ARC ACADEMY Elevating Dreamers to Professionals
Bulgaria
With more than 38 000 professionals in the IT industry, Bulgaria is one of the biggest tech hubs in Europe. As part of it, the game dev industry is growing at a steady pace and offers great opportunities for young professionals. International game studios like Ubisoft, Gameloft, and Creative Assembly (SEGA), Bulgarian studios like Snapshot Games, XS Software, Imperia Online, and Haemimont, as well as various indie game developers, are working together to make Bulgaria a top destination for game development.
For more than 20 years now VFX studios in Bulgaria are working on series and movies delivered on streaming platforms and cinemas worldwide.
ARC Academy
ARC Academy is an educational institution preparing you for a fulfilling career in the game, film, and creative industries. It’s a place where creators advance as professionals. Our partners are leading studios in Bulgaria and Romania – Gameloft, Creative Assembly, Snapshot Games, ReDefine, AMC Ro Studio, Amber, and more.
Since 2019, more than 200 students have chosen to study at ARC Academy. We are proud to say that 85% of our graduates have found their workplace in the creative industries.
ARC Academy & Romanian Game Industry
228 studios with 6700 employees and collaborators are working in the Romanian game sector in 2021. The total value of the industry is 312 million dollars, says a report by the Romanian Game Developers Association. ARC Academy is a partner of the RGDA and together we’re collaborating on projects and events. The Romanian game dev industry is growing and needs more creative and talented people to join it as 3D and 2D artists, game and level designers, game programmers, etc. The Academy is working in partnership with some o the biggest game studios in Romania like Amber Studio, Gameloft Romania, AMC Ro Studio, and KillHouse. Together we organize multiple events such as boot camps, lectures, webinars, masterclasses, etc. We participate in the biggest educational event in Romania – Integral World Education Fair. We believe that these partnerships are beneficial for the development of the game industry in the region.
What you get?
Lecturers who are lead professionals in the creative, IT and game dev industry
Practical tasks and feedback
Computer halls with state-of-the-art equipment
Creating a portfolio
Relax areas and cafeteria
The Programs
The education at ARC Academy is practically oriented and meets the standards in the game, animation, VFX and creative industries. In the Academy, you will acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for the professions of the future. The programs are created in collaboration with the leading professionals from game, animation and VFX studios.
The programs will prepare you for the high demands of the job market in the game dev and VFX sector.
The first semester includes an introduction to every aspect of game development (for Game Dev Programs), and VFX and animation (for the VFX & Animation program). The goal is to help you understand the roles and work processes in the studios.
The second semester is the time for you to start directing your efforts toward your chosen career field – Game Design, Concept Art 3D Art, VFX or Animation.
During the third and fourth semesters, you get deeper into the process of creating video games, animation, or VFX for movies/series. You get knowledge and practical skills in one of the chosen fields – Game Design, Concept art, 3D Art, Animation and VFX. The final semester is time for you to work as a team on projects. Students in VFX & Animation join the Film Lab. Game Dev join Game Lab which simulates the workflow in an indie game studio. Together as team you create your first video game. You can watch the trailer for the game CAIM developed by our students in Game Dev Advanced:
Meet the lecturers
Our lecturers are lead professionals with years of experience in the game, movie film and IT industry. They teach, mentor, and inspire our students.
Tanko Shokerov
Dimitar Dimitrov
Momchil Gindyanov
Denimira Deneva
ARC's Students
We have met over 100 really talented and inspiring people who have become part of the ARC community. We are happy to introduce you to our students.
Come to Bulgaria to Study at ARC Academy
Sofia is the capital and largest city in Bulgaria. It is situated in the Sofia Valley at the foot of Vitosha Mountain in the western parts of the country. It has a humid continental climate with an average annual temperature of 10.9 °C. Bulgarian capital hosts around 1.24 million residents. Sofia is home to many of the major local universities, cultural institutions, and commercial companies. The city has been described as the “triangle of religious tolerance”. This is since three temples of three major world religions— Christianity, Islam, and Judaism – are situated within one square. Sofia has been named one of the top ten best places for start-up businesses in the world, especially in information technologies.
Partners
How to apply
If you are interested in studying at ARC Academy and want to relocate to Bulgaria, feel free to contact us at [email protected].
In an individual online meeting, our team will tell you everything you need to know about ARC Academy and will answer your questions.
We will be there to guide you through the application process. You can sign up for an online meeting with us here.
Deadlines for enrollment
Early Admission
February 28, 2023
Regular Admission
(until places are filled):
July 15, 2023
Classes start:
October, 2023
Entry criteria
Portfolio
If you have a portfolio, feel free to show it to us (5 to 7 from your best works). If not, you can send any screenwriting, creating writing, video content, music, or anything that shows your creative set.
Motivation
Tell us why we should choose you to study in the Game Dev Program! Why is ARC Academy the right place for the next step in your professional development? What are your future creative and professional plans?
CV
Tell us more about your educational background and interests!
Fees
The training at ARC Academy is based on modern methods and practical tasks. The lecturers are top professionals in their field and are ready to pass on their knowledge to the next generation of creators. The lectures are held in small groups, which shortens the distance between students and teachers and allows for regular feedback. Computer rooms are available to students at any time for practical tasks.
Studying at ARC Academy requires four semesters of dedicated work and the fee is:
2,400 euros per semester (VAT included) for EU Students
3,400 euros per semester (VAT included) for Non-EU Students
350 euros one-time admission fee
The tuition fee is paid in 3 installments*, as follows:
50% fee for semester 1
Upon registration
50% fee for semester 1
Until September 2023
100% fee for semester 2
Until February 15, 2024
*Non-EU students pay the fee for the 1st year in 1 installment, upon registration.