MA in Design
The Media Design University of Applied Sciences (MDH) offers a 1.5-year Master of Arts ...
BSc in Game Design
Berlin
INTAKE: April & Oct
Program Overview
The Media Design University of Applied Sciences (MDH) offers a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Game Design, a comprehensive and project-oriented program for those passionate about turning their love of gaming into a professional career. This 3.5-year, seven-semester degree is designed to provide students with the conceptual, artistic, and technical skills necessary for modern game development. The program's core philosophy is to train students in all aspects of game creation, from the initial idea and storytelling to programming and visual design. This interdisciplinary approach, coupled with hands-on project work, ensures graduates are well-equipped for the fast-growing and dynamic games industry. The program is available in both English and German, with campuses in major cities like Berlin and Düsseldorf.
Curriculum: The curriculum for the BSc in Game Design is structured around three core pillars: Game Conception, Game Art, and Game Engineering. In the initial semesters, students gain foundational knowledge in areas such as game design principles, visual design, programming basics, and the use of common game engines like Unreal Engine and Unity. From the second semester onward, students can specialize in either "Game Art," focusing on visual design, character development, and 3D modeling, or "Game Engineering," which delves deeper into programming, data technology, and AI integration. A key feature of the program is its regular project work, where students collaborate in interdisciplinary teams to create an extensive portfolio of real games, a crucial asset for securing employment in the industry.
Research Focus: The research focus of the BSc in Game Design is applied and production-oriented. The program encourages students to engage with contemporary issues in game design and technology through their practical projects. The curriculum is designed to be research-led, with faculty integrating their industry experience and findings into their teaching to help students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students are encouraged to use their final projects to apply what they have learned to create innovative and compelling games for various platforms, from PC to virtual reality. This hands-on, practical approach to research prepares them to address and resolve real-world game development challenges.
Industry Engagement: Industry engagement is a central component of the BSc in Game Design program. The university leverages its strong network to provide students with valuable networking opportunities. The curriculum is developed with input from professionals in the game industry, ensuring that the skills students learn are highly relevant and in demand. The program's project-based learning model, where students work in teams to build games, simulates the collaborative environment of a real game studio. This, combined with opportunities for internships and joint projects with companies, allows students to gain direct work experience and build a strong professional network, significantly enhancing their employability in the game industry. Graduates from MDH have gone on to work at major international companies such as Ubisoft and Yager.
Global Perspective: The BSc in Game Design program provides a strong global perspective by offering an international academic experience. The program is taught in both English and German, making it accessible to a diverse student body and preparing graduates for a career in the international games industry. By studying in a major European creative hub like Berlin, students are immersed in a vibrant, multicultural environment that fosters creativity and cross-cultural communication. The curriculum also focuses on the wider context of the game industry in relation to economic, social, and cultural determinants, preparing graduates to navigate the complexities of a globalized digital entertainment landscape.
Location
Berlin
Score
IELTS 6
Tuition Fee
Euro 12600
Undergraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for undergraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 50% or above in their previous academic qualifications.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.0 or 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 46 or higher.
Media Design Hochschule (MD.H) is fostering global talent and creativity by offering various scholarship opportunities and financial aid options to support international students in pursuing their academic and professional goals. While MD.H is a private institution, it provides both internal and external funding support to help international students manage the cost of education in Germany.
MD.H Talent Scholarships: Media Design Hochschule offers merit-based scholarships to highly motivated and talented students applying for bachelor’s or master’s programs. These scholarships are granted based on academic excellence, creative portfolios, motivation letters, and, in some cases, personal interviews. They typically cover partial tuition fees and are renewable based on academic performance.
Galileo Global Education Scholarships: As a part of Galileo Global Education, MD.H students may be eligible for funding and support programs coordinated by the larger education group. These scholarships are often focused on diversity, international engagement, and inclusion, providing financial support to students from underrepresented regions or backgrounds.
Deutschlandstipendium (Germany Scholarship): MD.H participates in the national Deutschlandstipendium program, which offers financial support to talented students of all nationalities. The scholarship provides jointly funded by private sponsors and the German government. Recipients are selected based on academic merit, social engagement, and personal achievements.
DAAD Scholarships: International students applying to MD.H can also apply for external scholarships from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). These scholarships offer comprehensive support for undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate students and may cover tuition fees, living expenses, and travel costs. DAAD scholarships are highly competitive and require early application.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Game Design from Media Design University of Applied Sciences are well-prepared for a variety of creative and technical roles in the booming game development industry.
Game Designer: A core career path where graduates are responsible for the creative direction of a game, including its rules, mechanics, and overall player experience. They often write the design documents that guide the entire development team.
Game Programmer/Developer: For those who specialize in "Game Engineering," this role involves writing the code that brings a game to life. This can include everything from gameplay programming and AI implementation to graphics programming and tool development.
Game Artist: For those who specialize in "Game Art," this role involves creating the visual elements of a game, including characters, environments, and user interfaces. This can include concept art, 3D modeling, texturing, and animation.
Level Designer: A level designer is a specialist who creates the stages, missions, and environments within a game. They focus on level layout, pacing, and the integration of gameplay elements to create an engaging experience.
Quality Assurance (QA) Tester: These professionals play games to find bugs and glitches before a product is released to the public. While it can be an entry-level position, it is a crucial role that ensures the game is polished and functional.
Narrative Designer: This role is for graduates who excel at storytelling. A narrative designer crafts the plot, dialogue, and lore of a game, ensuring a compelling and cohesive narrative that enhances the player's experience.
Technical Artist: This is a hybrid role that bridges the gap between artists and programmers. Technical artists are responsible for creating tools and workflows that help the art team work more efficiently and for solving technical problems related to the visual aspects of a game.
Producer: A producer in the game industry is a project manager who oversees the entire game development process. They manage schedules, budgets, and teams, ensuring that the game is delivered on time and meets its objectives.
VFX Artist: These professionals create the special effects in a game, such as explosions, smoke, fire, and magical spells. The program's training in digital film design and visual effects is directly applicable to this role.
Game Economy Designer: This is a specialized role, often in free-to-play games, where graduates design and implement a game's economic systems, including virtual currencies, in-game purchases, and rewards. This role requires a blend of design skills, business acumen, and an understanding of player psychology.
