| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2024-02-01 | - |
| 2024-06-01 | - |
| 2024-10-01 | - |
Program Overview
This research degree program in Game Studies explores digital games from a humanities perspective, utilizing critical, historical, and social research methods. Students benefit from collaborations with Abertay's Games programs and Dundee's status as a UNESCO City of Design, providing access to research opportunities and industry professionals. The program prepares graduates for careers in research, academia, and various roles outside of academia.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
This is a potential research degree area, subject to the approval of the University. If you are interested in undertaking a research degree in this area, please make contact with the Dean to discuss your proposal. Game studies as an academic field investigates digital games from a humanities-oriented perspective, utilising critical, historical, and social research methodologies. Prospective projects may explore issues such as narrative, ethics, audiences, and semiotics, and apply theoretical approaches such as literary theory, philosophy, postcolonialism, political economy, or psychology. Game studies at Abertay benefits from close collaboration with Abertay's leading Games programmes as well as Dundee's status as a UNESCO City of Design. Postgraduate students at the University will have access to research and development opportunities, as well as contact with professionals working within the games industry. Dundee is one of the UK’s oldest and most successful games hubs, and we have longstanding relationships with local, national and international game studios. Abertay has hosted international games conferences including Digital Games Research Association (DiGRA) and Foundations of Digital Games (FDG) as well as world-leading game studies scholars for seminars and lectures. As a member of SGSAH, a collaboration of Scottish universities whose goal is to provide the highest quality postgraduate education and research experience, Abertay is well-placed to deliver effective supervision. The programme will prepare you for a career as a researcher and academic, as well as an exciting range of roles outside of academia.
Assessment:
The final assessment is by examination of your submitted thesis and a viva voce (oral examination).
Teaching:
As a postgraduate research student, you will carry out an original, independent research and/or practice-based project, whilst being guided and supported by a team of expert academic supervisors. As you do this, you will benefit from an extensive programme of researcher development tailored to your background, needs and future ambitions. This will in turn help you develop the skills required to deliver research excellence.
Entry Requirements:
- Minimum entry requirement for all research degrees: An Upper Second Class Honours degree (or equivalent) at undergraduate level in an appropriate discipline and/or a Master’s degree.
- Alternative considerations: In some cases, appropriate professional or experiential learning may be considered in combination with a lower classification of Honours degree.
Language Proficiency Requirements:
- For candidates whose first language is not English or whose undergraduate/Master’s degree was not awarded from a University from a UKVI designated English Speaking country: Applicants are required to show evidence of one of the following qualifications:
- IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component.
- CAE and CPE: total 176 with at least 169 in each component.
- Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
- PTE Academic: 62 overall with at least 59 in each component.
- NECO English at B (4)
- WAEC English at B (4)
- Degree age restriction: If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than three and a half years old at the beginning of your programme of study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.
