- Level
- 1-Year Graduate Certificate
- CIP code
- 11.0204
- Duration
- 1 year graduate certificate
- Field
- Computer Science and Information Technology
- Institution
- Public College
- Offer speed
- Superfast Offer Speed2–3 days
Program overview
A one year graduate certificate in games engineering, covering gameplay programming, engine architecture, graphics and physics systems, tools development and a produced game project, with applied practice running through the programme.
Trafalgar is Sheridan’s creative campus, and game development is one of the few creative routes here that is on the PGWP-aligned list.
Graduate Certificate - Game Development - Advanced Programming is taught at Sheridan College Trafalgar campus in Oakville, a public Ontario college. The game development certificate sits below degree level, so a work permit depends on its field of study. Sheridan records the game development certificate under CIP 11.0204 and lists it among its PGWP-aligned programmes, which supports a permit of up to one year. IRCC alone decides, so verify 11.0204 against the current eligible list before paying for the game development certificate. Ontario also requires a provincial attestation letter before the game development certificate can support a study permit.
Entry to Graduate Certificate - Game Development - Advanced Programming is a completed undergraduate diploma or equivalent at 50 percent or above. The English requirement is IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0, and tuition for the game development certificate is recorded at CAD 23,144. Sheridan charges a CAD 100 application fee, and no scholarship is recorded against the game development certificate. The game development certificate lists only two entry windows, the earliest in 2027. Apply Study Visa manages your the game development certificate application, the deposit, the offer, the attestation letter and the Canadian study permit as one process.
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: A completed undergraduate diploma or equivalent, at the percentage stated.
- English (meet any one): IELTS Academic 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0; TOEFL iBT 88 with 21 in every section; PTE Academic 60 with no component below 57; or the Duolingo English Test at 115.
- Application and deposit: Sheridan charges a CAD 100 application fee. Confirm the tuition deposit and its refundability in writing before any money is transferred.
- Scholarship: No scholarship is recorded against this programme. Budget the full tuition.
- Additional requirement: Sheridan offers an International Entrance Scholarship of CAD 3,000 toward tuition. Awards are limited, so budget the full fee regardless.
- Work rights: Sheridan lists the game development certificate as PGWP-aligned under CIP 11.0204, supporting a work permit of up to one year. Verify the code against the IRCC list before paying. A PGWP also requires a language test at CLB 5 in all four abilities for college credentials, taken within two years of applying. This is separate from the English test you need for admission. No dependant work permit.
- Study permit: Apply Study Visa prepares the attestation letter request, the financial evidence and the Canadian study permit submission with you.
English requirements
Documents you'll need typical · we confirm yours
- Valid passport (6+ months validity)
- Class 10 & 12 marksheets and certificates
- Bachelor's degree marksheets & final certificate
- English test scorecard (IELTS / PTE / TOEFL) or MOI certificate
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Letters of Recommendation (LOR)
- Updated CV / resume
- 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
Typical destinations for graduates:
- Gameplay Programmer: game studios
- Engine Programmer: technical teams
- Tools Developer: production pipelines
- Graphics Programmer: after experience
- Software Developer: outside games
- Technical Director: after substantial experience
Reality check: note the contrast with computer animation and visual effects at this campus, which are not aligned despite sitting in the same creative faculty.
About Sheridan College - Trafalgar
- Type
- College
- Ownership
- Public
- Rating
- ★ 4.9
- World rank
- #1315
- Established
- 1967
- Reference No.
- O19385946782
