Digital Learning Games (MA)

Through theory, practical, and design-based work, you will develop skills that can be applied not just to designing engaging games but to a wide range of fields. Whether you are an educator, designer, developer, artist, researcher, or career changer, this programme will help you turn your ideas into impactful games.

You don't need to be a programmer to design effective learning games. The Digital Learning Games programme puts game design at the core, with a focus on creating games that go beyond entertainment to support learning and address real-world and societal challenges. You will combine game design with educational sciences and psychology, while also developing the practical skills, ranging from coding to narrative and artistic design, needed to bring games to life. Learning is hands-on and project-based, with many courses bringing together an interdisciplinary team to produce tangible outcomes each semester and also build their personal portfolios. With an international student community and an innovation-focused environment in Estonia, you will learn alongside people from different academic and professional backgrounds and develop the skills to create games with purpose. Aside from the classroom and project-based studies, you will also be able to take part in hackathons, game jams, and ICT events both at and outside of Tallinn University.

This programme is right for you if you are:

• An educator who wants to use games and play to create more engaging learning experiences.
• A designer or artist who wants to apply your creative skills to games with an educational or social purpose.
• A developer or technology enthusiast who wants to combine technology with game design, learning and human behaviour.
• A psychologist or education specialist who wants to explore how games can influence learning, motivation and behaviour.
• A game enthusiast or aspiring game designer who wants to learn how to design meaningful games, even if you do not have previous programming or game-engine experience.
• A programmer or developer who wants to explore another avenue for their skills
• A career changer who is interested in moving into a field where games, education, design, and technology meet.

At the core of the programme, there are three main areas:

• Game design and gamification
• Educational psychology
• Game development

Some of the core courses include:

• Introduction to Digital Learning Games and Game Studies
• Fundamentals of Game Design
• Learning Game Development
• Games for Learning and Teaching

Aside from the core courses, you will have a selection of elective courses which (among other topics) allow you to look into the game industry, learn about the use of artificial intelligence in games, as well as learn the basics of interactive storytelling.

Explore the study programme

Learn by creating

Apply your knowledge through practical projects, develop games and explore how game-based approaches can be used in real educational and professional contexts. Explore a few games created by Digital Learning Games students.

Lustakad õhupallid (Balloons)

Play the game

Methodyca

Watch the trailer
Find more information about the game and play

Internship opportunities

Internship (professional placement) is a compulsory part of the study programme. It is carried out either in a public or private organisation in accordance with the study programme’s internship guidelines and the approved professional placement plan. The professional placement comprises 156 hours, including the completion of a professional placement diary and the preparation of the report. It is also possible to apply to carry out a traineeship abroad. More about the internship possibilities.

Erasmus+ and exchange opportunities

Gives students the ability to participate in exchange programs at partner universities in Europe and outside of the European Union. Exchange is possible with universities with which Tallinn University has signed an Erasmus+ agreement. Erasmus+ programme offers different scholarships. More about the exchange possibilities.

Finishing your studies

At the end of your studies, you 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.

Career Opportunities

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.
• ICT: DLG alumni have used their skills to help integrate gamification and improve the user experience in various software companies and tech startups.
• Academia: completing the programme opens up a pathway to pursue a doctoral degree in educational technology, game studies and other relevant fields.

After Master's Studies, you will also have the opportunity to continue on an academic pathway to PhD Studies at Tallinn University.

Explore the PhD Programmes

Meet our alumni

Student life and learning environment

Meet our teaching staff

Admissions

Application dates:   

• International applicants: 1 November 2026 – 1 March 2027 
• Local and eligible applicants: 1 November 2026 – 29 June 2027 at 1 PM (EEST)

View detailed admission requirements and timelines for applicants. 

General requirements

• Completed Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent
• Proof of English Proficiency

Please see the complete overview of admission and application requirements for Master's level applicants.

Required application documents

• Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Motivation letter (maximum 700 words)
• Portfolio

Entrance exams

The entrance examination consists of two components:

1. Assessment of submitted documents (50%) – evaluation of the motivation letter and portfolio.
2. Admission interview (50%) – assessment of the applicant's motivation, communication skills, and ability to present an original learning game or research idea.

Assessment

The entrance examination consists of an assessment of the motivation letter and portfolio (50 points) and an interview (50 points), with applicants required to score at least 35 points in each component to pass.

