Faculty of Art and Design
Digital Game Design
Applications open
Tuition and study format
Academic year: 2026/27
Intakes and application dates
- 2026/2027 Ön BaşvuruApplications openJanuary 1, 2026 — August 31, 2027
Programme information package
The programme's definition and learning outcomes, as the university publishes them in its official information package.
Programme definition
History
The Department of Digital Game Design was established in 2021 and operates within the Faculty of Art and Design. continues. The department accepted its first students in the 2021-2022 academic year and will give its first graduates in 2025.
Qualification Awarded
Degree: Bachelor of Digital Game Design
Level of Qualification (Short Cycle , First Cycle , Second Cycle, Third Cycle)
Bachelor's Degree (EQF-LLL Level 6)
Specific Admission Requirements
Turkish Citizens: Students are admitted to the program by central placement according to SAY score type. are taken. Students placed in the program by ÖSYM are required to fulfill their financial obligations on the announced registration dates. must complete the registration process and make a final registration. Foreign Nationals: Foreign students are accepted in accordance with the criteria determined by the University Senate. Please review the relevant web page. Horizontal Transfer: A student who has started studying in an equivalent program in Turkey or abroad can apply for transfer. The acceptance of the student is made before the start of the semester, taking into account the conditions of each student and the degree applied for. are reviewed and evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Please review the relevant legislation. Nişantaşı University Associate and Undergraduate Education Transfer Directive Transition Between Associate Degree and Bachelor's Degree Programs in Higher Education Institutions, Double Major, Minor Regulation on the Principles of Credit Transfer between Institutions Exchange Students: Student exchange programs approved by the University and framed by an agreement Within the scope of the program, students from Turkey and abroad can take the courses given in the program.
Specific Arrangements For Recognition Of Prior Learning (Formal, Non-Formal and Informal)
Students' prior learning and achievements can be evaluated with the "Istanbul Nişantaşı University Previously Acquired Recognition of Qualifications, Course Equivalency and Adjustment Principles Directive" and can be recognized in accordance with this Exemption from the required courses can be provided accordingly. Link to reach the directive:
Qualification Requirements and Regulations
Qualification Requirements and Rules are as described in the "Graduation Requirements" section.
Profile of The Programme
Vision: To enable our students to unleash their creativity to create new and immersive digital experiences. Mission: To prepare our students for the digital game industry by providing them with a high-level education in both academic and practical aspects, while at the same time developing their creative thinking skills, increasing their technical competencies and enabling them to succeed in the industry with an approach based on ethical values. Aims and Objectives: The Department of Digital Game Design was founded with an innovative vision and aims to provide students with a comprehensive education. This education focuses on developing students' art, programming, storytelling, and design skills, while providing them with experience at every stage of the game development process. Our goals include providing quality educational programs to increase student success, ensuring that graduates are competitively positioned in the games industry after graduation, and creating an environment where students respect the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. General Information: Digital game design is a field that plays an important role in today's rapidly growing and changing digital entertainment industry. Those working in this field are involved in the creation and development of computer games and other digital entertainment products. Digital game design often involves a combination of different disciplines such as art, programming, storytelling and user experience design.
Occupational Profiles of Graduates With Examples
After successfully completing their studies, our graduates will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to successfully manage their own game projects as well as game development studios and technology companies. They will also have the opportunity to work in various areas of the digital game industry. Students who complete their undergraduate education can continue their master's and doctoral programs and pursue an academic career as a scientist. Students who successfully complete the program may have the opportunity to apply for master's and doctoral degrees in other related fields.
Access to Further Studies
Graduated students have the right to study in postgraduate programs (Master's, Integrated Doctorate Programs) provided that they fulfill the prerequisites of the relevant universities.
