Course Overview

About This Course

If you want to be part of the exciting and expanding industry of gaming, we want to help you gain the skills to stand apart from them all. In a matter of months, you'll learn the key fundamentals of game development. At SAE we can offer small classes and one-on-one mentoring opportunities you may not find in a larger university. Your growth and development as a creative practitioner will be assessed through the completion of industry-based projects. This will ultimately help you build up a body of work and portfolio to share with potential employers or your first client. In preparation for an industry that commands agility and adaptability, you'll cut your creative teeth on projects in partnership with your course peers. You'll work in a team to pitch, design, plan and deliver a game in response to a brief. Your project will extend your design and scripting skills sets, to allow you to craft a broader range of gameplay systems and features. To complement your technical skills, you will graduate with employability skills, introductory project management skills, and scholarly techniques for higher education. Upon completion, you will be eligible for up to 80 credit points towards either the Bachelor of Games Development.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

SAE Adelaide, Adelaide SA, AustraliaSAE Brisbane, Brisbane QLD, AustraliaSAE Melbourne, Melbourne VIC, AustraliaSAE Perth, Perth WA, AustraliaSAE Sydney, Sydney NSW, AustraliaAdelaideWest EndBYRON BAYSOUTH MELBOURNENorthbridgeChippendale

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Domestic Students — must meet one of the following:

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (QCE, WACE, HSC or SACE) or equivalent; OR
Completion of a Certificate III-level qualification, or higher, issued under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF); OR
Applicants who do not meet the above criteria may refer to SAE's Experience Based Entry scheme.

International Students:

Must be 18 years or above when they arrive in Australia to commence studies.
Completion of Year 12 English at an Australian secondary school or college, or equivalent.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS): Academic IELTS minimum overall band of 5.5 with no individual band below 5, completed in the last two years (or equivalent); OR
Completion of Year 12 English in an Australian secondary school or college or equivalent with a minimum result of 'Satisfactory' or equivalent; OR
Successful completion of an Academic English program with an SAE-approved Australian-based English partner.

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

Entry-level Game Designer, Entry-level Game Level Designer, Entry-level Community Manager, Entry-level Games Writer, Quality Assurance Officer, Production Assistant.

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

ASQA

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units8 units

GIM110

Thinking About Games

Develops research, academic writing and scholarly skills within the historical, cultural and academic context of games. Potential project: a paper and digital presentation in the style of a Games Developer's Conference.

GAD170

Game Scripting

Covers basic game functionality through data manipulation, formulas, object creation, defining of behaviours, and working with event systems. Potential project: build a simple game from scratch using an existing game engine such as Unity with C#.

GAD175

Game Mechanics and Dynamics

Teaches analysis of existing games to identify core elements and interactions, designing new games, and checking effectiveness through playtesting and player feedback.

GAD178

2D Asset Production

Introduces foundational knowledge and skills for creating 2D games, including planning and developing 2D game assets and building fully realised scenes in a game engine.

CIE152

Project Design and the Entrepreneur

Explores entrepreneurship, innovation and project design, developing approaches to identify opportunities and transform them into tangible successes individually and in entrepreneurial teams.

GAD176

Game Scripting 2

Extends basic scripting principles by implementing event-systems and applied mathematics in the form of modular game systems, including input systems, character controllers, and complex game systems.

GAD179

3D Asset Production

Introduces planning, design and construction of 3D models using industry standard software including Maya and Substance Painter, covering workflows and pipelines for games, animation, VFX and real-time applications.

GAD182

Managing Digital Media Projects

Covers project management techniques, group communication and collaboration, pitching, designing, planning and delivering a game in response to project briefs using iteration processes.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What software and tools will I learn in the Diploma of Game Development?

Students learn industry-standard tools including Unity (with C#), Unreal Engine, Maya, Blender, and Substance Painter. These tools are used in hands-on, project-based units covering game scripting, 2D and 3D asset production, and game mechanics.

Does the Diploma of Game Development lead to further study at SAE?

Yes. Upon completion of the Diploma of Game Development, you will be eligible for up to 80 credit points towards the Bachelor of Games Development at SAE. The Diploma represents Stage 1 (Foundations) of the three-stage Bachelor program.

How much does the Diploma of Game Development cost?

For domestic students, the course comprises 8 units at $2,999 AUD each, with an indicative annual course fee of $23,992 AUD (based on 1.0 EFTSL), plus a Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). FEE-HELP is available for eligible domestic students. For international students, the fee is 8 units at $3,495 AUD each, with an indicative annual course fee of $27,960 AUD, plus SSAF.

How long does the Diploma of Game Development take to complete?

The course can be completed in approximately 7 months via the 2 Trimester Full Time (Fast Track) option, or over approximately one year via the 3 Trimester Full Time option. A part-time option is also available for domestic students who need more flexibility.

What are the career outcomes after completing the Diploma of Game Development?

Graduates may pursue entry-level roles such as Entry-level Game Designer, Entry-level Game Level Designer, Entry-level Community Manager, Entry-level Games Writer, Quality Assurance Officer, and Production Assistant. Alumni have gone on to work as Unreal Engine Developers, Product Managers at game studios, and Production Managers at companies such as Ubisoft.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

💬

Need guidance?

Free advisor support

Our advisors help international students choose the right course and navigate visa pathways — at no cost.

Promote your Institution with Find the Courses