Program Overview
Undertake the Bachelor of Games Development at SAE and build your expertise in programming or games design. Apply skills and knowledge in this exciting industry in areas such as level design, social and mobile game development, game engine programming, gameplay programming, game design, project management, serious games and much more. During your time at SAE you will work with industry standard software and hardware, and learn to use industry standard programming languages.
You will undertake specialized units designed for students to participate in real-world projects under the guidance of expert SAE staff. With this unique teaching style, you will demonstrate your skills and technical knowledge in a collaborative and creative studio-based learning environment.
The Games Development degree program is broken up into discrete stages, each designed to promote different skills.
Stage I – Foundational Skills Development
In Stage I, students will undertake a number of foundational units which will give students the essential technical skills and knowledge not only relevant to the chosen discipline area but also give students the skills required to collaborate with other creative media students and professionals in later stages of the Film course.
- Gameplay Scripting and Gameplay Programming
- Level Design and Development
- Principles of Game Design
- Project Management and Professional Etiquette
- Critical and creative thinking
- Contemporary industry overview
Stage II – Interdisciplinary Projects, Media and Cultural Studies
In Stage II we show students how their work in Games contributes to and interacts with broader culture and media practice. This knowledge will enable students to work with a variety of other disciplines and artists and expand their potential on the global stage.
Students will complete a number of real-world projects with students not only in their own discipline but also in all other SAE disciplines.
Stage II has three studio modules with projects based on the following areas;
1. Games Programming
The SAE Games Programming degree is a highly focused program that delves deep into game-play and game engine programming. Students will build skills in existing software packages and frameworks such as Unreal Engine and Unity, to build technical skillsets and develop game tools, libraries, and engines. Students will also enhance their knowledge of C++ and object-oriented programming to build complex games and tools. Throughout the program, students will cross-collaborate from all other disciplines to build a rich and high-quality portfolio of work.
2. Games Design
In the Game Design specialization, students will work on a range of projects with peers and SAE Facilitators, which will build skills and knowledge within the diverse scope of Game Design.
During the program, students will be able to pursue all facets of Game Design such as level design, systems design, economy design, combat, and AI design, balancing, player psychology, and much more. Best of all, SAE will provide the tools to be able to articulate design ideas into real working games, explore complex artistic ideas that lead to original, personal games that are artistically and meaningful to the student. Students have the opportunity to work alongside other like-minded students and staff from all SAE disciplines to build a massive portfolio of projects.
Stage III
Stage III is the final part of the study. Here you will undertake an interdisciplinary project of choice to be the final and most ambitious portfolio project that a student will undertake.
Students will also finalize their studies by undertaking a Games elective module and completing a compulsory internship.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Applicants from all applicant groups who wish to study a bachelor’s degree course must satisfy the following entry requirements:
- Be at least 18 years of age (or turning 18 during your first year of studies) or 17y before the commencement of the first term.
- Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (SSCE) or equivalent, which is Grade/Year 12 according to the Australian curriculum.
- Completion of a Diploma level qualification or higher issued under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), or other equivalent qualifications.
- Experience Based Entry - for applicants who do not meet the requirements of entry criteria 1 or 2. directly for more information.
- Required documents:
- High school Certificate
- High school transcript (Grade scale must be provided if not graduated in US, IB, UK or Indian curriculum), unless grades are mentioned as percentages (%)
- Proof of English language proficiency
SAE recognizes industry experience and previous studies from accredited institutions.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
International students have to provide additional evidence of language skills and complete one of the following:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS): A band score of 6 or higher for a Higher Education (HE) course and 5.5 or higher for a VET course (only the Academic Test is accepted), OR
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): A score of 550 or higher (paper based test), 60 or higher (internet-based test) for a Higher Education (HE) course and a minimum score of 527 (paper-based test) or 46 (internet based test) for a VET course, OR
- International Second Language Proficiency Rating (ISLPR): An overall rating of 3, OR
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic score of 50 (or higher) for a Higher Education (HE) course, and an Academic score of 42 (or higher) for a vocational education program, OR
- Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) A B 2.1 level or higher.
