PROGRAM

Game Designer Specialization Stockholm

Study Game Design

Game and Level Design, Narrative, Scripting and QA – get the experience you need to work as designer in the game industry!

Regardless of whether it is level design, gameplay design, system design, scripting, narrative design, quality assurance, or game production management that ignites your creativity and passion, this program will get you into the industry with credibility, through hands-on development experience in game design.

Key Info

_{^Location(s):} Stockholm
_{^{Course Start:}} Aug 2026
_^Duration:2,5 years
_^Internship: 30 weeks
_^Language: English
_^CSN: Yes

Degree

_{^{YH students:}}Higher Vocational Education Diploma
_{^{Diploma students:}}Course Diploma

Applications & Tuition

_{^{YH Application period:}} Open, Feb 5–May 12
_{^{Diploma Application period:}} Open. Extended application deadline: April 20, 2026

Board of Education

About the Program

The Futuregames Game Designer program equips you with the skills and knowledge needed to design compelling gameplay experiences and game mechanics. Through hands-on projects and real-world simulations, you’ll master industry-standard tools and frameworks while gaining practical experience in creating levels, narratives, and systems from concept to implementation.

Futuregames programs are accredited and regulated by the Swedish National Agency for Higher Vocational Education (MYH). We pride ourselves on making our programs as close to the professional industry as possible. The courses are developed in collaboration with our Educational Board, ensuring they meet industry standards and needs.

Courses

Advanced Game Design _^20YHP/4w
Board Game Design _^15YHP/3w
Game Project 1 (Accessibility) _^15YHP/3w
Game Project 2 _^20YHP/4w
Game Project 3 _^35YHP/7w
Game Project 4 _^20YHP/4w
Graduation Project _^40YHP/8w
Internship (LiA) _^150YHP/30w
Introduction to C# Scripting Language _^20YHP/4w
Introduction to Visual Scripting _^25YHP/5w
Level Design and World Creation _^25YHP/5w
Narrative Design _^15YHP/3w
Professional Development, Sustainability and Entrepreneurship _^20YHP/4w
Prototyping _^20YHP/4w
Quality Assurance in Game Production _^10YHP/2w
UX and Interaction Design _^20YHP/4w
Technical and System Design _^40YHP/8w
Advanced Level Design _^40YHP/8w

^{Please note that the courses may be subject to change based on recommendations from our Board of Education to better align with industry needs.}

Skills and Careers

Learning Outcomes

Designing and analyzing game experiences
Designing and building levels
Designing and crafting game systems
Thorough understanding of Unity and the latest Unreal Engine
Strong gameplay scripting skills (C# and visual scripting)
Adopting a player-centric approach and understanding of target audience
Strong team and communication skills
Designing games for multiple platforms (PC, mobile, VR, etc.)
Designing in a data-driven way
Understanding the entire development and distribution process of games

Career

What to expect

Master your craft, make your mark.

At Futuregames, you don’t just learn—you create. Collaborate on innovative projects and gain hands-on experience in a setup that mirrors the real world.

Our programs evolve with the industry, ensuring you gain the skills the market needs—today and tomorrow.

Learning by Doing

Collaboration is key

Hours of Lecture

Full-time studies (40 hours per week)

Out of a 40-hour week, you’ll spend around 10–12 teacher-led hours with your head teacher or guest lecturers.

The remaining time is dedicated to individual studies and group projects. Even when there are no scheduled classes, you are expected to be at school to collaborate and learn alongside your classmates. This collaboration is essential, as teamwork is one of the most important skills in game development.

We will give you more information about the term times when you are admitted to the Program.

Internship

Internship (LIA) is an essential part of the program, giving you the chance to step into the industry and work directly at a company. With support from professionals, you’ll apply your knowledge to real tasks, build your skills, and get a feel for how the industry works. It’s also a great opportunity to make connections and gain experience that will kickstart your career.

Meet the industry at Futuregames Match Up

The Details

Not sure what to include in your application? Don’t worry—here’s everything you need to make your submission complete!

Application Guide for Higher Vocational Education

Application Guide for Diploma Programs

Requirements

Equivalent skills

What does “equivalent skills” mean?

