Create games that will change the world.
The future is here and serious games are all around us. Used for education, marketing, solving real world problems and more, gaming is no longer just for entertainment.
Commences Semester 1, 2016
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
The future is here and serious games are all around us. Used for education, marketing, solving real world problems and more, gaming is no longer just for entertainment.
USC's first-class simulation environments and a growing demand for serious games specialists make this unique program a game-changer.
You will learn to analyse the meanings and cultural implications of gameplay and story and then go on to create emotionally rich and challenging experiences with your own games as simulations.
You have the option to specialise in game art, interactive narrative or programming and then work in multidisciplinary project teams. Collaborating with other game writers, artists, programmers and designers, you will produce and publish serious games that meaningfully connect with their players and address global needs.
With the opportunity to undertake internships and real world projects, graduates will enter one of the most diverse, distributed and fastest-growing sectors of the games industry. As well as working in game studios, graduates take on embedded roles in businesses, not-for-profits, and government.
Career opportunities
Game designer, artist, programmer, writer, reviewer, interactive educator/trainer, simulation/visual design.
Program structure
Introductory courses (7)
COR109 Business Finance
CMN105 Communication and Thought
ICT112 The Illuminated Screen: Introduction to Film and Television Studies
SGD100 Creative Problem Solving with Programming
SGD101 Playcentric Game Design
SGD103 Game Art 1
SGD120 Serious Video Game Design Workshop
Advanced course (6)
ICT352 Interactive Narrative: Fundamentals
SGD200 ICT Project Management
SGD202
SGD304 Video Game Analysis
SGD305 Serious Game Project A
Plus select 1 course from:
ENT311 Professional Games Project
ICT341 New Venture Establishment
ICT342 ICT Internship
Minor courses (7)
Select 1 minor from:
Interactive Narrative
Game Art
Game Programming
PLUS complete any additional minor from either Faculty. The following is a list of suggested minors, which may be especially appropriate:
Comparative Studies
Development Studies
Economics
Entrepreneurship
Environmental Health
Environmental Science
Game Art
Game Programming
Health Promotion
Indigenous Studies
Interactive Narrative
Marketing
Performance Enhancement
Planning Studies
Politics and International Relations
Sociology
Sustainability
Elective courses (4)
Select 4 elective courses # towards the required 288 units. These courses may be selected from the Faculty of Arts and Business or the Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering.
# The number of elective courses may vary depending on the minor combinations chosen.
Note: Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 288
Recommended study sequences
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Complete 7 required introductory level (100 coded) courses.
- Complete 6 required advanced level (200 coded) courses.
- Complete 2 minors.
- Complete 4 elective courses.
- Complete no more than 10 introductory level (100 coded) courses, including the core course.
- Register any selected Majors or Minors with your Faculty.
Program notes
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
- Some required introductory courses may count towards some minors.
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. It is advisable to contact your Faculty Program Advisor to discuss timing and course issues.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
- When enrolling, refer to the Study Plan.