Major Undergraduate

Games Design and Development

Major details for:
Murdoch code
MJ-GSD
Study mode
Full Time or Part Time
What is a Major?
A major is your primary area of focus within a degree. It determines the core subjects you'll study and the skills you'll master.

Major overview

Have you ever wondered how your favourite video games are developed? As a software developer and computer programmer, you’ll help turn an idea into a playable video or computer game. With increasing opportunities in this growing industry, you’ll gain the skills needed to work in both the international games industry and the information technology industry. 

Through this major you’ll learn about both the theory and practice of game design and development. You’ll gain hands-on experience using industry-standard tools to create games for computer, mobile, video, and extended reality (XR) platforms. The major covers critical areas such as game mechanics, software development, user interfaces, XR, and gamification. Graduates are equipped for diverse roles in industries ranging from video game production to simulation, visualisation, and XR applications. 

In the final year of your degree, you’ll take part in a professional practice project unit. This includes working in a team with other students and consulting with real clients from the industry to recommend, develop and implement new technologies to solve real-world problems. 

3 reasons to study Games Software Design and Development at Murdoch 

  • Get access to cutting-edge facilities and equipment, including dedicated XR labs such as the Mixed and Augmented Reality Studio (MaARS) and the Digital Immersive Lab (DIL), offering Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Mixed Reality (MR) capabilities. These facilities are a 24/7 workspace you can use for programming and software development, using high-end performance gaming workstations. 
  • Gain practical experience in the games design and development processes using industry-standard games development tools. 

What you’ll learn 

Build the knowledge and skills you need to meet your career or study goals. Here are some of the things you’ll learn: 

  • Games software design 
  • Games mechanics 
  • User interfaces and user experiences 
  • Games software development and production, and 
  • Augmented reality, Virtual reality and Mixed reality.  

Your future career 

Graduating with a major in Games Software Design and Development, you’ll possess the skills required for a range of games careers in Australia and overseas. 

Careers could include: 

  • Analyst Programmer 
  • Gameplay Programmer 
  • Game Designer  
  • Software and Apps Programmer 
  • Systems Analyst 
  • Web Developer 

Start dates


Start dates (Transnational)

Starting period Location Face to Face Online Mixed mode
Trimester 2, 2026 Kaplan Higher Education Academy Pte. Ltd No No Yes
Trimester 2, 2026 Murdoch University Dubai, UAE Yes No No
Trimester 3, 2026 Kaplan Higher Education Academy Pte. Ltd No No Yes
Trimester 3, 2026 Murdoch University Dubai, UAE Yes No No
Semester 1, 2026 Murdoch University Dubai, UAE Yes No No
Trimester 1, 2026 Kaplan Higher Education Academy Pte. Ltd No No Yes
Trimester 2, 2027 Kaplan Higher Education Academy Pte. Ltd No No Yes
Trimester 2, 2027 Murdoch University Dubai, UAE Yes No No
Trimester 3, 2027 Kaplan Higher Education Academy Pte. Ltd No No Yes
Trimester 3, 2027 Murdoch University Dubai, UAE Yes No No
Semester 1, 2027 Murdoch University Dubai, UAE Yes No No
Trimester 1, 2027 Kaplan Higher Education Academy Pte. Ltd No No Yes

View the dates for our teaching periods or find out more about attendance modes.

Major Structure

Visit the Course Handbook - Get detailed information on units, prerequisites, and pathways.

To help plan the structure of your course, search for our suggested course plans.

Unit code Unit name Credit points

How to Apply

Majors are part of a degree and can't be applied on their own. Apply for a related degree first, then choose your major once enrolled.

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