Why Bachelor of Media and Communication?
Unleash your creativity and imagination in the world of games design. Watch your creations come to life as players explore, discover and conquer challenges. Blend artistry and technical skills to become an architect of alternate realities.
Our Bachelor of Media and Communication majoring in Games Design and Production will build your skills and knowledge in games design, production, programming and art. You’ll explore emerging industry practices in specialised game production labs and construct a game through all stages of the pipeline process, growing your skillset.
In this deeply practical degree, you’ll hone your technical and professional skillset through professional experience and industry projects. All these experiences ensure you’ll graduate ready to make an impact in the field, creating groundbreaking interactive games.
Overview
The Bachelor of Media and Communication majoring in Games Design and Production will help you pursue a career as a game designer, artist, program, or writer.
Hands-on from the beginning, you’ll learn the processes and techniques that bring a game to life. This will be accompanied by time spent learning core concepts in media and communication, that will help you dive deeper into the world of innovative game design.
You’ll learn how to design game engines for various platforms, as well as traditional tabletop set-ups. Conceptualise and develop forward-thinking games that can be brought to market in the growing games industry.
You’ll have opportunities to work collaboratively and build relationships with industry throughout your degree. These experiences will expose you to the latest e-techniques that are engaging audiences worldwide.
You’ll graduate with the skills and expertise necessary to take on a range of jobs in the dynamic games industry.
Key features
Create your own game narratives using industry-standard tools and software.- Build skills and knowledge in games design, production, programming and art.
- Gain hands-on experience in state-of-the-art game laboratories to produce games in multiple formats and mediums.
- Collaborate with others in a studio environment, putting your new skills to work to collaboratively create game projects.
- Explore virtual production techniques to create animations inside game engines.
- Be equipped with the skills to create effective, efficient and appealing graphic assets for game design.
What you'll learn
Your major will explore key elements of game design theory, practical development skills, and the project management skills involved in bringing a game to fruition. You’ll create your own game design documents and learn how to write narratives that captivate users. You’ll develop your skills in Unreal Engine, learning how to utilise tools for developing high-quality games, simulations, and interactive experiences across various platforms. You’ll even use physical prototyping methods like 3D printing to design and produce a tabletop game, creating prototypes and physical items to simulate gameplay.
Interested in animation? Focus on production techniques to create and implement animations that bring characters, environments and objects to life within a digital game.
Establishing connections with industry is a major part of your third year. Undertake professional experience and a production project in collaboration with professionals in game development. Grow your skillset in games production and design, ready to pursue a career in the advancing tech industry.
Majors
The Bachelor of Media and Communication is also available with majors in the following:
What courses you'll study
Complete 144 units comprising:
- 84 units for Core courses, and
- Either:
- 48 units for one Major from Majors, or
- 48 units from Discipline courses, and
- 6 units for all Work integrated learning, and
- 6 units for Electives
Complete 84 units comprising:
- 18 units from Common core, and
- 66 units for all Program core
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
An Ethically Rich Life
|
Course code
COREX001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Fact or Fiction: Data for Everyone
|
Course code
COREX002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Igniting Change: Ideas to Action
|
Course code
COREX003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Proppa Ways, Future Practice
|
Course code
COREX004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Responsible AI: Bridging Ethics, Education and Industry
|
Course code
COREX005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Ways of Being, Ways of Seeing
|
Course code
COREX006
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Digital Platforms
|
Course code
MDIA1001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Key Concepts in Media and Communication
|
Course code
MDIA1018
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Media and Communication Professional Identities
|
Course code
MDIA1016
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Creating Content for Media
|
Course code
MDIA2101
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Media Law, Policy and Ethics
|
Course code
MDIA2022
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Research Methods in Media and Communication
|
Course code
MDIA2021
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Promotional Culture
|
Course code
MDIA2102
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Media Industries in Transition
|
Course code
MDIA3015
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Media and Communication Professional Experience
|
Course code
MDIA3905
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Strategic Planning for Media and Communication
|
Course code
MDIA3017
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Advanced Concepts in Media and Communication
|
Course code
MDIA3023
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
 |
Course name
Key Concepts in Media and Communication
|
Course code
MDIA1018
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Digital Platforms
|
Course code
MDIA1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Digital Design Principles and Methods
|
Course code
GRAP1004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Media and Communication Professional Identities
|
Course code
MDIA1016
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Creating Content for Media
|
Course code
MDIA2101
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Digital Project Management
|
Course code
COGR2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Media Law, Policy and Ethics
|
Course code
MDIA2022
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Research Methods in Media and Communication
|
Course code
MDIA2021
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Visual Asset Design for Games
|
Course code
INFO2020
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Promotional Culture
|
Course code
MDIA2102
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Media and Communication Project
|
Course code
MDIA2901
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Media Industries in Transition
|
Course code
MDIA3015
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Strategic Planning for Media and Communication
|
Course code
MDIA3017
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Managing Games Design
|
Course code
COGR3000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Advanced Concepts in Media and Communication
|
Course code
MDIA3023
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Media and Communication Professional Experience
|
Course code
MDIA3905
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Games Production Industry Lab
|
Course code
COGR3001
|
Units
12
|
Complete 48 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Games Design
|
Course code
COGR1005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Digital Project Management
|
Course code
COGR2000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Immersive Media Design and Development 1
|
Course code
COGR2003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Managing Games Design
|
Course code
COGR3000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Games Production Industry Lab
|
Course code
COGR3001
|
Units
12
