How we game at UC Santa Cruz
A unique fusion of engineering and art, computer games are a growing global phenomena, driving technological and cultural innovation. Pioneered at UC Santa Cruz, the study of games offers the opportunity to blend creativity and personal expression with technical development to tackle challenging engineering, social, and design problems. An interdisciplinary approach across divisions helps foster collaboration, allowing students to explore, understand, and drive the evolution of this field.
Consistently ranked among the top game design programs in the world, UCSC offers a number of games-related degree programs both at the main campus in Santa Cruz as well as at the Silicon Valley Campus.
Dedicated to advancing the study and application of game design through research, education, and cutting-edge innovation, UCSC provides students opportunities and resources that are expanding the world of games.
#5
best game/simulation development program in the nation
(U.S. News & World Report, 2024)
#5
best undergraduate computer science specialty: game development programs
(U.S. News & World Report, 2023)
9th
undergrad game design program
(U.S. News & World Report, 2022)
Degrees in game design and related programs
Undergraduate Degrees
B.S. Computer Science: Computer Game Design
Consistently ranked among the top programs in the world, the undergraduate Computer Game Design program focuses on the construction and design of interactive computer games.
Masters’ Degrees
M.F.A. Digital Arts and New Media
Digital Arts and New Media (DANM) researches the creative potentials and social implications of emerging technologies and cultural practices. Our two-year M.F.A. program emphasizes critical and experimental inquiry, interdisciplinary collaboration, and social action.
M.S. Computational Media
Computational Media is all around us — video games, social media, interactive narrative, smartphone apps, computer-generated films, personalized health coaching, training and more. This M.S. is designed to help you build on your existing strengths and move into new areas.
M.S. Games + Playable Media
The Games and Playable Media Masters of Science program is a professionally-oriented degree program that currently runs for five quarters. The program is geared towards students who want to make games or other rich interactive computational media experiences, and the program focuses on computer games whose purpose is primarily entertainment.
Not accepting applications at this time.
Ph.D. Degrees
Ph.D. Computational Media
The Ph.D. in Computational Media (CM) is designed for those who are actively working in computational media and want to develop new knowledge that will change what is possible and how we understand it. The program equips graduate students with the tools needed to push the boundaries of computational media.
Ph.D. Computer Science and Engineering
Graduate students in the Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) Ph.D. program work in several areas of research including machine learning, database systems, data science, big data, data analytics and visualization, privacy and security, distributed systems, operating systems, storage systems, realtime systems, mobile computing, cloud computing, human computing, software engineering, programming languages, algorithms and complexity, artificial intelligence, technology for social good, natural languages, human-computer interaction, and computer vision.
Build games with high impact
By applying skills and knowledge to real-world challenges, students develop innovative solutions to address societal needs, advance technological frontiers, and shape cultural discourse. Whether creating immersive educational experiences, developing assistive technical solutions, or exploring the intersection of gaming and society, UCSC students actively contribute to the future of game development and its application. As a result, our alumni are leaders in the field.
Experience tech innovation
Situated at campuses close to and within Silicon Valley, games-related programs at UCSC are uniquely positioned to leverage the region’s rich technological ecosystem. With programs offered at the main UCSC campus in Santa Cruz and the UCSC Silicon Valley location, each program sparks innovation by tapping into the vibrant tech landscape.
Shape career success
Our graduates are competitive in the workforce and leave prepared for a variety of job roles, such as:
- Game/Technical Designer
- Gameplay Engineer
- Game Developer/Programmer
- Software Engineer
- Production Coordinator
- User Experience (UX) Designer
- Game Producer/Project Manager