Ubisoft has announced the launch of a two-year graduate program designed to fast-track aspirant game developers into industry positions. The program, simply called the Ubisoft Graduate Program, offers two distinct tracks, one for would-be project managers and producers and one for programmers. Applications for this year’s program are due March 15, and selected candidates will start between July and September.
Admitted candidates will spend the first year of the program learning hands-on at the most nearby of Ubisoft’s 29 studios worldwide. For the second year, candidates will be assigned to a development team at a second studio abroad to work on projects like Assassin’s Creed or Splinter Cell. Ubisoft promises that candidates will “immediately play an active role” upon program acceptance.
Alongside gradually increasing project responsibility, those in the program will have the opportunity to attend seminars dedicated to various aspects of game development. Candidates will also be assigned a mentor in their respective offices, who will assist with an end-of-program evaluation. Employment by Ubisoft upon graduation is not guaranteed, but possible.
The producer track is intended to teach management-related skills like project planning, budgeting, market analysis, and communication. Ubisoft notes that competitive applicants to this track will have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in business administration or engineering and less than one year of work experience, excluding internships. Interpersonal skills, an entrepreneurial mindset, and fluency in English are also prerequisites. Watch the video below from Ubisoft for more information on the producer track.
The programmer track is for the computer-savvy, both on the front and back ends. Candidates who take this route will write code, solve bugs, and help maintain Ubisoft’s online platforms. A bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering or computer science is highly recommended for applicants, as well as a fluency in English and a solid foundation in programming languages like C++ and Python. Watch a video about the programmer track below.
Ubisoft’s candidate selection process will take place between March 16 and April 30. Besides the initial application, it may include local interviews, technical tests, and an interview at the company’s headquarters in Montreuil, France.
Check out the Ubisoft Graduate Program brochure and application for yourself here. Good luck!
