Bachelor of Information Technology (Games and Entertainment Design)
Degree Level Undergraduate
Year 2024
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- Australian or New Zealand Citizen
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Entry Scores
2024 Guaranteed Entry
Year 12 (ATAR-based): 66.00
Year 12 (Grades-based): B,B,B
TAFE/RTO: DIP
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2023 Cut-Offs
Year 12 (ATAR-based):
- Internal: 66.00
TAFE/RTO: Cert IV
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Entry requirements
Admission criteria
The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.
Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.
Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite requirements and essential requirements for admission:
Recent secondary education
Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent
AND- Qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and achieved a competitive Selection Rank (ATAR), or
- Complete secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE, or
- Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points
Applicants who have not achieved the Selection Rank required for automatic selection may be selected for any remaining places based on the grades of their year 12 subjects.
OR
Higher education study- Complete or partly complete a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution, or
- Complete at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at undergraduate level or above
OR
Vocational Education and Training (VET)- Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Certificate IV or above
OR
Work and life experience- Qualify for Special Entry, or
- Complete a 12-month UniSA Foundation Studies program or equivalent, or
- Hold completed secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE obtained more than 2 years in the past
- Completed one of the following professional courses:
Cisco Certified Networking Associate (CCNA)
Cisco Certified Networking Professional (CCNP)
Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)
CompTIA A+ Certification
Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA)
Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE)
Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD)
Microsoft Certified Solutions Master (MCSM)
Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE)
VMware Certified Professional (VCP)
Essential requirements for admission
Prerequisites
NoneAssumed Knowledge
None
Degree overview
- Study at SA’s number one university for graduate skills in I.T.1.
- Combine technical IT with game development to pursue a creative career in the game industry.
- Benefit from our partnership with Epic Games – makers of the world popular and widely used Unreal Engine.
- Build your game development full pipeline skills from asset to engine using industry game engines such as UE5 (UnReal Engine 5).
- Learn from experienced teaching staff dedicated to supporting your future in this growing, in-demand area.
- Benefit from curriculum informed by UniSA research in areas such as artificial intelligence, cyber security, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and data analytics.
- Experience purpose-built teaching spaces designed to facilitate collaboration and work-integrated learning, including the Gaming Lab – home to Alienware PCs and AR / VR hardware such as Vive and Hololens.
- Enjoy significant opportunities for placements and industry projects to build connections and prepare for a career in the gaming industry.
- Professionally accredited by the Australian Computer Society.
- Start now, decide later. Enjoy a common first-year across most IT degrees enabling you to switch between IT specialisations and receive credit for completed courses.
1ComparED (QILT) Student Experience Survey 2021-22, Computing and Information Systems – Skills Development Indicator (Undergraduate). SA public universities.
Snapshot
Worth billions of dollars and growing, the video game industry continues to go from strength-to-strength, with revenue up, and Australia well positioned to take advantage of the global popularity of video games¹.
While the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted numerous industries, games development proved resilient¹. And with the Australian Government announcing a federal tax incentive for video game development, the market is even more appealing for both local and international businesses to develop games in Australia².
With ongoing growth in games and entertainment, IT professionals with the expertise to build highly visual systems are in demand, with the Bachelor of Information Technology (Games and Entertainment Design) designed to meet that need.
Balancing technical skills with creativity, you will develop your ability to design and program games, pitch your ideas and take them to market.
These skills are highly transferrable, with opportunities also available in the film and tv industry, education, health, business and defence sectors.
Enjoy a common first-year across most IT degrees enabling you to switch between specialisations and receive credit for completed courses. This means if you change your mind about your IT specialisation after first-year, you can change programs and still complete your degree in 3 or 4 years full-time (depending on your degree length). Start now, decide later.
On-campus teaching for this program is based at the Mawson Lakes campus. Only 20 minutes from the city centre with easy parking. The Mawson Lakes campus is also accessible by bus and train with the Mawson Lakes train station only a short walk.
¹Interactive Games and Entertainment Association 2021
²Australian Trade and Investment Commission 2021
What you'll learn
During your first year of study, you will build a strong foundation in IT fundamentals, including networking, database development, programming, and systems analysis and design, before specialising in game development, which will see you build skills in computer graphics programming, multimedia design and information visualisation.
Topics include:
- Game Engines and Graphics using Unreal game Engine (UE5)
- Unity game engine
- Game asset creation
- Game design
- Mobile game development
- Game project management
- 3D graphical production
You will also have the chance to apply technical skills and creativity to wider productions, software and interfaces, studying areas such as:
- User Experience
- Software Development Tools
- Programming
- Python and Java – highly sought after skills in the Australian job market¹.
