Games
HAW Hamburg · Hamburg, Germany
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
The master’s degree course “Games” (M.A.) at HAW Hamburg trains you for game design, development, and studio-focused practice by combining academic learning with project-based work in Hamburg’s games ecosystem.
For international applicants, admission includes a subject-specific aptitude assessment with a work sample and an interview, and German language proficiency is required at level C1 for participation in the course.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Build expertise in Game Design, Game Programming/Engineering, and related game-development specialisations.
- Develop competence in narrative, UX, and interactive storytelling approaches used in game production workflows.
- Work on supervised project-oriented learning elements that support portfolio growth.
- Complete the programme’s capstone work leading to the Master qualification.
- Apply your acquired skills from the programme’s games-focused specialisation areas to your final project/thesis work.
- Finish degree requirements for the Master of Arts (Games) programme.
Curriculum
Master Games (M.A.) at HAW Hamburg is organised in modules across three study semesters plus a Master thesis module; credits are shown in LP (Leistungspunkte) from the official Modulhandbuch for the Games sub-programme.
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | ECTS | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Module 1–4 | Game Project 1 - Concept | 15 | 30 |
| Game Design 1 | 5 | |||
| Management 1 | 5 | |||
| Advanced Electives 1 | 5 | |||
| Semester 2 | Module 5–8 and Game Design 2 | Game Project 2 - Production | 15 | 35 |
| Game Design 2 | 5 | |||
| Management 2 | 5 | |||
| Advanced Electives 2 | 5 | |||
| Research | 5 | |||
| Semester 3 | Module 9–10 | Game Project 3 - Finalization | 10 | 30 |
| Masterthesis | 20 | |||
| Total | All modules (Game Project 1–3, Design, Management, Electives, Research) plus Master thesis | 95 LP | ||
Career outcomes
- You will build game-development skills aligned to roles in Game Design, Game Programming/Engineering, and production-oriented game project work.
- The programme’s focus on narrative design, interactive storytelling, and UX/user-centred design helps you qualify for design and product roles where user experience matters.
- With learning supported by games-industry themes like mixed reality (VR/AR) and human-computer interaction, you gain job-ready experience for modern interactive entertainment and interactive media teams.
- You strengthen portfolio-ready outputs through project-oriented study, which improves how you present your capabilities to studios and teams.
- The Master of Arts credential from HAW Hamburg supports progression toward more senior design/engineering responsibilities in the games and interactive media industry.
Employability rate
For Master’s graduates in the games and interactive media area in Germany, an employability rate is typically around 82% and an unemployment rate of about 18%, reflecting steady demand but a competitive hiring market.
Together, these figures mean you can expect a reasonably stable outlook, especially when your portfolio and project experience match studio and industry needs.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree / Diplom (or equivalent) | International applicants must hold a completed Bachelor’s (BSc, BEng or BA) or Diplom degree (or equivalent) in a design-, tech- or media-related subject such as media technology, media systems, computer science or IT, communication design, illustration, or a related field. The degree must be worth at least 210 credit points. The programme also notes that applicants whose Bachelor’s degree is 180 credit points (ECTS) must acquire another 30 credit points before starting the master thesis. |
| Aptitude assessment (artistic aptitude) | Admission requires successful completion of the aptitude assessment with two parts: submission of a sample of your work and an interview (you will be invited if your work convinces the committee). You will need to register in writing for the aptitude assessment in the Faculty of Design during the published period and submit your work sample. |
Module matching by study area
| Study area | Match possible? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Design, tech or media-related bachelor / Diplom background | Strong match | The programme is aimed at holders of Bachelor’s or Diplom degrees (or equivalent) in a design-, tech- or media-related subject, including areas such as media technology, media systems, computer science/IT, communication design, illustration, or similar. |
Language requirements
International applicants need to submit proof of sufficient German language skills before commencing their studies. The Games master programme requires German proficiency at C1 level.
MOI (Medium of Instruction)
Other accepted proofs
Exam / assessment
| Component | Required? | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Aptitude assessment interview (as part of selection) | required | The aptitude assessment includes an interview for shortlisted applicants after the submission of a work sample. Registration for the aptitude assessment is required during the Faculty of Design registration window, and the interview is part of the selection process. |
💶 Fees & Funding
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Semester fee | EUR 397 / per semester | Semester contribution for winter semester 2026/27 is €397, including semester ticket and Germany-wide rail pass. |
| Administrative fee | EUR 50 / per semester | Administrative fee is a flat-rate charge for services outside subject-related supervision; amount shown as €50 in the semester contribution breakdown. |
Proof of financial resources
As an international applicant, you must be able to finance your studies in Germany. For your German student visa/immigration process, you will typically need to show proof of sufficient funds; always follow the latest requirements published by the relevant German authorities.
- Blocked account (blocked account amount requirements) for student residence purposes as stated by Germany’s official immigration guidance.
- Proof of funds may also be provided via other acceptable means only if the German authorities publish them as valid options.
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone | April - Summer intake |
|---|---|
| Application portal opens | December 01, 2025 |
| Application deadline (final submit) | January 15, 2026 |
| Application deadline (EU students) | N/A |
| Application deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A |
| Recommended apply-by | December 01, 2025 |
| Semester begins | April 01, 2026 |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone | April - Summer intake |
|---|---|
| VPD request - recommended | N/A |
| VPD result expected | N/A |
| APS - recommended | N/A |
| Start eligibility check | N/A |
Document submission deadlines
| Milestone | April - Summer intake |
|---|---|
| Application submission deadline | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (EU students) | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A |
| Language certificate deadline | January 15, 2026 |
| Official transcripts deadline | January 15, 2026 |
| Certified translations deadline | January 15, 2026 |
| Postal / hard-copy documents deadline | N/A |
| Missing documents (if requested) | N/A |
📝 How to Apply
Register for and apply to the aptitude assessment
Register in writing for the aptitude assessment with the Faculty of Design in the published registration period and submit your required work sample. HAW Hamburg states that the aptitude assessment has two parts: submission of your work and an interview for applicants invited after Part 1. Make sure your work sample demonstrates your interest and aptitude for the programme. If you do not yet have your final bachelor certificate, HAW Hamburg provides instructions on what to submit as a replacement document during the aptitude assessment stage.
Complete the formal online application for the master place
After you pass the aptitude assessment, you can submit your formal application online during the published application period for the Games master. HAW Hamburg states that the Games master accepts new entrants in the summer semester only. During the formal stage, you will upload your documents required for the application and submit the documents that show your overall final grade and/or bachelor examination results. Keep track of the deadline window and upload documents in the required format during the application period.
Prepare for selection and document checks
HAW Hamburg explains that the admissions and application process involves the aptitude assessment selection. During the formal application stage, you submit the documents listed for the formal stage, including proof that you passed the aptitude assessment. HAW Hamburg also notes language requirements, including English proficiency being tested during your interview and German proficiency at C1 level for international applicants. If you are missing documents or need to provide supporting certificates, follow the specific instructions given in the programme’s application materials.