Can You Study Game Development in South Africa? Here’s Where & How
Game development is a booming global industry, and South Africa is carving out its place on the map with a vibrant, growing scene. As of March 18, 2025, the country offers a range of opportunities to study this exciting field, blending creativity and technology to craft the next generation of games. Whether you’re dreaming of designing immersive worlds, coding blockbuster titles, or animating captivating characters, South Africa has programs to get you there.
Why Study Game Development in South Africa?
South Africa’s game development industry is on the rise, with studios like Nyamakop and 24 Bit Games gaining international recognition. The global gaming market is projected to hit $256.97 billion by 2025, and Africa’s mobile gaming surge—driven by over 680 million users—positions South Africa as a key player. Studying here offers:
Affordable Education: Competitive tuition compared to Europe or the US.
Unique Perspective: Create games reflecting African stories and culture.
Growing Ecosystem: Connect with local studios, events like Africa Games Week, and a passionate community.
Global Opportunities: Skills honed here are transferable worldwide.
Ready to dive in? Here’s your roadmap to the best game development programs in South Africa.
Top Universities & Institutions Offering Game Development Programs
1. University of Cape Town (UCT)
- Program: BSc in Computer Science with Game Development Electives.
- Details: UCT is South Africa’s only university offering a dedicated game development stream within its Computer Science degree. You’ll master programming (C++, Python) and explore game design principles.
- Duration: 3 years (full-time).
- Cost: Approx. R60,000/year (varies with residency status).
- Why It’s Top: Ranked #171 globally (QS 2025), UCT boasts cutting-edge labs and ties to the local tech scene.
- Admission: APS 42+, 80% in Mathematics, Physical Science recommended.
- Best For: Coders aiming for a strong technical foundation.
2. University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
- Program: BA in Digital Arts (Game Design Major) & BEngSc in Digital Art.
- Details: Wits offers two paths:
- BA: Focuses on creative aspects—game art, level design, storytelling.
- BEngSc: Engineering-focused, emphasizing programming and tech (3 years).
- Duration: 4 years (BA) or 3 years (BEngSc).
- Cost: Approx. R55,000-R65,000/year.
- Why It’s Top: Collaborative courses with practical projects and a portfolio-building focus. Wits is ranked #264 globally (QS 2025).
- Admission: APS 36+, 70%+ in Maths (BEngSc) or art aptitude (BA).
- Best For: Creatives and tech-savvy developers alike.
3. University of Pretoria (UP)
- Program: BSc in Computer Science with Game Dev Electives.
- Details: UP’s program builds skills in C++, Unity, and Unreal Engine through electives, preparing you for coding-heavy roles.
- Duration: 3 years.
- Cost: Approx. R50,000/year.
- Why It’s Top: Known for its massive engineering faculty (EBIT), UP offers robust tech training and industry connections.
- Admission: APS 35+, 75% in Maths.
- Best For: Programmers eyeing game engine development.
4. The Independent Institute of Education (IIE) – Vega School
- Program: BCIS in Game Design and Development.
- Details: A 3-year degree covering Unity, C#, game mechanics, and production pipelines. Led by experts like Henk Scheepers (creator of ΔVØID).
- Duration: 3 years.
- Cost: Approx. R90,000/year (private institution).
- Why It’s Top: Hands-on, industry-focused with a portfolio emphasis. Vega’s campuses in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, and Pretoria offer flexibility.
- Admission: Matric with 60% in Maths or IT-related subjects.
- Best For: Aspiring indie developers and studio professionals.
Specialized Private Institutions & Short Courses
5. School of IT
- Program: Game Development Short Course.
- Details: Offers Unity, Unreal Engine, C#, and C++ training with international certifications (e.g., Unity Certified Programmer) in 3-6 months.
- Duration: Flexible (part-time or full-time).
- Cost: R10,000-R20,000 (varies by course).
- Why It’s Top: Affordable, agile, and tailored to individual needs with 1-on-1 instruction.
- Admission: Basic computer literacy; no matric required.
