Multimedia and Game Technologies - Specialisation in Academic Esports and Digital Society

Campus and city

Career prospects

This Master’s specialisation is more than a gateway into esports, it is a launchpad for leadership across the digital economy. With a strong foundation in both theory and practice, graduates are prepared to shape the future of work, media, and society through innovation, inclusion, and strategic insight.

The Master's Joint Degree provides the required background to pursue doctoral studies in Norway, Finland, or further abroad. Relevant fields of study include Digital Media Studies, Information Systems, Computer Sciences, Human-Technology Interaction and more.

What can I do with my degree?

Graduates of the specialisation are well-positioned to pursue careers in a variety of sectors, including technology, media, education, public service, and academia. Some possible career pathways include:

• Digital Transformation Manager/Strategist — leading change initiatives in traditional industries by applying the agility and innovation found in esports ecosystems, helping organisations adapt to digital disruption and integrate new technologies.
• Public or Civic Engagement Specialist — drawing on esports platform governance and community management to strengthen stakeholder engagement for public institutions, NGOs, or civic tech initiatives.
• Media or Content Strategist — applying the creative and analytical approaches used by esports actors to design digital content strategies for marketing, entertainment, and communications.
• HR Business Partner — using organisational and communication strategies from esports to align HR practices with business goals, manage remote teams, and support talent development in hybrid work environments.
• Research & Academia — continuing into doctoral study, such as the Doctoral Programme in Humans and Technology: Games and Gamification, or researching topics like platformisation, phygital experiences, and digitalisation's societal impact.
• Community Manager/Strategist — designing and managing branded or platform-based online communities, applying esports' deep expertise in community formation, moderation, and engagement to gaming, tech, or consumer brands.
• UX/Consumer Insight Researcher — using ethnographic and netnographic research methods to study user behaviour and digital consumption patterns for tech companies, platforms, or consultancies.
• Policy Analyst/Advisor (Digital & Youth Policy) — advising governments or NGOs on digital wellbeing, online safety, or youth engagement policy, drawing on esports and gaming community expertise.
• Event/Experience Producer (Phygital Events) — designing hybrid physical-digital events and experiences, applying grassroots esports' expertise in phygital community orchestration to conferences, brand activations, or cultural events.

Admissions

Application period

• Non EU/EEA international applicants: From 1 November to 1 December
• EU/EEA applicants: From 1 February to 1 March.
• Nordic citizens and applicants with a permanent or renewable residence permit in Norway: From 1 Febuary to 15 April

Application code for non EU/EEA: 9830

Admission requirements

The admission requirements are:

• A 3-year bachelor’s degree (minimum 180 ECTS) according to the first cycle in the European Qualification Framework (EQF) in Computer Science, Business and Management, Human Resource Management, Design, Psychology, Sociology, Economics, (Multi-) Media Studies, Game Studies, Information Studies, or Communication Sciences.

A weighted average grade of C or better is required.

Applicants must document proof of English language proficiency for academic purposes. You have two options for demonstrating this: language tests or qualification for exemption (previous studies, nationality, etc.). Requirements differ according to which country you are from. Please see detailed instructions on the relevant country page listed here.

The following documentation must be submitted by the applicant:

• Diploma and transcript of records documenting a completed bachelor’s degree and grades in courses
• Proof of English language proficiency
• Personal motivation video in English (max 3-5 mins)
• For non-EU/EEA students: Documentation of financial ability for tuition fee and deposit for living costs for the first year

Special Requirements for the Motivation Video

Applicants are required to submit a personal statement in the form of a short video (between 3-5 minutes) along with their application. Applications without a video will not be considered and applications with videos exceeding 5 minutes will not be considered.

Your personal statement video is used to assess your motivation to complete the degree. It also gives us an initial understanding of your academic interests and how you see the programme supporting your scientific or professional goals. The required length of the video is between 3-5 minutes.

A link to the video should be sent in as an attachement to your application. Please upload a word document with the link in the application portal. The link should not be password protected and must be accessible until the application decisions are made. 

Preparing the video

As part of the video, please introduce yourself and state your rationale for applying to the master's program and why you feel you are a good candidate.

Prompts/questions to consider (please do not feel obligated to include all of them, nor to limit yourself to these, they are intended as a guide):

• What prompted your interest in this field of study? Perhaps you have unanswered questions from your undergraduate studies or professional work, or you would like to further explore issues and ideas raised in your curricular or extra-curricular reading?

• Why would you like to study your chosen programme? Perhaps it offers a particular approach, or there are specific modules that will help you develop necessary skills or knowledge. Perhaps the research interests of the academics teaching on your programme, and/or the wider research culture of the department align with your own interests and academic/professional aspirations?

• What makes you suitable for this programme? Perhaps you have taken relevant undergraduate modules, or have relevant professional, voluntary, or other experience that has prepared for postgraduate study in this area? How are your previous studies connected to this programme?
• What is the topic of your Bachelor’s thesis, and how might it relate to this programme?
• What do you hope to get out of this particular programme? How would this particular programme help you to achieve your personal, academic, and professional goals?
• How do you think the joint programme will benefit you, what challenges do you think you will face and how might you overcome them?

When reviewing the video, we will focus on your ability to communicate succinctly and clearly about who you are and how you see yourself profiting from this study programme. We will not be judging the video on image and sound quality, editing or other technical aspects.

Your personal statement video will be assessed based on both content and language and in accordance with university standards. You must present your personal statement video in English.

Your personal statement video must be based on your own independent reflection, experiences and reasoning. You may use AI tools to support the drafting process. If you use AI tools, you must clearly disclose your use of AI and provide a detailed description at the end of your video of how these tools were used.

This disclosure must state the purpose for which AI was used and describe how you edited any AI‑generated content. Failure to disclose the use of AI tools constitutes academic misconduct.

When ranking eligible applicants, the weighted average grade of the courses in the qualifying bachelor’s degree counts 50%. The overall score given by the admission committee for personal motivation, oral and written communication and language skills, counts 50%.

Admission takes place in accordance with regulations on admission to studies and courses at the University of Agder. 

Tuition fees

The Norwegian government has introduced tuition fees for students from countries outside of the EU/EEA and Switzerland.

Please read more about the tuition fees here.

How to apply

How to apply to degree programmes