Video game - Master Degree

This Master's program in video game prepares students for careers as Concept Artist – Director. More broadly, this program prepares students for the wide range of careers that make up the video game production pipeline.

Keys informations

  • Total number of teaching hours:

    • Year 1 (4th year): 1,220 hours of coursework
    • Year 2 (5th year): 870 hours of coursework and 840 hours of internship

  • qualification certification:

    Titre de “Concepteur artistique – Réalisateur”
    Professional qualification title (RNCP – Level 7)

  • Key numbers

    90% of graduates in the 2020–2021 academic year

  • Program highlights

    An artistic and technical program enabling students to develop a video game prototype as their graduation project, with guidance from experienced artists and a six-month industry internship.

Program overview

The video game industry faces major challenges in creativity, technology, team specialization, and project internationalization. Studios are actively seeking skilled video game designers.

The Video game Master Degree trains versatile video game artists. It aims to foster a creative mindset in students while equipping them with the ability to manage the entire production process of a game prototype. The final-year project is that of a video game designer and director: students learn to create visuals that serve a narrative, shape a game concept, and manage all stages of its development through to completion. Along the way, students are made aware of related professions such as game design, programming, and sound design.

Over the course of two years, students benefit from both individual and group supervision to help them develop original works. Their projects may be showcased at festivals and presented to game studios; they are therefore also assessed based on the strength of their concept and the quality of execution.

The program focuses on acquiring project writing skills, mastering industry-standard software such as 3DS Max, Unity, and Blender, and applying production workflows to develop a functional video game prototype.

The Video game Master Degree prepares students for their future professional environment through:

  • Practical experience: workshops, project supervision, and English classes focused on project development

  • Professional insights: industry talks, workshops on administrative procedures

  • Creative training: traditional drawing techniques including composition painting, sculpture, and sketching

 

This program was presented during the Open Day live session on April 28, 2021:

 

Discover the work of our recent graduates (Class of 2024 – Satoshi Kon):

 

  • 4th year (JV)
  • 5th year (JV)
année

En savoir + sur chaque année

  • This year marks the beginning of the student’s specialization in video games through the completion of individual and group projects. The student explores and deepens their understanding of the professional environment they have chosen.

    During this year, the student develops their final-year project, which will be completed and defended before a jury in the following academic year.

    • Tuition fees for the 2025–2026 academic year

      €9,270 (+ €900 annual administrative fees)
      This includes 1,220 hours of face-to-face instruction with a teacher — equivalent to 37 hours per week.

    • Courses

      • Methodology and Documentation

      • Video games culture

      • Background Design

      • Game Art

      • Character design

      • Matte painting

  • The first semester is dedicated to preparing the personal project, which students submitted to the teaching team at the end of the previous academic year. They benefit from enhanced individual supervision, take part in workshops to prepare for professional life—such as creating compelling demo reels—and attend lectures given by external speakers. English classes focus on preparing the artistic portfolio and searching for internships.

    Second semester: production of the final-year project. Technical and artistic supervision is intensified and leads to a midterm assessment: the “mock diploma defense.”

    During this period, the internship takes place from June to December, preferably in a foreign country. Upon their return, students finalize their diploma project, write their internship report, and present their final defense before a jury of professionals.

    The last day at school is dedicated to career placement. A job dating event is organized, with nearly 60 companies in attendance. Each student is offered around ten job interviews.

    • Tuition fees for the 2025–2026 academic year

      €9,270 (+ €900 annual administrative fees)
      This includes 870 hours of face-to-face instruction with a teacher — equivalent to 38 hours per week, including a 840-hour internship.

    • Courses

      • Background / Level Design

      • Art Direction

      • Administrative and Legal Seminars

      • Workshops

      • Project Supervision

      • Technical Supervision

Application

  • Admission requirements

    Eligibility Criteria for External Applications

    Any external candidate may apply directly for admission into the 4th year, provided that:

    • They hold a bachelor’s degree (Level 6) in an art-related field.

    • They submit an artistic portfolio composed of two parts:
      • Part 1: A selection of 20 original observational drawings from life (e.g., documentary studies, life drawing, object rendering — any technique), demonstrating solid drawing skills.
      • Part 2 : a more specialized portfolio focused on Video Games: storyboards, 2D and/or 3D animation, still 3D renders, character design, environment design, etc.

    This portfolio must be submitted along with the eligibility application form, provided by the admissions office, completed and accompanied by the required supporting documents.

  • Admission process

    Scheduling an Interview / January to May

    Candidates must contact the school by phone or email to schedule an admission interview.

    • The interview will take place in person for candidates residing in mainland France or neighbouring countries.

    • For all other candidates, the interview will be conducted online.

    Note: This process allows candidates who are not admitted through parallel admission to apply for the first year of the Dessinateur Praticien program via Parcoursup.

     

    Eligibility Interview

    At least five days before the interview, candidates must submit their complete application digitally. Failure to do so may result in the rejection of their application.

    During the individual interview with an academic advisor, the candidate will present their artistic portfolio. This meeting assesses the applicant’s motivation, artistic goals, and for international applicants, their French language proficiency, unless they can provide proof of a C1 level.

    Practical Test

    Depending on the interview, the candidate may be asked to complete a practical assignment remotely if a particular skill was not sufficiently demonstrated in the portfolio.

  • Admission

    The admissions jury meets in a plenary session at the end of June to make final decisions on candidate admissions.

    Applicants who are not accepted may reapply directly to the 4th year program within the following two years.

Admission

Deves Cyrils

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