PMSCDTGIPDT4-2025-6-O - L-Università ta' Malta

Course Title

Master of Science in Digital Games

MQF Level

Duration and Credits

6 Semesters

90 ECTS

Mode of Study

Part-time Day

Information for International applicants

Applicants must be in possession of:

Refer to the list of country-specific qualifications

A Bachelor degree from this University or from a university recognised by Senate for the purpose, in the areas of Information Technology, Engineering, Communications, the Humanities, the Social Sciences, or in any other area which the Board deems as appropriate.

All applicants shall also submit a portfolio of recent works as well as a letter of motivation in order to demonstrate their experience and/or substantial talent and motivation.

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You can submit your application online. The deadlines for submission of applications vary according to the intake and courses. We encourage all international applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible. This is especially important if you require a visa to travel and eventually stay in Malta.

You can compare your national qualifications to the local requirements by visiting our qualifications comparability webpage. Access more information about our admission process and English language requirements.

The University of Malta has student accommodation on campus called Campus Hub. Campus Hub is just a 2-minute walk from the main campus. For more information, visit the accommodation website.

Our dedicated team at the student recruitment office is here to support you every step of the way. From the moment you start your application to the moment when you receive your decision letter, we're here to assist you. If you have any questions or need further information, don't hesitate to reach out to us. You can contact us at info@um.edu.mt, and our team will be more than happy to help.

After you receive an offer from us, our International Office will assist you with visas, accommodation and other related issues.

The MSc in Digital Games brings together students from many backgrounds to create innovative and exciting digital games. You are encouraged to explore your personal approach to game creation by combining your game design education with either critical analysis or technology specialisations. In all cases, you will fully engage with the processes of game design and creation, as well as logistical concerns such as project and business management. The degree culminates in producing a completely developed digital game or a theory-based dissertation. The programme is taught by experts from a variety of fields, providing diverse perspectives on game creation and criticism. As digital games continue to evolve, the programme will also expand to provide the skills and knowledge needed in industry, independent development, and academic games research.

During their first year of studies, students are required to register for a maximum of 30 ECTS credits. Students following either Stream A (Game Technology and Design) or Stream B (Game Analysis and Design) are required to register for the compulsory taught study-units (25 ECTS credits) for each stream and for 5 ECTS credits from the elective study-units on offer during the year, for a total of 30 ECTS credits.


Semester 1

Compulsory Units Stream A: Game Technology and Design

IDG5156	Game Design	10 ECTS
IDG5301	Game Artificial Intelligence	5 ECTS

Stream B: Game Analysis and Design

IDG5158	Methods for Games Research	5 ECTS
IDG5201	Formal Properties of Games	10 ECTS

Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)

IDG5631	Game Programming Fundamentals	5 ECTS


Semester 2

Compulsory Units Stream A: Game Technology and Design

IDG5157	Game Development	10 ECTS

Compulsory Units Stream B: Game Analysis and Design

IDG5202	Analysing Player Experience	10 ECTS

Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)

IDG5152	Games and Narrative	5 ECTS
IDG5252	Experimental Game Design	5 ECTS
IDG5313	Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence and Games	5 ECTS

During their second year of studies, students are required to register for a maximum of 30 ECTS credits. Students following either Stream A (Game Technology and Design) or Stream B (Game Analysis and Design) are required to register for the compulsory taught study-units (25 ECTS credits) for each stream and for 5 ECTS credits from the elective study-units on offer during the year, for a total of 30 ECTS credits.

Students cannot register for elective study-units already chosen during their first year.


Semester 1

Compulsory Units Stream A: Game Technology and Design

IDG5158	Methods for Games Research	5 ECTS
IDG5304	Foundations of Game Studies	5 ECTS
IDG5631	Game Programming Fundamentals	5 ECTS

Stream B: Game Analysis and Design

IDG5156	Game Design	10 ECTS
IDG5160	Designing Gameworlds	5 ECTS

Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)

IDG5631	Game Programming Fundamentals	5 ECTS


Semester 2

Compulsory Units Stream A: Game Technology and Design

IDG5259	Advanced Artificial Intelligence and Games	10 ECTS

Stream B: Game Analysis and Design

IDG5157	Game Development	10 ECTS

Elective Units (Elective units are offered subject to availability, a minimum number of student registrations and time-table constraints)

IDG5152	Games and Narrative	5 ECTS
IDG5252	Experimental Game Design	5 ECTS
IDG5313	Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence and Games	5 ECTS


Year (This/these unit/s start/s in Semester 1 and continue/s in Semester 2)

Compulsory Units (All students must register for this/these unit/s)

IDG5800	Dissertation	30 ECTS

This programme of study is governed by the General Regulations for University Postgraduate Awards, 2021 and by the Bye-Laws for the award of the Degree of Master of Science in Digital Games - M.Sc. - under the auspices of the Institute of Digital Games.

The following are a sample of learning outcomes that you will achieve by the end of the programme, where you will be able to:

Develop efficient, functional and well written documentation both for internal documents (design document, treatment document) and for external ones (concept document) + demonstrate well-honed presentation and pitching skills.
Identify the appropriate quantitative or qualitative research methodology for a particular games research task.
Critically analyse how human creativity affects the creative facets of games.
Analyse player experience using a variety of theoretical and empirical tools.
Implement and describe fundamental algorithms used in game graphics.
Use software tools and development methods appropriate to their roles.

Non EU Applicants:

Fee per academic year: Eur 6,700

You are viewing the fees for non EU nationals. Switch to EU nationals if you are a national of any country from within the EU/EEA.

As a successful holder of this masters' degree, you will be able to enter a career in the digital games industry. The option of pursing a doctorate at the University of Malta is also available if you wish to further your studies.

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