Create games that will change the world.
Serious Games are more than “just a game”. Used for education, healthcare, marketing, and more, this rapidly growing industry is all about solving real world problems using the universal appeal of play.
- 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.
Serious Games are more than “just a game”. Used for education, healthcare, marketing, and more, this rapidly growing industry is all about solving real world problems using the universal appeal of play.
Throughout this program, you’ll develop and apply your skills in game design and development to a range of problems in authentic contexts. You will analyse the meanings and cultural implications of gameplay and story, and use this knowledge to create emotionally rich and challenging experiences within your own games and simulations.
You will specialise in game art, interactive narrative, or programming, and then work as a specialist in multidisciplinary project teams. Choose a minor to hone your studies in a particular subject area, from areas as diverse as Indigenous Studies, Health Promotion, or Politics and International Relations. 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.
Gain hands-on experience and the opportunity to develop for PC, Smart-phones and Tablets, Augmented Reality, and Virtual Reality. USC's first-class simulation environments and a growing demand for serious games specialists make this unique program a game-changer. 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 can 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
Program Structure
Introductory courses (7)
COR109 Communication and Thought
CMN105 The Illuminated Screen: Introduction to Film and Television Studies
ICT112 Creative Problem Solving with Programming
SGD100 Playcentric Game Design
SGD101 Game Art: Introduction to 2D & 3D
SGD103 Serious Video Game Design Workshop
SGD120 Interactive Narrative: Fundamentals
Advanced course (6)
ICT352 ICT Project Management
SGD200
SGD202 Video Game Analysis
SGD304 Serious Game Project A
SGD305 Professional Games Project
PLUS select 1 course from:
ENT311 New Venture Establishment
ICT341 ICT Internship
ICT342 ICT Industry Project
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) *
* The number of elective courses may vary depending on the minor combinations chosen.
Select 4 elective courses towards the required 288 units. These courses may be selected from either faculty (Arts, Business and Law or Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering.
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 your selected major and/or minor
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
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
- When enrolling, refer to the Study Plan