|
|
|
Course name
Digital Design Principles and Methods
|
Course code
GRAP1004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Game Environment Design
|
Course code
GRAP2019
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Visual Asset Design for Games
|
Course code
INFO2020
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Key Concepts in Media and Communication
|
Course code
MDIA1018
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Digital Platforms
|
Course code
MDIA1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Digital Design Principles and Methods
|
Course code
GRAP1004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Media and Communication Professional Identities
|
Course code
MDIA1016
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Creating Content for Media
|
Course code
MDIA2101
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Digital Project Management
|
Course code
COGR2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Media Law, Policy and Ethics
|
Course code
MDIA2022
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Research Methods in Media and Communication
|
Course code
MDIA2021
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Visual Asset Design for Games
|
Course code
INFO2020
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Promotional Culture
|
Course code
MDIA2102
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Media and Communication Project
|
Course code
MDIA2901
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Media Industries in Transition
|
Course code
MDIA3015
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Strategic Planning for Media and Communication
|
Course code
MDIA3017
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Managing Games Design
|
Course code
COGR3000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Advanced Concepts in Media and Communication
|
Course code
MDIA3023
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Media and Communication Professional Experience
|
Course code
MDIA3905
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Games Production Industry Lab
|
Course code
COGR3001
|
Units
12
|
Complete 6 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Media and Communication Project
|
Course code
MDIA2901
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Key Concepts in Media and Communication
|
Course code
MDIA1018
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Digital Platforms
|
Course code
MDIA1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Digital Design Principles and Methods
|
Course code
GRAP1004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Media and Communication Professional Identities
|
Course code
MDIA1016
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Creating Content for Media
|
Course code
MDIA2101
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Digital Project Management
|
Course code
COGR2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Media Law, Policy and Ethics
|
Course code
MDIA2022
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Research Methods in Media and Communication
|
Course code
MDIA2021
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Visual Asset Design for Games
|
Course code
INFO2020
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Promotional Culture
|
Course code
MDIA2102
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Media and Communication Project
|
Course code
MDIA2901
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Media Industries in Transition
|
Course code
MDIA3015
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Strategic Planning for Media and Communication
|
Course code
MDIA3017
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Managing Games Design
|
Course code
COGR3000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Advanced Concepts in Media and Communication
|
Course code
MDIA3023
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Media and Communication Professional Experience
|
Course code
MDIA3905
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Games Production Industry Lab
|
Course code
COGR3001
|
Units
12
|
Complete 6 units comprising:
- 6 units from University-wide electives
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Key Concepts in Media and Communication
|
Course code
MDIA1018
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Digital Platforms
|
Course code
MDIA1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Digital Design Principles and Methods
|
Course code
GRAP1004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Media and Communication Professional Identities
|
Course code
MDIA1016
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Creating Content for Media
|
Course code
MDIA2101
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Digital Project Management
|
Course code
COGR2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Media Law, Policy and Ethics
|
Course code
MDIA2022
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Research Methods in Media and Communication
|
Course code
MDIA2021
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Visual Asset Design for Games
|
Course code
INFO2020
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Promotional Culture
|
Course code
MDIA2102
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Media and Communication Project
|
Course code
MDIA2901
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Media Industries in Transition
|
Course code
MDIA3015
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Strategic Planning for Media and Communication
|
Course code
MDIA3017
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Managing Games Design
|
Course code
COGR3000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Advanced Concepts in Media and Communication
|
Course code
MDIA3023
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Media and Communication Professional Experience
|
Course code
MDIA3905
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Games Production Industry Lab
|
Course code
COGR3001
|
Units
12
|
Career outcomes
Each role in the games industry contributes to the creation and development of games – digital and tabletop. Whether you're passionate about storytelling, visual design, project management or user interaction, there's a career path in game design that can align with your passion.
Maybe you’ll work on creating immersive game environments, compelling storylines, characters and dialogue that captivate players. Maybe you’ll focus on serious games or gamification projects, applying game design principles to education or other fields to enhance engagement for learners. Or you could pursue a career as a project manager or producer, coordinating teams and resources to bring a game from concept to completion.
Graduates can pursue careers as a:
- Games designer
- Narrative designer
- Game artist or animator
- Level designer
- User experience designer
- Project manager or producer
- QA tester
- eLearning developer.
Industry trends
Total video game revenue is projected to rise from $262 billion in 2023 to $312 billion in 2027. Fuelled by its ability to captivate wide audiences, industry growth continues to rely on games designed to be played on a PC or console (PWC, 2024). Use your skills in digital games design and knowledge in communication theories, to develop games that will catapult through the market and drive profitable sales.
Ready to apply?
Please note that a non-refundable application fee of AUD$150 applies for every application submitted to Adelaide University.
Your study experience and support
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
- Career advice and mentoring services
- Personal counselling
- LGBTQIA+ support
- Academic support
- Fees and finance help
- Security services
- Accommodation services
- Common rooms
- Prayer rooms.
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
Your campus
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Study hours
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
- Case studies
- Essays and assignments
- Examinations
- Group projects
- Internships and placements
- Practicals
- Presentations
- Reports and project documentations
- Research projects
- Workplace and classroom contributions.
