Novia UAS launches a new Game Arts programme starting in 2026

Bachelor’s Degree in Game Arts Starting Autumn 2026 

A brand-new English-language degree programme in Game Arts will be offered starting in autumn 2026 as part of the Faculty of Arts and Culture in Jakobstad. A game artist needs skills in character design, technical art, and 3D modelling, but to succeed in a demanding industry, the programme places strong emphasis on project management, entrepreneurship, and multidisciplinary expertise. Sustainability and responsibility are central themes throughout the programme. 

Already Established in the Gaming Industry 

The gaming industry in Finland and the Nordic region has been one of the most vibrant sectors over the past 20 years, and Novia has long been involved in well-established development projects within the field. The industry is constantly evolving, and close collaboration—not only with the gaming sector but also across Novia’s other educational disciplines—has proven highly beneficial to our game-related projects. 

Nordic and International Collaboration 

The gaming industry is “born global,” where a career is not necessarily tied to a specific location. We maintain close cooperation with game education programmes in Sweden, and the new Game Arts programme is a result of the Interreg Aurora-funded RDI project Borderless Game Academy. 

Emma Westerlund, Education and Sustainability Designer: “We’ve been working on game industry-related research, development, and innovation projects for over ten years. We have strong connections to the industry both locally and internationally, and this programme is the result of long-standing Nordic collaboration in the field. We are proud to now also launch a Game Arts degree starting in autumn 2026. The programme is designed to guide new talents into the industry while also flexibly meeting the educational needs of professionals already working in the field.” 

“The gaming industry is large but not without its complexities. The new programme we offer is fundamentally an arts education, but it also focuses heavily on the entire value chain of game development. Game Arts fits naturally at the heart of our Faculty of Arts and Culture, where adjacent disciplines such as visual arts, graphic design, performing arts, and music production are already present. The programme also includes competencies in project management, communication, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and contextual analysis—skills that are essential for professionals in the gaming industry.” 

Additional Information

Emma Westerlund, Education and Sustainability Designer, +358 44 780 5876