Deep dive into Game Design
Continue learning about the practice of game design and development with a postgraduate qualification focused on Game Design.
Define and research your own Game Design topic, exploring what interests you in one of our Master’s programs. Further explore the cultural elements of Video Games through a thesis, explore Video Game Narrative, or further explore your own game development and design in a particular area.
Postgraduate study allows you to further explore what best suits you—giving you a better understanding of Game Design and further refining your individual practice.
Choose your study path
There is no one defined pathway to study Game Design as a postgraduate qualification.
Based on your previous study or experience, you can choose a postgraduate study option that meets your needs. You might focus on Game Design with a Graduate Diploma, a Master’s degree, or a PhD.
Graduate Diploma in Design Innovation
A GDipDI allows you to study a new area, add depth to your previous degree, or prepare for Master's study. You can choose to specialise in Game Design. This will prepare students to become well rounded graduates and leaders within the industry.
Graduate Diploma in Design Innovation
Master of Design Technology
The MDT is a common pathway for Game Design students to continue their study. It builds on your digital media skills from an undergraduate degree in design. It looks at storytelling and prepares you for highly technical design professions such as game design, visual effects (VFX), exhibition design, and multimedia design.
Your intensive one year of study includes coursework and a capstone project where you’ll create a full animated short film.
Master of Design
The MDes is a research-based Master’s that allows you to choose your own area of interest. You could choose to focus this Master’s on a research area within Game Design.
If you are already working in the industry and are looking to deepen your practice, the Master of Design (MDes) is a good fit for you.
Master of Design Innovation
The MDI might suit you if you’re coming straight from the Bachelor’s of Design Innovation.
Through a combination of coursework and supervised research, you’ll explore the topic in design that you’re most passionate about and develop a research portfolio.
Master of Design Innovation (MDI)
PhD
Produce an original body of research that expands the design discipline. Your work will be largely independently driven, with two supervisors available to advise you. Typically the PhD is studied on-site, but in suitable cases it may be studied by distance.
Qualification support and advice
We can help you match your interests and career goals with the right course of study.
If you’re a new student, talk to a Future Student Adviser through our enquiry form.
If you’re already studying with us, talk to Tītoko—Student Success.
For the research portion of your study, you’ll need a supervisor to help guide your research. Your programme coordinator will work with you to find the right person.
Study options
Find out how you can study Postgraduate Game Design at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Cutting-edge facilities and equipment
During your study you’ll have the opportunity to use the latest technology in purpose-built studios. Explore where you’ll study.
Facilities — Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation
Miramar Creative Centre
If you study the MDT you’ll use the facilities at the Miramar Creative Centre.
The centre includes motion-capture and film studio spaces, recording and editing suites, computer labs, and a workshop. It is equipped with green screen, motion-capture technology, and industry standard software used by film production companies around the world.
Future careers
Postgraduate study can open the doors to a wide range of career options. Our graduates go on to work at companies like Weta Digital, PikPok, and Fingertapps.
Your postgraduate study can support you to work in a senior role, or to pursue a career in academia.
More career information
Find out more about careers in game design.
The government careers website, Tahatū, offers more information about jobs, salaries, and current opportunities.
Scholarships
You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.
We have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It’s a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for Design
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This scholarship will support a student studying an undergraduate degree in Architecture, Design Innovation, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Design Technology, Electric & Computer System Engineering, Software Engineering or Cybersecurity Engineering. The scholarship may also be awarded in conjunction with a Trimble Internship.
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This Scholarship was established in 2025 to honour Professor Margaret Hyland who held the role of Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research at Victoria University of Wellington from 2018 to 2025.
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To encourage postgraduate research in architecture, construction, building science, design, design technology and user experience at Te Wāhanga Waihanga-Hoahoa – the Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation, the faculty offers scholarships to students about to begin a full-time master’s by research degree.
Scholarships for international students
We are currently offering a NZ$10,000 VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Master’s degree or Postgraduate Diploma programme.
Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.
Other scholarships
We also have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It’s a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for Design
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This scholarship was established in 1997 from a bequest from the estate of Arnold Woodford Izard. The scholarship is offered to students enrolled in a Master's by thesis degree in any faculty at Te Herenga Waka–Victoria University of Wellington, with the exception of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. NZSM students are still eligible to apply. This scholarship is...
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To encourage postgraduate research in architecture, construction, building science, design, design technology and user experience at Te Wāhanga Waihanga-Hoahoa – the Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation, the faculty offers scholarships to students about to begin a full-time master’s by research degree.
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Applicants must be female, New Zealand or Canadian citizens studying full time at 300 level BSc (Hons) and Master's by Coursework in any area of Science, including Architecture and Design at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Join our postgraduate community
The Postgraduate Students’ Association provides a voice for you on campus and information on studying at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Postgraduate Students’ Association
MAI ki Pōneke
MAI ki Pōneke are part of an international network of Māori and Indigenous postgraduate students. They provide advice, support, and information to Indigenous postgraduate students of all levels, as well as those thinking about enrolling.
Research areas
The Master of Design or a PhD give you the space to deep dive into an area of Game Design that interests you. You can choose your research focus. You’ll need to find an academic supervisor who supports this area.
Research in this field could range across:
- game design
- indigenous game design
- character design and costumes
- dress-up mechanics
- virtual fashion
- 2D and 3D game design
- video game narrative, video game representation, video game abstraction
- virtual space, virtual exhibition, virtual reality
- data visualisation
- photography and photogrammetry in game design.
Zach Dodson
Associate Professor
Leon Gurevitch
Head of School
Tuakana Metuarau
Senior Lecturer in Digital Foundations
Heli Salomaa
Senior Lecturer
Raqi Syed
Director, Miramar Creative Centre
Get help to manage your finances
We can help you:
- budget your money
- manage your student loan or allowance
- work out your accommodation payment schedule.
If you’re facing financial difficulties, we can help you apply for the Hardship Fund.
You may be eligible for government or community support, too.
Apply for a New Zealand study visa
You’ll need to apply for a study visa if you plan to study with us as an international student.
You should apply for your visa after you’ve received your Offer of Place, and before you come to New Zealand.