Distinguish the roles before choosing a program
A game or animation team brings together people with very different skill sets. On the technical side, there is game programming, tools programming and graphics programming. On the artistic side, common roles include 3D modelling, character animation, environment design, visual effects and art direction. On the design side, there is game design, level design, narrative design and user experience design. Sound, production and quality assurance round out the picture.
These roles do not require the same education. Programming generally involves studying computer science or software engineering. Artistic roles involve visual arts, animation or design. Production and design can draw on varied educational backgrounds. A generalist “video game” program may suit a student who is undecided, but it risks not exploring any role in depth. Before enrolling, it is useful to find two or three actual job descriptions and compare their requirements with the program’s course outline.
Read the Canadian data from Statistics Canada
On August 27, 2025, Statistics Canada published a profile of the video game industry across the provinces, covering the years 2013 to 2022. The number of businesses rose from 775 in 2013 to 1,628 in 2022, peaking at 1,700 in 2021. Employment, measured in labour units rather than the number of people, rose from 27,612 to 59,689 over the same period. Total revenue reached $7,069.7 million in 2022.
The provincial distribution for 2022 shows contrasting patterns. Ontario had the most businesses (638), followed by British Columbia (426) and Quebec (338). For employment, Quebec led with 25,598 units, ahead of British Columbia (19,079) and Ontario (12,860). The territories are excluded from the analysis because of the small sample sizes.
These data end in 2022. They do not describe the layoffs that have since occurred at some studios or the current state of the market.
Add the U.S. figures for related occupations
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) publishes the median salary for special effects artists and animators: US$102,030 in May 2025, with a bachelor’s degree as the typical entry-level education. For software developers, quality assurance analysts and testers as a whole, it projects growth of 10% between 2025 and 2035, with a median salary of US$134,040 in May 2025.
These categories do not align with the game industry. Animators also work in film, television, advertising and multimedia, and software developers work across all sectors. None of these figures describes the specific situation in game studios, where production cycles and geographic concentration influence employment.
The sources consulted do not provide reliable statistics on employment stability in video games. An educational decision should not rest on a single figure, especially if it comes from another country.
Focus on the portfolio or demo reel
In the visual arts, the BLS emphasizes that a strong portfolio is essential. This idea extends to game and animation occupations: studios assess work more than a transcript. A programming applicant presents online projects, an art applicant presents a demo reel or a collection of work, and a design applicant presents design documents and playable prototypes.
Some programs also include a portfolio in their admission requirements. Concordia University’s computation arts program, a three- to four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts, requires a letter of intent and a portfolio submitted directly to the department, with a February 1 deadline for international and U.S. applicants.
To build this portfolio, completed team projects are the most useful: version control, meeting deadlines and reviewing lessons learned. Student competitions and rapid-creation events also provide concrete evidence of skills.
Compare program types
The table below describes the main categories of education. It is a framework for comparison, not a ranking: actual content varies from one school to another, and a title does not tell you what is really taught.
| Program type | Usual strength | Limitation to check |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree in computer science or software engineering | Strong technical foundation, transferable beyond games | Few courses in art or design |
| University program combining art and programming | Varied projects, exposure to several roles | Sometimes misleading title; read the curriculum |
| Specialized animation or digital art school | Intensive workshops, industry contacts | Credential less recognized outside the sector |
| College or technical institute | Short duration, practical focus | Sometimes limited options for further study |
Concordia offers, for example, a joint major in computation arts and computer science, with half the courses in each discipline. This type of arrangement illustrates how the same institution can offer several different balances between art and technology.
Assess internships and industry connections
A program’s quality is measured in part by its connections with studios: for-credit internships, projects carried out with partners, guest speakers and graduates with a visible presence in the industry. Institutions publish this information, but sometimes present it in a flattering light. Concordia, for example, describes a paid, full-time internship option lasting 12 to 17 weeks, with at least 35 hours per week.
A few questions can help with comparisons:
- How many students finish the program with a project they can present?
- Which studios hosted interns last year?
- Is the internship for credit and paid, or optional and unpaid?
- Are the instructors still working in the industry?
A program that limits its cohort sizes often gives each student more attention. Precise answers are worth more than brochures.
Plan a realistic backup option
According to reports from programs and employers, there are many applicants to the industry and few entry-level positions. No reliable statistics were found to measure this ratio. Statistics Canada’s figures show an industry where employment more than doubled between 2013 and 2022, but they do not indicate how many graduates enter the market each year.
It is therefore prudent to choose transferable skills. Programming, 3D modelling, animation and interface design are also used in simulation, training, architecture, medical imaging, advertising and film. A degree that keeps these doors open offers protection against fluctuations in a single sector.
It is also prudent not to take on excessive debt for a private program whose employment outcomes are not published. Reputable institutions publish their placement rates and calculation methods.
Consider geography and language
The industry is concentrated in a few cities, and Statistics Canada’s data show this: three provinces—Quebec, British Columbia and Ontario—account for almost all employment, while the Prairie and Atlantic provinces have far fewer jobs. A student targeting a particular studio would benefit from studying in the region or completing internships there, because local contacts carry weight in hiring.
Immigration rules also play a role: some countries offer a post-study work permit, while others do not. The language of work matters as well. Many studios work in English, even in French-speaking regions. A program offered in French may suit a student who wants to work in Quebec, but it must be complemented by a good command of technical English.
What about Canada?
Canada has three major video game hubs: Quebec, British Columbia and Ontario. According to Statistics Canada, Quebec accounted for 25,598 employment units in 2022, compared with 19,079 in British Columbia and 12,860 in Ontario. Programs are varied: universities, colleges and specialized schools, in both French and English.
StudyCanada features, among others, the computer science program with a games option (Computer Science – Computer Games) at McGill University, game design (Game Design) at the University of Toronto and The University of British Columbia, the game design specialization at the University of Waterloo, and the video game and film programs at Université de Montréal. Portfolio requirements and conditions for international students can be found on each program’s page. Deadlines fall early in the year for applicants from abroad, and preparing a portfolio takes several weeks.