Equivalent skills can be obtained in many different ways; you may have continued your studies or acquired equivalent skills through work experience. In that case, you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning. It is important that you substantiate how you have acquired equivalent skills.

If you do not have grades in Swedish, English, Programming or Mathematics, you may be offered the opportunity to take eligibility tests when applying to our YH programs.

Work Samples

What to submit?

Create a video (minimum 5 minutes, maximum 8 minutes) showcasing a game prototype you have designed and developed in any engine of your choice.

The video should clearly demonstrate your creative process, technical skills, and design thinking.

Important Clarification:

You do not need to film yourself.
A screen‑capture video of your prototype is fully sufficient.
Simply record your screen while you show the game and add a voice‑over explaining what we’re seeing.

What to Include in the Video

1. Prototype Showcase

Show the game running in‑engine or as a playable build.
A rough screen capture is perfectly acceptable.
Highlight the key features and mechanics.

2. Voice‑Over Explanation
Please explain:

What is the game about? What makes it unique?
Why did you choose certain mechanics, art style, or systems?
Engine, software, frameworks, etc.
What obstacles did you encounter and how did you solve them?
If it was a team project, describe your role and responsibilities.

3. Development Process
Please show and explain:

Initial Idea & Inspiration: Include early sketches, notes, or diagrams.
Prototyping & Iteration: Show early versions and how they changed over time.
Learning & Takeaways: What did you gain from this project?

We need to understand how much time and effort you have invested in building your future career in the games industry, and whether Futuregames is the right fit for your development.

Format

Language: English
Video Length: Maximum 8 minutes
File Naming: firstname_surname.mp4
Treat this as if you were submitting a job application to a game studio—clear, structured, and professional.

Assessment Criteria

Futuregames will evaluate your work sample based on:

Visualization Ability: How effectively you express ideas through visuals and explanations.
Technical Ability: Your familiarity and skill with tools and engines.
Industry Relevance: How well your work aligns with current game development standards.

Work sample tips and guidance

Have questions or feel stuck with your work sample? This video might help you.

Which documents should you submit?

Preparatory Course

Student Projects

Every year, approximately 50 new games in total are produced by Futuregames students during game projects lasting between 4 to 8 weeks. Most of these games are available for free download and play!

Futuregames on Itch

Nana Into The Banana is a fast, chaotic, skill-based challenge, wrapped in bright yellow insanity. It’s easy to start, hard to survive. Download and play the game here

Spotlight Stories

1 October 2025
Futuregames students win at SGA 2025
Futuregames talent shone at this year’s Swedish Game Awards, hosted by Dataspelsbranschen. With Steamwrecked crowned Gamer’s Choice Winner and several other projects earning nominations, our students and alumni proved once…
Achievements, Game Development, News
Read more: Futuregames students win at SGA 2025
17 June 2025
From dance floors and game stores – to game design!
Two unique journeys, one shared passion. Isabelle Heiskanen, an experienced store manager with a lifelong love for gaming, and Cecilia Wretemark-Hauck, a professional dancer turned game design student, are bringing…
Game Development, Interviews, Student Interviews
Read more: From dance floors and game stores – to game design!
12 June 2025
Help Futuregames students level up
Our students are hard at work on their Game Project 3 – they’ve now reached the beta stage and are looking for playtesters!
Achievements, Game Development
Read more: Help Futuregames students level up

FAQ

Is prior tech knowledge mandatory?

All applicants have different levels of knowledge and expertise.

If you have prior technical expertise, and you are already familiar with some game engines such as Unreal Engine, Unity, Lumberyard, Godot, or any other game engine, you should use this as your working prototype.

However, if you don’t have any prior technical knowledge, don’t worry, you can still apply to Futuregames. A rough-and-dirty prototype where you test out a single mechanic, a camera system, a feature, or any such, is more than enough.

And if you feel this is still too challenging, please present us only your game idea. We’re interested in knowing more about your mind-set and design thinking rather than how good you are at making games. That’s something we can teach you when you are accepted into the program.

What equipment do I need?

Get in touch

If you have questions about courses, portfolios, or the program, get in touch with our Heads of Education. For help with your application, eligibility, or admissions, reach out to our admissions team. You can find more details on our contact page.

Continue to the contact page

Sweden – Stockholm
Clara Parona
Head of Education Game Designer Sthlm
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