Programming for Games, Web + Mobile
Create a focused software development portfolio in a fast-paced production environment that's driven by innovation.
You believe advanced software development is the crucial thread connecting today’s world. You see games and interactive media as new and exciting frontiers for innovation. You see new opportunities in web and mobile applications. You are creatively inspired by technical capabilities, and thrive on the challenges that they present. You can envision the future and want to build it today. You are a programmer.
An Education in Programming for Games, Web + Mobile
WEB DEVELOPMENT
Create light-weight and efficient realtime applications that run across distributed devices and take full advantage of cloud technologies.
MOBILE DEVELOPMENT (ANDROID OR IOS)
Investigate the power of Android and iOS technology, and how it can deliver meaningful experiences to user.
Interactive Entertainment Development
Learn how to write a game engine from the ground up to develop a small game engine capable of rendering 3D models.
Program Breakdown
Delve into the fundamental theories, key concepts, and processes involved in creating high-quality games, web, and mobile projects. Work with 2D and 3D design tools and discover asset pipelines for large projects.
Enhance your skill set by utilizing C++ programming language, Object Oriented Programming techniques, and mobile applications for the Apple iPad and iPhone.
Develop your ability to manage projects and assimilate requirements into a production-ready technical document. Create mobile apps and communicate with online networks and payment solution providers, using the Android platform and Java language.
Prepare for your career and discover fundamental skills in quality assurance. Encounter the key features of artificial intelligence in Unity and the building blocks that influence the gaming experience.
Focus on crafting your portfolio, and utilize Windows and OpenGL with C++ programming to create a simple game engine. Develop presentation skills to tackle a large industry audience.
Demonstrate knowledge in Winsock and the protocols TCP/IP and UDP. Create a cloud project that utilizes Amazon web services and synthesize all of your work in a professional-quality website showcase.
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Program Length
12 months
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Time spent with instructors
1000+ Hours
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Coding Languages Taught
8
Specializations
Game Development / Web Development
See program breakdown and full course descriptions for more information.- A Diploma in Programming for Games, Web + Mobile
- A professional-quality online portfolio
- Access to the VFS Alumni Directory and Job Board
Student Work
Alan Porto da Silva, Andreia Goncalves, Steve Macias, Meabh McCarthy
Game
TIB is a third-person 3v3 MOBA, where players fight for control points that, when captured, generate points for the team. Developed in collaboration with Game Design students Milton Ferreira and Benjamin Spialter in the Unity engine.
Taylor Powell, Taylor Evans
Game
Time Passage an endless 2.5D fast-paced shooter and exploration dungeon crawler with a cartoon style. Created in Unity and developed in collaboration with Game Design students Juan Manuel Barrera and Thomas Irvine.
Hugo Moraleida
Game
Recollection is a first-person puzzle game where players take on the role of an elderly man on his death bed traversing through his mind while solving spatial puzzles. The Data Tracking + Visualization project is a toolset for recording Recollection playthroughs and visualizing player pathing at edit mode, improving the level design iteration process.
Harman Singh & Lewis Feng
Mobile App
PARK-It is an iOS app designed to make parking in the city easier. It uses Google Maps framework, Google Place API, AFNetworking and a self-managed server to store and edit a live parking database.
Mitchell Ganton + Pedro Landaverde
Web
Connect is a tool that joins users within an organization to local businesses, events, and each other, to enhance their experience within that organization. The tool is based on location and integrated with Google Maps to assist users with choosing their destination. It can be tailored for schools or businesses.
Key Faculty
Our Programming instructors come right from the industry, and offer an unparalleled education based on decades of real-world experience, designed to give students the skills, contacts and confidence to kick start their careers.
Peter Walsh
Head of School of Creative Technologies
Peter is a game industry software development veteran with over 12 years' expertise as a technical leader, senior software engineer, and consultant for large projects. He is the author of several books on game engine design.
