Master in Digital Learning Games
Tallinn, Estonia
Master degree
DURATION
4 semesters
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
EUR 3,000 / per semester *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* 2000 (EU/EEA citizens) per semester / 3000 (non-EU/EEA citizens) per semester
Key Summary
At its core, DLG is a game design programme. What makes us different from other programmes is that we focus on learning games and so-called serious games: games that can be used in education and training, raise awareness about social issues, improve players’ physical and mental health, and so on.
The programme’s main strengths are:
- Unique focus: in DLG, you will learn not only how to design games, but how to maximise their learning potential and societal impact.
- Interdisciplinary curriculum: DLG integrates game design with education sciences, psychology, and broader game studies, offering a uniquely multifaceted approach to digital games. The curriculum also covers other core skills necessary for game production: programming, art, project management, etc.
- Project-based learning: we believe that the best way to learn is by doing. This is why many courses in Digital Learning Games are structured as interdisciplinary team projects focused on producing a tangible outcome, which helps students build up their portfolios.
- International community: with students from 45+ countries, DLG offers an enriching intercultural experience and provides a foundation for building international networks.
- Innovation-centred environment: Estonia is one of Europe’s innovation hubs: it has the most start-ups per capita and was the world’s first nation to introduce e-government. You will be able to take part in hackathons, game jams, and ICT events both at and outside of Tallinn University.
Who are we looking for?
Digital Learning Games is a programme for those who want to design meaningful and impactful games: designers and educators interested in exploring games’ transformative potential, developers and artists expanding into game creation, and career-changers from other fields. Game creation requires different skills and is usually a team effort involving people from diverse fields.
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, including but not limited to.
- Programming: software development, using game engines
- Visual art: 2D or 3D art, animation
- Audio: sound design, music composition, and production
- Education: instructional design, educational technology, teaching
- Research: psychology, sociology of education, design theory, etc.
We do not require prior programming knowledge or familiarity with game engines. If you wish to learn these skills, the programme will provide a supportive environment to do so. If you already have them, you will certainly be able to put them into practice. And if you would like to focus on other aspects of game creation (design, asset creation, etc.), you are welcome to do so.
How is this program structured?
Digital Learning Games is a two-year programme taught in English. At the core of the programme is the Game Design, which includes the following courses:
- Introduction to Digital Learning Games and Game Studies.
- Fundamentals of Game Design.
- Learning Game Development.
- Games for Learning and Teaching.
Students can also choose from a variety of elective courses that support specialisation in game development, educational psychology, game art, or industry."
At the end of their studies, students will produce a research-based Master’s thesis, which may focus on designing and testing a digital game or gamified tool; using game-based approaches in educational and work settings; and other relevant topics.
DLG alumni pursue careers in a wide range of fields where games, learning, and design intersect. Common career paths include:
- Game industry: DLG alumni work as designers, developers, and in other roles in game studios in Estonia and beyond.
- Education: many of our graduates work as educational technologists, teachers, and instructional designers in both formal and non-formal education.
- Academia: completing the programme opens up a pathway to pursue a doctoral degree in educational technology, game studies, and other relevant fields.
- ICT: DLG alumni have used their skills to help integrate gamification and improve the user experience in various software companies and tech startups.