1. Assessment of submitted documents (50 points)

Motivation letter

The aim of the motivation letter is to introduce the applicant’s background and articulate their interest in the fields of game design and game-based learning. The motivation letter should provide an overview of how the applicant’s personal and professional background connects to their interest in the programme and discuss how the study of game design and game-based learning is relevant to their future career. Whenever relevant, applicants are encouraged to highlight specific games, academic publications, as well as personal and professional experiences that connect to their discussion. The motivation letter should be up to 700 words long.

Portfolio

The portfolio may be submitted as a PDF file or as a URL (e.g., the applicant’s personal page, GitHub repository, Itch.io or ArtStation page, etc.). The contents of the portfolio depend on the applicant’s background and will be evaluated relative to their professional experience.

• Applicants with a background in education: course syllabi, lesson plans, any teaching materials developed. A short annotation introducing the materials’ context of use should be included.
• Applicants with a design background: digital or non-digital games, apps, or prototypes, design and concept documents, etc. Games may range from game jam entries and school projects to published work. For group projects, a description of the applicant’s role and contribution should be included.
• Applicants with a background in visual art, graphic design, music, creative writing, etc.: a selection of creative works with brief annotations explaining the context.
• Applicants with a background in computer science and software engineering: examples of previous work, preferably in the form of code repositories, and a short description of each included project’s background and functionality.
• Applicants with a research background: one or several publications, including bibliographies. For work with multiple authors, the applicant’s specific contribution should be stated.
• Applicants with other backgrounds: a selection of practical work that demonstrates their specific skill set and a brief description of the context behind it.
• A recent graduate may submit their final thesis or project, or any relevant work completed during their undergraduate studies.

2. Admission interview (50 points)

During the admission interview, the applicant will be asked a series of questions based on their motivation letter and portfolio, as well as invited to briefly present an original idea for a learning game that relates to their interests and expertise, or an idea for a research project related to game-based learning or game design.

Assessment criteria

The application is evaluated based on:

• how specific its content is to the study programme
• how clearly written and structured it is
• how clearly it articulates the programme’s relevance to the applicant’s educational and professional background, as well as their career vision
• to what extent it demonstrates familiarity with the field
• to what extent the skills and outputs presented in the portfolio are relevant to the study programme

The admission interview is scored based on:

• the applicant’s language fluency and communication skills
• the applicant’s ability to offer meaningful and specific responses to the interviewers’ questions
• the applicant’s ability to present a learning game idea or a research idea that is clear, meaningful, and does not merely replicate existing work

To pass the entrance examination, applicants must score at least 35 out of a maximum of 50 points in each category.

Scholarships

As part of our commitment to fostering academic excellence, Tallinn University offers tuition discounts for the top three applicants (in the first semester) and students (in subsequent semesters) in the programme.

75% tuition discount to the highest-performing applicant or student: The top-performing applicant or student will be awarded a 75% tuition discount. This prestigious award recognises those who have demonstrated exceptional academic ability, innovative approaches to digital learning, or significant contributions to the field of learning games.

50% tuition discount to the second highest-performing applicant or student: The second-best applicant or student will receive a 50% discount on tuition fees. This discount is for those who have shown strong potential and excellent performance, contributing meaningfully to the development of digital learning experiences through games.

25% tuition discount to the third highest-performing applicant or student: The third-place applicant or student will be awarded a 25% tuition discount. This is aimed at students who have demonstrated solid academic achievement, creativity, and dedication to advancing the role of digital games in education.

Please note:

The recipients of the scholarship for the first semester will be announced on September 1, 2027 (once all newly enrolled students are confirmed). 

Explore university-wide tuition waivers and scholarship opportunities.

Move to Tallinn

Studying in Tallinn means studying at a compact European capital where education, technology and digital innovation meet. As an international student, you can benefit from Tallinn University's support and access practical information to help you settle into life in Estonia, from the basics of accommodation to the details about working while studying and of course, where to find the student support services. 

Find information about:

• Accommodation
• VISA information
• Healthcare and insurance
• Cost of living
• Public transport
• Working while studying
• Peer support and student buddies
• Student Support Centre

Explore more practical topics that might come up as you relocate.

Contacts

Kristi Oikimus
Study Counsellor and Specialist

For additional guidelines regarding the admission procedure, please contact the international admission specialist: