B.S. in Actuarial Mathematics
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in Massachusetts, USA, offers a Bachelor of Scien...
M.S. in Interactive Media & Game Development
Worcester, Massachusetts
INTAKE: Jan & Aug
Program Overview
The M.S. in Interactive Media & Game Development program at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in Massachusetts, USA, offers students an immersive and comprehensive education in the field of interactive media and game design. The program integrates creative design, technical skills, and theoretical knowledge to prepare students for careers in game development, interactive storytelling, and digital media production.
STEM Designated: WPI's M.S. in Interactive Media & Game Development program is designated as STEM, highlighting its alignment with science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines. This designation underscores the program's emphasis on incorporating technical skills, computational thinking, and innovative technologies into the creative process of game development and interactive media production.
Curriculum: The curriculum of the M.S. in Interactive Media & Game Development program at WPI is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of game design principles, interactive storytelling techniques, digital media production tools, and emerging technologies. Core courses cover topics such as game design theory, game development pipelines, 3D modeling and animation, interactive narrative design, user experience (UX) design, and game programming. Elective courses allow students to specialize in areas such as virtual reality (VR) development, augmented reality (AR) design, serious games, mobile game development, or indie game production. The program may also include collaborative projects, game jams, and a final thesis or capstone project, enabling students to apply their skills to create innovative and immersive interactive experiences.
Research Focus: The Interactive Media & Game Development program at WPI emphasizes both artistic expression and scholarly inquiry in the field of game development and interactive media. Faculty and students engage in research across various areas, including game studies, game aesthetics, player experience research, interactive narrative analysis, and the societal impact of games. Research initiatives often involve interdisciplinary collaborations with departments such as computer science, psychology, sociology, and humanities, providing students with opportunities to explore the social, cultural, and ethical dimensions of interactive media and gaming.
Industry Engagement: WPI maintains strong connections with industry partners in the gaming and interactive media sector, offering students numerous opportunities for industry engagement and collaboration. Through internships, co-op programs, industry-sponsored projects, and guest lectures by industry professionals, students gain hands-on experience, build industry connections, and receive valuable feedback on their work. Additionally, WPI's location in the Greater Boston area provides students with access to a vibrant gaming community, game studios, tech startups, and cultural institutions, further enriching their learning experience and professional development.
Global Perspective: The M.S. in Interactive Media & Game Development program at WPI emphasizes a global perspective, recognizing the widespread influence and cultural significance of games and interactive media worldwide. Students have opportunities to study international game development practices, explore cross-cultural perspectives on gaming and digital media, and participate in global game jams, conferences, or collaborative projects with international partners. Additionally, WPI's diverse community of students and faculty brings a range of perspectives to the program, fostering cross-cultural understanding and collaboration in the creation of interactive experiences.
Location
Worcester, Massachusetts
Score
IELTS 7
Tuition Fee
USD 24150
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Application Fees: Waiver
Academic Qualifications: Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a recognized institution with a minimum overall score of 80% or above.
English Language Proficiency
- IELTS Requirement: A minimum overall score of 7.0 with no individual component below 6.5.
- TOEFL Requirement: A minimum overall score of 84 is often required.
- PTE Requirement: A minimum overall score of 59 is often required.
- DET Requirement: A DET score of 115 is required.
Students must provide:
- academic marksheets & transcripts
- letters of recommendation
- a personal statement - SOP
- passport
- other supporting documents as required by the university.
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.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) recognizes the importance of providing financial support to international students pursuing higher education in the United States.
International Student Scholarships: WPI provides a limited number of scholarships specifically designated for international students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. These scholarships may vary in terms of eligibility criteria, award amounts, and application requirements. International students are encouraged to explore scholarship opportunities offered by their academic departments, schools, and external organizations.
Need-Based Financial Aid: While WPI's scholarship programs primarily focus on merit-based awards, the university also considers financial need as a factor in determining eligibility for aid. International students with demonstrated financial need may be eligible for need-based financial aid, which could include grants, loans, or work-study opportunities. The Office of Financial Aid assists students in navigating the financial aid application process and exploring available resources.
External Scholarships and Sponsorships: International students are encouraged to explore external scholarship opportunities and governmental sponsorships offered by their home countries, international organizations, and private foundations. These scholarships may be available for specific fields of study, academic merit, or financial need. WPI provides guidance and support to students seeking external funding sources and assists them in applying for scholarships outside the university.
Research and Teaching Assistantships: Graduate students at WPI may have the opportunity to obtain research or teaching assistantships, which provide financial support in the form of stipends, tuition waivers, or both. These assistantship positions allow students to gain valuable research experience or assist faculty members in teaching courses while earning financial assistance to support their graduate studies.
Graduates of Worcester Polytechnic Institute's M.S. in Interactive Media & Game Development program possess a diverse skill set that prepares them for various career opportunities in the gaming industry, digital media production, and interactive storytelling.
Game Developer/Programmer: Graduates may work as game developers or programmers, responsible for coding game mechanics, implementing interactive features, optimizing performance, and debugging issues to create engaging and immersive gaming experiences across different platforms such as PC, console, mobile, and virtual reality (VR).
Game Designer: Graduates may pursue careers as game designers, conceptualizing game ideas, designing gameplay mechanics, crafting levels, and balancing game elements to create compelling and enjoyable player experiences in video games, mobile apps, and interactive media projects.
Game Artist/Animator: Graduates may specialize in game art or animation, creating 2D or 3D assets, character designs, environmental models, animations, visual effects, and user interfaces to enhance the visual appeal and aesthetic quality of video games, VR experiences, and interactive media productions.
UI/UX Designer: Graduates may focus on user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design, designing intuitive interfaces, user interactions, navigation flows, and user experiences that enhance player engagement, accessibility, and usability in games, mobile apps, and digital media platforms.
Narrative Designer/Writer: Graduates may work as narrative designers or writers, crafting compelling storylines, character arcs, dialogue, and interactive narratives for video games, interactive fiction, virtual reality experiences, and transmedia storytelling projects.
Level Designer: Graduates may specialize in level design, creating game environments, designing puzzles, challenges, and obstacles, pacing gameplay progression, and balancing difficulty levels to create memorable and immersive levels for video games and interactive experiences.
Audio Designer/Sound Engineer: Graduates may focus on audio design or sound engineering, creating sound effects, music compositions, voiceovers, and immersive audio experiences that enhance the atmosphere, emotion, and immersion of video games, VR experiences, and interactive media projects.
Quality Assurance (QA) Tester: Graduates may work as QA testers, responsible for testing games and interactive media projects for bugs, glitches, usability issues, and overall quality assurance to ensure a polished and seamless player experience before release.
Indie Developer/Entrepreneur: Graduates may choose to start their own game development studios, indie game companies, or freelance businesses, creating original games, interactive experiences, apps, or digital content and bringing their creative visions to life independently or in collaboration with other artists, developers, and entrepreneurs.
Educator/Instructor: Graduates may pursue careers in academia as educators or instructors, teaching game design, interactive media production, digital arts, and related subjects at colleges, universities, art schools, or specialized training programs, and mentoring the next generation of game developers and digital storytellers.
