- Level
- 3-Year Advance Diploma / Accelerated Programs
- CIP code
- 11.0201
- Duration
- 3 Years (including a work placement)
- Open intake
-
Off-shoreSep 2027
- Field
- Animation and Game Design
- Institution
- Public College
- Offer speed
- Average Offer Speed10–15 days
- Next deadline
- 2026-09-01
Program overview
The Game Programming advanced diploma is a three-year program covering the engineering side of game development, with a work placement in the final year.
The technical core runs C++ and C# programming, data structures and algorithms optimised for real-time performance, the mathematics of games — vectors, matrices, linear algebra and physics simulation — graphics programming and rendering pipelines, gameplay systems and AI for games including pathfinding and behaviour trees, networking for multiplayer, engine architecture, and production work in Unity and Unreal. Students build games in teams to milestone schedules that mirror studio practice.
Game programming is harder than general software development and pays comparably, so the mathematics requirement is real rather than nominal. The upside is transferability: real-time graphics, performance optimisation and simulation skills move directly into visualisation, simulation and interactive media work if a student decides against studio life.
The work placement is a graded part of the program, so you finish with documented Canadian experience and a referee rather than only a transcript.
Humber Polytechnic — formerly Humber College — is Ontario’s largest public college and a Designated Learning Institution (DLI O19376943122). The North campus in Etobicoke is its main site, running technology, engineering, health science, business and skilled trades programs in purpose-built labs and shops rather than lecture halls, with three intakes a year and the deepest employer network in the Greater Toronto Area.
Its field maps to CIP 11.0201 (Computer programming). Important: this is a college credential rather than a degree, so it is not exempt from the November 2024 PGWP field-of-study restriction — eligibility depends on this CIP field appearing on IRCC’s eligible list when you apply. Humber publishes a PGWP-eligible program list with CIP codes; check it, and confirm with an Apply Study Visa counsellor before committing. IRCC makes the final decision.
What it costs per year · indicative
Living cost is an estimate; tuition is the institute's published international fee. We confirm exact, current figures before you pay anything.
Do you qualify?
These are the published minimums. Whether your profile fits — with your marks, gap and budget — is exactly what a free counsellor check confirms.
Admission requirements
Who can apply (guide for international students):
- Education: Completed Class 12 (10+2) or equivalent with a minimum 50% overall.
- Subject requirements: Grade 12 English and Grade 12 Mathematics.
- IELTS: Overall 6.0, no band below 5.5
- TOEFL iBT: Total 80
- PTE Academic: Overall 53
- Duolingo: 105
- GRE/GMAT: Not required.
Application fee $100 CAD, plus an initial tuition deposit of $2,000 CAD — Humber will not request your Ontario Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) until that deposit clears, so deposit timing drives your study-permit timeline. Admissions run on a rolling basis and popular programs fill months ahead under Canada’s international seat caps. Ask an Apply Study Visa counsellor to confirm current fees, seats and PGWP status before applying.
English requirements
Documents you'll need typical · we confirm yours
- Valid passport (6+ months validity)
- Class 10 & 12 marksheets and certificates
- English test scorecard (IELTS / PTE / TOEFL) or MOI certificate
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Financial proof — bank statement / loan sanction + GIC
- Passport-size photographs
- Study-gap affidavit or work-experience letter (if applicable)
Getting documents right is the #1 reason applications succeed or get refused — our team checks every file before submission.
Career opportunities
Ontario hosts one of the world’s largest game development clusters:
- Gameplay Programmer — the core studio role
- Engine / Tools Programmer — the highest-paid technical specialism
- Graphics Programmer — rendering and shader work
- AI Programmer — behaviour and systems programming
- Network Programmer — multiplayer infrastructure
- Simulation Developer — training, defence and visualisation industries
- Technical Designer — the bridge between design and code
A shipped playable portfolio decides hiring in games — treat every team project as a portfolio piece.
About Humber Polytechnic
- Type
- College
- Ownership
- Public
- Rating
- ★ 4.6
- World rank
- #2344
- Reference No.
- O19376943122