In your final year you will put your skills into practice through our ICT Capstone Project.
You may have the opportunity to work directly with an industry client, drawing on the technical expertise gained throughout your studies and applying professional skills in a real-world setting to produce and deliver an artefact for your client.
You will enjoy access to dedicated learning hubs where you can connect and collaborate, giving you the full workplace and project experience.
1Deloitte Access Economics, ACS Australia’s Digital Pulse 2021
You can gain an extra qualification and broaden your career prospects by completing a Diploma in Languages.
Study hours
For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects, as well as to contribute to online discussion forums (independent study). So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12–26 hours of study when at university and 14–28 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
Your studies at UniSA will incorporate both practical, professionally focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:
- Interactive studio exercises
- Industry aligned projects
- Industry based internships
- Hands-on practical activities
- Collaborative group projects
- Development of full games
- Pitching game ideas
- Documentation
Global opportunities
Enrich your studies and your life – make overseas study part of your qualification. You may have the option to undertake an exchange, short-term program or study tour overseas while you study. We have links with universities worldwide, as well as a range of travel grants available to make going overseas much more accessible.
You can choose short-term or semester-long study from a range of universities and countries depending on your area of study and cultural interests.
Take a look at the global opportunities available.
Why Bachelor of Information Technology (Games and Entertainment Design)
Balance your creativity with expertise in information technology, and benefit from our partnership with video gaming giant, Epic Games. You can be assured you’ll be taught the most up-to-date gaming skills and practices in demand by the gaming industry, as well as other sectors, including health, business, defence and education.
Epic makes the world’s most popular and widely used Unreal game Engine. As the first university in Australia to gain academic partnership status in their internationally renowned Unreal Academic Partnership Program, we’re offering you the opportunity to develop broad skills in game and software development, preparing you to bring the next generation of games to market.
In addition to developing technical expertise, you will also complete a unique series of collaborative, work-integrated courses, reinforcing the concepts learnt in the classroom in a supportive practice environment. Non-technical skills are also integrated into your learning to develop the qualities highly valued and sought after by industry. Topics include design thinking, system requirements, system design and agile development, and project management.
In your final year you may have the opportunity to work directly with an industry client – from brief through to project delivery – with our ICT Capstone Project. Upon graduation, this allows you to demonstrate your ability to deliver work to industry standard, and to the satisfaction of a client.
Most of our IT undergraduate programs share a common first-year, so choosing this degree offers ultimate flexibility. Should you wish to pursue a different specialty after completing your first-year, you can switch to an alternative IT program and receive credit for the courses completed. Start now, decide later.
Real-world connections
With more than 200 industry contacts, you will have numerous opportunities to gain real-world experience through projects and placements with organisations such as Adelaide Football Club, Services Australia, SAAB, DSTO, Forensic Science SA, Top Chop Games and Maptek.
UniSA is also home to several research centres and concentrations, including:
- Australian Research Centre for Interactive and Virtual Environments
- Industrial AI Research Centre
- Industry 4.0 Testlab
All have world renowned links and associations that provide a dynamic teaching and research base for our students.
You will also benefit from our culture of innovation and startup community. We’re helping IT entrepreneurs and innovators turn their ideas into startup enterprises with a bright future. Through the Innovation and Collaboration Centre (ICC), the University’s startup incubator, you have access to programs (such as Venture Catalyst), services and expertise including:
- Workshops
- One-on-one mentoring
- Office space for startups and entrepreneurs
- Access to a global pool of expert advisers
- Small funding stipends
- Events to kick-start ideas and competitions like hackathons
We also host regular University-wide career expos and employment forums through our Career Service, as well as alumni events in Australia and overseas.
Online study
Part, or all, of this degree can be studied online. With interactive online course materials and a 24/7 learning environment you can organise your study to suit your lifestyle. You can:
- study online, including accessing videos and course resources
- participate in an interactive online learning environment
- submit your assignments and get feedback online
- use discussion forums for team work and communication
Please note that for some degrees, some on-campus attendance (such as to attend seminars, workshops or examinations) and/or placements may apply. Any requirements like this are detailed on individual course pages.
Games Lab
Take a look inside one of the games labs at UniSA. IT students studying the Games and Entertainment Design specialisation use this lab, which prepares them for this hugely-growing industry.
