First-ever online game music and sound design master’s degrees announced

University graduates will be able to study towards master’s degrees in video game music online for the first time from this September.

ThinkSpace Education, an online music school specialised in film, TV and agmes composition, has joined up with the UK’s University of Chichester to offer what the pair claim are the ‘world’s first’ online MAs and MFA in game-related audio subjects.

The three programmes are Composing for Video Games (Master of Arts), Sound Design for Video Games (Master of Arts) and Game Music and Audio (Master of Fine Art).

The MA courses run for 12 months full-time or two to three years part-time, while the MFA in Game Music and Audio spans 24 months full-time or two to three years part-time.

Set to begin this September, the post-graduate subjects are said to cover both the technical and creative skills needed for creating music and sound effects in games. The courses include one-on-one personal tuition, tutor feedback, online workshops, group tutorials and webinars.

ThinkSpace’s faculty includes composers and sound designers who have worked on games franchises such as Assassin’s Creed, BioShock, Fallout, Mass Effect, Tomb Raider and Dragon Age.

Meanwhile, the University of Chichester’s programme liaison tutor Dr Stephen Baystead has composed for Need for Speed and Project Cars, serving as audio director at Slightly Mad Studios during the latter title’s development.

“There are plenty of music and sound production schools yet, despite increasing interest in video game soundtracks, almost none who specialize in game music and audio,” said ThinkSpace course director Guy Michelmore.

“We’re excited to offer the first online master’s degrees in composing and sound design for video games.”