- Best For: Beginners or upskillers seeking quick entry.
6. Academy of Digital Arts (ADA) – Cape Town
- Program: Game and Interactive Media Development (1-Year Course).
- Details: Covers game design theory, 3D modeling, and production workflows using Unity and Unreal.
- Duration: 1 year.
- Cost: Approx. R70,000.
- Why It’s Top: Practical, team-based projects build a strong portfolio; live-streamed for remote learners.
- Admission: Matric or equivalent; portfolio review for scholarships.
- Best For: Creatives transitioning into game dev.
7. CTU Training Solutions
- Program: Game Development Qualification.
- Details: Focuses on Java, C#, Unity, and full game production cycles across 11 campuses nationwide.
- Duration: 1-3 years (certificate to degree).
- Cost: R30,000-R80,000 (depending on level).
- Why It’s Top: Industry-aligned with internship opportunities and a broad skill set.
- Admission: Matric with IT or Maths.
- Best For: Students building a versatile game dev career.
8. SAE Institute South Africa
- Program: Higher Certificate in Game Design and Production.
- Details: A 1-year course on C#, 2D/3D asset creation, and game studio workflows.
- Duration: 1 year.
- Cost: Approx. R60,000.
- Why It’s Top: Contextualized for Africa’s gaming growth, with global campus ties (47 locations worldwide).
- Admission: Matric; creative aptitude test.
- Best For: Foundational learners aiming for studio roles.
Alternative Learning Pathways
9. Online Platforms (Coursera, Udemy, Unity Learn)
- Details: Self-paced courses in Unity, Unreal, and game design fundamentals, often under R1,000 per course.
- Why It’s Top: Flexible, affordable, and globally recognized—perfect alongside formal study or solo.
- Best For: Self-starters and budget-conscious learners.
10. GameUp Africa Bootcamp
- Details: A 5-month online program with mentorship, game jams, and internships, connecting African talent continent-wide.
- Cost: Varies (some scholarships available).
- Why It’s Top: Community-driven, with real-world projects and networking.
- Best For: Collaborative learners across Africa.
How to Study Game Development in South Africa
Step 1: Choose Your Path
- University Degree: 3-4 years for deep technical or creative skills (UCT, Wits, UP, Vega).
- Short Course: 3 months-1 year for fast-tracked entry (School of IT, ADA, SAE).
- Self-Taught: Online tools + portfolio building for indie flexibility.
Step 2: Meet Requirements
- Academic: Matric with Maths (70%+), Physical Science, or IT; APS 35-42 for universities.
- Skills: Basic coding (Python, C#) or art experience boosts your edge.
- Portfolio: Start creating games now—download Unity (free) or Unreal Engine.
Step 3: Fund Your Studies
- Bursaries: NRF, ECSA, or private sponsors (e.g., Vega’s B-BBEE Bursary).
- Loans: FNB, Standard Bank offer student financing.
- Scholarships: ADA’s Distinguished Talent Scholarship or GameUp Africa grants.
Step 4: Build Experience
- Projects: Join game jams (e.g., Africa Games Week) or collaborate on X communities like Make Games SA.
- Internships: Studios like Clockwork Acorn or Nyamakop seek fresh talent.
- Portfolio: Showcase 2D/3D games to land jobs.
Career Prospects After Studying
South Africa’s game dev scene offers diverse roles:
Game Designer: R500,000/year (mid-level).
Programmer: R600,000/year in studios like 24 Bit Games.
Artist/Animator: R400,000/year with firms like Studio Bo.
Indie Developer: Unlimited potential via Steam or mobile platforms.
With a 95% mobile gaming penetration in Africa, your skills can scale globally or fuel local innovation.
Conclusion: Yes, You Can Study Game Development in South Africa!
From UCT’s technical prowess to Vega’s creative edge, South Africa offers world-class options to study game development. Whether you choose a degree, short course, or self-taught path, the tools, community, and opportunities are here. Start today—download Unity, join a game jam, and turn your passion into a career. South Africa’s gaming future is yours to shape.
