American University In Dubai

Dubai, AE

admissions@aud.edu +97143999000Sheikh Zayed Road PO Box 28282

American University In Dubai

Dubai, AE

admissions@aud.edu +97143999000Sheikh Zayed Road PO Box 28282

Bachelor Of Science In Game Design And Development

Design, Development·Mohammed Bin Rashid School for Communication

Bachelor

American University In Dubai

Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Game Design and Development positions AUD as a leader in the field of gaming education. It is an interdisciplinary program that integrates the technical aspects of game development with the creative storytelling elements of game design. The program prepares students to pursue career opportunities in the gaming industry and to contribute to a quickly evolving gaming ecosystem in the UAE and the Gulf region. Gaming is widely recognized as one of the fastest-growing sectors in the Entertainment and Media (E&M) industry worldwide, including notable developments in the UAE and wider Gulf. Graduates are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to contribute to Dubai’s vision of becoming a global gaming hub, and they will be ready to seize career opportunities in a thriving industry. The program will provide students with the creative, entrepreneurial, collaborative, and technological skills needed to design and develop products that can serve as both entertainment and educational tools.

Typical Job Titles

Game Designer
Level Designer
Game Artist
Character Designer
Game Art Generalist
Gameplay Programmer
UI / UX Designer
Technical Artist
Narrative Designer

Secure your spot today!

Fall 2026 applications are now open! Apply today and get ready to begin an exciting journey at American University In Dubai.

Apply Now

Program Details

Degree level: Bachelor
Department: Mohammed Bin Rashid School for Communication
College: Mohammed Bin Rashid School for Communication
Concentration: Design, Development

Tuition & Fees

Per year: AED 137,970
Per semester: AED 68,985

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, graduates will be able to:

Apply game design and development across multiple mediums, including gamification, AI, virtual production, interactive media, and others.
Demonstrate expertise in core game design principles, including mechanics, dynamics, aesthetics, and narrative.
Evaluate the ethical, legal, and social dimensions of gaming, including issues related representation, diversity, monetization, and societal impact.
Create interactive and immersive game experiences across different genres and platforms by integrating both design and programming principles using industry-standard tools.
Collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary teams to take a gaming project from concept to completion.
Implement business fundamentals relevant to the gaming industry to guide the completion of game design and development projects within specified budgetary and time constraints.

Academic Requirements

A high school/secondary school certificate or equivalent from an institution accredited by the Ministry of Education in the U.A.E. or by the relevant national or regional institutional accrediting body;
International TOEFL®or Academic IELTSTM or the equivalent score on another internationally-recognized English exam. PBT is accepted from specific centers in the UAE.
The University administers the ACCUPLACERTM Exam (Math) to place students at the appropriate mathematics level. Students may substitute the SAT for this, depending on the score.

Required Documents

Your High School Documents- An official attested high school/secondary school transcript covering the last three years and reflecting a good academic standard. (Required averages vary by school systems. Students should consult AUD’s Admissions Office for pertinent requirements.)

High School Diploma, original to be verified.

High School Certificate Attestation and EquivalencyTrue copy of certificates should be attested by the appropriate authority as stated below: - Grade 12 transcripts obtained in the U.A.E. must be attested by the U.A.E. Ministry of Education.

High school diplomas and grade 12 transcripts obtained abroad must be attested by: 1. Ministry of Education of home country 2. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of home country 3. U.A.E. Embassy in home country OR 1. Ministry of Education of home country 2. Embassy of the country of study in the U.A.E. 3. U.A.E. Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Obtain the Certificate of Equivalency of your high school qualification from the Ministry of Education in the UAE. You should apply online through the Ministry's website: [www.moe.gov.ae](https://www.moe.gov.ae)(under the EServices section, go to Service Catalog)

Equivalency letter is required from the U.A.E. Ministry of Education for all students except students who graduated from a school following UAE Ministry System

English Requirements: Students should demonstrate the minimal standards of proficiency in English language through submission of the required TOEFL/Academic IELTS. To be admitted to any of AUD undergraduate programs, applicants must submit the below scores prior to the start of the semester: - IELTS Academic 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 79 or TOEFL ITP 550

Students who achieve a minimum score of 6 on Academic IELTS or 68 on TOEFL iBT or 520 on TOEFL ITP will still be accepted as degree candidates and will be enrolled in ENGL100: Developmental English (refer to section developmental on Developmental Studies)

Students who do not achieve the minimum scores may be placed at the appropriate level of the English Bridge program and cannot register for degree program courses.

Math Requirements Students must demonstrate the minimal standards of proficiency in mathematics by submitting any of the below scores (per chosen program of study) or by passing the Math placement test at AUD*

Passport photocopy with validity page (and Ethbara page for UAE nationals)

Photocopy UAE Residency Visa

Photocopy Emirates ID (both sides)

Army Exemption Letter (for UAE nationals)

Completed [Health History Form](https://aud.edu/media/2885/health-history-form-updated-2019.pdf?AUD%20Health%20History%20Forms). This form must be signed and stamped by a Physician.

An online Application for Admission to an AUD graduate program.

An undergraduate degree earned from an institution accredited by the Ministry of Education in the U.A.E. or by the relevant national or regional institutional accrediting body in the case of international applicants.

A 3.00 GPA (on a 4.00 scale) or better in undergraduate study. For students with post undergraduate credits earned at more than one institution, a separate GPA is calculated.

Undergraduate/Graduate Records: Original, official (sealed) transcripts from all universities, colleges, or other postsecondary institutions of higher learning at which the applicant completed undergraduate and graduate studies.

Undergraduate and Graduate Diplomas – originals required for verification.

Confirmation of University Records, required from every university attended by the student before joining AUD to be e-mailed directly from the student’s university to the Office of Admissions at AUD ([myapplication@aud.edu](mailto:myapplication@aud.edu))

Profile and/or Grading system of universities/colleges previously attended.

Attestations and Equivalencies- Original, official transcripts of academic record from all universities, colleges or other postsecondary institutions attended by the candidate; to be submitted to the Office of Admissions. Transcripts should be attested by the appropriate higher education authority in the country in which the undergraduate degree was granted, and must be translated into English if they are issued in a language other than English.

Applicants with degrees granted outside the UAE., should obtain attestation from (1) the Ministry of Higher Education of the country of study, (2) the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in that country, and (3) the UAE embassy in that country or the embassy of the country of study in the UAE and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Statement of Recognition of you’re the applicant’s previous university degree to be obtained from the UAE Ministry of Education for all applicants with the exception of applicants with degrees granted in the UAE and approved by the UAE Ministry of Education (MOE). It is solely the applicant’s responsibility to obtain this statement from MOE.

Original, official transcripts of academic record from all universities, colleges or other postsecondary institutions attended by the candidate; to be submitted to the Office of Admissions. Transcripts should be attested by the appropriate higher education authority in the country in which the undergraduate degree was granted, and must be translated into English if they are issued in a language other than English.

English Language RequirementsStudents must achieve any of the following: - Academic IELTS™ score of 6.5 - TOEFL® score of (550 ITP [Paper-based]) or (79 IBT), or, - EmSAT English score of 1550

CV or resume describing professional and academic experience including two Professional or Educational References (with contact information)

A statement of the applicant’s career objectives, special professional and academic interests, and other reasons why the candidate wishes to pursue their choice of program at AUD, as well as the applicant’s special skills, expertise and interests that might contribute towards enriching the graduate learning at AUD.

Photocopy of passport, UAE ID (both sides).

Completed Health History Form. This form must be signed and stamped by a Physician.

National Military Service letter for UAE (male) nationals.