This Master of Arts programme is designed for graduates of thematically related bachelor's degrees—most commonly in Game Arts, Game Design or Game Programming—who want to advance their artistic and scholarly work in the area of digital games. It offers an opportunity to study the creation, development and scientific analysis of digital games at postgraduate level, allowing students to deepen both practical skills and theoretical understanding.
The curriculum intentionally blends artistic practice with scientific enquiry, creating a strong link between research and hands‑on application. Students specialise across two of three focus areas (Game Arts, Game Design, Game Programming) while building capabilities in creative-scientific practice and critical reflection. Teaching is collaborative and interdisciplinary, promoting a comprehensive “game literacy” and teamwork on project-based work. A sustained research and development project runs through the programme and accounts for 45 ECTS, enabling students to carry out a substantial, semester‑spanning R&D effort.
Key facts and entry profile
This master’s curriculum balances rigorous academic study with hands-on professional training through an intensive, project-driven structure. During the first three semesters students develop a personal or group project that serves as the spine of the programme, while classroom modules concentrated in semesters one and two provide intensive foundations. The course deliberately blends scholarly perspectives with industry-relevant practice so you graduate with both conceptual understanding and tangible work to show employers or academic assessors.
Core teaching is clustered across six thematic areas taught mainly in the first two semesters: Game Arts, Game Design, Game Programming, Media & Game Studies, and Economics & Entrepreneurship, alongside a dedicated Teaching & Research Practice component. Game Arts and Game Design focus on creative and aesthetic production; Game Programming covers the technical implementation of interactive systems; Media & Game Studies provides critical, historical and theoretical context; and Economics & Entrepreneurship gives you business, market and project-management perspectives. The Teaching & Research Practice strand develops academic skills and prepares students for further research or instructional roles.
Learning outcomes emphasize project-led competence and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Graduates will be able to conceive, prototype and iterate game projects solo or in teams; apply artistic, design and programming techniques; situate their work within media and game theory; and plan viable economic or entrepreneurial pathways for their projects. The programme also cultivates teaching and research capabilities, enabling students to contribute to scholarly discourse or pursue further academic work.
Program requirements (structure and expectations)
Entry overview
To be considered for this MA you must already hold a university degree and demonstrate both subject-specific suitability and strong English skills. The programme expects applicants to have a Bachelor’s (BA or BSc) in Digital Games or a closely related field such as Game Arts, Game Design, or Game Programming. If your prior degree is shorter than the programme’s standard length, you will normally need to make up the missing academic performance during your Master’s studies through additional modules or by recognising equivalent practical/university achievements. Decisions about individual arrangements and recognition of prior work are made by the programme’s examination board early in your studies.
Your English will be assessed during the application process by the admission board, and evidence of special aptitude for the MA is also required. Requirements can change from year to year, so check the programme’s “How to Apply” section for the latest, semester-specific information and application deadlines.
Requirements (bullet points)
Winter Semester (International)
Please check the "How to Apply" section of the programme:https://www.th-koeln.de/en/academics/digital-games-masters-program--how-to-apply_51469.php.Further information can be found here:https://colognegamelab.de/study-programs/post-graduate-programs/digital-games-ma/application/.
Graduates gain skills applicable to creative and technical roles in the games industry such as game artist, game designer, game programmer, technical artist, project lead, or R&D specialist. The combination of artistic practice, technical competence and scientific analysis positions alumni for roles that require interdisciplinary collaboration on complex game projects.
The programme’s sustained 45 ECTS research and development project plus modules in Economics & Entrepreneurship also prepare graduates for work in commercial studios, indie teams, digital media companies, research labs, cultural institutions or startups. Additionally, the strong research component supports applications to research positions and can serve as a foundation for pursuing doctoral studies or R&D roles in academia and industry.