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Video Games: A Dual-Degree Program from Excelia and ISART Digital, Featuring a Full English Track in Nice

Dual-Degree in Video Games Between Excelia and ISART Digital, Featuring a Full English Track in Nice

A Strategic Alliance: Excelia Business School and ISART Digital are joining forces to offer a dual-degree program starting in 2025, combining their respective expertise.
Addressing Industry Demand: The goal is to train managers for a booming sector facing a shortage of qualified professionals.
Nice will host a Full English Track program, including an internship, on ISART Digital’s campus in the second year.

Nice will host a Full English Track program, including an internship, on ISART Digital’s campus in the second year.

The Nice campus will host students enrolled in the Full English Track in their second year. This component, taught entirely in English, includes an internship and provides an international immersion in both professional and academic environments.

This initiative, combined with Nice’s strong presence in the creative industries, enhances the program’s reach by connecting students with the realities of this rapidly growing sector.

A Program Structured in Two Phases

The curriculum is divided into two main phases:

The first year (Master 1) is based in Paris-Cachan and focuses on management fundamentals, with 175 hours of specialized video game courses taught by ISART Digital.
The second year (Master 2) emphasizes practical application and offers two options:
- A work-study track on the Paris campus.
- A Full English Track with an internship, on the Nice campus.

This innovative program aligns with the development strategy of the Paris-Cachan site. Since March 2024, ISART Digital has been an associate member of the Paris-Cachan Alliance for Science and Technology, alongside EPF, ESTP, Aivancity, ESITC, and Excelia. The alliance aims to foster creative initiatives in research and education.

Addressing Industry Needs and Preparing for the Future

The video game industry is expanding rapidly but suffers from a significant shortage of qualified professionals. According to the 2023 Video Game Employment Observatory, “the number of job postings has doubled since 2015.” This dual-degree program offers a concrete solution by training talent capable of meeting the strategic and technical challenges of the industry.

Karin Houpillart, Managing Director of ISART Digital, states:

“This partnership marks a decisive step for the future of talent in the video game industry. By joining forces with Excelia Business School, we offer students a unique education that combines management and creativity. They will be equipped to meet the industry’s needs while developing strategic and technical skills. We are proud to contribute to the training of future leaders in the industry, capable of shaping the future of video games with an innovative and responsible vision.”

Tamym Abdessemed, Dean of Excelia Business School, adds:

“Through this unprecedented partnership, our two schools aim to train top-level talent in a field that blends scientific, technological, creative, and playful components: the video game sector. This industry is emblematic of evolving content-driven professions, with a significant economic, sociological, human, and societal impact! Additionally, its dynamism and innovation inspire many other sectors, such as health, security, and even AI.”

Upcoming Projects to Enrich the Educational Offer

Excelia Business School and ISART Digital are already developing new projects, including applied research initiatives focused on agility and digital creativity. A Game Week, involving students, faculty, and industry professionals, is among the first planned activities.