KAMK University of Applied Sciences has world class gaming studies

Interested in developing video games? Join our Bachelor’s Degree to study programming, graphics, or production – or Master’s Degrees to study game business management! Work on real projects, learn about the gaming industry, and use the latest tech to create your own games.

Take a peek below to learn about the gaming studies KAMK UAS offers!

Kajaani University of Applied Sciences

Business Information Technology, Game Development
APPLICATION PERIOD 3-17 JANUARY 2024

The Bachelor’s Degree in Business Information Technology at Kajaani University of Applied Sciences offers you an extensive education in the field of game development. During the studies, you can choose to specialize in game programming, game art/graphics or producing games. Large part of the studies are implemented through various projects, which will give you a profound and practical understanding of the game industry. During your studies, you will create and publish your own game applications using the latest technology.

The degree emphasizes applying the learned theories into practice. Basic studies provide you with a strong foundation in project work, business, languages, and communication, as well as general skills in different areas of game development. Hands-on projects, practical training and thesis are a great way of learning, interacting, and building networks with the working life. 

On our campus, we have a unique community of game developers and offer our students state-of-the-art learning environments to use! We also are a Sony Playstation First Academic Partner, first one in Finland.

Graduates of this degree may find employment in various training, design and development tasks in game and software development. We have excellent connections with companies locally, in Finland and worldwide – our alumni are employed by top companies in the games industry, such as Critical Force, Supercell, Ubisoft, Housemarque and Remedy, to name a few. It is also possible to emphasize entrepreneurship skills in your studies and start your own business after graduation.

Study places: 30

Extend: 210 ECTS

Duration: 3,5 years

Degree Title: Bachelor of Business Administration

Further information:
Admissions Office
tel. +358 40 654 8475
admissions(at)kamk.fi

Studying:

The studies in Business Information Technology consist of theoretical studies, projects, a practical training of 5 months and a thesis. The basic studies provide a strong foundation in project work, business operations, languages and communication, as well as the basics of programming, security and networks. From the very first year of their studies, game development students work together on cross-disciplinary projects.

Applying: Application period 3 – 17 January 2024 for studies starting in autumn 2024. Read more about the application process

Entrance Exams: Read more about application process at uasinfo.fi

Bachelor of Business Administration, Data Processing, Datacenter
APPLICATION PERIOD: SPRING 2024

Datacenter studies include different operating systems, server systems, virtualisation, network environments and security. The professional studies are carried out in an information systems laboratory or with the help of virtualised environments, with an extensive emphasis on first-hand experience and practical training. Datacenter studies give you access to a data centre for educational purposes only.

During the first year, you’ll go through the basics of operating systems, virtualisation, networking and security. In the following years, you’ll go deeper and learn about service delivery, data centre energy efficiency and automation. We emphasise learning by doing and practice from the start by putting theory into practice.

We carry out assignments for the data centre, either from local companies or students in the games industry, or selected according to your own interests. Our data centre is highly versatile, efficient and represents the latest technologies on the market. We use IBM technologies and VMware’s virtualisation environment, among others. You can become an expert in these or other technologies if you wish – this is guaranteed by the fact that as a student you will be granted root access to the data centre and full access to the environment. Our student-operated, student-run, dedicated data centre is the only learning environment of its kind in Finland. Our data centre training is carried out in close cooperation with Kajaani and national operators such as CSC, HermanIT and IBM.

We offer our more advanced students the opportunity to take certifications from different vendors and KAMK contributes to the costs of the tests. Datacenter training gives you the skills to work as a systems expert, trainer, IT designer or operations manager, for example.

Read more on the Datacenter website (In Finnish): kajakdc.fi

Study places: 20

Extend: 210 ECTS

Duration: 3,5 years

Degree Title: Bachelor of Business Administration

Further information:
Admissions Office
tel. +358 40 654 8475
admissions(at)kamk.fi

Studying: Full time

Applying: Application period spring 2024

Entrance Exams: Read more about application process at (In Finnish): opintopolku.fi

ICT Engineer, Games Technology and Intelligent systems
APPLICATION PERIOD: SPRING 2024

Engineering students will be equipped for specialist positions in the field and for entrepreneurship. Game Technology graduates are software experts with a strong background in software engineering, who can apply their skills not only in the games sector but also in many other industrial fields. Engineers graduating from the Intelligent Systems programme can work in interesting hardware and software design roles in the technology of the future.

There are 40 places and limited group sizes for both orientations. After the first year of joint studies, students are oriented according to their aptitude, skills and academic performance. The studies include a 30-credit traineeship in a company or community related to the field of study. The studies are practical and the theory learned is put into practice through a variety of practical projects.

Future job titles after graduation include Game Engine Programmer, Graphics Programmer, Software Engineer, Software Engineer, R&D Engineer, Sales Engineer, Embedded Programmer, Design Engineer, Product Development Engineer, Project Engineer.

Remember that at KAMK you can also study to become a games professional in the Information Technology Trades degree programme.
Read more about the bachelor’s degree in computer science

KAMK will organise a free online course to prepare for the engineering entrance exam during March-May.

Study places: 40

Extend: 240 ECTS

Duration: 4 years

Degree Title: Engineer (Bachelor of Science)

Further information:
Education and Research Manager, Jonna Kalermo-Poranen
tel. 044 710 1049
jonna.kalermo-poranen@kamk.fi

Studying: Full-Time Studies on campus

Applying: Open Spring 2024

Entrance Exams: Read more about application process at (In Finnish): opintopolku.fi

Bachelor’s Degree in Esports Business
APPLICATION PERIOD 3-17 JANUARY 2024

Are you a fan of esports? Are you a player but want to deepen your expertise in esports? Ever wondered what happens behind the scenes of your favourite esports team? How large esports events are executed? The Esports Business degree program at Kajaani University of Applied Sciences provides its students with an exclusive look into the business landscape of the next billion-dollar industry. 

