Study Bachelor of Information Technology (Games and Entertainment Design) at the University of South Australia (UniSA). Information for International students.

Enquire Apply

Entry requirements Degree overview Career outcomes How to apply Study experience

You're viewing degree information for International students

You're considered an International student if you are:

NOT an Australian or New Zealand citizen
NOT an Australian Permanent Resident (including Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders)

Not an International student? Switch to Australian content

International students

Start date
February
July

Campus
Mawson Lakes

Duration
3 year(s) full-time

Mode
On-campus/Online

Program Code
LBCP

Prerequisites
None

Assumed Knowledge
None

Fees
2021: AUD$ 33,600 per annum (per 1.0 EFTSL)

Admissions
Student Profile

English Language Requirements

IELTS total [6.0]
IELTS reading [6.0]
IELTS writing [6.0]

Equivalent English qualifications (PDF)

International Admission by Country
See full entry requirements

CRICOS Code
067898K

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 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

None

Assumed Knowledge

None

English language entry requirements

In addition, international students who speak English as a foreign language must have obtained one of the following standards within the last two years prior to admission. Possession of one or more of these qualifications, in addition to the academic entry requirements, does not, in itself, guarantee a place at the University of South Australia. Applications are considered on an individual basis and selection is competitive. Where previous study/work experience was conducted in English, the application must be accompanied by certified documentation from the educational institution/employer certifying that the language of instruction/employment was English.

English language test

IELTS total [6.0]
IELTS reading [6.0]
IELTS writing [6.0]

See equivalence table for other qualifications and English Language tests accepted by UniSA (PDF)

Admission Requirements by Country

Bangladesh HSC	4
Canada High School (OSSD)	65
Eynesbury FSP	330
German Abitur	3
India (best 4)	65
Kenya KCSE (average)	B+
Malaysia STPM (best 3)	6
Malaysia UEC	30
Norway GPA	3
Pakistan HSSC	85
Sri Lanka A Levels (best 3)	7
Sweden GPA	13
UK Board GCE A Levels/HK Board	7
Vietnam	7.5
Australia	70
IB (best 6)	26
USA SAT (1600)	1110
HKDSE	16
Nepal NEB	2.61

View full entry requirements Hide full entry requirements

Brochure Enquire Compare 0 Compare Degrees Apply

Degree overview

No.1 in SA for graduate careers in I.T.¹
Enter the world of games development and programming.
Work on a major ICT project in your final year.
Build a dynamic career developing new and exciting applications for different industries and markets.
Apply technical skills and creativity to game-type productions, software and interfaces.
Study computer graphics programming, multimedia design and information visualisation.
Professionally accredited by the Australian Computer Society.
A common first year across IT degrees enables you to switch between specialisations and receive credit for completed courses.
Experience the Gaming Lab, Software Development Lab, IT Studio Space, Networking and Cybersecurity teaching spaces and the IT project studio.
Learn using the latest industry tools, technologies and research to see how games are designed and created.
Gain practical real-world experience through placements and projects with industry partners.

¹ComparED (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2018-20, Computing and Information Systems – Full-time Employment Indicator (Undergraduate). Public SA-founded universities only.

Snapshot

Become a game designer and programmer, design games and pitch them, to gain experience bringing games to market. In this degree you will learn to make games through exposure to the full games pipeline - from asset creation through to game engines and programming.

With the ongoing growth in games and entertainment, employers need specially trained IT professionals who can build highly visual systems. In your studies you will learn through exposure to the real working world, and from the very latest in research developments and technologies. Opportunities are available to students for industry placements, internships and research projects with industry partners.

You will graduate ready to enter the creative and software development industries, with a respected degree that’s professionally accredited by the Australian Computer Society.

Our IT degrees have a number of flexible entry and exit pathways with a common first year. You can switch between specialisations and receive credit for the courses you have already completed. Complete an associate degree in two years and a bachelor degree in three years. If you finish your three year degree with a suitable grade point average, you will be eligible for the additional one-year Bachelor of Information Technology (Honours) which leads to the PhD program.

What you'll learn

You will start your degree with core courses in information technology. These will give you a solid grounding in important areas such as IT, network, database and programming fundamentals, and systems analysis. You will then specialise in Game Development as you move on to your major in games and entertainment design.

