The program allows you to immerse yourself in the process of inventing the history and rules of the game and unlock your creativity.
In this program, you’ll expand your programming knowledge and venture into the vast universe of video game development. You will learn C++ in-depth and participate in game development in Unreal Engine in multidisciplinary teams with game designers, 2D and 3D artists. The 2-year program has been developed and will be taught by leading professionals from game studios with over 10 years of experience. The director of the program and lecturer in it is Nikolay Dimitrov, technical director at Gameloft Sofia.
The Game Programming program was developed by leading game developers from the largest studios in Bulgaria and will teach you good practices to start working as a game programmer after the first year. You will study C++ – the game development standard in depth and work in the Unreal Engine. As a student at ARC Academy, you get the following:
As students in the program, you will be ready to start working as junior programmers in game studios after completing the first year, and in the second year, you will deepen your knowledge and continue working on practical projects. In the program, you will build a solid foundation of knowledge and skills and acquire the mindset required in software engineering.
In the final, fourth semester, you will work together with students from the Game Design, Concept Art and 3D Art disciplines to develop a video game. Our Game Lab simulates the work process in an indie studio and your lecturers and mentors will be studio managers and game developers from the biggest studios in our country – Creative Assembly Sofia, Gameloft Sofia, Snapshot Games and others. Upon completion, you’ll have a real video game in your portfolio.
The Game Programming program was developed by leading game developers from the largest studios in Bulgaria and will teach you good practices to start working as a game programmer after the first year. You will study C++ – the game development standard in depth – and work in the Unreal Engine. As a student at ARC Academy, you get the following:
The program will allow you to expand your programming knowledge and start working as a game programmer in video game studios. The course is suitable for anyone who has knowledge of the syntax and basic concepts of C++, understands the basic principles of OOP and loves video games.
By the time you finish this course you should have acquired the following knowledge and skills, which you’ll be able to use right away in your work or add to your resumé:
What would you study?
In the first year, you will lay the foundations of practical game programming – mathematics, engine layout, etc. You will work on hands-on tasks in Unreal Engine. In the second year, you will emphasize on practical activities and a collection of masterclasses that are the pinnacle of practice in game development – game artificial intelligence, video game physics, rendering, low-level networking, multithreading, user interface, etc. In the final semester, you will develop industrial-quality games alongside game designers, 2D and 3D artists.
Select way of study
The training in ARC Academy ends with a practical phase – Game Lab. Students from the different programs – Concept Art, 3D Art, Game Design and Game Programming make their own indie studio and develop a video game together. Everyone contributes with the acquired skills and career roles. Game Programming students are involved in gameplay programming, game engines and AI. Working during the Game Lab allows you to learn through your own experience what the process of developing a video game is. During the process, the team is supported by a real producer from a game studio.
Our classes are taught by seasoned professionals who are willing to transfer industry know-how to the younger generation. The teaching process is interactive and mostly practice-oriented. That is why lecturers closely follow each student’s progress and provide personalized feedback.
To reach the admission with us, you need to go through the following steps:
Step 1
The application includes: personal information, your CV, a portfolio and motivation for studying at the Academy. You should also attach your certificate of English language proficiency.
Step 2
The interview is your chance to concisely present yourself as a quality candidate for ARC Academy.
Step 3
As a final step, you will be given a task with specific conditions, depending on the program you have chosen.
First fee
50% of the first academic year fee with the submission of the documents (this guarantees your place in the program)
On-campus 2 400 Euro for Bulgarian and EU Students
Distance learning 2 400 Euro for Bulgarian Students
2 880 Euro for International students (EU and Non-EU students)
Second fee
Fee 2: 50% of the fee for the first academic year – (until September 15, 2025)
On-campus 2 400 Euro for Bulgarian and EU Students
Distance learning 2 400 Euro for Bulgarian Students
2 880 Euro for International students (EU and Non-EU students)
First fee
Fee 1: 50% of the fee for the second academic year – (until July 15, 2026)
On-campus 2 400 Euro for Bulgarian and EU Students
Distance learning 2 400 Euro for Bulgarian Students
2 880 Euro for International students (EU and Non-EU students)
Second fee
Fee 2: 50% of the fee for the first academic year – (until September 15, 2026)
On-campus 2 400 Euro for Bulgarian and EU Students
Distance learning 2 400 Euro for Bulgarian Students
2 880 Euro for International students (EU and Non-EU students)
Thousands of students have gone through the ARC Academy experience. Here are a few of their stories:
Concept Artist, Haemimont Games
“Our tutors were professionals with experience in the field and they introduced me to the expectations and realities of the industry. I was kind of armed with the knowledge to figure out how to prepare and what to put in my portfolio, which ultimately helped me land a job.”
2D Concept Designer, Evolution Engineering Bulgaria
“I started working even before I graduated from the Academy, but the professionalism of the lecturers, the advice and knowledge they gave me during the training unlocked in me the desire to develop, learn and improve every day. With this attitude comes self-confidence and confidence in what you do and you show it when you apply for a job position. Everything else is a matter of a lot of work and a little luck.”
ARC Academy students complete their studies with a practical project, developing a video game as a team. Each participant contributes with their acquired skills, taking on a role that aligns with their career goals—ranging from designers to 2D and 3D artists. Under the guidance of mentors, they create their first game by following the real workflow of an indie studio. This approach not only enhances their technical and creative abilities but also prepares them for the dynamics of the professional environment.
Ready to take your education further? Head to our secure application process and submit an application for admission.
More about our AdmissionsGot a question?
If you’d like more information on the application process, admission requirements or enrollment, feel free to write to us and a team representative will get in touch with you shortly.
Contacts
On-campus 
Distance
