Game Studies, Master of Arts

The Master’s Degree Programme in Game Studies combines humanities with digital game development, team projects, and industry networking. It covers the theory and research of games, forms of games, games and communication, game cultures, game psychology, and game analysis. Optional studies include Esport Cultures, Auditive Interaction Design, Ludo-Narrative Games, and Playfulness and Gamification.

The programme has 120 ECTS credits and takes 2 years of full-time study. Teaching is in English and delivered as contact teaching. The curriculum includes core studies, an internship and game project or a game research project, research methodology and thesis, optional studies, and language and communication studies. The master’s thesis can be a traditional written thesis or a portfolio thesis with a practical part and reflective essay.

The University of Jyväskylä says the programme is for students with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field. It also says practical experience in the games industry is an advantage. The degree qualifies graduates to apply for doctoral degree studies.

Modules

• Theory and Research of Games
• Forms of Games
• Games and Communication
• Game Cultures
• Game Psychology
• Game Analysis
• Internship and Game Project
• Game Research Project
• Research Methodology and Thesis
• Esport Cultures
• Auditive Interaction Design
• Ludo-Narrative Games

A bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field is required as a prerequisite. The field of previous studies is not intended to be strictly defined. Practical experience in the games industry is considered an advantage.

• research oriented positions in game industry
• game design
• player community management
• research careers in game studies