Interactive Performance Design and Games

The Bachelor’s Degree in Interactive Performance Design and Games at HKU University of the Arts Utrecht offers a comprehensive and innovative educational pathway for students passionate about creating immersive, engaging, and interactive digital experiences. This program combines the art of storytelling with cutting-edge game design, interactive media, and performance arts, enabling students to develop their skills in designing and producing interactive performances, games, and installations that captivate audiences in both live and digital environments. Throughout the course, students are encouraged to explore the boundaries between theater, performance art, digital technology, and interactive storytelling, fostering a multidisciplinary approach to creative practice.

The curriculum emphasizes hands-on experience with a variety of digital tools, programming languages, and performance techniques, allowing students to experiment with virtual reality, augmented reality, motion capture, and other emerging technologies. Students learn to conceptualize, develop, and realize projects that integrate traditional performance elements with innovative digital media, creating dynamic and participatory experiences. The program also focuses on collaboration and teamwork, as students often work in groups to simulate real-world production settings where interdisciplinary skills are essential.

Faculty members are accomplished practitioners and researchers in fields such as performance arts, game design, and interactive media, providing students with mentorship and industry insights. The program prepares graduates for careers in theatre production, game development, digital arts, interactive storytelling, and related industries, equipping them with both artistic sensitivity and technical proficiency. By fostering creativity, critical thinking, and experimentation, the Bachelor’s in Interactive Performance Design and Games at HKU aims to nurture the next generation of innovators capable of transforming performance and entertainment through technology.

The Bachelor's program in Interactive Performance Design and Games at the HKU University of the Arts Utrecht offers students an innovative and multidisciplinary education focused on the creation of interactive performances, digital storytelling, and immersive game experiences. Throughout the program, students learn to develop compelling narratives and engaging interactions by combining elements of theatre, game design, technology, and visual arts. The curriculum emphasizes a hands-on approach, encouraging students to experiment with new media, interactive technologies, and performance techniques to push the boundaries of traditional storytelling.

Students will explore various topics such as interactive storytelling, user experience design, game mechanics, digital media production, and dramaturgy. They are guided to develop their own unique artistic voice while understanding the technical aspects of digital and interactive media. The program fosters a collaborative environment where students work closely with peers from different disciplines, including computer science, visual arts, and performance art, leading to innovative hybrid projects and performances.

Throughout their studies, students participate in workshops, lab sessions, and collaborative projects that simulate real-world scenarios in digital entertainment and live performance. They are encouraged to experiment with emerging technologies such as virtual reality, augmented reality, motion capture, and interactive installations to craft engaging experiences for diverse audiences. The program also emphasizes critical reflection on societal, ethical, and cultural issues related to digital performativity and game design.

By the end of the program, graduates will have built a substantial portfolio of projects that demonstrate their skills in concept development, content creation, and technical implementation. They are prepared for careers as interactive content creators, game designers, digital performance artists, or performers exploring new media. The program supports students in establishing their own artistic practice and provides pathways to continue their studies or enter the creative industries with a strong foundation in interactive performance and game design.

Other requirements

1. ingangstoets Om te kunnen studeren bij de HKU, dien je voor deze studie een toelatingstest te doen. Hierbij wordt bekeken of je over de juiste eigenschappen beschikt om succesvol een kunstopleiding te kunnen afronden. Daarnaast is deze toelatingstest voor jezelf een check dat je een studie kiest die bij je past.

The financing of the Interactive Performance Design and Games program at HKU University of the Arts Utrecht typically involves several sources of funding to support students throughout their studies. As a Dutch higher education institution, HKU offers a range of financial options for both domestic and international students. Tuition fees are set annually and vary depending on the student's nationality and residency status. For EU/EEA students, the tuition fee is generally lower, often aligned with Dutch national standards, while non-EU students may pay higher fees. These fees cover access to state-of-the-art facilities, workshops, and comprehensive academic support.

Students pursuing this program can explore government grants such as the Dutch student loan system, which provides financial aid to eligible students to help cover tuition fees and living expenses. International students may also have access to scholarships and bursaries offered by HKU or external organizations dedicated to supporting arts and creative technology students. In addition, there are often grants available for students from specific regions or underrepresented groups.

Part-time work opportunities are common for students at HKU, enabling them to finance their studies while gaining practical experience. The Utrecht region offers various part-time positions accessible to students, with flexible schedules accommodating academic commitments. Many students also seek internships in the creative sector, which sometimes provide stipends, further offsetting educational costs.

Funding also extends through private sponsorships and collaborations with industry partners, which sometimes support research projects or provide internships that come with financial remuneration. Moreover, the university encourages students to apply for external arts and innovation grants that support specific research interests or project work within the program.

Overall, financing the Interactive Performance Design and Games program involves a combination of tuition fees, government loans and grants, scholarships, part-time employment, internships, and external sponsorships. Prospective students are advised to consult HKU’s official website and financial aid office for detailed and updated information specific to their situation.

Interactive Performance Design and Games at the HKU University of the Arts Utrecht is a dynamic and innovative study programme that focuses on the intersection of technology, storytelling, and interactive art forms. It aims to equip students with the skills to create immersive performances, interactive installations, and game-based experiences that engage audiences in novel ways. The curriculum combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills, emphasizing experimental approaches to performance and game design. Students learn to develop concepts, design interactive environments, and employ various digital tools and techniques, including virtual and augmented reality, to bring their ideas to life.

Throughout the programme, students collaborate on interdisciplinary projects, often working in teams that mirror the collaborative nature of professional practice in the arts and media industries. The programme encourages experimentation with new media and emerging technologies, fostering innovation and creative problem-solving. Students also explore the social and cultural implications of interactive media, ensuring their work resonates with diverse audiences and contributes to contemporary discourses in performance art and digital culture.

The programme’s faculty combines academic expertise with industry experience, providing mentorship and insights into current trends and future developments in interactive performance and game design. Moreover, students are given opportunities to showcase their work through exhibitions, festivals, and digital platforms, gaining visibility and professional exposure. The study prepares graduates for careers as performance designers, game developers, interactive artists, and media consultants in various sectors including entertainment, education, and cultural institutions.

The campus provides state-of-the-art facilities, including motion capture studios, VR/AR labs, and multimedia workshops, enabling students to experiment with cutting-edge technology. The interdisciplinary environment fosters a creative community where students from diverse backgrounds—art, technology, theatre, media—converge to inspire and challenge each other. Overall, the program aims to push the boundaries of interactive art and performance, encouraging students to develop original works that explore new forms of narrative and audience engagement.