Game design and development is the process of creating computer games. It involves creating compelling characters, rich backstories, challenging gameplay, beautiful scenery, and other elements that attract players and keep them engaged. Game design often requires you to be a jack-of-all-trades: you may need to be a creative storyteller to develop a plot, an artist to draw and sculpt characters and scenery, and a programmer or technical artist to transform those ideas into a smooth and playable video game.
While game design may sound intimidating, it can be a rewarding field. Computer games remain a major creative industry, and game designers, game artists, technical artists, and developers continue to work across games, film, visual effects, virtual reality, and digital media. More schools around the world now offer courses in game design and development, and below is a list of notable schools in the field.
Top Game Design Schools in the World
1. Howest University of Applied Sciences
Howest University of Applied Sciences is located in West Flanders, Belgium. While there are many courses offered at Howest, the university is particularly well known for Digital Arts and Entertainment. Its Digital Arts and Entertainment bachelor’s program has been named the best game design and development program in the world by The Rookies in 2017, 2018, and 2021, and it remains recognized in current global game design rankings.
The school offers a Bachelor in Digital Arts and Entertainment. The program is a three-year, 180 ECTS bachelor’s degree with six majors: Game Development, Game Graphics Production, Independent Game Production, Game Sound Integration, Visual Effects, and 3D Animation. Students build practical skills in areas such as coding, 3D modeling, game art, production, sound, animation, and visual effects. In the final stage of the program, students complete advanced portfolio work, group projects, graduation work, and an internship.
2. Think Tank Training Centre
- Study Program
- Location: Canada | Degrees/Credentials Offered: Diploma
Think Tank Training Centre is a visual effects, animation, and game art school in North Vancouver, Canada. Founded in 2005, Think Tank has developed a strong reputation for specialized computer graphics education, industry mentorship, and portfolio-focused training for students preparing for careers in games, film, and visual effects.
Think Tank Training Centre offers on-campus, online, and hybrid programs for aspiring digital artists. Its on-campus 3D Animation, Visual Effects & Game Art diploma is listed as a 64-week program. Its online CG Asset Creation for Film or Games diploma is also listed as a 64-week program, while its hybrid Houdini + 3D for Film or Games pathway combines online study with an on-campus term. These programs are designed to help students build technical skills, specialize in a chosen area, and graduate with a portfolio suitable for industry applications.
3. New3dge
- Study Program
- Location: France | Degrees/Credentials Offered: RNCP Level 7 Certification
New 3D General Education, or New3dge, is a private higher education school in Paris, France. It is known for digital art, game art, 3D animation, visual effects, and concept art training. New3dge is also highly ranked in current global game design and development rankings, making it one of the strongest schools in this field.
New3dge offers a Game Art specialization that leads to an RNCP Level 7 certification in Creative Media and Entertainment, option Game Art. In this pathway, students learn to conceptualize games, create characters, accessories, environments, and complex worlds, and prepare work for integration into real-time 3D engines. The school also offers related training in traditional art, digital art, concept art, 3D animation, and visual effects.
4. 3dSense Media School
- Study Program
- Location: Singapore | Degrees/Credentials Offered: Diploma
3dsense Media School is one of Singapore’s leading schools for digital arts, focusing on visual effects, animation, game art, motion design, concept art, illustration, and related creative fields. Founded in 2003, the school is based in Singapore and offers full-time diploma programs, as well as an online Art & Design Foundation program for beginners.
3dsense offers a 12-month Game Art & 3D Animation program that leads to a Diploma in Game Art & 3D Modeling. The program is conducted over three terms and includes foundational work in anatomy, drawing, animation, sculpting, game design, and 3D tools. After the first four months, students specialize in either 3D Modeling or 3D Animation. In the final term, students work with Unreal Engine integration, game production, and portfolio development.
5. Gnomon
- Study Program
- Location: USA | Degrees/Credentials Offered: Bachelor’s, Certificate
Often called “the MIT of visual effects,” Gnomon is a digital arts school that has trained artists for the film, game, and visual effects industries for more than 25 years. Its campus is located in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, one of the world’s major film, television, and game production centers. Gnomon also offers individual courses that may be available on campus or online.
Gnomon offers a four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Production and a two-year Certificate in Digital Production for Entertainment. Students in the Game Art area study subjects such as game design, game creation, level design, environment creation for games, character creation for games, animation for games, and texturing and shading for games. The certificate pathway is a full-time, two-year program built on a 3D generalist foundation with emphasized studies in areas such as Game Art, Modeling and Texturing, Visual Effects Animation, and Character and Creature Animation.
6. Ringling College of Art and Design
- Study Program
- Location: USA | Degrees/Credentials Offered: Bachelor’s
Ringling College of Art and Design is a private, not-for-profit, fully accredited art and design college located in Sarasota, Florida. It offers undergraduate degrees in creative disciplines, including computer animation, virtual reality development, and game art. Ringling’s Game Art major is recognized as a strong pathway for students who want to enter the games industry as visual and interactive entertainment professionals.
The Game Art degree at Ringling College is well-rounded in design and production. Students study the mechanics of game design and interactivity, build their own worlds, and use industry software such as Unreal Engine, Maya, ZBrush, Adobe tools, Substance, Houdini, and more. The program also emphasizes portfolio development and marketability, helping students prepare work that aligns with what studios look for in candidates.
FAQs about Studying Game Design
Does a Game Designer Need Math?
Yes. Mathematics is an important foundation for many areas of game design and development. It is used to create characters and environments, simulate movement, process player input, and generate appropriate responses inside a game. Mathematics can also help with environmental effects such as water, grass, lighting, physics, and wind.
If you plan on becoming a game designer, you may want to consider a field that places a significant emphasis on mathematics, such as computer science. You can also find plenty of Computer Science Courses on our website offered by renowned universities in Europe, the US, Canada, and the UK.
We hope that this article on the best game design schools in the world was helpful. If you are interested in knowing more about topics related to this, check out the Design Programs for International Students!
