Vancouver Film School is officially a Gold Member! No, this isn’t a Starbucks thing or an Austin Powers reference. As of 2025, VFS has officially reached Gold status in Epic Games’ Unreal Engine Academic Partner program! The perks of this partnership are many, including school aid, marketing support, & student support, and we could not be more thrilled by how this will enhance the student experience for current and future VFS Game Design and Programming for Games, Web & Mobile students.
About the announcement, Chris Mitchell, Head of VFS’s Game Design program and Programming for Games, Web & Mobile commented: “This is an incredible achievement for VFS’s Game Design program and our school. This credential highlights the close connection between VFS Game Design & Programming and Unreal’s Education Team. We always want to be at the forefront of Unreal curriculum and as a Gold partner, our students will now have top-tier access to Unreal education materials and their training team.”
“We’re thrilled to recognize the Game Design program at Vancouver Film School as a Gold tiered Academic Partner (2025),” the Unreal Education Team added. “This decision was based on the program's dedicated faculty, innovative academic programming and exceptional Unreal Engine student work. We're excited to keep collaborating with VFS and continuing to support their Game Design students in their Unreal Engine journey."
VFS’s world-class Game Design campus is about to level-up with the many benefits that come with being an Unreal Engine Academic Partner.ABOUT UNREAL ENGINE’S PARTNER PROGRAM
The ultimate goal of the Unreal Engine Academic Partner program is to help institutions accelerate their Unreal Engine-driven courses as they prepare the next generation of creators and developers for jobs in interactive 3D. The partnership offers exclusive benefits, including software licenses, premium service subscriptions, co-marketing opportunities, and Marketplace credits for projects.
The selection process recognizes programs that have committed to providing ongoing, high quality educational opportunities with an experienced faculty, proven curriculum, sufficient facilities, and resources to create positive outcomes for students with a variety of personal growth and career objectives.
HOW THIS PARTNERSHIP BENEFITS VFS STUDENTS
As Unreal Engine is a leader in 3D creation for video games, virtual experiences, and interactive environments, being a part of this program means that our Game Design students will graduate with enhanced training and certification with this industry-standard software, giving them a leg up as they enter the industry.
For VFS, this includes an ArtStation Pro license upgrade, providing the ability for students to feature their projects online, Epic Marketplace credits, complimentary access to Epic Games-developed learning materials, Test Teach Sessions where Epic showcases their latest Unreal Engine courses, and more.
Additional perks include:
- Consideration for Epic’s annual Student Reel Showcase
- Advance information on internships and hiring events
- Class presentations hosted by Epic
- An invitation to collaborate with Epic on special projects
- A shiny gold badge!
CALLING ALL FUTURE GAME DESIGNERS!
With this new partnership, there’s never been a better time to train at Vancouver Film School for your game design career. Explore our Game Design program – ranked the #1 game design education in Canada by Princeton Review Journal – to see how VFS trains you FASTER for a career in level design, game art, and coding.
And, before you go, read about Vancouver Film School’s recent partnership with ASUS which provides Game Design students with access to equipment from ASUS’ ProArt line of computers!
Watch Unreal Engine’s January Spotlight for a variety of updates from one of the world’s top game engines:
FAQ
1. What does being an Unreal Engine Academic Gold Partner mean for VFS Game Design students?
This partnership will provide advanced Unreal Engine curriculum for VFS Game Design students, granting them exclusive access to cutting-edge educational materials, premium service subscriptions, and collaborative opportunities with Epic Games. This enhances their training and prepares them for careers in the interactive 3D and game design industry.
2. What benefits and perks does this academic partnership in game design offer?
The partnership provides perks like an ArtStation Pro license upgrade, Epic Marketplace credits, and access to Test Teach Sessions. These resources empower students with industry-standard tools, connect them to internships and hiring events, and support their creative development.
3. Where can I learn more about the VFS Game Design program and apply?
Visit vfs.edu/programs/game-design to explore the program, speak to a VFS Admissions Advisor, and find out how VFS prepares students for successful careers as coders, game artists, and level designers in game design and interactive media.