The global gaming industry is projected to reach $665 billion by 2030, and China alone accounts for nearly a third of the world’s gaming market. As this industry explodes, one question becomes crucial for aspiring game designers: where should you study to break into this field?
For students looking to study game design in Asia’s largest gaming market,
Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University (BNBU) in Zhuhai has launched a Game Design program, one of the few English-taught game design programs in China. If you’re passionate about creating interactive experiences, character design, or game programming, this might be the opportunity you’ve been looking for.
About Beijing Normal-Hong Kong Baptist University (BNBU)
Established in 2005, BNBU was the first full-scale collaboration in higher education between mainland China and Hong Kong. The university is located in Zhuhai, a city within the Greater Bay Area that’s become a significant hub for technology and creative industries.
What makes this location particularly relevant for game design students is the proximity to major gaming companies and tech centers. Guangzhou, home to Tencent’s headquarters, is 90 minutes away by train. Shenzhen, a global center for gaming hardware and technology, is less than an hour away. This geographic positioning means students have access to industry events, potential internships, and a firsthand view of how games are developed and distributed in the world’s largest gaming market.
All undergraduate programs at BNBU are taught entirely in English, making the program accessible to international students while providing immersion in China’s gaming ecosystem.
The Game Design Program
BNBU’s Game Design program takes a comprehensive approach that prepares students for various roles across the digital entertainment industry. Rather than focusing narrowly on a single aspect of game development, the curriculum is designed to give students both technical skills and creative foundations.
Program details:
- Duration: 4 Years (Full-time Bachelor’s Degree)
- Teaching language: English
- Start date: September Intake
- Application Deadline: May 31, 2026
What You’ll Learn
The program covers the full spectrum of game development, including game planning and design, interactive storytelling, character and environment design, animation and cinematics, programming and technical implementation, artificial intelligence for games, virtual reality and augmented reality applications, and educational and commercial game applications.
This breadth means students develop versatility. Whether you’re more interested in the artistic side of game creation or the technical programming aspects, you’ll gain understanding of how all the pieces fit together in actual game production.
Curriculum Structure
The program requires 148 credit hours distributed across several categories. Core major courses account for 60 credits and cover fundamental game design and development skills. Major elective courses provide 12 credits for specialization in areas that interest you most. University core courses comprise 37 credits building essential knowledge, while general education courses add 18 credits for a well-rounded education. Finally, 21 free elective credits let you explore other disciplines that might inform your creative work.
This structure provides a strong foundation while allowing flexibility to develop your own interests and career direction. The elective credits are particularly valuable for shaping your education around your goals, whether that’s narrative design, technical programming, visual development, or another specialization.
Learning Approach
The program emphasizes project-based learning, where students work in teams to develop actual games rather than just completing theoretical assignments. This approach mirrors how the industry actually works and helps build practical problem-solving skills alongside technical knowledge.
BNBU provides modern facilities including specialized studios and computer labs for creative work, as well as gallery spaces where students can showcase their projects. Since game development inherently requires collaboration, having these spaces for team-based work is an important part of the learning environment.
Career Possibilities
Graduates from the program have pursued various paths across the digital entertainment and technology sectors. The combination of technical skills and creative thinking opens doors in several directions.
Many graduates work in digital entertainment, including game studios, mobile game companies, esports organizations, and interactive media firms. Others move into animation and film, working on cinematics, visual effects, or motion capture projects. The technical skills also translate well to emerging technology sectors like VR/AR development, educational technology, and simulation software.
Beyond entertainment, game design skills apply to fields like architectural visualization, product design, medical simulation, and user experience design. Some graduates also pursue entrepreneurship, starting their own studios or working as independent developers.
For those interested in further education, the program provides a foundation for graduate studies in game design, computer science, digital media, human-computer interaction, or related fields.
The Advantage of Studying in China’s Gaming Market
One of the program’s distinct benefits is its location within China’s gaming ecosystem. It’s about understanding how games are designed, marketed, and experienced in Asian markets, which often differs significantly from Western approaches.
Students gain exposure to trends in mobile gaming, social gaming features, and monetization strategies that have proven successful in Asian markets. This knowledge becomes increasingly valuable as gaming companies worldwide seek to understand and reach Asian audiences, or as Asian companies expand into global markets.
For students interested in working internationally or in cross-cultural roles, this experience provides perspective that’s difficult to gain elsewhere. You’ll understand both the technical craft of game development and the cultural context that shapes how different audiences engage with games.
Facilities and Learning Environment
BNBU provides modern studio facilities and computer labs designed specifically for creative work. Students have access to fully-equipped classrooms, various study spaces, and galleries to showcase their projects and creative works.
The campus environment supports both individual and collaborative work. Since game development is inherently team-based, having spaces where you can work together on projects is essential. The galleries also give you opportunities to exhibit your work and get feedback from peers and faculty.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Game Design
The entertainment industry is transforming. Games are no longer just entertainment, they’re educational tools, architectural visualization platforms, medical training simulators, and social spaces where people build communities.
As these applications expand, the industry needs professionals who understand both the technical craft and the human impact of interactive media. BNBU’s Game Design program is designed to prepare you for this broader landscape.
The combination of English instruction, location in Asia’s largest gaming market, interdisciplinary curriculum, and access to emerging technologies makes this a unique opportunity for students who want to shape the future of interactive entertainment.
Applications for the 2026 intake are open now. If you’re interested in the Early-Bird Scholarships and meet the grade requirements, applying sooner rather than later makes sense since they’re awarded on a first-come basis.
Learn more about BNBU’s Game Design program and start your application today.
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