Game Arts, 2026, daytime studies: Timing
Code: DAG26H-GA
Descriptions
Novia University of Applied Sciences, Finland
Bachelor of Culture and Arts, Game Arts – Curriculum 2026
The Degree Programme in Game Arts equips students with the ability to design, develop, and produce games by mastering key technologies and tools used in the gaming industry. It combines creative artistry, technical expertise, and entrepreneurial thinking to transform game concepts into successful products. The curriculum spans from foundational graphics and storytelling to advanced game engines and project-based production, ensuring a balance between theory and hands-on practice.
Throughout their studies, students learn to apply principles of design, mechanics, and narrative to create engaging interactive experiences. They work on both individual and collaborative projects, gaining experience in multidisciplinary teamwork, business development, and project management. Courses cover 2D and 3D graphics, animation, concept and character design, game engines, XR/VR/AR/MR technologies, and visualization, as well as entrepreneurship, business management, marketing, and pitching.
A distinctive feature of the program is its strong emphasis on entrepreneurship and sustainability. Students not only explore the global complexity of sustainability issues but also learn how to build viable business models for game projects. They gain insight into environmental, social, and economic aspects of sustainability and understand how these principles can be integrated into responsible production methods. By analyzing global trends and challenges, students develop the ability to make informed decisions that contribute to a more sustainable and competitive future.
The program also highlights the role of the gaming industry in promoting positive change. As a rapidly growing sector with cultural and economic influence, the industry offers opportunities for innovation and new ventures. Students learn how games can raise awareness of global issues and inspire action through thoughtful design and storytelling – while also acquiring the skills to launch their own studios or freelance careers.
By combining creativity, technology, entrepreneurship, and sustainability, the Game Arts program prepares students to become professionals who shape the future of gaming and contribute to a more just and sustainable world.
Objective
Graduates of the program will be able to:
• Design and develop games from concept to launch.
• Apply sustainable and ethical practices in all stages of development.
• Collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
• Communicate professionally with stakeholders and adapt to industry trends.
• Leverage emerging technologies such as XR/VR/AR and AI to innovate and optimise workflows.
• Analyse and improve performance and energy efficiency in games.
• Develop business strategies, pitch ideas, and create entrepreneurial opportunities in the gaming industry.
Select timing, structure or classification view
Show study timings by semester, study year or period
| Code | Name | Credits (cr) | 2026-2027 | 2027-2028 | 2028-2029 | 2029-2030 | Autumn 2026 | Spring 2027 | Autumn 2027 | Spring 2028 | Autumn 2028 | Spring 2029 | Autumn 2029 | Spring 2030 | 1. / 2026 | 2. / 2026 | 3. / 2027 | 4. / 2027 | 5. / 2027 | 1. / 2027 | 2. / 2027 | 3. / 2028 | 4. / 2028 | 5. / 2028 | 1. / 2028 | 2. / 2028 | 3. / 2029 | 4. / 2029 | 5. / 2029 | 1. / 2029 | 2. / 2029 | 3. / 2030 | 4. / 2030 | 5. / 2030 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Core Studies
(Choose all) |
13 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GA26GS01 | Introduction to Higher Education Studies | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1.5 | 1.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GA26EN01 | Professional English | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GA26SV01 | Swedish | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1.5 | 1.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| YH10SV01-S | Swedish - Writing Skills | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| YH10SV01-M | Swedish - Oral Skills | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GA26FI01 | Finnish | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| YH10FI01-S | Finnish - Writing Skills | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| YH10FI01-M | Finnish - Oral Skills | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GA26GT01 | Game Terminology | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0.5 | 0.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
(Choose all) |
160 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GA252D |
2D Graphics
(Choose all) |
20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GA262D01 | 2D Graphics, Texturing and Animation | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GA262D02 | Concept and Character Design | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GA262D03 | Game Engine 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GA262D04 | Game Project 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GA25GD |
Game Design
(Choose all) |