Chris Mitchell
Senior Instructor
Chris is an educator and industry veteran with more than 10 years' experience as an award-winning writer and game designer. He is one of the first people in the game industry to receive a nomination from the Writers Guild of America.
Scott Henshaw
Senior Instructor
Scott has been in the software industry for almost 25 years. After 12 years as a producer/director on a number of award winning new titles for Electronic Arts, he branched off to run his own development company producing HTML5 games before coming to VFS.
Daesik Jang
Instructor - Programming
Daesik has worked as a professor, researcher and software developer over 15 years since his PhD in Computer Science, teaching and developing new software technologies including Computer Vision, Face Recognition and mobile applications. He is an Adjunct Professor of UBC and VP of a mobile startup to lead research and production of challenging softwares.
See more Instructors and staff
Faculty Career Highlights
Campus Life
Vancouver is a hub for the entertainment arts and a burgeoning tech scene, with more than 80,000 employees at 8,900 companies and over 350 active startups.
You learn and create in Vancouver's world-renowned Chinatown district. The Programming for Games, Web + Mobile campus has 24/7 access to every resource – studio spaces, arcades, and asset libraries – so you can focus on making the best work possible.
Program Events
Industry Night: Hello World
Towards the end of the program, you'll present your game or application (that you've spent the 6 months developing) to an invite-only audience of industry professionals. This is your chance to show them what you've got!
Guest Speakers
Hear from veterans in the game, web, and mobile industries. Recent guests have included Jaako Iisalo and Matthew Wilson of Rovio Mobile (Angry Birds), Alan Shen of Microsoft's Entertainment Experiences Group (EXG), and Google's former UX Lead Peter Jin Hong.
Hat Jam
Participate in extra-curricular programming competitions that rely on your growing skill sets for project management and collaboration. One of these is known as “Hat Jam”, in which student teams solve a programming challenge within a limited time frame.
Cross-Program Collaboration
Collaborate with students in the Game Design or Digital Design programs. You'll pitch these interdisciplinary group projects to industry audiences at private events.
CAREERS IN PROGRAMMING
As a graduate of Programming for Games, Web + Mobile, you’ll be trained to perform in a variety of roles within leading global companies and trailblazing startups. Your skills will be applicable to an array of cross-platform initiatives, across multiple industries.
Games
The video game industry is one of the largest sectors in entertainment. As a programming professional, you'll take on positions that will impact how players interact with massive franchises and indie hits. Positions include AI Developer, Engine Programmer, Gameplay Developer, Graphics Programmer, Shader Developer, Full Stack Web Developer, and VFX Programmer.
Web
The way we experience the web is constantly evolving, and professionals in this field are responsible for solving challenges for users and companies alike. Some position titles include Front-End Developer, Network Programmer, UI Developer, and Web Developer.
Mobile
Mobile technology is unique in that its growth is directly related to rapid advances in the smartphone and tablet marketplace. Your success in this field relies on your technical and creative agility. Position titles include Mobile Software Developer and Mobile UX/UI Designer.
Alumni Success
Vancouver Film School grads are some of the most successful professionals in the programming industry. Take a moment to browse some of their accomplishments and achievements. The Alumni Success Stories feature tales of triumph and fame, and will open in another window to take you to the VFS Blog page. Grad Career Highlights offers a glimpse at some of our amazing alumni credits and contributions to the industry.
Grad Career Highlights
Testimonials
Admissions Info
To make sure you have accurate admissions information please select your region based on country of citizenship.
Tuition
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Start Dates
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Requirements
You will be asked to submit one of the following along with your application. Your advisor can help with selecting the best option.
Show us your code! Include a 1-2 page excerpt of source code you want to show off, and a 1-page descriptive summary for each project. You must also have intermediate PC computer skills, including working knowledge of Microsoft Office. Familiarity with HTML is an asset. You'll find information on how to send your portfolio in the application form, or you can ask your Advisor.
When you talk to your Advisor, let them know which VFS program you've completed and they will put a copy of your diploma in your file for you.
For more about language requirements and other information for international students, visit the International Students page.
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