Game Programming

Intake Dates

Fall 2025

Duration

4 Semesters

Fees

Unleash your creativity in Game Programming

Level up your coding skills and learn how to build immersive games experiences, ingenious systems, and game mechanics. Explore the intricacies of game development, learning programming languages like C++ and C# to breathe life into your digital creations. Under the mentorship of industry gurus, you'll fine-tune your programming know-how. Dive headfirst into exciting subjects like artificial intelligence, computer graphics, physics simulation and AR/VR development.

AIE’s game programming courses provide the opportunity to collaborate with passionate students in our game design and game art courses. Together, you will forge unique and innovative experiences to entertain and showcase your skills.

Why study game programming with AIE?

Practical Skills

Develop the skills demanded by industry
making you immediately employable.

Courses are made by industry practitioners and developed to teach you industry relevant skills and prepare you for immediate employment.

Specialists

Learn from experienced industry professionals
who have insights and connections.

AIE teachers are award winning instructors with industry experience and a passion for educating the next generation of learners.

Equipment

AIE provides state of the art,
cutting-edge, game technology.

studio environment

You will use the latest, industry standard, hardware and software to create your own unique entertainment experience.

Multiple Award Winners

AIE delivers highly specialist education for games, visual effects and animation.

AIE was the first video game school in the world and developed the world’s first accredited game development qualification. AIE has been at the forefront of delivery through specialist education and achieving great graduate outcomes for over 27 years.

Not for Profit

AIE is the world's first non-profit
specialist games and visual effects educator.

We support industry

We invest in our students, grow the industry and support graduate career opportunities.

Graduate Placement

Follow in the footsteps of AIE graduates working
on the top games and films worldwide.

Get a Job!

Graduates can be found working in some of the worlds leading games studios, independent games studios and also creating their own digital content through the AIE incubator.

Other graduates are working in serious games/simulations for Defence and simulations for major mining companies.

Industry software you will learn

Your career in Game Programming starts through the hands-on Advanced Diploma, closely developed with the game industry and leverage the latest game industry software including:

Visual Studio
Programming in C++
Open GL
Low-level graphics programming
Unreal Engine
Game development
Unity Engine
Game development

Perforce
Collaborative version control
GIT
Collaborative version control
Open-source Libraries
Public code-bases commonly used throughout programming industries

AIE graduates have worked on

Star Trek Lower Decks The Badgey Directive Game | AIE

World of Warcraft Dragonfight Game | IAE

World of Warcraft shadowlands Game | IAE

Advanced Diploma

What you will learn

Year 1

The first year takes students through languages and technologies used heavily by the gaming industry, including C++, game libraries and version control. Students also begin to master development on multiple platforms, applied math principles within game development, artificial intelligence, problem solving, and practical programming proficiency.

Year 2

Students polish their skills in all aspects of C++ programming before focusing on specialized areas and developing on multiple platforms. By the end of the second year, students will have experience in 3D graphics, Open GL, networking, physics, and collision, profiling, and project management.

Major Game Project

In the last half of the second year, game art, game design, and game programming students work together in development teams to design and produce an innovative original playable video game. The training environment closely mirrors the real world production cycle as it would occur in an industry studio, covering the entire process from pitching and evaluating technical requirements, managing workload, meeting deadlines, bug-fixing, and QA testing.

Core Topics

Stage One

Introduction to C++
Game Engine Scripting
Maths for Games
Code Design and Data Structures
Advanced Game Engine Scripting
UI Interface
Artificial Intelligence for Games
Production Planning
Minor Production

Stage Two

Physics for Games
Computer Graphics
Complex Game Systems
Virtual & Extended Realities
Proof of Concept
Major Production
Online Professional Portfolio

Study schedule

Advanced Diploma students work in industry-simulated studio environments and complete one subject at a time, building upon knowledge as the learning pathway progresses.

Subjects and Assessment

Students complete practical game design tasks and projects based on industry standards and briefs. Accompanying projects students record their process through development journals and other documentation.