25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GA26GD01 | Game Mechanics | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GA26GD02 | Storytelling and Game Narrative | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GA26GD03 | Game Engine 2 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GA26GD04 | Game Project 2 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 3.3 | 3.3 | 3.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GA253D |
3D Graphics
(Choose all) |
25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GA263D01 | 3D Graphics, Texturing and Animation 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GA263D02 | 3D Graphics, Texturing and Animation 2 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GA263D03 | Game Engine 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GA263D04 | Game Project 3 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GA25MD |
Multi Disciplinary
(Choose all) |
25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GA26MD01 | XR/VR/AR/MR | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GA26MD02 | Experience Design | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GA26MD03 | Visualisation and Simulation | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GA26MD04 | Game Project 4 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 3.3 | 3.3 | 3.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GA25BM |
Game and Business Management
(Choose all) |
45 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GA26BM01 | Business Management | 10 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GA26BM02 | Project Management | 10 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GA26BM03 | Game Product | 10 | 10 | 10 | 3.3 | 3.3 | 3.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GA26BM04 | Sustainability in Games | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GA26BM05 | Communication | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GA26BM06 | Sales and Pitching | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GA25AS |
Advanced Studies
(Choose all) |
20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GA26AS01 | VFX and Compositing | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GA26AS02 | Motion Capture | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GA26AS03 | Game Project 5 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Elective Studies
(Choose ects: 12) |
12 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
(Choose all) |
30 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GA26IS01 | Internship 1 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GA26IS02 | Internship 2 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 7.5 | 7.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
(Choose all) |
25 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GA26TH01 | Research Methodology and Academic Writing | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GA26TH02 | Thesis Project | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1.7 | 1.7 | 1.7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| GA26TH03 | Thesis | 15 | 15 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 240 | 58 | 50 | 60 | 60 | 27 | 31 | 25 | 25 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 13.5 | 13.5 | 10.4 | 10.4 | 10.4 | 12.5 | 12.5 | 8.4 | 8.4 | 8.4 | 15 | 15 | 10.1 | 10.1 | 10.1 | 15 | 15 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Due to the timing of optional and elective courses, credit accumulation per semester / academic year may vary.
| Code | Name | Credits (cr) |
|---|---|---|
|
Core Studies
(Choose all) |
13 | |
| GA26GS01 | Introduction to Higher Education Studies | 3 |
| GA26EN01 | Professional English | 3 |
| GA26SV01 | Swedish | 3 |
| YH10SV01-S | Swedish - Writing Skills | 0 |
| YH10SV01-M | Swedish - Oral Skills | 0 |
| GA26FI01 | Finnish | 3 |
| YH10FI01-S | Finnish - Writing Skills | 0 |
| YH10FI01-M | Finnish - Oral Skills | 0 |
| GA26GT01 | Game Terminology | 1 |
|
(Choose all) |
160 | |
| GA252D |
2D Graphics
(Choose all) |
20 |
| GA262D01 | 2D Graphics, Texturing and Animation | 5 |
| GA262D02 | Concept and Character Design | 5 |
| GA262D03 | Game Engine 1 | 5 |
| GA262D04 | Game Project 1 | 5 |
| GA25GD |
Game Design
(Choose all) |
25 |
| GA26GD01 | Game Mechanics | 5 |
| GA26GD02 | Storytelling and Game Narrative | 5 |
| GA26GD03 | Game Engine 2 | 5 |
| GA26GD04 | Game Project 2 | 10 |
| GA253D |
3D Graphics
(Choose all) |
25 |
| GA263D01 | 3D Graphics, Texturing and Animation 1 | 5 |
| GA263D02 | 3D Graphics, Texturing and Animation 2 | 5 |
| GA263D03 | Game Engine 3 | 5 |
| GA263D04 | Game Project 3 | 10 |
| GA25MD |
Multi Disciplinary
(Choose all) |
25 |
| GA26MD01 | XR/VR/AR/MR | 5 |
| GA26MD02 | Experience Design | 5 |
| GA26MD03 | Visualisation and Simulation | 5 |
| GA26MD04 | Game Project 4 | 10 |
| GA25BM |
Game and Business Management
(Choose all) |
45 |
| GA26BM01 | Business Management | 10 |
| GA26BM02 | Project Management | 10 |
| GA26BM03 | Game Product | 10 |
| GA26BM04 | Sustainability in Games | 5 |
| GA26BM05 | Communication | 5 |
| GA26BM06 | Sales and Pitching | 5 |
| GA25AS |
Advanced Studies
(Choose all) |
20 |
| GA26AS01 | VFX and Compositing | 5 |
| GA26AS02 | Motion Capture | 5 |
| GA26AS03 | Game Project 5 | 10 |
|
Elective Studies
(Choose ects: 12) |
12 | |
|
(Choose all) |
30 | |
| GA26IS01 | Internship 1 | 15 |
| GA26IS02 | Internship 2 | 15 |
|
(Choose all) |
25 | |
| GA26TH01 | Research Methodology and Academic Writing | 5 |
| GA26TH02 | Thesis Project | 5 |
| GA26TH03 | Thesis | 15 |