Your career
Graduates of this program will have the skills to follow a traditional IT career path or pursue a career in the ever-growing gaming industry, with strong employment prospects for suitably qualified ICT professionals.
By 2026, it is predicted there will be nearly 300,000 more technology workers in the Australian workforce. And software programming skills – developed in this program – are in high demand¹.
Similarly, the announcement of significant tax incentives for games developers is likely to bring increased interest in setting up game development studios in Australia, and potentially, more jobs.
Careers to consider:
- Game Developer: collaborating with designers and product managers to define game features and system requirements; delivering high quality, functional systems on time and according to specifications; understanding user experience.
- Mobile Game Developer: Designing, developing and testing games that will be deployed on all major mobile platforms.
- Game Programmer: Working in a team to develop interactive entertainment applications designed for consoles, mobile and PC gaming markets.
- Simulation Developer: Creating realistic simulations using development environments such as Unreal Engine and Unity.
- Game Pipeline Developer: Creating the full asset pipeline from high quality assets that are used in the games through to the deployment within game engines.
- Software Developer: designing, coding, testing, and debugging software applications; interpreting customer requirements into a code solution; working with a team to research, design, and implement a software solution; working with others to extend existing software functionality; produce standalone software solutions for a client; produce a solution that contributes to a large software system; work in a diverse range of programming roles and contexts.
- SCRUM Developer: working in a scrum team developing quality software artifacts in a diverse range of contexts.
Career progression may see you working as:
- Game Designer
- Studio Lead
- Game Producer
- Lead Game Developer
1Deloitte Access Economics, ACS Australia’s Digital Pulse 2021
Professional accreditation and recognition
This program is professionally accredited by the Australian Computer Society.
Industry facts
Applying to study with us:
- go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply
- you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application
Alternative Pathways
Australian
There are other pathways you can follow to study this degree, including:
- UniSA College Diploma in STEM (Information Technology)
- UniSA College Undergraduate Certificate in University Studies (STEM)
- SAIBT Diploma of Information Technology
- Eynesbury Diploma of Computing & IT
International
There are other pathways you can follow to study this degree, including:
- SAIBT Diploma of Information Technology
- Eynesbury Diploma of Computing & IT
Deferment
This degree is available for deferment. This option is made available by responding to your offer during the application process via the SATAC website. Applicants who receive an offer into a midyear degree are eligible to defer for six months.
Scholarships
Every year, over 2,500 UniSA students are supported in their studies through scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. Check out the scholarships below. One of them may be perfect for you. Visit our scholarships page for more.
UniSA Excellence Scholarships
$5,000 scholarship for South Australian students with an ATAR of 99 who enrol to study a UniSA undergraduate degree.
UniSA Outstanding Achievement Scholarship
Up to $10,000 per annum (full time) for South Australian students who obtain an ATAR of 99.95 or IB equivalent and enrol to study at UniSA.
Your study experience and support
Our campuses are home to fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops and laboratories, as well as spaces that simulate real work environments. But you’ll also discover that your journey at UniSA is about social experiences, healthy living and getting involved. You’ll find student sports and fitness facilities, community clinics, tech zones and chill-out spaces. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and loads more.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation and private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages, or explore our student accommodation by Scape on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.
Student services
Our student services provide you with all the support you need at university. We want you to succeed, and if you need help, we're here to assist. You can access a full range of support services, including:
- academic counselling
- personal counselling
- social support services, including family support and nearby childcare
- common rooms
- prayer rooms
- security officers
- career services and mentoring
- Wirringka Student Services, offering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students a supportive place to study
- as well as services offered through our student association, USASA.
When you become a UniSA student, you can also contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and more.
24/7 digital environment
Our learnonline facilities include a personal learning environment with virtual classrooms, lecture recordings, emails, learning support, administration, library access and results. The environment is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can tailor your learning to your life. We are continually investing in innovative digital technologies for a high-quality student learning experience.
Your study spaces
UniSA is ranked Number 1 in SA for campus facilities in IT¹.
During your studies you will have access to purpose-built learning spaces such as:
- Gaming Development Lab
- Cisco Networking Labs
- Cyber Security Labs
- IT Capstone Project Space
- IT Collaboration Studio
- Apple Development Lab
- PC Labs
1ComparED (QILT) Student Experience Survey 2019-20 – Computing and Information Systems – Learning Resources Indicator (Undergraduate). SA public universities.
