What is the MS in Game Development?

The MS in Game Development is an online, 48 credit hour master’s degree program. It is an interdisciplinary degree offered through a collaboration between the College of Fine and Applied Arts, Computer Science, Game Studies and Design and the School of Information Sciences.

The program is designed to be completed in 2 years (4 semesters) and has five specializations: Game Art, Game Design, Game Narrative, Game Production, and Game Programming.

The MS degree in Game Development at Illinois will accelerate your career by providing specialized technical mastery (such as advanced AI or engine programming), giving you full access to high-level industry networking, and help you create a polished professional portfolio that helps you bypass entry-level roles for senior or lead positions. 

How will the courses be offered?

The courses will be taught online through the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign elearning platform. Students can attend all courses online from anywhere in the world with a wireless connection, while working full time. There are no overlapping classes — everything is designed for students to work full time, while earning their MS in Game Development degree.

Our courses are primarily asynchronous, but instructors may wish to check in with you periodically throughout the semester. These check in sessions, typically held midweek in the evenings (central time), offer a valuable opportunity to connect with instructors and classmates. While attendance is not required, it is highly encouraged. Course activities also emphasize collaboration through assignments and group projects.

How long does it take to complete the degree?

Provided that the student completes all courses within the recommended period of time, the MS in Game Development degree can be completed within 2 years/24 months.

Will non-degree graduate students be able to take MS in Game Development courses?

Non-degree students may enroll in MS in Game Development courses, subject to available capacity and departmental approval. However, these courses are not eligible for loans or financial aid. For more details, refer to the Tuition and Financial Support page.

What are the requirements for admission?

The following are required in order to process your admission (upon acceptance) into the MS in Game Development program:

• Personal Essays, 4 Questions, 300 words max (each)
• Portfolio (digital link/s)

Graduate College requirements are different and in addition to the MS in Game Development program requirements. View Graduate College admissions requirements.

Do I have to take the GMAT or GRE to apply?

No, test scores are not required. If you want to submit scores, you can do so with your application, however they are not mandatory.

Do I need to hold an undergraduate degree?

Yes, you must have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in the United States or an equivalent degree from an accredited institution in a foreign country.

What if I do not meet the minimum educational requirements?

It is possible that some applicants with very strong professional backgrounds may not meet minimum educational GPA criteria. We will evaluate such candidates’ professional experiences on a case-by-case basis and may determine an adequate substitute for the appropriate academic credentials. However, work experience will not be accepted as a substitute for an undergraduate degree.

Are letters of recommendation required?

Yes, each applicant is required to submit three letters of recommendation. We strongly recommend that your references come from individuals who know you in a professional setting and can speak to your leadership abilities and to your commitment to succeed in a rigorous program.

Can somebody who is not a US citizen or permanent resident apply?

Yes, international applicants are welcome to apply. However, the MS in Game Development program will not sponsor your visa for a stay in the USA.

Can I get Financial Aid?

The MS in Game Development program is a self-supported program. Therefore, assistantships, scholarships, tuition waivers, and fellowship funding are not available. However, you can apply for Federal Student loans if you are a US citizen or permanent resident through the Financial Aid Office on the UI campus: Office of Student Financial Aid.

Please also visit Tuition and Financial Support for more information.

Can I waive the application fee?

The application fee is collected by the Graduate College to defray administrative costs of processing the application. This fee cannot be waived unless the application meets the following criteria specified in the Fee Waiver section of the application (international applications are typically not eligible for fee waivers). Please see the Graduate College Application Fees page.

Is the full tuition due when the program starts?

No. Tuition is assessed each semester based on the number of courses offered and credit hours registered in the semester. Tuition for the SBC program is $754/$994, resident/non-resident, per credit hour. The amount of tuition due each semester differs due to credit hours taken each semester. Generally speaking, there are four semesters in total and students will take 3 courses per semester, four credit hours each. This comes to, on average, $9,048/$11,928 per semester (does not include additional fees).

How much is the tuition?

Tuition for the MS in Game Development is $36,192 / $47,712 res/non-res tuition + fees for the complete 48 credit hour degree. Tuition/fee based on students taking a full load. Subject to change based on student load.

Is there a payment plan for tuition?

Yes, it is possible to pay the tuition in installments. For more information, see the University Bursar’s Payment Plan.

What are the technical requirements of this program?

The iSchool requires that all graduate students own a laptop. The laptop must run Windows 10 or MacOS (13 or newer). Chromebooks, tablets, and smartphones are not adequate. Students enrolled in the Master of Science in Game Development program must have access to a computer capable of running current versions of Unreal Engine 5, Unity, Blender, Visual Studio, and other industry-standard game development software. Because coursework may include advanced real-time rendering, virtual production, technical art, 3D modeling, simulation, and game programming, the minimum recommended system configuration is:

• 64-bit Windows 11 or current macOS operating system
• Multi-core processor equivalent to an Intel Core i7, Intel Core Ultra 7, AMD Ryzen 7, or Apple Silicon M4 Pro
• 32 GB RAM
• Dedicated graphics processor equivalent to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 (12 GB VRAM or greater) or AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT (16 GB VRAM or greater); Apple Silicon systems should include a minimum of 24 GB unified memory
• 1 TB SSD storage (NVMe SSD preferred)
• Broadband Internet connection

Students intending to specialize in advanced Unreal Engine development, virtual production, technical art, real-time cinematics, or high-fidelity 3D environments are strongly encouraged to use systems with 64 GB RAM, NVIDIA RTX 4080-class or higher graphics hardware, and 2 TB or greater SSD storage.

• Tech Zone 
  This store has a wide selection of both PCs and Macs that would be suitable for coursework in this program. They also offer Apple educational pricing to all members of our campus community.
• Webstore
  This online webstore has free software or software for purchase such as Microsoft Office 365 (free to students) including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Illinois AnyWare
  This virtual desktop can be used by all students in the MS in Game Development program to improve access to software used in the program.