BS Game Design and Interactive Media at University of California, Irvine

Programme overview

UCI’s Game Design and Interactive Media program prepares students to be innovative designers, developers, and industry leaders. Taught by internationally-recognized faculty and industry experts, the program’s unique two-year foundation includes hands-on courses in worldbuilding, game design and development, game programming, and game studies. Students then pursue advanced coursework that culminates in a two-quarter capstone project supported by industry mentors.

Faculty: Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences | Study mode: full-time | Location: Irvine, CA, United States

Career pathways

Electives in advanced game design and development, programming, storytelling, games entrepreneurship, and the cultural aspects of games offer students the chance to build a portfolio that reflects their individual interests and career goals.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applies to admission to the university and this major, not a programme-specific cut-off: Freshman Applicants: See the Undergraduate Admissions section . Transfer Applicants: All applicants must have a cumulative UC transferable GPA of 3.0 and a minimum grade of B in one year of computer programming courses in a single object–language (Python, Java, or C++). It is recommended that students articulate to I&C SCI 31-33 which can be used to satisfy degree requirements. Introduction to computer science courses do not meet this requirement. Applicants to the Game Design and Interactive Media major should be aware that several lower-division courses must be taken at UCI; therefore, the minimum time to degree completion will be three years. Students are strongly urged to complete the Cal-GETC at their community college to reduce their time to degree.

Domestic applicants: USD 14,202 a year (2026-27). Undergraduate tuition for California residents entering Fall 2026 (Tuition Stability Plan, held flat for that entering class). Tuition line only; excludes Student Services Fee, campus fees and health insurance. Applies to all undergraduate majors. Nonresi Source

UCI operates on a quarter system (Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer quarters). First-year and transfer applicants apply for Fall entry; the UC Application for fall 2027 admission is open for submission from October 1 to November 30.

UC Application submission period for fall 2027 admission and scholarships: October 1 to November 30 (application opens August 1). Application fee is $80 for domestic applicants and $95 for international and non-immigrant applicants, payable by credit card or by mail; fee waivers are available for up to four campuses for qualified students. UC Irvine does not consider SAT or ACT scores for admission or scholarship purposes.

Dance, B.Mus. and Arts applicants complete an audition/portfolio process, December 1 to January 31; Drama applicants may submit an optional portfolio or audition. Priority deadline for transfer and second baccalaureate applicants to submit the Transfer Academic Update (TAU) is January 31.

Graduate applications are submitted online through the UCI graduate application portal; the non-refundable application fee is $135 for U.S. citizens and lawful U.S. permanent residents and $155 for all other applicants. Deadlines are set by each programme. GRE is required by some programmes only; TOEFL or IELTS English proficiency is required of graduate applicants unless waived.

Apply through the official page: https://uci.edu/admissions/

Explore more study programmes

Engineering