Kajaani University of Applied Sciences provides its students with invaluable hands-on experience within the rapidly growing esports industry. The ‘Esports Business’ degree program delves into the various components that propel the business side of one of the world’s fastest-growing sports.

The Bachelor’s of Esports Business is not a player training course and therefore is not focused on improving the students’ in-game ability but rather provides attendees with an all-encompassing curriculum focused on the various career opportunities available in the esports landscape, primarily focusing on business operations, digital marketing, and event management. You will receive the same core fundamental business knowledge as those within traditional business degrees, but through the lens of esports and utilizing topical industry case studies. Examples of additional courses include individual coaching, contract law, and esports service design.

One of the many benefits of being an Esports Business student is having access to the KAMK Esports Facility; a space for members to compete, learn, socialize, and network with their peers. Take a closer look at the facility: https://mpembed.com/show/?m=o4ywfVv78vZ&mpu=1147

To ensure our students are prepared to enter this lucrative field we offer a wide range of courses including marketing, coaching, esports landscape, branding, event management, and contract law. These areas are key elements of the esports industry that enable its continued growth. Hands-on experience is where this degree truly shines. Our students are equipped with resources, time and support to create ventures and build their practical knowledge in real-world environments. Take a look at https://kamkbachelor.fi/bachelor-degrees/esports-business/

Read more about the curriculum at KAMK Study Guide.

Note:
All non-EU/EEA citizens selected for English-taught studies leading to a Finnish higher education degree must read and approve a Student Agreement before accepting the study place. Click the link KAMK Student Agreement to read the Agreement. The Agreement applies to students who will start their studies after 1.1.2023.

Study places: 20

Extend: 210 ECTS

Duration: 3,5 years

Degree Title: Bachelor of Business Administration

Further information: Admissions Office, +358 40 654 8475, admissions(at)kamk.fi

Studying: The Esports Business degree provides top-class education in order to become electronic sports business expert.

Applying: Application period 3 – 17 January 2024 for studies starting in autumn 2024. Read more about the application process

Entrance Exams: Read more about application process from uasinfo.fi

Master’s Degree in Game Business Management, full-time
APPLICATION PERIOD 3-17 JANUARY 2024

The new Master’s Degree in Game Business Management is aimed at persons working or seeking employment in growth and internationalization-oriented game development organizations, and staff of organizations that already engage in international operations. The degree’s learning objectives and contents focus on management and leadership, research and development methods, global economic issues, international game business and game development project management.

The degree is a Master’s level (second-cycle) qualification of 90 credits in total. It takes approximately two years to complete as it is a full-time programme. The course work accounts for 60 ECTS and the remaining 30 ECTS are for the graduate thesis. The 60 ECTS of course work includes 12 individual courses of 5 ECTS each. The courses are designed to provide students with the information they will need to succeed as high-level business leaders in today’s modern business environment. Some of the course assignments and the research based development assignment (Master’s thesis) are completed on behalf of the organisation that has commissioned them.

The Master’s degree consists of lectures, e-learning, independent learning, group work, discussions and assignments. Please note that the studies do require full-time attendance in Finland and the students are expected to arrive in Kajaani at the start of the studies. 

Study places: 15

Extend: 90 ECTS

Duration: 2 years

Degree Title: Master of Business Administration, Game Business Management

Further information:
Admissions Office
tel. +358 40 654 8475
admissions(at)kamk.fi

Studying: Full-Time Studies on campus

Applying:

Joint application period  3- 17 January 2024 for studies starting in autumn 2024. 

Information about admissions: Admissions Services tel. +358 40 654 8475, admissions@kamk.fi

Entrance Exams: Read more about admissions criteria and entrance examination.

Master’s Degree in Game Business Management, part-time
APPLICATION PERIOD 3-17 JANUARY 2024

The new Master´s Degree in Game Business Management is aimed at persons working or seeking employment in growth and internationalization-oriented game development organizations, and staff of organizations that already engage in international operations. The degree’s learning objectives and contents focus on management and leadership, research and development methods, global economic issues, international game business and game development project management.

The degree is a Master’s level (second-cycle) qualification of 90 credits in total. It takes approximately two years to complete as it is a part-time programme. The degree consists of blended studies accomplished while working. All of the course assignments and the research based development assignment (Master’s thesis) are completed on behalf of the organisation that has commissioned them.

The Master´s degree  consists of online lectures, e-learning, independent learning, group work, discussions and assignments. Each semester will start with an intensive week online and the studies will be completed fully via e-learning environments (online, distance learning). Please note that the studies do not require full-time attendance in Finland therefore the students are advised to apply only for a short-term visa (if applicable) for the possible intensive weeks.

The online lectures are delivered every or every second week, max. one evening per week. The assignments for each study module are based on a theoretical framework which is then applied to develop the practices and activities of your work place / organization. A part of the studies will be completed in collaboration with our international partner universities, either in Kajaani or abroad.

Study places: 10

Extend: 90 ECTS

Duration: 2 years

Degree Title: Master of Business Administration, Game Business Management

Further information:
Admissions Office
tel. +358 40 654 8475
admissions(at)kamk.fi

Studying: Part-Time studies (on-line)

Applying:

Joint application period 3 – 17 January 2024 for studies starting in autumn 2024. 

Information about admissions: Admissions Services tel. +358 40 654 8475, admissions@kamk.fi

Entrance Exams: Read more about admissions criteria and entrance examination.