Diploma of Game Design and Development
UndergraduateTUA-GDD-DIP2025
Course information for 2025 intake View information for 2024 course intake
A hands-on intro to the video game industry
Start making games from day one. Follow development processes to bring your game to life. You’ll use visual design fundamentals to produce a game with your team. Use industry-standard software, developing on the PlayStation 5 platform and working in Adobe.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 1 year full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 8
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Diploma of Game Design and Development
About this degree
As one of Australia’s fastest growing universities, we take a progressive approach to learning. Our courses are co-designed, developed and delivered with industry, giving you confidence that you’ll graduate job-ready.
During this course you will:
- Develop your individual artistic style and technical skills.
- Learn the art of building stories with other people.
- Work with industry-standard tools, software and 3D construction techniques.
- Gain a practical grounding in the real-world game development industry.
This course introduces the full spectrum of game art and design, from visual design fundamentals to game design conception and introductory game development processes. You will be exposed to the technical tools and 3D construction techniques that are integral to the field.
This diploma develops the necessary technical skills and exposure to game development processes to begin working in game development, or provide a clear pathway for further study.
Course duration: 1 year full time, 2 years part time, 6 months accelerated.
Recommended study pattern
The course structure comprises 2 common core subjects, 4 specialised subjects and 2 elective subjects at level 100. Students must complete a minimum of 80 credit points at level 100.Award requirements
To be awarded the Diploma of Game Design and Development, students must complete 80 credit points over 8 subjects. Each subject has a value of 10 credit points.Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $28,280
The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.
Fees may vary depending on:
- the subjects you choose
- credit from previous work experience
- your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.
To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.
At Torrens University Australia you can tailor your study to suit your lifestyle. Thanks to their innovative digital learning system you’ll gain the ultimate in flexibility, and still receive personalised guidance from academics and access to work placement, mentorship and internship opportunities. Online you can attend live classes or view recorded sessions, connect with lecturers and fellow students, and access content on-demand 24/7.
Learn more about Torrens.
Explore Torrens courses.
How to apply
Torrens University Australia manages enquiries and applications for this degree.
Complete your details and we'll make sure your enquiry is sent to Torrens University Australia who will contact you to discuss this degree.
Don't worry, we're still here to help you - you'll receive a personalised follow-up from an Open Universities Australia student advisor to make sure you have found the right degree for you.
Entry requirements
Torrens University Australia offers flexible entry options and study pathways, whether you’re finishing school, pursuing career progression or looking for a change. Entry requirements for this course includes:
- Successful completion of a Higher Education qualification.
Year 12 (Australian secondary school certificate) or equivalent.
Successful completion of a Vocational qualification (AQF Level 4), or above.
Standard English language requirements apply.
Don’t meet the entry requirements? We have numerous pathway programs to get you started. Contact our Future Student Advisors to learn about alternative entry options.
Torrens University offers pathway opportunities to further your learning. If you have already completed a qualification you may be able to credit this against a degree with Torrens University, even if it’s from another institution. This is called Recognition of Prior Learning. Under Torrens University's Recognition of Prior Learning policy, you may be eligible for a reduction in tuition costs if you have previous study and/or work experience.
Our Future Student Advisors will happily walk you through the application process.
Career opportunities
On successfully completing this qualification, you will have specific skills, knowledge and experiences to pursue employment in the game development industry in a variety of entry-level roles or develop your own entrepreneurial projects. You’ll also have the necessary foundation to pursue further study in related design and technology undergraduate degrees.
Potential career paths include:
- Character Artist
- Game Designer
- Environment Designer.
Professional recognition
Houdini SideFX Certified School. Gain free access to the award-winning industry-standard Houdini SideFX platform.
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
Role | Earnings | Employment change |
|---|---|---|
Game and Multimedia Developers | N/A^ | N/A^ |
Graphic and Web Designers, and Illustrators | $75K to $93K | Down 9% |
Multimedia Specialists and Web Developers | $93K to $120K | Up 22.5% |
^ There is no data available