Overview
Video games are today one of the main creative, cultural, technological and commercial forms of our time. They combine software engineering, visual culture, storytelling, interaction design, data science, artificial intelligence and entrepreneurship, in a sector that is growing and changing at great speed.
That is why development studios and publishers are looking for professionals able to lead a game’s vision, make data-driven decisions, direct technical choices and the use of AI, and take a project from production through to publishing and live operations.
The Master of Arts in Game Design & Creation at H-FARM College trains the future game directors and producers: professionals who direct a game’s vision, art and narrative, oversee its systems and economy, supervise the art and technical pipeline and bring it to market. A game design master’s that combines creative judgment, technical expertise and commercial awareness.
Want to find out how this game design master’s can lead you to direct the games of tomorrow?
Contact H-FARM College and talk to our admissions team.
Non-EU students: €26,350.00
Non-EU Student Grant
Why a master’s in Game Design & Creation
This game design master’s approaches every discipline from the perspective of direction and production. Programming, technical art, procedural systems and AI are not the end goal, but the tools through which you learn to lead a game: defining its vision, balancing its systems and economy based on data and evidence, directing technical choices and the use of artificial intelligence, supervising the art pipeline and managing production, publishing and live operations.
For this reason, the program assumes a good operational command of development tools. Graduates of the H-FARM College BA in Game Design & Digital Arts gain direct access without repeating content already covered, while those coming from other backgrounds can reach the required level through a preparatory course.
Alongside production skills, you will develop critical judgment and professional responsibility on the major issues the industry is facing: responsible use of AI, sustainable production, working conditions, accessibility, representation, platform power and business models.
You will study on a 51-hectare green campus just outside Venice, with study spaces, housing, sports facilities, restaurants, a library and more than 300 events every year. The Creativity, Arts & Design area provides dedicated spaces, advanced workstations, specialized equipment and workshops, in an ecosystem close to the international cultural and commercial networks of Venice and the European video game industry.
Want to understand how a game design master’s can give you a competitive edge in the video game industry?
Contact us and discover all the opportunities this program offers!
Academics
The Game Design & Creation master’s program
In the first semester of this game design master’s you will work on the vision and structure of a game: advanced systems and game economy, developed in teams with a playable prototype and balancing analysis; game direction, with the creation of a direction bible that defines art, narrative and creative vision; and technical art and optimization, covering shaders, materials, profiling and pipelines.
The second semester takes you to the frontiers of contemporary development: game programming with AI; AI in games and procedural systems, with playable prototypes documented by a decision log; and Game Production & Publishing, where you will build a production plan, market analysis, live operations strategy and pitch for publishers and investors.
The third semester is entirely dedicated to the Experiential Term, a bridge between study and professional practice.
Want to find out how this master’s can open the doors to the most in-demand professions in gaming?
Write to us now and start building your career in the video game industry!
Curriculum – Master of Arts in Game Design & Creation
SEMESTER I
CORE COURSES
Advanced Game Systems & Economy – 10 ECTS
Game Direction: Vision, Art & Narrative – 10 ECTS
Technical Art & Optimization – 10 ECTS
SEMESTER II
CORE COURSES
Game Programming with AI – 10 ECTS
AI in Games & Procedural Systems – 10 ECTS
Game Production & Publishing – 10 ECTS
SEMESTER III
Experiential Term (internship project, pre-accelerator, dissertation) – 30 ECTS
How the Experiential Term works
During the third semester, students have the opportunity to put the skills acquired during their studies into practice by choosing one of the following three options:
An internship at a development studio, publisher or gaming company in Italy or abroad, accompanied by an intensive week of classes on research methods and on preparing the business project report and final pitch.
Guided by experts from the H-FARM Entrepreneurship & Startup Center, students can develop their own startup project, which will be the subject of a business project report and final pitch.
An academic thesis or individual research project, accompanied by an intensive week of classes on research methods and writing techniques.
H-FARM College Faculty
The master’s is coordinated by Luciano Comacchio. The faculty is made up of game directors, designers, producers, technical artists and developers who work every day in the video game industry, alongside instructors with international academic experience.
To give students an experience close to the real dynamics of the industry, classes alternate with practical projects, prototyping, technical reviews, mentoring, work in multidisciplinary teams and meetings with guest speakers from international studios and publishers. By the end of the program you will have a portfolio of playable projects and direction and production documents, as well as the experience of leading a game from idea to market.
Want to learn from people who create and direct today’s video games and be part of an international creative community?
Discover our faculty and let yourself be guided through a master’s that can turn your talent into a career.
Admission
You can find all information on requirements, the selection process and deadlines in the Call for Applications.
To apply for this programme, you will need:
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
The programme is taught in English; applicants must therefore have a minimum English level equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.5 (or an equivalent certificate), with no less than 6.0 in each individual skill. Each certificate serves a specific purpose: if you are unsure which one is right for you, see our Certification Guide.
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION
Applicants must hold:
– a bachelor’s degree from H-FARM College in the Design & Creativity area; or
– a bachelor’s degree from another accredited university in a related discipline (e.g. design, communication, architecture or fine arts); or
– a bachelor’s degree in another discipline, together with the successful completion of a preparatory course at H-FARM College.
Deadline for submitting missing documents
Any documents not submitted at the application stage must be provided by the following deadlines:
Degree certificate: 31 December 2027
B2 English certificate: 16 October 2027
Admissions process
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EU and Schengen Area countries:
You can apply through the form available on this page. During the process, you will be asked to provide the following information:
- your personal details;
- your Bachelor’s degree certificate with transcript of records, or, if you are still studying at the time of application, your enrollment certificate with transcript of records (for exceptional applications, please refer to the Call for Applications);
- a motivational video in English (watch the video tutorial) or, alternatively, a portfolio showcasing your projects;
- your CV in English;
- your English language certificate (if already available).
