Do You Need Coding Skills for a Game Design Degree?

Many people interested in game design worry that they will have to be programmers first. The short answer from official program pages: most game design degrees do not expect you to code before you arrive, but almost all of them teach some programming or scripting once you do. Programs built around engineering are different; they publish math and programming prerequisites and sometimes ask for code samples. Where a program sits on that spectrum shows up in its title, its admission requirements and its course list.

Design, development and programming are different degrees

Our directory separates game design, game development and game programming because schools do. A design degree centers on rules, systems, levels and player experience. A programming degree centers on engines, graphics and software. A computer science degree with a named game concentration is still a computer science degree, with the CS core that comes with it.

O*NET's profile of video game designers reflects the design side. Its listed tasks include devising "missions, challenges, or puzzles," creating "gameplay prototypes," and maintaining design documentation. It also lists Programming among the occupation's transferable skills and Mathematics among its knowledge areas. In other words, coding is part of the picture, but it is not the whole job description.

Programs that say no coding background is needed

Several schools address the question directly:

• American University says students in its MA in Game Design "do not need to have a background in coding," and says the same for its MFA in Games and Interactive Media.
• USC's School of Cinematic Arts tells applicants to its BFA in Game Development and Interaction Design that they "do not need to have a coding or engineering background to succeed." It still asks for a technical skill list, so list whatever tools you have used.
• Harrisburg University describes its BS in Game Design as not "requiring extensive coding expertise."
• Full Sail says its Game Development BS does not require "prior programming experience to apply," and its Programming I course "assumes no prior experience and teaches C++ from the ground up."

Note the last one: no prior experience at entry, but a programming-heavy degree once you start. "No background needed" is a statement about admission, not about the curriculum.

Programs that publish math or programming prerequisites

Engineering-oriented programs often state requirements up front.

Champlain College's BS in Game Programming takes a middle route. It acknowledges that "some Game Programming students may start with no programming experience," and then suggests preparation such as calculus, Python and Java.

Computer science degrees with named game concentrations follow the computer science rules of their school. USC's BS in Computer Science (Games) lists admission requirements that "include 3 to 5 units of mathematics and one unit of science." UC Santa Cruz requires transfer students in its BS in Computer Science: Computer Game Design to complete calculus, discrete mathematics and programming screening courses and to "maintain a cumulative minimum GPA of 2.8 in screening courses." The award in both cases is a computer science degree, so expect the full CS core.

When the application asks for code

A few programs ask for actual code with the application, usually only for programming tracks:

• UCF's FIEA asks programmers to "Submit your best source code (C++ preferred)" through a repository such as GitHub. Its art and production tracks submit other materials.
• The University of Utah's Master of Entertainment Arts and Engineering asks Game Engineering applicants for a code sample in a compiled language, up to about 1,000 lines.
• Columbia College Chicago asks Game Programming and Software Development concentration applicants for "three code excerpts" and a short reflection, while its Game Design concentration asks for a video about a design problem instead.

If you apply to a design track at the same school, you typically will not be asked for code. Read the track-specific instructions, and see our portfolio guide for what design and art tracks submit.

How much coding design students actually do

Course lists show that design degrees almost always include scripting:

• DigiPen's BA in Game Design requires an introductory programming course (CS 116 or CS 120, the latter on the C language).
• DePaul's BS in Game Design requires Playgramming and Practical Scripting for Games.
• Bradley University's game design major requires Introduction to Scripting for Games.
• Drexel's Game Design & Production BS includes Scripting for Game Design.
• NYU's BFA in Game Design includes Intro to Programming for Games.
• Academy of Art University lists the outcome "visual and code-based scripting to implement game and level mechanics" for its BFA in Game Design.

Compare that with a programming degree. DePaul's BS in Game Programming lists outcomes such as proficiency with C++ and designing a real-time game engine, with courses in engine and graphics programming. The difference is depth: design students learn enough to prototype and implement mechanics; programming students build the systems those mechanics run on.

Getting ready if you are starting from zero

You do not need to master a language before applying to most design programs, but a little preparation makes the first year easier:

• Take the math your target program lists. If a program publishes a math prerequisite, plan your high school or transfer courses around it.
• Try a visual or beginner scripting environment. Making a small playable prototype gives you portfolio material and shows you whether you enjoy the technical side.
• Read the first-year course list. If it starts with C or C++, expect a steep early semester.
• Ask about support. Some programs offer bridge courses, like RIT's for graduate applicants without the programming background.

Choosing your direction

If you love systems, rules and player experience, a design degree will teach you the scripting you need. If you enjoy the code itself, look at programming degrees or CS degrees with named game concentrations, and expect calculus and a CS core. Browse by field, compare bachelor's and master's programs, or read our admissions overview for the rest of the application.