In your final year you’ll work on a major ICT project.

Degree structure

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units	Reference
FIRST YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Information Technology Fundamentals	INFT 1016	4.5
Problem Solving and Programming	COMP 1039	4.5
Network Fundamentals	INFT 1012	4.5
Design Thinking Studio	INFT 1030	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Object Oriented Programming	COMP 1046	4.5
Data Driven Web Technologies	INFS 1025	4.5
System Requirements and User Experience	INFS 1026	4.5
System Requirements Studio	INFT 1031	4.5
SECOND YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Software Design and Implementation	INFS 2044	4.5
System Design Studio	INFS 2045	4.5
Game Asset Design	INFT 2062	4.5
Data Structures Essentials	COMP 2012	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Agile Development and Governance	INFS 2041	4.5
Project Studio	INFS 2043	4.5
Game Design	COMP 3025	4.5
Big Data Basics	INFS 5095	4.5	Note(s): 1
THIRD YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Security Principles	INFS 5115	4.5	Note(s): 1
Android Games Development	INFT 3034	4.5
Design Patterns with C++	COMP 3023	4.5
Operating Systems and Tool Chains	COMP 2035	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 2
Small Business for Professionals	BUSS 2040	4.5
Game Engines	INFT 3032	4.5
ICT Capstone Project	INFT 3042	4.5	Note(s): 3

Rules & notes

Notes

1. To enrol in a course with a catalogue number starting with 5 (e.g. INFT 5xxx), students need to apply for a career permission override via myEnrolment and gain approval first.

2. The University elective is a course from any academic unit or program within the University of South Australia that is freely chosen by students, subject to pre-requisite requirements and availability.

3. Enrolment in this course is required at least six weeks prior to the study period beginning so projects can be allocated to student groups.

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
Reports and project 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)

Enter the world of game development and programming and learn how to bring your game ideas to life. Over the course of this degree you will learn a variety of game development skills and explore a variety of topics, including:

Unreal Game Engine
Unity Game Engine
Full Pipeline from Asset Creation through to Game Engine
Game Asset Creation
Game Design
Mobile Game Development
3D Graphical Production

You will learn 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
Along with the design skills to allow you to be a great programmer.

Using the latest industry tools, you will develop skills in computer graphics programming, multimedia design and information visualisation and you will have access to the IT Development Studio, and IT Studio Space. This program will not only prepare you for a career in game development but also make you eligible to pursue careers in software development, improving your employment prospects.

You will also learn through exposure to industry relevant exercises and state-of-the-art research developments and technologies. An innovative program design provides you with the opportunity to learn core concepts followed by an intensive four-week interactive studio where the concepts you have learnt will be reinforced through practise. You will further develop your skills through practical application on a range of problems. Four studio courses are crafted to provide you with skills in design thinking, system requirements, system design and Agile development and project management. Non-technical skills are interwoven through the studio intensives in order to develop the qualities that are highly sought after and valued by industry. You will apply your learning in a final year capstone project that solves a

Real-world connections

With more than 200 industry partners, we offer you opportunities to get real-world experience through projects and placements. Our partners include Fujitsu Australia, SA Water, Uniting Care Wesley Adelaide and more. UniSA is also home to several research centres:

Australian Research Centre for Interactive and Virtual Environments (including the WCL one of the world leading VR and AR labs)
Industrial AI

All have world renowned links and associations that provide a dynamic teaching and research base for our students. During your studies you will also have access to world-class facilities such as the IT Development Studio and the IT Studio Space.

We also host regular University-wide employee master classes and employment expos, and alumni events in Australia and overseas.

Career outcomes

Your career

By 2023, employment in ICT is expected to grow strongly in Australia. The availability of roles is expected to increase by:

25,500 jobs for software and applications programmers (or 21 per cent)
2,300 jobs for ICT business and systems analysts (or 9.5 per cent)
2,900 jobs for Game Development (or 37 per cent)
8,200 jobs for ICT managers (or 13.9 per cent)
8,100 jobs for ICT Network and Support professionals (or 15.3 per cent)

Careers to consider:

game designer: 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
Android/iOS developer: developing iterative software; collaborating with other developers through code reviews, software planning, and standup meetings; contributing to projects from concept to delivery; writing clear, well-commented code
mobile game developer: leading and implementing mobile game development; researching, analysing, designing, developing and testing business appropriate solutions; developing solutions that meet needs for functionality, performance, scalability and reliability

Explore a range of IT and computing careers here.

