Warning! With the exception of five open enrolment subjects, this is a restricted degree. Subject enrolment is only available to students admitted into this degree.
Undergraduate MUR-BIT-DEG-2021
Bachelor of Information Technology (BIT) in Games Design and Development
Combine creativity with coding for a winning career
Make the games you love to play! Build a solid IT foundation and get creative with this game design specialisation. Experience gaming through a different lens, where core IT knowledge sets the platform for your artistic skills including 3D animation.
Available loans
Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Total subjects
24
Price
$23,850
Study method
100% online
Assessments
Subjects may require attendance
Credit available
Yes
Applications Close
- 16 May 21
- 15 Aug 21
- 14 Nov 21
This research-based university in Perth has a strong interdisciplinary focus and a reputation for outstanding teaching and ground-breaking research. With more than 22,000 students and 2,000 staff from over 90 countries, and campuses in Dubai and Singapore, Murdoch embraces free thinking, shared ideas and knowledge to make a difference, and Open Universities Australia is certainly part of that.
QS RANKING 2021
28
Times Higher Education Ranking 2021
29
Degree structure
Degree details
At the completion of this degree students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate a clear understanding of the role of Information Technology in society.
2. Demonstrate a broad and coherent knowledge and understanding of the underlying principles and core concepts of Information Technology, including:
a) Abstraction.
b) Systems thinking.
c) Complexity.
3. Demonstrate a broad and coherent knowledge and understanding of the underlying principles and core concepts of Games Design and Production, including:
a) Appreciation of the interplay between theory and practice.
b) Awareness of the broad applicability of games.
c) Appreciation of domain‐specific knowledge, including:
- Design and development of games using game engines
- Game Scripting
- Process for integration of game assets
- Game production process
4. Demonstrate mastery of the core multi‐disciplinary domains, technologies, methodologies, tools and environments to create games.
5. Identify, Interpret and analyse stakeholder needs, establish priorities and the goals, constraints and uncertainties of the system, including:
a) Recognition of social, cultural, legislative, environmental and business constraints.
b) Recognition of the ethical implications of professional practice.
6. Design, develop, use and improve systems as well as tools for solving problems employing a systematic approach that involves appropriate analytical and technical methods.
7. Develop proficiency in the use of tools and environments for implementation of solutions to problems.
8. Test, document and maintain software solutions in accordance with agreed standards to meet specified requirements.
9. Develop the ability and commitment to independently acquire new knowledge and skills in order to stay abreast of developments in the rapidly changing domain of Game Design and Production.
10. Develop the ability to use tools and techniques to create games.
11. Apply problem‐solving, design and decision‐making methodologies to develop components, systems, relevant infrastructure and processes to meet specified requirements, including:
a) Innovative approaches to the synthesis of alternative solutions, concepts and procedures.
b) Demonstrated information skills and the application of research methods.
c) Selection of appropriate tools and development environments.
d) Modelling.
e) Demonstrated a rigorous approach to testing of solutions.
f) Demonstrated a rigorous approach to the documentation at all project stages.
12. Demonstrated capacity to function effectively both as an individual and as a member of diverse teams, using the basic tools and practices of formal project management.
13. Demonstrated experience of working on at least one substantial project as a team requiring an evaluation of potential solutions and resulting in the delivery of an interactive system that meets client requirements.
14. Demonstrated written, oral and interpersonal communication skills that support the efficient and effective communication of developed systems through documentation and technical reports to a broad range of audiences.
15. Demonstrated ability to design and create games.
The major equips students with a range of problem‐solving and professional skills which are essential for working in the games, entertainment and visualisation industries. The outcomes of the major can be aligned with Software & Apps Programmer, Systems Analyst, and Analyst Programmer roles listed in the ACS Common ICT Job Profiles & Indicators of Skills Mobility document.
Professional recognition
Eligible for membership of the Australian Computer Society at the Professional Level after degree accreditation approved.
Open enrolment subjects
There are five open enrolment subjects in this degree. Students do not have to submit an Application Form for open enrolment subjects and can enrol in ICT159, GAD154, ICT101, MSP100 and MAS162 through Open Universities Australia. Students who successfully complete two of these five open enrolment subjects may apply for admission to the CSP only restricted Bachelor of Information Technology (BIT) in Games Design and Development.
Higher education via OUA
Successful completion of two of the five OUA open enrolment subjects at pass level:
ICT159, GAD154, ICT101, MSP100 and MAS162.
Higher education
Transferring from another degree or university
If you have successfully completed university studies equivalent to at least 2 subjects (6 Murdoch credit points) you can apply to transfer to Murdoch University using your previous studies.
For all other minimum entry requirements and pathways, please refer to the course you are interested in on https://search.murdoch.edu.au/s/search.html?collection=mu-course-search.
Secondary education
School leavers gain an ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) from four degree subjects completed during Year 12, or OP (Overall Positions) in Queensland.
