Master in Applied XR: Gamified Reality Applications (GRACE)
- Saint Pölten, Austria
- Enschede, Netherlands
MSc
DURATION
4 semesters
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
01 Feb 2026
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
EUR 1,500 / per semester *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for non-eu students | EUR 363.36 - for eu-students
Fast-track counseling
By contacting the school, you'll get access to free priority counselling for any study and application questions.
Key Summary
The GRACE Joint Master’s Programme offers a unique opportunity to gain in-depth expertise in Extended Reality (XR), gamified systems, and interactive learning design. This innovative joint Master of Science equips students with creative and technical skills for high-demand careers in healthcare, education, industry, and digital innovation.
You’ll study across three partner universities — St. Pölten UAS (Austria), Saxion UAS (Netherlands), and Vidzeme UAS (Latvia) — each bringing specialised strengths to the programme.
Your Studies
The programme spans four semesters, with a clear mobility path and project-based learning approach:
- Semester 1 – Austria: Foundations in XR, usability, and gamification
- Semester 2 – Netherlands: Prototyping, storytelling, business innovation
- Semester 3 – Latvia: Advanced XR applications, team-based project challenges
- Semester 4 – Flexible: Master’s thesis with academic or industry supervision
Each location provides a rich academic and cultural setting, helping you build a global outlook and strong international network.
Why Choose GRACE?
- Joint Master of Science — awarded by 3 European universities
- Study in Austria, the Netherlands, and Latvia
- Real-world XR projects from industry and societal partners
- Work with 25+ mentors — or bring your own industry connection
- Erasmus+ mobility funding available for all students
- Housing support offered at each university location
- Learn through gamified teaching methods and immersive tech
- Build an international career in XR, design, or education technology
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
Technical and Creative Skills
A bachelor’s degree in Information Technologies, Game Design, 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.
Erasmus+ Mobility Grants (available to all GRACE students)
All GRACE students are eligible for Erasmus+ mobility grants to help cover travel and living expenses during their international study periods.
- Typical support: Most students receive between €5,500–€7,000 for the full programme (covering up to 360 days across 2–3 mobility semesters), depending on the destination country, length of stay, and mode of transportation.
- Additional support: Students who qualify for the Erasmus+ students with fewer opportunities category are eligible for extra top-ups. In such cases, the total can reach up to €10,000. This category includes, for example, students with dependent children, or students with disabilities or chronic illnesses that lead to higher costs abroad. Full details on eligibility are available from the International Office at St. Pölten UAS.
These grants are administrated and paid out by St. Pölten UAS and typically apply up to 360 days across two or three mobility semesters.
Example: students can apply for Erasmus+ funding for the 2nd semester at Saxion and the 3rd semester at Vidzeme.
Scholarships and Financial Support
Merit-Based Tuition Waiver (for Non-EU Students)
The top 20% of non-EU students of each semester may receive a waiver of the increased tuition fee based on academic performance. In case several students have the same grade average, the amount is distributed between them.
External & National Grants
You are encouraged to explore national or international funding schemes. The Austrian Grant Database is a helpful starting point to find funding opportunities relevant to your country of origin. Webiste: https://grants.at/en/
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.
Graduates of the GRACE Joint Master’s Programme are prepared to work in one of the world’s fastest-growing tech sectors: Extended Reality (XR). You’ll develop the creative, technical, and collaborative skills to take on professional roles in:
- XR & game development
- Learning design & educational technology
- Healthcare training & simulation
- Smart industry & innovation consulting
- Digital UX and immersive design
- Academic or applied research in gamification / XR
GRACE prepares you to contribute meaningfully to real-world innovation in healthcare, education, industry, and beyond.