What degree do you need to work in the games industry in 2026? A clear guide to gaming degrees, career paths and what studios really look for in job candidates.

gaming degree course

The games industry is bigger, more varied, and more competitive than ever. If you’re looking at a career in games in 2026, one of the first questions you’ll ask is simple: what degree do I actually need?

Do you need a degree to work in the games industry?

Strictly speaking, no. But in reality, most studios now expect formal training alongside a strong portfolio. 

A gaming degree won’t replace talent, but it gives you structured skill development, industry-standard tools, collaboration experience, and professional feedback. All of these elements are hard to replicate alone.

Which games degrees lead to real jobs?

The best degree depends on what role you want in the industry. Common pathways include:

  • Game Art for character artists, environment artists and UI designers
  • Games Design for level designers, systems designers and creative leads
  • Games Audio for sound designers, composers and technical audio specialists

These degrees focus on practical skills, teamwork and production pipelines rather than theory alone.

Is a general computing or art degree enough to work in gaming?

A general degree can work, but it often lacks games-specific workflows, engines and studio-style projects. Specialist gaming degrees teach you how real studios operate, how teams collaborate, and how to build a portfolio that recruiters actually want to see.

What do games studios really care about when hiring?

Studios look first at:

  • Your portfolio or showreel
  • Your understanding of game pipelines and tools
  • Your ability to work in a team

A good gaming degree is designed around these exact outcomes.

So what’s the best route into a games career  in 2026?

If you want to enter the industry faster and with clearer direction, a specialist undergraduate games degree is still one of the most effective routes, especially when it’s taught by industry professionals and focused on real-world projects.