- Completion of Year 12 English at an Australian secondary school or college or equivalent with a minimum result of “Satisfactory” or equivalent.
- An equivalent level from other approved secondary schooling English studies by providing a signed and stamped letter of confirmation from the High school stating that English was the language of instruction.
- Other evidence of English competency may be considered for review and will be accepted at the discretion of SAE Creative Media Institute. This can be either proof of mother tongue language or a signed and stamped letter of confirmation from a Higher education institution stating that English was the language of instruction.
English test scores more than two (2) years old at the time of application will not be accepted.
Fees:
Registration Fee: 3,000 AED
Equipment Fee: 2,000 AED
Yearly Tuition Fee: 51,975 AED
*Payment Plans are available
*5% VAT to be added to the fees
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE SCHOLARSHIP
Begin your journey to pursue your dreams, of turning your passion into a profession with us. Apply and enroll in a bachelor’s degree at SAE and receive an academic scholarship* of up to AED 25,000.
SAE gives out more than AED 1.6 million every year through financial aids and partial scholarships. And this year, as part of our COVID-19 response, we are doing even more.
We are determined to ensure that your #learningneverstops - especially because of financial reasons and to aid this mission, we have put together these scholarship opportunities and flexible payment plans in place.
Here are some of the many scholarship opportunities which you can benefit from:
Scholarship Criteria |
Scholarship Amount |
Relative Savings** |
A+ or 90%+ |
AED 25,000 |
50% of the Year 1 tuition fee |
A or 80-89% |
AED 15,000 |
20% of the Year 1 tuition fee |
B or 70-79% |
AED 5,000 |
9.5% of the Year 1 tuition fee |
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP
We reward your passion from overseas! With this scholarship, we aim to recognize international students for their outstanding academic achievement and creative portfolios. International students who are looking to enroll in our creative media degrees are eligible to apply for the scholarship. The scholarship* is granted on the basis of merit & the submission of a creative portfolio as reviewed by the academic board & scholarships committee.
SAE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT SCHOLARSHIP
With this scholarship, we aim to recognize outstanding academic achievement within our creative media degrees. Students who have completed one year of their degree are eligible to apply for this scholarship. The scholarship* is granted on the basis of merit and financial need as reviewed by the academic board & scholarships committee.
SAE CREATIVE PORTFOLIO SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship is aimed to encourage and promote quality creative work & reward the same. Students who have completed four trimesters of the degree are eligible to apply for this scholarship*. This scholarship will be granted on the basis of submission of a creative portfolio (evidence of academic work and collaborations outside SAE), which will be reviewed, by the scholarship committee & academic board.
ALUMNI SCHOLARSHIP
Alumni who have completed a degree from another SAE Institute and would like to enroll into another degree with SAE Dubai, are eligible for a 10% scholarship* towards their total tuition fee.
**Apart from these scholarship opportunities, SAE offers paid internship opportunities in collaboration with their industry and DCCA partners. These opportunities are shared with all students.
FINANCIAL AID
We offer financial aid* to students who need assistance funding their education with us. This is granted to prospective students on review of the student's academic records, student's creative portfolio, and family's financial status.
WORK/STUDY PROGRAM
We offer students the opportunity to apply to work with SAE Dubai to help them fund their studies with us. Students are eligible to apply for the scholarship* after completion of their first trimester. This opportunity will be granted on the basis of merit (first trimester grades) and financial need.
*Terms & Conditions Apply To All.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Please note:
- Students can apply for one scholarship or financial assistance option at a time
- All applications are reviewed by the Scholarship Committee & academic board
- Scholarships are not transferable between SAE campuses
- Scholarships are granted at the discretion of SAE Dubai management