Higher Certificate in Information Systems (Game Design and Development)

This higher certificate addresses the skills gap faced by the gaming industry. Game design and development is a complex and multidisciplinary field requiring a combination of technical skills, business skills, creative skills, and a profound comprehension of player psychology. 

The qualification will cover critical areas for building a solid gaming foundation, empowering aspiring game developers with a good mix of technical skills, game design principles, and project management knowledge. Gaming is a field that has applications in transdisciplinary learning and brings together people interested in humanities, design, technology, commerce and even science. 

By studying this qualification, you will develop essential skills for the world of work. Analysing and solving real problems, logical thinking, being innovative and adaptable, working in teams and communicating effectively.  

Entry requirements

• South African National Senior Certificate (NSC) with Bachelor’s degree, Diploma or Higher Certificate endorsement. 
• Or  
• National Certificate (Vocational) level 4 issued by the Council of General and Further Education and Training with Bachelor’s degree, Diploma or Higher Certificate endorsement. 
• Or  
• Certificate of evaluation on a minimum NQF level 4 for foreign qualification confirmed by SAQA. 
• Or 
•  Letter or certificate confirming an exemption from Universities South Africa (USAf ) for any other school-leaving results. 
• Or  
• Completion of a Bachelor’s degree, Diploma, Higher Certificate or equivalent. 

Programme accreditation

• Accredited by the Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC) of the Council on Higher Education (CHE) 
• Registered with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) 

Possible career options As a graduate of the Higher Certificate in Information Systems  
(Game Design and Development), your career options include  entry-level positions such as: 

• Game Animator 
• Game Audio Engineer 
• Game Artist: 2D and/or 3D 
• Game Content Creator/Streamer 
• Game Designer, Level Designer 
• Game Development Educator/Trainer 
• Game Developer, Simulation Developer 
• Game Interface Designer 
• Game Producer/Project Manager 
• Game Programmer 

Qualification structure
This is an outline of the modules for this qualification per level.

Data for intake starting: 5 February 2025

• Higher Certificate in Information Systems (Game Design and Development) - Campus Full Time
• Admission Fee (ADMIN2-B00) - Admission Fee
• Game Design Fundamentals (ITGFA0-M00) - Core
• Game Development and Programming (ITGPA0-M00) - Core
• Game Art and Audio (ITGAA0-M00) - Core
• Game Development Platforms (ITGDA0-M00) - Core
• Game Project Management (ITGMA0-M00) - Core
• Computer Literacy (Microsoft) (ITCLA0-M00) - Fundamental
• Personal Skills Development (ITSDA0-M00) - Fundamental
• Mathematical Problem Solving and Reasoning (ITMMA0-M00) - Fundamental
• Program Design (ITPRA0-M00) - Fundamental
• Software Engineering (ITSEA0-M00) - Fundamental
• Database Design Concepts (ITDCA0-M00) - Fundamental