Non-EU countries:
You can apply through the form available on this page. Non-EU students are required to pay an application fee of €50. If admitted, this amount will be deducted from the pre-enrollment or enrollment fee. Within the same form, you will need to provide the following:
- your personal details;
- your Bachelor’s degree certificate with transcript of records, or, if you are still studying at the time of application, your enrollment certificate with transcript of records;
- your personal statement and one letter of reference;
- your CV in English;
- your English language certificate (if already available).
EU and Schengen Area countries:
After submitting the online application, you will be contacted by the Admissions Team to schedule your motivational interview, which will be held in English. Interviews will take place on the dates indicated in the Call for Applications. During the interview, in addition to motivation, academic and extracurricular experiences, your English level will also be assessed.
Non-EU countries:
Applicants from non-EU countries who have correctly completed their application will be invited to an asynchronous admission interview.
After the admissions interview, you will receive the outcome of your application via email.
EU and Schengen Area countries:
Admitted candidates will have the opportunity to accept their place and proceed with pre-enrollment or enrollment, as applicable, by:
– completing the pre-enrollment/enrollment form received by email;
– paying the pre-enrollment/enrollment fee.
Non-EU countries:
Admitted candidates will have the opportunity to accept their place and proceed with pre-enrollment by:
– completing the pre-enrollment form received by email;
– paying the pre-enrollment fee.
Only after obtaining a visa will students be able to proceed with enrollment by completing the enrollment form received by email and paying the first installment.
Dual career: student-athlete
Skiing, tennis, golf, horse riding, sailing, motorsport: Champion’s Academic Journey is the programme for student-athletes who want to excel in both sport and academics, making the most of their athletic career without giving up the university experience.
The programme is open to national and international-level student-athletes, depending on the sport practised.
Global Talent Grant
Applicants from non-EU countries will have the opportunity to join the “Global Talent Grant” programme and apply for a tuition fee reduction through the application form.
Application timeline
Several application rounds are planned for the 2027/28 academic year.
EU or Schengen Area countries:
- Round
- Online application
- Interview
- Results
- Pre-enrolment
- Enrolment
- Early Decision Round
- 6 October – 30 November
- 9 and 10 December
- 14 December
- 23 December
- 1–31 July
- Round 1
- 1 December – 31 January
- 4 February
- 8 February
- 17 February
- 1–31 July
- Round 2
- 1 February – 31 March
- 5 April
- 7 April
- 21 April
- 1–31 July
- Round 3
- 1 April – 15 May
- 20 May
- 24 May
- 9 June
- 1–31 July
- Round 4
- 16 May – 30 June
- 5 July
- 7 July
- –
- 1–31 July
- Round 5
- 1 July – 31 July
- 4 August
- 6 August
- –
- 3–5 September
- Rolling
- 01 August – 5 October
- Rolling
- The day after the interview
- –
- Within 3 days of receiving the result and no later than 10 October
Non-EU countries:
- Round
- Online application
- Asynchronous video
- Results
- Pre-enrolment
- Enrolment*
- Early Decision Round
- 6 October – 30 November
- Within 7 days of receipt of the application
- Within 7 days of receipt of the asynchronous video
- Within 7 days of receiving the application outcome
- 1–31 July
- Round 1
- 1 December – 31 January
- Within 7 days of receipt of the application
- Within 7 days of receipt of the asynchronous video
- Within 7 days of receiving the application outcome
- 1–31 July
- Round 2
- 1 February – 31 March
- Within 7 days of receipt of the application
- Within 7 days of receipt of the asynchronous video
- Within 7 days of receiving the application outcome
- 1–31 July
- Round 3
- 1 April – 15 May
- Within 7 days of receipt of the application
- Within 7 days of receipt of the asynchronous video
- Within 7 days of receiving the application outcome
- 1–31 July
- Round 4
- 16 May – 30 June
- Within 7 days of receipt of the application
- Within 7 days of receipt of the asynchronous video
- Within 7 days of receiving the application outcome
- 1–31 July
The application deadline for students from non-EU countries is 30 June 2027.
Tuition & Financing
Fees and Payment Methods
Tuition for this Master’s Degree is as follows:
–EU or Schengen Area students: €15,500.00
€14,500.00 for those who apply during the Early Decision Round
–Non-EU students: €26,350.00
Payment is made in 3 installments.
Late payment of tuition fees after the due date stated in the contract will incur progressive penalties: €100 from the 1st to the 10th day after the due date; €200 from the 11th to the 20th day after the due date; and €200 plus suspension of the student’s university career from the 20th day after the due date onward.
1st installment
EU or Schengen Area students:
Full Fee: €5,700 (€800 at pre-enrollment + €4,900 at enrollment)
Early Decision Round: €5,500 (€800 at pre-enrollment + €4,700 at enrollment)
Non-EU students:
€10,550 (€2,500 at pre-enrollment + €8,050 at enrollment)
2nd installment
EU or Schengen Area students:
€4,900 by January 15, 2028
Early Decision Round: €4,500 by January 15, 2028
Non-EU students:
€7,900 by January 15, 2028
3rd installment
EU or Schengen Area students:
€4,900 by May 15, 2028
Early Decision Round: €4,500 by May 15, 2028
Non-EU students:
€7,900 by May 15, 2028
Invest in your future
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