As the world’s leading platform for creating interactive, real-time 3D content, Unity is used for everything from game development to augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) applications in fields like architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC), automotive, transportation, and manufacturing (ATM), and media and entertainment. Because of its broad application across a variety of high-tech roles, real-time 3D development skills are in high demand. Jobs using these skills are growing over 600% faster than the overall job market; AR/VR and gaming engineering roles had the highest job growth in 2019. Real-time 3D skills are invaluable for students interested in a rewarding, high-growth career.  

Since launching in 2018, Unity Academic Alliance (UAA) has helped over 100 postsecondary institutions start and expand innovative programs in real-time 3D development to prepare students for these in-demand roles. UAA members have benefited from professional development and upskilling opportunities to support their faculty in teaching Unity. They have also had access to Unity Certification materials. 

The Unity education team has spent the past few months gathering member feedback to ensure that UAA provides the tools and resources to make their programs a success. Today, as a result of this feedback, we’re excited to share three major updates to the UAA program.

Curricular Frameworks
One of the biggest challenges schools face in creating real-time development programs is a lack of qualified instructors to teach them. This is why we’re excited to announce the addition of Curricular Frameworks, robust and thorough guides that help any educator, regardless of Unity experience, teach real-time 3D development in a variety of in-demand fields, including game development, AR and VR development, and AEC. 

The frameworks outline clear learning objectives to prepare students to use Unity in a professional setting. The result of close collaboration between Unity and industry experts, Curricular Frameworks identify the key tasks an entry-level developer would be expected to undertake in their field. The frameworks are aligned with Unity Certification exam objectives so that educators can support students in showcasing their expertise and readiness for their first professional role.

Our team will continue to expand the disciplines covered by Curricular Frameworks. Later this year we will introduce guides to support teaching Unity for AI and machine learning.