DigiPen was founded in 1988 as a computer simulation and animation company based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. As the demand for production work increased, DigiPen faced difficulty finding qualified personnel, and in 1990, it began offering a dedicated training program in 3D computer animation to meet this growing need.
That same year, DigiPen approached Nintendo of America to jointly establish a post-secondary program in video game programming. The result of this collaborative effort was the DigiPen Applied Computer Graphics School. In 1994, it officially accepted its first class of video game programming students to its Vancouver campus for the two-year Diploma in the Art and Science of 2D and 3D Video Game Programming. In 1995, DigiPen implemented a revised two-year 3D computer animation program and graduated student cohorts over each of the following four years.
Around this time, the video game industry underwent a paradigm shift from dealing primarily with 2D graphics and gameplay to full 3D worlds that players could freely explore. As these worlds became more sophisticated, so did the task of programming, designing, and animating them. In anticipation of this change, DigiPen developed a four-year bachelor’s degree in video game programming (the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science in Real-Time Interactive Simulation) to prepare students for the challenges of creating complex 3D game and simulation software.
In 1996, the Washington State Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) granted DigiPen the authorization to award both Associate and Bachelor of Science degrees in Real- Time Interactive Simulation. Two years later, in 1998, DigiPen Institute of Technology opened its campus in Redmond, Washington, USA. In 1999, DigiPen began offering the Associate of Applied Arts in 3D Computer Animation. At this time, DigiPen phased out its educational activities in Canada, moving all operations to its Redmond campus. On July 22, 2000, DigiPen held its first commencement ceremony, where it awarded Associate of Science and Bachelor of Science degrees.
In 2002, DigiPen received accreditation from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). In 2004, DigiPen began offering three new degrees: the Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, the Master of Science in Computer Science*, and the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Art and Animation (previously Bachelor of Fine Arts in Production Animation). In 2008, DigiPen added two more degree programs: the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Game Design (previously Bachelor of Science in Game Design) and the Bachelor of Arts in Game Design.
Also in 2008, DigiPen partnered with Singapore’s Economic Development Board to open its first international branch campus, offering the following degrees: the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science in Real-Time Interactive Simulation (previously Bachelor of Science in Real-Time Interactive Simulation), the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Game Design, the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Art and Animation, and the Bachelor of Arts in Game Design. In 2010, DigiPen announced plans to open its first European campus in Bilbao, Spain.
That same year, DigiPen relocated its U.S. campus to its current location at 9931 Willows Road Northeast in Redmond, Washington.
On September 26, 2011, DigiPen launched DigiPen Institute of Technology Europe-Bilbao, offering two bachelor’s degree programs: the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science in Real-Time Interactive Simulation and the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Art and Animation.
On October 11, 2011, DigiPen (Singapore) was granted accreditation by ACCSC as a branch campus of the main school located in Redmond, Washington, USA.
In 2012, DigiPen added three new degree programs: the Bachelor of Arts in Music and Sound Design, the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Digital Audio (previously Bachelor of Science in Engineering and Sound Design), and the Master of Fine Arts in Digital Arts.
In 2014, DigiPen added a new degree program: the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. In that same year, DigiPen (Singapore) received approval for the Bachelor of Engineering (with Honours) in Systems Engineering (ElectroMechanical Systems) degree program.
In 2015, DigiPen’s Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering degree program was accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org.
In 2015, DigiPen (Singapore) was approved to move from Pixel Building, 10 Central Exchange Green, to SIT@SP Building, 510 Dover Road.
In 2017, DigiPen’s Bachelor of Science in Computer Science in Real-Time Interactive Simulation degree program was accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, abet.org.
In 2018, DigiPen added a new program: the BS in Computer Science in Machine Learning degree program. The first cohort started in Fall 2019.
In 2018, DigiPen (Singapore)’s B.Eng. in Systems Engineering (ElectroMechanical Systems) Program sought the provisional accreditation by the Engineering Accreditation Board (EAB) of IES for a term of three years for students entering the program from Academic Year 2014/2015.
In 2019, DigiPen (Singapore) was granted approval for its two joint degree programs with Singapore Institute of Technology, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science in Real-Time Interactive Simulation and Bachelor of Science in Computer Science in Interactive Media and Game Development. In addition, DigiPen (Singapore) was granted approval for its Master of Science in Computer Vision program.
In 2019, DigiPen (Singapore) was granted approval to change the program name from Bachelor of Arts in Game Design to Bachelor of Arts in User Experience and Game Design.
In 2020, DigiPen (Singapore) was granted approval to change the program name from Bachelor of Engineering in Systems Engineering (ElectroMechanical Systems) to Bachelor of Engineering in Mechatronics Systems.
In 2021, Full accreditation is being sought in the Academic Year 2021/2022 for the Bachelor of Engineering in Mechatronics Systems.
In 2022, DigiPen Europe-Bilbao was granted accreditation by ACCSC as a branch campus of the main school located in Redmond, Washington, USA.
In 2022, Engineering Accreditation Board (EAB) of IES agreed to award full accreditation to DigiPen (Singapore)’s (i) Bachelor of Engineering in Systems Engineering (Electromechanical Systems) program at SIT for students graduating from the programme in the academic years 2018/2019, 2019/2020, 2020/2021, 2021/2022, 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 and (ii) Bachelor of Engineering In Mechatronics Systems program at SIT for students graduating from the program in AY2024/2025.
*DigiPen began offering the MS in Computer Science program in 2004 before ACCSC expanded its scope of recognition by the United States Department of Education to grant approval for master’s degree programs. ACCSC granted approval for this degree in 2006.