Your program director
I’m passionate about building university degrees that help students further their careers. The biggest reward I get is meeting students later in their careers and having them say how useful what they learned at our University was for them. My Phd was in programming languages and concurrency. However, more recently I have been working with virtual reality technologies and the internet of things.
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How do I apply?
There are a number of ways to apply to study UniSA's undergraduate and postgraduate coursework degrees.
Applications for admission into the University of South Australia’s undergraduate and most postgraduate degrees are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Visit satac.edu.au and follow the links.
For the MBA degrees please apply through the UniSA MBA Application Portal. Applications for a small number of degrees are submitted direct to UniSA through our Apply Online portal. It will be noted on the degree page if you need to apply via Apply Online.
Postgraduate study by research
For information on applying to do postgraduate study by research, including Master of Research, PhDs or Doctorates, please visit unisa.edu.au/resdegrees. -
Is there a closing date for applications?
Undergraduate
Yes. The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be given equal consideration is in early December. While you may be able to apply after this date, you are not guaranteed to be considered equally with other applicants and your application may not be assessed in time for the main round of offers (mid January). Some degrees will not make any offers after the main offer round. Please click here find all of the key dates for applications here.Postgraduate
Most postgraduate degrees do not have a closing date for applications. However, there are exceptions, so it is best to check – either on the SATAC website, Apply Online or the degree homepage. Postgraduate offers are normally ‘rolling’, meaning they may be sent out at any time up until the program starts. This also means that applications may close at any time without warning, if the quota is filled earlier. For this reason, postgraduate applications should be submitted without delay. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquiries team on (08) 8302 2376 or via the online enquiry form. -
What credit can I receive for previous studies?
Credit transfer or advanced standing
You may be eligible to receive a credit transfer or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area at an equivalent or higher level. Receiving a credit transfer will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree.
Recognised prior learning
If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning for this experience. Receiving recognised prior learning will normally reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and can reduce the duration of the degree.
How do I get credit?
Credit transfer and recognition of prior learning is assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Program Director who will discuss your prior learning and experience with you to ascertain what credit you may be eligible for.
Many of our credit transfer arrangements are listed on our online Credit Assessor.
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Can I speak to someone regarding my study options?
UniSA welcomes the opportunity to speak with you regarding your study options. Our staff are able to talk to you about degree information, career outcomes and pathways, entry requirements, applications, and student life, so that you are able to make the best study decision for your future.
Click here to book a 1:1 appointment with one of our enquiries team.
If you are interested in studying an MBA please contact admissions@unisa.edu.au and our Future Student Enquiries team will contact you regarding your enquiry.
Alternatively, you can complete a MyCareerMatch career profile. MyCareerMatch is an online career profiling tool that you can use free-of-charge through UniSA. MyCareerMatch specialises in career profiles and provides you with a personalised career report outlining information about your personality style and a list of career options, which are complementary to your natural strengths and talents.
We have many events throughout the year where you can speak with a lecturer or tutor about your degrees of interest. You can find out what is happening at UniSA by visiting our events page or by signing up to our mailing list, so you're the first to know about careers events, information sessions, degree requirements, scholarships and more!
There are also many career counsellors external to the University that you can discuss your career options with. If you are unsure where to start your search, you can contact the Government's Work Ready team (formally Skills for All). Visit skills.sa.gov.au or call 1800 506 266.
You may also find Job Outlook a helpful resource in your decision-making.
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Where can I get further information?
It can be difficult to decide what degree you would like to do and where. You might find information from government organisations will help to weigh up your degree and provider options.
Find a course or a provider
TEQSA is a regulatory body for higher education providers. Use the TEQSA national register of higher education providers to search for a course or a provider. Compare courses and providers for undergraduates and postgraduates using the Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) online comparison tool.
More information on university admission
Visit the SATAC website to find out important news, events and information on applying to university in South Australia. Visit Study with Us to find out everything you need to know about studying at UniSA, admissions and the application process.
Questions about your application
If you have any questions or concerns regarding your application you should contact the Future Students Enquiries team in the first instance.
What others are saying
When I was younger, I discovered gaming and fell in love with the creative fantasy worlds each game provided. I always thought that it would be a dream career to be able to create games just like the ones I play. With all of the experience I gained at UniSA, this has now become a reality, and I am working as a digital artist for a virtual reality studio.
Billy Bizilis
Bachelor of Information Technology (Games and Entertainment Design)
Digital Artist & Software Developer | Jumpgate VR
