EUROPE 2024
TOP 5 video game schools
2024 TOP 5 VIDEO GAME SCHOOLS & Studios IN EUROPE
TOP 5 EUROPEAN video GAME SCHOOLS
schools with the best job placement results in the video game industry
Mentioning a school ranked beyond the 5th place is a service we offer
TOP 5 EUROPEAN VIDEO GAME STUDIOS
studios that have recruited the most graduates
#1 ISART Digital
Paris, France
1,200 students
Private school established in 2000
Tuition and fees 2023-2024: Bachelor's degree - 8,900 EUR/year ; Master's degree - 9,300 EUR/year
#2 BUas - Breda University of Applied Sciences
Breda, Netherlands
>7,000 students from 100 countries. 192 students enrolled in the Creative Media and Game Technologies bachelor's program at the beginning of the 2021 academic year
Government-funded higher education institute
Tuition & Fees 2023-2024: (EU residents) Bachelor's degree - 10,370 EUR, Master's degree - 2,314 EUR
#3 Rubika
Valenciennes, France
>900 students
Private school founded in 1988
Tuition fees 2023-2024: 8,950 EUR/year
#4 ESAT - Escuela Superior de Arte y Tecnología
Valencia, Spain
About 100 students are accepted each year from more than 1,000 applicants
Higher Technical School with university progression, founded in 2005
Tuition fees 2023: Bachelor HND 8,750 euros / year
ESAT is a Higher Technical School with international university progression, specialized in Computer Graphics and Interactive Digital Media studies.
Its main programs are related to the video game industry, and its post-graduate programs are all in the digital field. Three of its degree programs (3 years each) have a specific focus on video games.
ACADEMICS:
HND in Computing Videogames Programming
HND in Computer Game Development
HND in Computer Game Development (Game Design)
Postgraduate Multithreaded Programming
In the final year, students can study in the UK, leading to the UK Higher National Diploma (HND). To this end, ESAT has signed agreements with leading British universities, such as Teesside University.
ESAT provides 70 graduates a year (30 programmers, 30 artists and 10 designers).
STUDENT PROJECTS:
The quality of the more than 30 video games produced by ESAT students since 2016 largely explains the school's position in this ranking.
INVICTA: The Next Queen (2023). TopDown Soulslike game set in a fantastical and infernal world, featuring sophisticated gameplay and beautiful finishing.
ANDARA : Rise for Rebellion (2023). Interplanetary and futuristic third-person shooter remarkably well-executed in every aspect.
RECRUITMENT:
Main game studios that have recruited ESAT graduates since 2019:
Codigames (Valencia)
Keytoon Animation Studio, S.L. (Valencia)
2K (Valencia)
The Multiplayer Group (UK)
Abstraction (NL)
31st Union (Valencia)
Brave Zebra (Valencia)
Beast Burst Entertainment (BG)
Rebellion (UK)
Most of the main recruiters of ESAT graduates since 2019 are globally recognized studios specializing in AAA game production. 2K Games, considered one of the most prestigious, stands out with its subsidiary 31st Union. All offer exceptional opportunities.
Some graduates have gone abroad to join renowned studios such as Rebellion and Abstraction, known for their high-quality games. The Multiplayer Group and Keytoon Animation Studio, with more diversified activities, are also significant players in the industry, serving as suppliers to major studios.
In the category of AA and mobile game developers, Codigames, Brave Zebra, and Beast Burst Entertainment are well-established, offering exciting opportunities to express creativity with often greater freedom.
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ESAT alumni who have joined the video game industry since 2019 primarily occupy artistic roles at 53%. Among them, the most represented are 3D Artists (22%) and 3D Modelers (16%). Technical functions account for 34% of the graduates.
#5 Staffordshire University / London Digital Institute
Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
15,190 students, including approx. 800 enrolled in video game programs
Public University
Tuition fees 2024:
Bachelor's £9,250 (UK), £16,750 (non-UK)
Master's £9,830 (UK), £16,750 (non-UK)
Staffordshire University opened its first video game program in 1997. Originally specializing in sciences, the university has since expanded its program offerings to include digital arts and has become a recognized player in higher education for video game studies in the United Kingdom. It boasts modern facilities and state-of-the-art equipment specifically designed for training in these fields.
In 2019, Staffordshire University opened a new campus, the London Digital Institute, entirely dedicated to digital careers, which also offers a BSc in Computer Games Design.
ACADEMICS:
Computer Games Design BSc (Hons)
Computer Gameplay Design and Production BSc (Hons)
Computer Games Design and Programming BSc (Hons)
Computer Games Development BSc (Hons)
Computer Games Programming BSc (Hons)
Concept Art for Games and Film BA (Hons)
Games Art BA (Hons)
Esports BA (Hons)
3D Computer Games Design MSc
STUDENT PROJECTS:
Pilots (2023) Narrative science fiction combat game featuring androids with beautiful graphic finishing and perfect mastery of lighting effects.
Get Off My Lawn (2023) Single-player strategy tower-defense game set in a fantasy garden invaded by giant insects.
RECRUITMENT:
First video game studios that have hired alumni from Staffordshire University since 2019:
Flix Interactive
Cloud Imperium Games
Frontier Developments
Rockstar Games
Playground Games
Codemasters
Universally Speaking
Rebellion
Lucid Games Ltd
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Nearly half of the former graduates from Staffordshire University who have entered the video game industry since 2019 hold artistic roles, and about a quarter hold technical roles. Among Game Artists, the most prominent positions are 3D Artists (21%) and Character Artists (8%).