¹ Australian Government Department of Jobs and Small Business, Occupational Employment Projections 2018 and igea.net

Professional accreditation and recognition

This program is professionally accredited by the Australian Computer Society.

How to apply

How to apply for international students will give you helpful information about the application process at the University of South Australia. When you are ready, apply through our International Application System. If you would like to talk to someone near you about studying at the University of South Australia, we have agents all over the world who can assist you. Find an Education Agent in your country.

Alternative Pathways

There are a wide variety of pathways into studying Information Technology at UniSA.
Find an Alternative Pathway

Credit transfer

You could be eligible for credit for previous studies you have undertaken. Find out online.

Go to credit assessor

Life in Adelaide

Current international students talk about living in Adelaide and studying at UniSA.

Hear from our students

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.

More scholarships

Vice Chancellor's International Excellence Scholarship

Recipients can get a 50% reduction on tuition fees for up to four years of full-time study for selected degrees.

Learn more

International Merit Scholarship

Recipients can get a 15% reduction on tuition fees for their first year of study for selected degrees.

Learn more

Your study experience and support

As a UniSA student, you will have unique access to work placement opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events, internships, guest speakers and more.

Our campuses are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops and laboratories, as well as spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform. We have health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and great student lounges. You will also gainaccess to a range of community clinics, which provide professional and cost effective services in areas of health, business, law and psychology. 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 lots more.

Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets should you need, from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages or explore our student accommodation by urbanest on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal perfect 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 international 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:

career advice and mentoring
help with student visas and health cover
personal counselling
academic counselling
fees and finance help
common rooms
prayer rooms
security officers
accommodation services
as well as services offered through our student association, USASA

We also offer study support from our Learning Advisers face-to-face or online. They are here to help you develop academically and professionally during your studies, and can offer help with the English language too. 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 campus

We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with advanced facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries and laboratories, as well as spaces that simulate real work environments.

Your study spaces

You will have access to the latest industry software in our technology spaces such as the IT Development Studio, the Mac Lab, and the Wearable Computer Lab.

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:

Technology (DXC Technology and UniSA IT)
Design (matchstudio)
Business growth (Centre for Business Growth)
Business management strategy and marketing
Commercialisation (UniSA Ventures)

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.

Dr Douglas Kelly

Program Director

Enquire

Dr Douglas Kelly

Program Director

Enquire

Ask UniSA

How to apply?

There are a number of ways to apply to study UniSA's undergraduate and postgraduate coursework degrees.

You can access our online International Application System through our How to Apply page. The International Application System is an easy and secure online application and acceptance process. You will have visibility of your application through the secure online portal with the ability to download offer documents, submit your acceptance and make a payment.

Alternatively you can submit an application through one of the University's registered Education Agents.

If you are completing an Australian year 12 qualification in Australia or overseas, or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme in Australia, you must apply through SATAC http://www.satac.edu.au/.

If you are applying for the UniSA Study Abroad or Study Abroad Plus program, you can submit your application online here.

Postgraduate study by research
For information on applying to do postgraduate study by research, including Masters by Research, PhDs or Doctorates, please visit http://unisa.edu.au/resdegrees.
Is there a closing date for applications?

There is no closing date for submitting your application however the admissions process takes between one and three weeks from the date that we receive your application and all required supporting documentation.

If you are completing an Australian year 12 qualification in Australia or overseas, or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme in Australia, you must apply through SATAC. Key dates for applications can be found here.
What credit can I receive for previous studies?

You may be eligible to receive credit 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 credit will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree.

The amount of credit you may be eligible to receive is assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Admissions team.

The best way to determine your eligibility to receive credit or advanced standing is to apply using our International Application System which can be found on our How to Apply page. You will need to supply detailed syllabus documents with your application.
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.

We also have many events throughout the year in Australia and overseas where you can speak with UniSA representatives about your area of interest. View our calendar of events in your home country by selecting the 'International' filter.

More FAQs

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)
Employment: Jumpgate VR
Role: Digital Artist & Software Developer