The use of emerging technologies like gamification in education has increased in recent years due to its effectiveness in enhancing student motivation and engagement. However, limited research is available on the effect of gamification on students’ competence and engagement from their experience perspective. This study aims to fill this gap by exploring the interaction between gamification principles and students’ psychological process, specifically focusing on the self-determination theory and flow theory. The study integrates these two theories to answer the research questions on whether flow theory principles of challenge, feedback, reward, and interaction develop an effective gamified experience, how these principles make students psychologically competent, and whether gamification builds strong engagement between students and educational platforms. After analysing the data collected from 360 students, the study suggests that integrating SDT and flow theory can provide a more comprehensive understanding of students’ experience during gamification.