Examination Regulations, Assessment and Grading
In order for the students who registered for the relevant course at the beginning of the semester to take the final exam of the theoretical courses Students are required to attend at least 70% of the practical courses and at least 80% of the applied courses. Students are required to attend each They are subjected to midterm and final exam for the course. The success grade is based on the midterm exam (as the midterm exam grade scores obtained from measurement tools such as homework, laboratory exams, quizzes, etc. can also be evaluated) The contribution of the final exam is 40% and the contribution of the final exam is 60%. For the assessment and evaluation criteria of each course, you can click on the course name in the Curriculum (below). You can review the relevant regulations and directives. Nisantasi University Associate and Undergraduate Education and Examination Regulations Examination and Success Evaluation System Directive Nişantaşı University Department of Foreign Languages Education and Examination Directive Nişantaşı University Turkish Language Teaching Application and Research Center (Nişantaşı Tömer) Education and Examination Directive:
Graduation Requirements
In order for students to be eligible for graduation, the courses in the curriculum (total at least 240 ECTS equivalent) must be successfully completed and the overall weighted grade point average at the graduation stage must be At least 2.00 out of 4.00 is required. The semester weighted grade point average for each semester must be at least 1.80 out of 4.00. (please add this sentence if it concerns the program) For graduation, the student must also complete an internship or graduation project. must have completed the program successfully. Please review the relevant regulations and directives. Nişantaşı University Associate and Undergraduate Education and Examination Regulations Nişantaşı University 8th Semester On-the-Job Professional Practices (IMU) Directive Nişantaşı University Directive on the Regulation of Diploma, Diploma Supplement and Other Documents
Mode of Study (Full-Time, Part-Time, E-Learning )
Tam Zamanlı
Address, Programme Director or Equivalent
Head of Department Hamdi Arslan Email: hamdi.arslan@nisantasi.edu.tr Telephone: +90(212)2101010 Address: Neotech Campus, Maslak Mah., Taşyoncası Sok. No: 1V and No: 1Y, 34398 Sarıyer/Istanbul
Facilities
As a department that constantly researches the needs of both the national and international digital game industry and updates its lesson plans accordingly, we train our students as successful game managers and designers in cooperation with the industry and the university. We train students who are experts not only in game design but also in management, project management, marketing and analytical skills. By combining the theoretical knowledge given during the education process with practical game development experiences, we train innovative and creative designers who have a command of international game markets. In addition to English language education, we offer second and third foreign languages in line with the preferences of our students. With elective language courses such as French, German, Spanish and Japanese, we aim to train designers who have a good command of the international game industry and communication. We enable our students to have internship and study experiences abroad through strategic collaborations with universities, private sector game studios and other educational institutions abroad. Within the eight-semester education process, after completing seven semesters, we offer our students the opportunity to evaluate the eighth semester with on-the-job project development and application experiences in the sector. In this way, we enable them to gain work experience before graduation and prepare them for the dynamics of the sector.
Programme outcomes
- Ability to recognize the differences between mobile and desktop game development, select appropriate production methods and produce appropriate content.
- Competence in game mechanics and user interface design.
- Ability to develop games using game engines and software tools (Unity, Unreal Engine, etc.).
- Understand and implement the publishing process of the game in accordance with industry standards; successfully complete the steps required for the release of the game.
- Game storytelling competence
- Ability to write dialog for a game
- World and environment design competence
- To be able to produce animations with 2D and 3D characters and use them in the game development process.
- To be able to make the necessary documentation to manage the game design and development process and to gain the competence to follow the game production line.
Programme outcomes and the Turkish Qualifications Framework
Each line is an item of the Turkish Qualifications Framework; the numbers beside it are the programme outcomes that meet it.
KNOWLEDGE
- 1
Possess advanced level theoretical and practical knowledge supported by textbooks with updated information, practice equipments and other resources
Programme outcomes1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 7 · 8 · 9
SKILLS
- 1
Use of advanced theoretical and practical knowledge within the field
Programme outcomes1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 - 2
Interpret and evaluate data, define and analyze problems, develop solutions based on research and proofs by using acquired advanced knowledge and skills within the field
Programme outcomes1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 8 · 9
COMPETENCES ( Competence to Work Independently and Take Responsibility )
- 1
Conduct studies at an advanced level in the field independently
Programme outcomes1 · 2 · 5 · 6 · 7 - 2
Take responsibility both as a team member and individually in order to solve unexpected complex problems faced within the implementations in the field
Programme outcomes1 · 2 · 4 · 9 - 3
Planning and managing activities towards the development of subordinates in the framework of a project
Programme outcomes5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9
COMPETENCES ( Learning Competence )
- 1
Evaluate the knowledge and skills acquired at an advanced level in the field with a critical approach
Programme outcomes1 · 4 - 2
Determine learning needs and direct the learning
Programme outcomes1 · 4 - 3
Develop positive attitude towards lifelong learning
Programme outcomes3 · 4 · 9
COMPETENCES ( Communication and Social Competence )
- 1
Inform people and institutions, transfer ideas and solution proposals to problems in written and orally on issues in the field
Programme outcomes1 - 2
Share the ideas and solution proposals to problems on issues in the field with professionals and non-professionals by the support of qualitative and quantitative data
Programme outcomes1 · 2 · 4 - 3
Organize and implement project and activities for social environment with a sense of social responsibility
Programme outcomes— - 4
Monitor the developments in the field and communicate with peers by using a foreign language at least at a level of European Language Portfolio B1 General Level
Programme outcomes6 - 5
Use informatics and communication technologies with at least a minimum level of European Computer Driving License Advanced Level software knowledge
Programme outcomes1
COMPETENCES ( Field Specific Competence )
- 1
Act in accordance with social, scientific, cultural and ethic values on the stages of gathering, implementation and release of the results of data related to the field
Programme outcomes1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 - 2
Possess sufficient consciousness about the issues of universality of social rights, social justice, quality, cultural values and also, environmental protection, worker's health and security
Programme outcomes1 · 2 · 3 · 5 · 7 · 8 · 9