Game Development and Research

The Master's programme in "Game Development and Research" is designed for anyone who wants to conceptualise and create innovative games and related nonlinear interactive products - professionals from the gaming, film and TV industries but also designers, artists, writers and journalists as well as graduates and talented creatives from other related disciplines.

Educational organisation

The Master's programme in "Game Development and Research" is a compact course. By striking a balance between traditional learning models and independent project work, it is designed to accommodate those students who want to study whilst continuing to work in the industry.
The theoretical modules of the course will develop core academic competencies such as methodology, systematics, research, experimentation, interpretation, and criticism. Students will also develop their ability to express themselves and their ideas verbally, in writing, visually, and audiovisually.
During the project work stage of the course, students will receive intensive and individual support to help them develop original aesthetic and narrative solutions for nonlinear audiovisual formats. Goal-oriented tasks, specific budget requirements and team members from a wide range of professional disciplines will create opportunities to develop key workplace skills such as communication, leadership, teamwork, problem-solving abilities, and technical competencies.
Lectures, tutorials and discussion groups will look at the projects and their aesthetic results from an interdisciplinary perspective and explore their (inter)cultural impact. Games influence how we perceive reality and shape our ideas about the world and other people. Students will also be required to reflect on their responsibilities as creators. By doing so, they will learn to give new aesthetic inputs into game development and have a positive influence on the social impact and acceptance of games.

Thematic focusses are:

• game design & storytelling
• 3D-modelling & animation
• prototyping
• sound design & composition
• game- & media theory
• media research & media education
• media law & media business

The average workload is approx. 12 contact hours per week (not including project work and self studies).
CGL's (Cologne Game Lab) academic week consists of one core-day where courses are scheduled from 10am to 9pm and a secondary day with two evening courses. Self-studying time varies but should be estimated at a minimum of 12 additional hours whilst planning a side job. From experience we highly recommend not to exceed 24 job-hours per week.

Forms of assessment

Courses will be evaluated by oral exams and written project documentation. The last semester focuses entirely on the Master's thesis.

Course objectives

The aim of the Master's programme in "Game Development and Research" is to offer a training programme for authors and designers creating digital games and other nonlinear audiovisual media, which is not only relevant to current industry demands, but also looks ahead to the future. Our graduates will be equipped with the skills necessary to tackle complex tasks with a focus on AV design and non-linear narration, whether they're working independently or as part of a team.
Job descriptions which outline the specific competencies required for a position vary from company to company. Whilst individual skill sets will vary according to each individual's blend of creative and technical skills, students gaining the CGL Master's will be qualified for various roles in game development, e.g.:

• Game Designer
• Concept Author
• Stage Director

Language requirements

Applicants must provide proof of their English skills in the oral exam which is part of the application process.

Academic requirements

The application consists of two parts:
A) Academic requirements: in order to apply, candidates must have a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) as well as a minimum of 12 months' work experience in a relevant industry. Free creative projects may also be considered.

B) Creative skills: among other tasks, candidates have to submit a letter of motivation and a concept for a digital game project. As tasks vary each year, please visit the CGL website to download the current application tasks.

Before entering part B international students have to apply via uni-assist to verify their academic entry requirements.

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Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Enrolment fees

The fee of about 250 EUR per semester includes a semester ticket covering public transport in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Costs of living

The costs of living for your stay largely depend on your personal needs. When planning your stay, you should calculate monthly costs of approximately 700-800 EUR.

Job opportunities

Taking on a part-time job while studying has lots of benefits. Students can make some extra money, gain valuable professional experience, and might take a first step up on the career ladder.
Whether and how long you are allowed to work during semester breaks is determined by your immigration office. The provisions applying to your specific case will be stated in your residence permit. To find out about these provisions, we recommend you make an inquiry at the immigration office during your first visit. International students from countries that are not member states of the EU, the EEA, or Switzerland are normally permitted to work 120 full or 240 half days per year if they are in possession of a valid residence permit for Germany.
TH Köln can assist you in finding a job that suits your profile and interests. Our Career Service and our Nebenjobservice (Part-Time Job Service) offer comprehensive counselling and specific information events on all aspects related to part-time jobs.
Please be aware that the level of your German language skills will strongly affect your chances of finding a part-time job, as German is the language of communication in Germany.

Funding opportunities within the university

TH Köln as well as other institutions offer different scholarships for international students such as the Deutschlandstipendium scholarship. Recipients receive approx. 300 EUR per month.
https://www.th-koeln.de/en/international_office/deutschland-stipendium-scholarship---information-for-students_9164.php

Services and support for international students

TH Köln - University of Applied Sciences - follows the National Code of Conduct on Foreign Students at German Universities established by the German Rectors' Conference (HRK).
The International Office provides advice and support for international students on all aspects related to studying at TH Köln. The International Office accompanies your stay at our university with a variety of programmes and events and invites you to become a part of our international community (e.g., mentoring programmes for new first semester students, TH Köln Buddy programme KARIBU, or Language Partnership programme).
Every semester, the International Office organises a semester programme including exciting cultural events to connect German and international students as well as activities to jointly discover different aspects of Cologne (e.g., a guided tour of Cologne, trips to museums and theatres, or a semester trip to the German capital Berlin).

Accommodation

Boasting a population of slightly more than one million, Cologne is Germany's fourth-largest metropolis - a highly attractive one on top of that. The increasing influx of people can make the search for adequate accommodation quite difficult. Dozens of apartment hunters often compete for a single apartment. That is why the International Office strongly recommends that you start looking for a place to live as soon as possible.
The fierce competition on the housing market has resulted in above-market rents - particularly in proximity of the city centre. We therefore encourage you to be flexible: try to look for apartments outside the centre, as you will encounter less competition and lower rents.
Student dormitories
Cologne's most convenient and economical housing option is often a student dormitory. Kölner Studierendenwerk operates 86 student dorms offering roughly 4,700 rooms. Please be aware that TH Köln does not allocate the rooms in these dorms. In order to be allocated a room, please apply online on the website of Kölner Studentenwerk by clicking on "online-application". See: http://www.kstw.de/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=315&Itemid=11&lang=en.
The seemingly large number of dorm rooms is misleading; as the dormitories are open to the roughly 80,000 students enrolled at all Cologne universities, they are in extremely high demand. Make sure to apply for a dorm room at Kölner Studierendenwerk as early as possible.