Game & Interactive
Media Development _
Your Education, Your Choice: Full-Time Study - On Campus or Virtual!
Length of course: 1 Year
Orientation: 12 February 2026
Course Starts: 16 February 2026
Delivery: On‑Campus and Virtual – we offer dual‑delivery options and live stream every class
Resulting Qualification: Higher Certificate
Early Bird Offer: Save R10,500 on Tuition!
Apply before 15 July and pay just R82,000 (instead of R92,500) when you settle in full by 31 July 2025.
Go beyond the boundaries of entertainment.
Game Technology is becoming an important pillar in more and more industries as we explore and expand the applications of this versatile career outside of its traditional boundaries. No longer just about developing games for entertainment or education, Game and Interactive Media Development and its virtual reality and augmented reality techniques can be applied to everything from engineering and architecture to medical science.
For students, that means a wide variety of potential career paths above and beyond (but never excluding!) the traditional game world.
During our one-year Game and Interactive Media course, you’ll learn to master the tools and techniques to turn your ideas into reality and hone your abilities in the specialty that pairs best with your particular goals and skillset. Through teamwork and live projects, you’ll gain work experience and build the kind of strong portfolio that is essential when starting out in your career – no matter which direction you decide to take that career in!
Career Opportunities_
Game Developer /
Game 3D Artist /
Game 2D Artist /
Game Animator /
Game Content Creator /
Game Designer/Producer /
Augmented Reality Developer /
Virtual Reality Developer /
Game Education/Serious Games Specialist /
Game Interface Designer /
Be Skilled.
Be Independent.
Be Agile.
Be Relevant.
Belong.
Popular Games /
Serious/Educational Games /
Augment Reality Applications /
Virtual Reality Experiences /
Game Characters/Models /
3D Printed Prototypes /
Mobile Games /
Interactive Visualisations /
Interactive Event/Exhibit Installations /
Hardcopy Boardgame/
Tabletop Games /
Be Skilled.
Be Exceptional.
Be Creative.
What will you learn? _
Working on experiences like games, virtual reality or other forms of interactive content is a bit like working on a movie set. Teams of specialists work on various aspects of the production before bringing it all together in a final, cohesive product.
In this course, you will hone your skills to become one of these specialists, but with a sound insight into all the other development aspects of a game technology project – a truly T-shaped skill set.
& Planning
The key to every successful game project is a soundly put-together plan. You will be taken through the stages of conceiving a project, designing it and setting up a production plan. As part of this, you will be taught the principles behind game design theory and how to manage and effectively work on a project as part of a larger team.
During the course of the programme, you will work on several small projects in various areas of production, usually as part of a group. You will find yourself in different roles and become familiar with workflow in the gaming industry .
Although you’ll receive a sound introduction to all the essential production elements of a game project, you will eventually need to choose an area in which you want to specialise. This can be in areas such as design and production, art, scripting, or technology use. You will be expected to develop a personal portfolio piece, working with a mentor, to develop this project as part of your end-of-year industry showcase.
While this is an introductory course, you should find yourself well on your way to entering the games industry when you leave ADA. To help you make the most of this, we’ll support you in building a solid portfolio of strong and industry-relevant work, and help you establish the right connections within the industry to launch your career.
Student work_
Facts, Figures and FAQ.
Do you offer financing options?
Academy of Digital Arts has partnered with Student Hero to help our students to learn about, apply for, and compare offers from the major student finance providers — all from a single platform, and at zero cost to you.
What are the course requirements?
You must have a valid Matric certificate or NQF4 equivalent. You will also need to complete all the questions and creative pieces requested in the enrolment application form, as well as provide your personal portfolio.
Do you offer Scholarships?
If you have the goods to shine, the “Distinguished Talent Scholarship” programme is for you. One scholarship is awarded to the candidate who most impresses us and shows initiative to achieve their full potential.
Do you offer Bursaries?
Should you require financial assistance, you can apply for a B-BBEE Bursary. Fill out the form provided and we’ll do our best to connect you with potential corporate sponsors.
Geographically Challenged?
If for any reason you cannot join us on campus, you can still be part of our virtual classroom, where we stream our contact classes live online. You’ll receive the same high-quality education and qualification as our in-person students. To get the most out of your experience, a stable internet connection is required, and we recommend using a second screen for easier access to course materials and live interaction.
What are the course fees?
R92 000
R82 000
Apply by 15 July and settle in full by 31 July 2025.
with a registration fee of R500 payable upon registration.
Various payment options are available, and detailed in the application form, along with our general admin fees.
More Higher Certificate Courses
Virtual or On-Campus
Web Design
Higher Certificate
Choose your specialty! We offer two different specialisation tracks in this course, so you can focus on either UX & UI Design, or Development, or both! Perfect for you if you have a passion for how people engage and interact with digital platforms, or you want to delve into the nitty gritty of building those platforms
Virtual or On-Campus
Concept Art
Higher Certificate
I’m a born artist with a flair for drawing and digital painting. I’m looking to sharpen my fundamentals and design skills, as well as learn new ways to use technology to enhance my creations for a career in concept art and related industries.
Virtual or On-Campus
Graphic Design
Higher Certificate
I love design and illustration and have a knack for creative problem solving. I’m looking to build a solid foundation of fundamental design principles and learn how to apply them to create innovative logos, adverts, brochures, book covers, layouts and more.