GRACE Master's Programme
DURATION
4 Semesters
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
30 Jun 2025
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
EUR 1,500 / per semester *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for non-eu students | EUR 363.36 - for eu-students
Introduction
The GRACE Master’s Programme equips you with the expertise to design and implement cutting-edge solutions using Extended Reality (XR) and gamification. This unique program integrates creativity, technology, and entrepreneurship to prepare you for high-demand careers in industries like healthcare, education, and industrial training.
Your Studies
The GRACE curriculum spans four semesters, each providing practical and theoretical knowledge to address real-world challenges. With GRACE’s Integrated Mobility Concept, you will study in three European countries, gaining a global perspective and leveraging the unique strengths of each partner university.
Semester 1: St. Pölten UAS - Austria
Foundation in XR, gamification, and user-centred design principles.
Semester 2: Saxion UAS - The Netherlands
Development of innovative, low-fidelity prototypes through hands-on collaboration with industry partners.
Semester 3: Vidzeme UAS - Latvia
Advanced implementation of high-fidelity XR prototypes and preparation for market applications.
Semester 4: One Campus of Choice
Completion of the Path to Reality module, focusing on professional growth and creating a market-ready product.
Throughout the program, you’ll engage with mentors, industry partners, and fellow students, gaining practical experience and a robust network.
What Makes GRACE Unique?
Path to Reality Dashboard
An innovative dashboard tracks your professional development throughout the program. Built on the European Entrepreneurial Competence Framework, it helps you monitor progress, refine skills, and achieve your career goals.
Industry Collaboration
Gain hands-on experience by working with industry partners. From project planning to creating market-ready prototypes, you’ll develop solutions that address real-world challenges while collaborating with experts.
Global Mobility and Expertise
Study in Austria, the Netherlands, and Latvia, benefiting from the unique expertise of each partner university. The integrated mobility concept ensures that you develop a global outlook and cross-cultural communication skills.
Advanced XR and Gamification Focus
Specialised courses in XR application design, gamification, and user-centred methodologies equip you with the skills to excel in dynamic industries such as healthcare, education, and industrial training.
Your Benefits
Career Advancement
Prepare for sought-after positions that require advanced skills in XR development across multiple industries.
Global Engagement
Benefit from a diverse learning environment and internships that will give you a strong international experience.
Networking & Impact
Connect with industry leaders to build a professional network that spans the globe. Our collaboration with industry and research institutes is not just about knowledge but about creating pathways to future employment. The mentorship programme integrated into our curriculum bridges the gap between academic learning and professional application.
Gallery
Curriculum
Course Contents
GRACE - Gamified Reality Applications for Real-world Challenges and Experiences is an innovative Joint Master Programme led by a consortium of partners belonging to the European University Alliance designed to master the art and science of Extended Reality (XR) and gamification for enhanced learning experiences.
This interdisciplinary programme focuses on developing advanced XR tools that are revolutionising professional education, training, and skill development across healthcare, education, and industrial sectors.
Semester Breakdown
The integrated mobility path linking three European countries promises a magnificent lifetime experience and a unique opportunity to build an extensive professional network to start a career.
Within GRACE’s integrated mobility concept, you will complete the:
1st Semester at St. Pölten UAS in Austria
Focused on the fundamentals of XR and gamification, you will begin with a basic boot camp and move on to concept development and preliminary design work, setting the stage for your GRACE journey.
2nd Semester at Saxion UAS in The Netherlands
Dive into specialised courses in game design principles and educational methodologies to learn how to transform traditional content into engaging, interactive experiences.
3rd Semester at Vidzeme UAS in Latvia
Adopting a more technical focus, you will develop high-fidelity prototypes, engage in user testing, and begin to understand the business side of bringing an XR product to market.
4th Semester at one of the three locations
Curriculum
1st year of studies
1st semester: St. Pölten UAS
Path to Reality
- Exposé
Design & Innovation
- Innovation & Creative ProblemSolving
- Agile Software Life Cycle Management
- Applied Artificial Intelligence
Didactics & Gamification
- Bootcamp
- Media-Based Instructional Design
Development & Implementation
- Object-Oriented Programming
- Augmented & Virtual Reality in Health, Industry and Education-Related Contexts
- Audio for Extended Realities
Evaluation & Dissemination
- Scientific Writing, Presentation,& Dissemination
- Selected Legal Topics for Developers & Designers
- Usability & Experience Evaluation
2nd semester: Saxion UAS
Path to Reality
- Low-Fi Prototype
Design & Innovation
- Design & Implementation of XR
- Learning Experiences
Didactics & Gamification
- Fundamentals of XR and Learning Theories
- Principles of Gamification Design
- Business Strategy for Gamification Solutions
Development & Implementation
- Prorotype Development
- Elective courses: Unfamiliar Territory, Technical Prototyping, Multimodal Interaction
Evaluation & Dissemination
- Research Design
2nd year of studies
3rd semester: Vidzeme UAS
Path to Reality
- High-Fi Prototype
Design & Innovation
- Hackathon
Development & Implementation
- XR Hardware and Physical Structure
- Mobile and Web-Based XR Solutions
- Advanced 3D Modelling within Interactive Environments
- Geometry Processing & Visualisation
Evaluation & Dissemination
- Scientific Publications and Knowledge Transfer
4th semester
- Project Implementation & Evaluation
- Final Examination
Ideal Students
Technical and Creative Skills
A bachelor’s degree in Game Design, Information Technologies, or a related field.
Passion for XR and Gamification
A strong interest in applying these technologies innovatively to solve global challenges.
Commitment to Excellence
A drive to succeed and contribute meaningfully to the future of XR and gamification.
Admissions
Program Outcome
Graduates of the GRACE programme are uniquely positioned to meet the rising demand for XR professionals in key industries. The program’s focus on innovation, collaboration, and entrepreneurship ensures that you leave equipped to lead in your chosen field.
Key benefits include:
- Developing advanced technical and design skills for real-world applications.
- Gaining practical experience through hands-on collaboration with industry mentors.
- Building an international network across three countries.
- Learning to design impactful solutions that blend creativity with technology.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Career Prospects
Recent advancements in technologies like Extended Reality (XR) are profoundly shaping our learning processes and skill acquisition. XR applications, whether in simulated or real environments for training, therapy, education, or entertainment, have seen a significant surge.
Key focus areas include:
- Health
- Industry
- Education
- Green Initiatives
- Art & Design