Canada has a thriving gaming industry, with several international companies establishing their foothold in the country. While Montreal and Quebec take the top place in terms of opportunities for game developers and programmers, other cities are also joining the race. In this scenario, to study game development courses in Canada means getting direct access to jobs, networks, and opportunities after passing out. To ensure a place in the gaming industry in Canada, you must first complete a game development course from a reputed university. Follow our guide here to learn more about the best universities for game development programs in Canada.
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About Game Development Courses in Canada
Several universities and colleges are offering courses in game development in Canada. Some are awarding diplomas, while others have full-fledged degree courses at bachelor’s and master’s levels. Besides the excellent study opportunities in the field, the Canadian gaming industry is also booming with potential and an impressive range of companies. You will find companies like Ubisoft and Electronic Arts working in Canada, along with many others. Montreal, in Canada, is dubbed the ‘Hollywood of gaming’, and Quebec houses 198 gaming companies. So, if you decide to enroll in one of the good game development courses in Canada, finding a lucrative work opportunity here would be easier than in other countries.
Best Institutes for Game Development Courses in Canada
Below is a list of the best universities or colleges offering courses in game development.
| University | Fees |
| Centennial College: The Centennial College offers a three-year Game Development diploma course with subjects like game programming, design, and deployment. The course trains students to achieve technical maturity in creating advanced game concepts. The course focuses on the practical applications of the entire production process and introduces advanced techniques like 3D designing. Students choosing this program will learn skills to create games, write code for the same, develop design prototypes, and gain access to market knowledge. | CAD 19,604 per year. |
| University of Alberta: There are 10 different gaming-related courses available at the University of Alberta. But a couple of dedicated courses for developing computer games are Advanced Games Programming, Games Artificial Intelligence, and Game Design Principles. These are degree-based courses, and you can also join the Certificate in Computer Game Development available for students at the undergraduate level. During these programs, students learn to build narrative-based games that involve real-time programming and strategic game playing. | CAD 7225 to CAD 55,622 per year. |
| Algonquin College: At Algonquin college, aspirants can get admission into a three-year advanced tech diploma course. The course ensures a hands-on learning approach provided in a team-oriented environment, imitating future work settings. Students are taught and trained in critical thinking skills and programming required for game engine development. Some course components are game design and development, traditional and digital imaging, authoring, game art, animation, and programming. | CAD 54,953 for the course. |
| Niagara College: At Niagara College, you can choose from three popular diploma and computer science degree courses in game development. The advanced diploma in game development runs for three years and trains students in the skills required for game design, development, and production. The Bachelor of Arts (Hons) course in Game Programming ensures a hands-on learning approach and collaborative game development experience, teaching students to conceive, design, and develop original game titles. | CAD 21018 to 23367 per year. |
| Cambrian College: Situated in Ontario, Cambrian College offers a diploma course in game design running for four semesters (two years). The course teaches the skills required to work as an entry-level game creator alongside concepts of game design theory, creation, application, and production. Besides designing and developing video games, the course provides knowledge of augmented reality, virtual reality, and consumption trends in the gaming industry. | CAD 10,971 per year. |
These are the top universities and colleges offering game development courses in Canada with an industry-relevant curriculum imparting critical skills. Registering for the programs offered by these institutions means you can improve your basic understanding and hone advanced-level skills in game design and development.
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Eligibility for Admissions into Game Development Courses in Canada
To gain admission into game development courses and programs, students must possess a strong academic record, with two subjects necessarily included in the curriculum, English and Maths. Besides obtaining a minimum score of 70%, international students also need to have proficiency in the English language, pass some entrance tests and have a work portfolio. The last two conditions are only necessary for a master’s degree.
- Academic Requirements: International students from countries like India, Australia, China, etc., must have completed their high school education equivalent to the Ontario Secondary School Diploma. In simple terms, if you are applying to a bachelor’s course, your score in 10+2 must be between 70% and 80%. Candidates must have completed their degrees with the basic levels of Maths and English as two of the subjects.
- English Language Proficiency: ELP is a condition set to check the international student’s ability to speak, read, and write English. For gaming courses, students must have obtained an overall band score of 6.0 in IELTS to get admission into a bachelor’s level course and 7.0 for a master’s level course. For TOEFL, the minimum score required is 80.
- Entrance Tests: For master’s level game development courses in Canada, students need to take the GRE or GMAT tests and submit their scores.
- Portfolio: Some diplomas and all master’s courses in game development in Canada require students to submit a portfolio of their previous works. The portfolio may include computer games they have designed or developed individually or with a team.
Admission Process for Indian Students into Game Development Courses in Canada
Students from India need to fulfil a rather challenging process to gain admission into a Canadian university. From the paperwork to its timely submission, every aspect of the entire process is crucial. Hence, make sure to complete all the requirements. Documents Required
- Transcripts of previous education according to the course the individual wants to enroll for
- School-leaving certificates for admission into undergraduate programmes
- Degree certificate for admission into postgraduate programmes
- Score sheet of English language proficiency test
- Score sheet of GRE or GMAT test.
- Statement of Purpose
- Letters of recommendation/reference
- Portfolio (if required)
- Evidence of financial support
- Tuition fees receipt
- Updated resume or CV
- Passport copy
It is essential to gather all the documents required to apply to the institution. Once the admission is confirmed, for which the student must pay the tuition fees and other expenses, they can then apply for the visa. Aspirants then need to attach the acceptance letter from the university or college and the receipt of the tuition fees with visa application documents. Additionally, it is important to submit financial statements to provide evidence of your ability to arrange accommodation and sponsor other expenses in Canada.
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Scope of Game Development Courses in Canada
Graduates and postgraduates of game development courses in Canada can get a job in game development studios, animation studios, and digital media companies offering services like game conceptualization, design, etc. As we have stated before, Canada is a hub for game development, and cities like Montreal and Quebec are popular for hosting a large number of game designing and development companies. After completing their studies, game developers in Canada can earn between CAD 45,000 and CAD 95,000 per year. A 3D artist, on the other hand, can make between CAD 40,000 and CAD 77,000 per year. Some other related roles a game development graduate can take up include computer animator, programmer, user experience designer, game designer, multimedia developer, and mobile developer. All these roles pay good salaries, provided the candidate has the required skillset and innovative thinking to create game concepts and visualize ideas.
Conclusion
Canada is a dream destination for Indians as they can access a welcoming environment bustling with several opportunities. After completing a game development course here, aspirants can find several job opportunities that have good pay along with the potential to build a promising career. However, to get a good job in game development, candidates need to get good scores in the degree or diploma course and build the required skills. We have shared the list of the best colleges you can apply to to obtain those skills, along with the admissions process. For more information on studying in Canada, make sure to stay updated with the LeapScholar blog and access accurate information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any scholarships available for game development in Canada?
Yes, scholarships are available in Canada for game development courses provided by AIS Technolabs and Spark Design, among a few other private organizations. Not all of them cover the entire tuition fees; they only provide partial payment towards the tuition fees, and the rest of the expenses are to be covered by the student.
How much time will it take to complete a game development course in Canada?
On average, the diploma and degree courses have a span of two to three years. Usually, the entire term is divided into semesters, and the fee structure is also divided accordingly.
Can I stay in Canada after completing the course?
Yes, you can stay in Canada after completing the course. For this, you will have to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). However, students passing out from designated learning institutions can only apply for this permit.
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