To apply to Murdoch University after Year 12, you must achieve English competency and have achieved your WA Certificate of Education (WACE) or its interstate equivalent along with the ATAR (or OP) relevant for your chosen degree.
An ATAR of 70.00 or higher (or a Queensland Overall Position of 14 or less) is required for admission to a Commonwealth Support Place in this degree.
VET studies
If you have successfully completed a Certificate IV or higher you can apply for admission into a Commonwealth Support Place.
Work and Life
- Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
- STAT is a national test for mature age people designed to assess aptitude for learning in a tertiary environment. It is not a test of your knowledge on specific academic subjects. It is recognised in all Australian states. You must achieve a minimum of 140 in the Written English and 135 in the Qualitative or Multiple Choice sections of the STAT to gain entry to Murdoch.
- Completed secondary education more than two years ago
- Enabling Programs
- Murdoch Institute of Technology - http://www.murdochinstitute.wa.edu.au/
- STAT preparation course - Applicant needs to sit the STAT after the course is completed.
- Murdoch University OnTrack / OnTrack Sprint / FlexiTrack - If you have successfully completed Murdoch University's OnTrack or Flexitrack program you can apply for admission into a Commonwealth Support Place. Details are available at http://www.murdoch.edu.au/OnTrack/ and https://www.open.edu.au/degrees/flexitrack-murdoch-university-mur-ftk-deg
Additional information
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: Kulbardi Aboriginal Centre - http://www.murdoch.edu.au/Kulbardi/
- International Students - http://www.murdoch.edu.au/study/how-to-apply
- For further admission information about this degree, please refer to Murdoch Admission Information - Science
English Proficiency Requirements
To demonstrate English language competency you will need a scaled mark of at least 50 in ATAR English, Literature or English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EALD).
Special requirements
Proof of Australian citizenship is required. Please upload a scanned copy of your birth certificate or Australian passport or citizenship certificate along with your application.
Find out if you are eligible and apply at https://www.murdoch.edu.au/study/courses/undergraduate-courses/recognition-of-prior-learning.
Games Design and Development prepares and provides you with a thorough understanding of the theory of games software design, games art, software development and processes involved in the production of computer, mobile and video games. Some of the required topics include games software design, games art, games mechanics, games software development and production and interaction design. You will gain practical experience in the games design, programming and development processes using various development tools.
Award Requirements
To qualify for the Bachelor of Information Technology at Murdoch University, students must complete 72 credit points (24 subjects).
All Murdoch University degrees are designed by combining a selection of components: Career Learning, Degree Core, Majors, and General Electives. In this way, Murdoch degrees are flexible and designed to provide relevant learning experiences that can be tailored to meet individual goals and study options that accommodate busy lifestyles.
Career Learning
Career Learning @ Murdoch is a unique, career enhancing experience that is woven into Bachelor degrees. It provides learning opportunities and real world experiences tailored to the area of study to ensure graduates have the skills and attributes employers are looking for.
Degree Core
A degree core is a set of subjects which all students studying a particular degree degree must successfully complete. They provide the opportunity to master fundamental disciplinary knowledge, learn how to think critically about key issues and engage with important research.
Majors
A Major is a set of subjecs that students study to gain specialised in-depth knowledge in an area related to their degree.
Degree Core Subjects:
- MAS162 Foundations of Discrete Maths
- ICT159 Foundations of Programming
- ICT284 Systems Analysis and Design
- ICT285 Databases
- ICT396 User Interface Design
- ICT365 Software Development Frameworks
Major Core Subjects:
- GAD154 Introduction to Games Art and Design
- ICT101 Introduction to 3D Graphics and Animation
- ICT167 Principles of Computer Science
- GAD232 Critical Games, Play and Design
- ICT288 Virtual Realities and Games Software Design
- GAD375 Games Design Studio OR ICT302 IT Professional Practice Project
- ICT376 Mobile Application Development
- ICT367 Virtual Realities and Games Software Production
Murdoch Spine Subjects:
- MSP100 Career Learning: Managing Your Career
- MSP200 Building Enterprise Skills
Suggested General Electives:
- MAS110 Fundamentals of Mathematics
- DIG12 Digital Design Process
- ICT10001 Problem Solving with ICT
- WEB101 Web Communications
- DIG22 Internet Design Introduction
- CPT270 Web Programming
- WEB207 Web Media
- INF20003 Requirements Analysis and Modelling
- CPT220 Programming in C
- ICT20008 Human-Computer Interaction
- CPT251 Security in Computing and IT
- ICT319 Intelligent Systems
- MKT341 Entrepreneurship and New Business Venturing
- WEB310 Online Games, Play and Gamification
- INF30029 Information Technology Project Management
- CPT375 Web Database Applications
- ICT302 IT Professional Practice Project
Pick your subjects to begin.
Apply for the degree, or enrol directly into a subject. It's up to you!
You can apply for government funding or pay up-front.
This degree has open enrolment subjects which allow you to start without submitting a degree application.
You'll have the option to apply for the degree once you've successfully passed the subjects. In many cases, you'll even gain credit.