needed in industry, independent development, and academic games research. The taught component will be covered during the first two years whilst the research component will be covered during the latter two years.
Applicants must be in possession of a first cycle degree obtained from this University, or from any other higher education institution approved by Senate for this purpose, and satisfy also the Special Course Requirements and any other conditions included in the Notes section, if applicable.
Applicants must also satisfy the following Special Course Requirements:
A Bachelor degree from this University or from a university recognised by Senate for the purpose, in the areas of Information Technology, Engineering, Communications, the Humanities, the Social Sciences, or in any other area which the Board deems as appropriate.
All applicants shall also submit a portfolio of recent works as well as a letter of motivation in order to demonstrate their experience and/or substantial talent and motivation.
The admission requirements are applicable for courses commencing in October 2023.
For more detailed information pertaining to admission and progression requirements please refer to the bye-laws for the course available here.
UM currently hosts over 1,000 full-time international students and over 450 visiting students. The ever-increasing international students coming from various countries, in recent years, have transformed this 400-year old institution into an international campus.
Our international students generally describe Malta as a safe place, enjoying excellent weather and an all-year varied cultural programme. Malta is considered as the ideal place for students to study.
You can compare your national qualifications to the local requirements by visiting our qualifications comparability webpage.
After you receive an offer from us, our International Office will assist you with visas, accommodation and other related issues.
Local/EU/EEA Applicants:
Annual Enrolment Fee: Eur 400
Non-EU/Non-EEA Applicants:
Fee per academic year: Eur 13,400
The following are a sample of learning outcomes that you will achieve by the end of the programme, where you will be able to:
• Develop efficient, functional and well written documentation both for internal documents (design document, treatment document) and for external ones (concept document) + demonstrate well-honed presentation and pitching skills. • Identify the appropriate quantitative or qualitative research methodology for a particular games research task. • Critically analyse how human creativity affects the creative facets of games. • Analyse player experience using a variety of theoretical and empirical tools. • Implement and describe fundamental algorithms used in game graphics. • Use software tools and development methods appropriate to their roles.
The course is intended if you are an applicant holding a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Malta or from a foreign institution abroad in either Information Technology, Engineering, Communications, the Humanities, the Social Sciences, or in any other area which the Board deems as appropriate, and would like to enter a career in the digital games institute.
As a successful holder of this masters’ degree, you will be able to enter a career in the digital games industry. The option of pursing a doctorate at the University of Malta is also available if you wish to further your studies.
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication. The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. Unless for exceptional approved reasons, no changes to the programme of study for a particular academic year will be made once the students' registration period for that academic year begins.
