Studying with a Sony Interactive Entertainment Scholarship

Sahar from Spain is studying Creative Media and Game Technologies in the Netherlands. She is one of five students at Breda University of Applied Sciences (BUas) studying with a Sony Interactive Entertainment Scholarship. Students who are granted this scholarship receive financial support to cover the tuition fees and living expenses for four study years, up to a maximum of € 40,000.

So happy I got the chance!

BUas is working together with Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) to help young people worldwide who would otherwise have no chance to study game development at a high level. ‘I was already studying video game development in Spain but actually I wasn’t quite satisfied with that,’ Sahar explains. ‘After a lot of investigation, I found out about BUas, being one of the top schools in Europe in the field. With its practical and project-based approach to learning, I concluded this was the best choice for my future. Even though I had to move to another country for this study, which obviously is a big expense for a student. That’s why I’m so happy I got the chance through this scholarship!’

Everyone should be able to reach their true potential

‘We are committed to providing opportunities, so that everyone can reach their true potential,’ Ard Bonewald from the Creative Media and Game Technologies programme explains. ‘That’s why we joined forces with Sony Interactive Entertainment, one of our partners in the industry. In our small-scale and project-based learning communities we do not only work together with SIE, but also with partners like Epic Games and SideFX. We connect our students with professionals in the industry and do our utmost to make students feel at home and safe in our diverse community by organising all kind of activities. Students can join a Vintage Game Night Club, a Neurodiversity Club or an LGBTQ+ Club, just to name a few.’

It allows me to fully concentrate on my studies

Gennady Khudilaynen, who is originally from Cyprus, is also studying at BUas with a Sony Interactive Entertainment Scholarship. ‘As it removes a huge financial burden, it allows me to fully concentrate on my studies,’ Gennady says. ‘I hope it helps grow my network and gives me the opportunity to make connections and gain knowledge I wouldn’t have otherwise. My ultimate job goal is to lead a game development company under an experienced publisher like Sony. Ideally in my home country, which is Cyprus, as the industry has yet to blossom there. I think it would be beneficial for everyone involved.’

Bridging the gap between art and technology

Sahar also has an ultimate job goal. ‘My aim is to become a Technical Artist,’ she says enthusiastically, ‘bridging the gap between art and technology, as I also like programming despite taking the Visual Arts path. Being a Technical Artist in any of the studios owned by Sony would be amazing, that’s my biggest dream, and hopefully the Sony Interactive Entertainment Scholarship will help me with this!’

Help increase diversity within the games industry

‘All EU citizen students are welcome to apply for the Sony Interactive Entertainment Scholarship,’ Ard Bonewald from BUas emphasises. ‘Applicants must demonstrate entry level skills, talent, and motivation for game development. We expect them to help increase diversity within the games industry so, above all, tell us how you plan to do that. We assess all applications seriously and ultimately award the scholarship to students from backgrounds that are less represented in the professional group of game developers.’

The games industry needs critical thinkers

‘I really recommend prospective students to apply for this scholarship,’ Sahar concludes. ‘Especially if you feel you can – from a different perspective – change something in the world of game development. We need as much diversity as possible in the games industry, people with passion for video games, film and VFX, programming, visual arts, production and design, but also critical thinkers who are able to reason and build from a very different context. And that's why I think it's great that the Sony Interactive Entertainment Scholarship is there. I really aim to be a good example of why this is worthwhile by bringing a positive impact in any game I will be involved with, and in the industry as a whole.’

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