The Academy of Interactive Entertainment Ltd (AIE) has launched AIE Institute, a higher education provider for Australia’s future game designers, developers, and programmers.
AIE Institute is offering a Bachelor of Game Development with three majors in gaming art, design, and programming. The first intake of students will be welcomed in February 2023, with campuses IRL (in real life) in Sydney and Canberra. The institute’s Bachelor of Game Development is the first in Australia to integrate three core game development sub-disciplines of game art, game design, and game programming within a multi-disciplinary environment.
What makes AIE Institute’s courses unique?
AIE Institute’s bachelor courses have a technical and career focus, delivered by qualified and industry-experienced academic staff in a fun and creatively demanding studio environment.
A third of the program is spent working on projects with practical outcomes. Developed in conjunction with Australia’s leading game studios, AIE Institute degree programs are reviewed in close consultation with industry and delivered by industry-experienced faculty. Classes with a maximum of 25 students for each lecturer allows for a more personalised approach.
The institute has strong links with the industry and offers internship placements in the final year to ease the graduate transition towards employment. Students have the opportunity to frequently meet industry practitioners in a number of seminars, projects, and tutorials.
The degree runs over three years giving students more time to learn, network and develop as experts. The courses are accredited and recognised through the Tertiary Education and Quality Standards Agency (TEQSA) and comply with the Australian Qualifications Framework.
They are recognised under and adhere to the same Higher Education Standards Framework (Threshold Standards) 2021 as those leading to a similar award at an Australian university.
What is the industry expertise of AIE?
AIE Institute builds upon the past of its parent firm, the Academy of Interactive Entertainment, Australia’s most awarded 3D animation, game development, and film educator. The firm pioneered the development of specialist game qualifications in Australia.
Founded in 1996 as a vocational training program by Micro Forté Studios and Canberra Institute of Technology, the Academy of Interactive Entertainment was the first non-profit vocational school in the world to offer specialist courses in digital games and animation.
Today, academy graduates can be found working around the world at major games studios such as Wargaming, Epic Games, Mighty Kingdom and Rockstar working on such games as GTA V, Destiny and Gears of War 5. Hon Luke Howarth MP, Assistant Minister for Youth and Employment Services, said: “The Government is strongly supporting the Australian digital games sector which is an important part of our creative industries and digital economy.”
“The gov’t’s commitment to a 30 per cent tax offset for digital games will boost investment into digital games in Australia and provide the opportunity for more employment. It’s fantastic to see innovative educators like AIE Institute offer young people the opportunity to earn a degree in the exciting world of game development,” Hon Luke further commented.
What are the executives’ thoughts on the program?
Vicki De Margheriti, CEO and Founding Director of AIE Institute said: “AIE Institute has leveraged the best aspects of the Academy of Interactive Entertainment’s focus on practical skills along with industry relevance and applied this to the rigour of higher education.”
“AIE Institute’s nationally-accredited game degree program empowers students to follow their dreams and pursue a successful career within an ever-growing industry.”
John De Margheriti, founding director of AIE Institute, was enthusiastic about AIE Institute’s three-year bachelor’s degree, saying: “We’ve created a career-focused program, which is delivered by highly qualified academic staff in a fun and creative studio environment.”
“A third of the degree is spent working in teams on game projects and students have the opportunity to work within a game development studio for a semester,” John concluded.
Applications are open now for 2023, with more information available here.
