Game Development Studies in Bulgaria

We've been working with students from outside Bulgaria since 2022. And honestly, the mix of perspectives makes every project more interesting.

Next intake starts September 2025. Applications open February through June. Classes are taught in English, and we provide support with paperwork for student visas.

How We Actually Teach This Stuff

Most game dev programs throw theory at you for months before you touch real tools. We do it differently because that never worked for us when we were learning.

Projects From Week Two

You start building small playable prototypes almost immediately. Nothing fancy at first, but you're creating actual games, not just studying how other people made them.

Industry Mentors Who Still Ship Code

Our instructors work on live projects during the day. They bring current problems and solutions into class, which means you learn what's actually being used in studios right now.

Mixed Teams Like Real Studios

You'll work with artists, programmers, and designers on the same project. That's how games get made professionally, and it's better to figure out collaboration here than on your first job.

Portfolio Before Graduation

By the time you finish, you've got three to four completed projects you can show employers. Real work that demonstrates your skills, not just grades and certificates.

Student working on game development project in modern learning space
18-Month Program

What Happens After

We track outcomes because we want to know if what we're doing actually helps. Here's data from the 2023-2024 cohort who finished last spring.

Employment Timeline 4 Months

Average time to first industry position after graduation. Some find work faster, others take longer depending on specialization.

Portfolio Projects 3.5 Games

Average number of completed projects students showcase to employers. Ranges from mobile puzzles to PC indie titles.

Team Experience 12 Sprints

Number of two-week development cycles in cross-functional teams. You'll know how studio workflows feel before your first interview.

Portrait of Dorian, game programmer from Romania

Dorian

Now Junior Programmer at Sofia Mobile Studio

Came from Romania with zero coding background. Started with visual scripting, moved to C# by month three. His final project was a puzzle platformer that got him three interview callbacks.

Portrait of Elif, technical artist from Turkey

Elif

Technical Artist at Bulgarian VR Company

Studied traditional art in Turkey before switching to game development. She focused on shader work and pipeline optimization, which turned out to be exactly what local VR studios needed.

Students collaborating on game development project in classroom Game development workstation with multiple monitors

Questions People Actually Ask

We organized these by when people typically ask them, because your concerns change as you move through the process.

1

Before You Apply

Most international students wonder about logistics first. That makes sense when you're planning to move to a different country.

→ Do I need Bulgarian language skills? No, classes are in English. Though learning some basic Bulgarian helps with daily life.
→ What about visa requirements? We provide acceptance letters for student visa applications. Processing usually takes 6-8 weeks.
→ Can I work while studying? Student visas allow 20 hours per week during term time. Many students freelance or do QA testing.
2

During the Program

Once classes start, questions shift to practical concerns about keeping up with coursework and managing expenses.

→ What if I fall behind? We have weekly check-ins and pair you with advanced students for peer support.
→ How much are living costs? Ruse is cheaper than Sofia. Budget around €400-500 monthly for rent, food, and transport.
→ Do you help with accommodation? We maintain a list of student-friendly apartments and connect new students with current ones.
3

After Graduation

The transition from student to professional brings a different set of concerns, especially about staying in Bulgaria or moving elsewhere.

→ Can I work in Bulgaria after finishing? Yes, you can convert your student visa to a work permit with a job offer.
→ Do you help with job placement? We introduce graduates to studios we work with, but we don't guarantee positions.
→ What about working remotely? Many graduates work for international studios from Bulgaria. The timezone works well for EU clients.
4

Ongoing Support

We stay in touch with graduates because we're curious how careers develop, and sometimes they need advice years later.

→ Do you offer career counseling after graduation? Yes, alumni can schedule sessions with mentors whenever they're changing jobs or specializations.
→ Can I come back for advanced workshops? We run quarterly sessions on new tools and techniques. Alumni attend for free.
→ What about the alumni network? Active Slack channel with about 200 graduates. People share job openings and technical solutions regularly.

Application Window Opens February 2025

We review applications on a rolling basis until spots fill. Early submission helps with visa processing timelines. Send questions anytime though.

Get Application Details