PhD Game Design

PhD Entry Requirements

Academic Qualifications: Prospective PhD applicants are expected to hold a taught Masters degree in a relevant subject area. The university typically requires a minimum of 65% as the standard for academic performance in the completed Masters program.

English Language Proficiency:

• IELTS Requirement: An overall IELTS score of 6.5 or 7.0 is required, with no individual band score falling below 6.0.
• TOEFL Requirement: A minimum overall score of 92 on the TOEFL is accepted, with no sub-score in any section falling below 20.
• PTE Requirement: A minimum overall score of 62 with no individual score below 59.

Students must provide:

• Academic marksheets & transcripts
• Letters of recommendation
• A personal statement - SOP
• Passport
• Other supporting documents as required by the university.

Work experience: Some PhD courses may require relevant work experience in the field.

It is important to note that meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee admission, as the university considers factors such as availability of places and competition for the program. Additionally, some courses may have higher entry requirements or additional selection criteria, such as interviews or portfolio submissions.

Abertay University offers several types of scholarships for international Ph.D. students, each with its own criteria and benefits. 

Merit-Based Scholarships: Awards based on academic excellence, research potential, and achievements. Merit-based scholarships aim to attract high-achieving students to contribute to the university's research community.

Research-Specific Scholarships: Some scholarships are dedicated to students undertaking research in specific fields. These may align with the university's strategic research priorities or emerging academic disciplines.

Partnership Scholarships: Collaborative initiatives between Abertay University and external partners may result in specific scholarships. These aim to strengthen ties with organizations, industries, or governments.

Graduates of Abertay University's PhD in Game Design program are well-equipped to embark on diverse and influential career paths within the gaming and entertainment industry. With a deep understanding of game design principles and innovative research capabilities, they are poised for impactful roles that shape the future of interactive entertainment.

Lead Game Designer: PhD holders can aspire to become lead game designers, taking on central roles in game development studios. They lead design teams, oversee the creative vision of game projects, and ensure the cohesive integration of design elements into captivating gaming experiences.

Narrative Designer: Graduates may specialize as narrative designers, contributing to the storytelling aspects of games. They shape game narratives, create engaging characters, and design immersive story arcs that enhance player engagement and emotional connection.

Game Design Director: With experience and leadership skills, graduates can become game design directors. They guide the overall design vision of game development projects, ensuring coherence, innovation, and alignment with the overarching goals of the gaming studio.

Systems Designer: PhD holders can pursue careers as systems designers, focusing on the mechanics and systems that underpin gameplay. They contribute to the creation of game rules, balancing mechanisms, and interactive systems that define the core gameplay experience.

User Experience (UX) Designer: Those interested in the player experience can explore roles as UX designers. They analyze player behavior, conduct usability testing, and design interfaces that optimize the overall user experience in games.

Virtual Reality (VR) Game Designer: With the growing importance of VR gaming, graduates can specialize as VR game designers. They contribute to the design of immersive VR experiences, considering unique challenges and opportunities presented by virtual reality technology.

Augmented Reality (AR) Game Designer: Those interested in emerging technologies can explore roles as AR game designers. They design game experiences that seamlessly integrate digital content with the real world, contributing to the advancement of AR gaming.

Educator in Game Design: Graduates can contribute to education by becoming educators in game design. They may become professors or instructors, passing on their knowledge to the next generation of game designers and fostering the growth of innovative game development practices.

Independent Game Designer: Entrepreneurial graduates may choose to establish themselves as independent game designers. They can create their own game projects, collaborate with indie developers, and showcase their innovative design concepts on various platforms.

Game Design Researcher: PhD holders may pursue roles as game design researchers, contributing to academic institutions or research organizations. They engage in groundbreaking research, publish findings, and advance the theoretical understanding of game design principles.

Serious Game Designer: Graduates can explore careers in serious games, applying game design principles to educational, healthcare, or corporate training contexts. They create games with a purpose beyond entertainment, addressing societal challenges and facilitating learning.

Game Design Consultant: With specialized knowledge, graduates may become game design consultants. They offer expertise to game development studios, providing insights on design strategies, player engagement, and market trends.

Continuous Professional Development: Remaining committed to continuous learning, graduates can attend industry conferences, workshops, and networking events. They can also contribute to the gaming community through publications, presentations, and participation in industry discussions, establishing themselves as thought leaders in the ever-evolving field of game design.