Diploma of Game Design and Development

The Diploma of Game Design and Development at Torrens University Australia is a one-year qualification for people who want to build games rather than just play them. You work across the parts of game making that studios actually hire for: game design and prototyping, 2D and 3D art and animation, level design, and the scripting that makes it all run. Expect to spend your time in labs and studios, not just lecture theatres, because game development is learned by making things and breaking them.

The diploma is delivered over trimesters, which is the study calendar Torrens uses across most of its coursework. You complete a set sequence of units of study, each carrying credit points, with assessment built around projects rather than exams. That structure matters if you later want to continue into a bachelor degree: the credit points you earn here are the currency Australian institutions use when assessing credit for prior study, so ask about pathway and credit arrangements before you enrol. Confirm the unit list and any pathway options on the official course page.

Game development is a portfolio industry, so the work you produce is the point. You build playable prototypes, document your design decisions, and finish at least one project to a standard you can show an employer. Team-based production is part of it too, since almost nobody ships a game alone. Some units include industry-linked projects or work-integrated learning, and Torrens has connections across the Australian screen, games and digital media sectors. Placement arrangements vary by intake and unit, so check what is available for the year you start.

This course suits school leavers who want a practical entry point into games, career changers from art, IT or media, and anyone who wants to test the field before committing to a longer degree. You do not need to be a programmer or an artist already. You do need to be willing to learn software, take critique, and put in studio hours. International students should note that a Student visa generally allows work of up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and graduates may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream. English proficiency is required for international applicants, with IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall the common coursework standard and accepted equivalents including TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic and Cambridge C1 Advanced. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register under course code 102263F.

• Junior game designer or design assistant in Australian game studios and independent teams
• Level designer or content designer for games and interactive media
• 2D or 3D artist, animator or asset creator for games and digital production
• Junior gameplay scripter or technical assistant
• QA tester or games support role
• Interactive media and app production for advertising, education and simulation companies
• AR and VR content roles in training, health and defence simulation
• Freelance or indie developer building and releasing your own titles