Career Outcomes

A range of game programming roles within game development including Gameplay Programmer, Network Engineer, Graphics-Shader Developer, 3D Game Engine Programmer, Tools Developer and many others.

Graduates would also use these skills in a range of similar roles within games-based simulation and training as well as general software development roles.

Gameplay programmer
Game engine programmer
Graphics engine programmer
Artificial intelligence programmer
Network programmer
User Interface programmer
Physics engine programmer
Tools Programmer
Mobile game programmer
Game Scripter

Qualification

Program Name	Advanced Diploma - Game Programming
CIP Code	11.0804

Entry Requirements

Entry for this course is based on an interview to assess your suitability for the course and understand your current skills and interests through looking at your portfolio of related work.

For more information, please see our interview and portfolio page.

Apply Now

Hear from our graduates

I will never forget the amazing time and valuable experience AIE have given me, they really helped me shine to be more than who I thought I was, I am now a Game Designer creating fun innovating games for the future generations

CEO
Dark Shadow Studios

Casey Thomas

AIE gave me the opportunities to learn industry relevant skills that made it possible for me to get a job in the industry. The teachers were fantastic and incredibly motivated.

LEAD MODELLER
Scanline VFX (Oscar winning VFX studio)

Damien Lam

AIE was the best choice I made when deciding my career path, the course structure and the connections I made there is what put me in the position for most of the jobs I've gotten.The teachers go above and beyond for their students!

CHARACTER ARTIST
SMG studio (indie game studio & creators of death squared)

Kellie Lautier

Josh Van Zuylen Monochrome | AIE Graduate Success

What I enjoyed about AIE the most was being taught by people that actually have industry experience. My teachers at AIE really helped me figure out the necessary paths and helped me be the best that I could be when I graduated.

SENIOR ENVIRONMENT ARTIST
Cloud Imperium Games (Creators of Star Citizen)

Josh Van Zuylen

AIE provided me with the building blocks to take my art career to the next level. I learned about the industry, made connections, mentors and friends, asked questions, and viewed my work as an evolution rather than a destination.

OUTPUT DESIGNER
Funko Inc (creators of funko pops)

Beverly Crock

Ben Davis Monochrome | AIE Graduate Success

AIE gave me the specific tools to learn what I needed to know to get into the games industry. AIE taught me a valuable skillset which I have been able to apply to my career.

LEAD CHARACTER ARTIST
Splash Damage

Ben Davis

AIE has proved to be an invaluable catalyst for my career. The industry veteran teachers and staff went above and beyond. I would not be anywhere near where I am if it wasn't for my AIE family.

VISUAL EFFECTS ARTIST
Bungie

Vinessa Mayer

Game development for many graduates is just a dream. The AIE provided me with the skills and knowledge to realise that dream. With such close ties to industry, AIE is a foot in the door to network directly with game companies to help land that elusive job.

Game Programming

Intake Dates

Duration

Fees

Unleash your creativity in Game Programming

Why study game programming with AIE?

Practical Skills

Specialists

Equipment

studio environment

Multiple Award Winners

Not for Profit

We support industry

Graduate Placement

Get a Job!

Industry software you will learn

Visual Studio

Open GL

Unreal Engine

Unity Engine

Perforce

GIT

Open-source Libraries

AIE graduates have worked on

Advanced Diploma

What you will learn

Year 1

Year 2

Major Game Project

Core Topics

Stage One

Stage Two

Study schedule

Subjects and Assessment

Career Outcomes

Qualification

Entry Requirements

Hear from our graduates

CEODark Shadow Studios

LEAD MODELLERScanline VFX (Oscar winning VFX studio)

CHARACTER ARTISTSMG studio (indie game studio & creators of death squared)

SENIOR ENVIRONMENT ARTISTCloud Imperium Games (Creators of Star Citizen)

OUTPUT DESIGNERFunko Inc (creators of funko pops)

LEAD CHARACTER ARTISTSplash Damage

VISUAL EFFECTS ARTISTBungie

TECHNICAL DIRECTORLeague of Geeks

Meet the teachers

Campus Life

Alumni Projects