MA Game Design
IN HAMBURG
Our graduates have found employment with
ACADEMIC PARTNER
University for the Creative Arts is a specialist creative institution dedicated to art, design, fashion, media, and creative business disciplines. With campuses across the south of England, it is highly industry-focused and known for producing graduates in the creative industries.
Overall ranking: placed 100th in the Guardian University Guide 2026, with strong performance in student satisfaction (80.1%), feedback quality (78.8%), and solid graduate outcomes in creative sectors. UCA is one of the UK’s leading specialist creative universities, particularly recognised for fashion, animation, and design-related programmes
KEY FACTS
LOCATIONS
Hamburg, Germany
DURATION
18 Months
PRICE**
€14,425
FORMAT
On-campus
CERTIFIED BY
University of Creative Arts
MODE OF STUDY
Full-time
INTAKES*
February, October
*Intakes are subject to change
** Discounts upto 50% available, see all pricing and fees
The School’s admissions process is subject to the Consumer Contracts (Terms and Conditions). Information on your Right of Withdrawal and our Refund Policy can be found in the BSBI study agreement.
SECURE YOUR PLACE ON THIS PROGRAMME BY APPLYING TODAY.
FIND OUT HOW TO APPLY HERE >>
PROGRAMME OVERVIEW
Our MA Game Design equips students for the dynamic digital games industry where rapid growth demands skilled practitioners to drive innovation. Taught by game studies academics and industry experts, the Masters in Game Design course delves into game development within an industrial context. You’ll build your portfolio as a solo developer or collaborator, culminating in a final major project to create a digital game product.
WHO IS THIS PROGRAMME FOR
The MA Game Design at the Berlin Business School of Innovation, Hamburg Campus is designed for a diverse range of individuals with a keen interest in game design, whether they are newcomers to the field or experienced professionals looking to advance their careers.
This course is perfect for:
- Individuals who aspire to become game designers and want to gain comprehensive knowledge and skills in game development.
- Those already working in the gaming industry who wish to enhance their expertise and stay abreast of the latest trends and technologies.
- Individuals with a background in multimedia programming seeking to specialise in game development.
- Artists, concept designers, and VFX artists looking to apply their creative skills in the context of game design.
- Individuals passionate about technology and software engineering who want to channel their interest into creating engaging digital games.
- Those interested in project management within the gaming industry, focusing on the unique challenges of game development projects.
- Individuals aiming to specialise in the marketing and public relations aspects of the gaming industry.
WHAT WILL THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE?
The Masters in Game Design programme combines creative practice, academic research, and EDI principles, positioning you at the forefront of the global games industry. It emphasises technical skills, project management, and research, allowing you to experiment with the latest game technology, hone project management methodologies, and explore game design trends.
Your journey focuses on realising creative ideas and building a dynamic body of work. Whether as a solo developer or in a team, you’ll develop a strong online profile and stay engaged with cutting-edge academic research in your specialisation, preparing you for success in the ever-evolving world of game design.
WHY STUDY THIS PROGRAMME
You will collaboratively build your portfolio within sizable teams, culminating in a final major project aimed at creating and launching a fully realised digital game product. This immersive experience goes beyond game production, providing you with a scholarly comprehension of the broader creative industries. You’ll also hone essential skills such as interdisciplinary communication, project management, and collaboration, as well as marketing and public relations. This holistic approach empowers you to not only gain practical expertise but also to cultivate a robust professional profile and establish a notable presence in your chosen field.
REASONS TO STUDY THIS PROGRAMME
01
Defining your Practice
You’ll explore creative practices in order to inform the detailed development of your project proposal later in the course. The unit aims to provide a structured framework to allow you to investigate the potential of methods, ideas and themes in your discipline as well as helping inform and locate your practice.
02
Context and Method
Through a series of lectures and seminars, you’ll actively engage in a range of current debates which provide cultural and intellectual context for the consideration of ideas in visual communication. The programme addresses interdisciplinary issues through the discussion of theory and the consideration of specific design-led work and texts.
03
Project Development
In this unit, you will develop the themes and focus of your final project in the fields of illustration, graphic design, animation or visual communication. This will allow you to evaluate and test out the aims of your proposal over a sustained period of self-directed study. At this stage, the development of your project will be guided and questioned through tutorials, group critiques and presentations, which will support the progress of your work and provide rigorous critical appraisal from staff, peers and professional practitioners. While encouraging the continued exploration and questioning of your ideas, you will continue the process of developing appropriate methods and strategies for your project’s realisation as you begin to work more independently as a researcher and practitioner, refining your research questions and the research methods you are using.
03
Realisation and Dissemination
You’ll apply knowledge and experience gained in previous units to the realisation of your final MA project – the culmination and consolidation of your studies in the form of a resolved piece, or body of work. It should show coherence and innovation at a professional level of resolution. You’ll also be required to prepare a critical paper intended to reflect upon the specific practical outcome of the MA project, its interpretation and its success as a demonstration of your approach to creative practice through research.
programme structure
This 18-month (Level 7) Masters in Game Design course consists of three terms of study and six months dedicated to your dissertation.
The first two terms include a range of lectures and seminars and you’ll start to explore your creative practice in order to inform the detailed development of your project proposal later in the course.
In the third term you begin developing your MA project, evaluating and testing out the aims of your proposal over a sustained period of self-directed study.
Expressive Game Design
Games Research and Professional Contexts 1
Prototyping Lab
Genre and Affect Games Research
Professional Contexts 2
Term 3
Games Design Project
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Academic Profile
- Min age: 21
- Successful completion of a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university
- Consideration will also be given to applicants with a minimum of 3 years relevant managerial experience, demonstrating an ability to study at postgraduate level.
- If you do not meet the academic requirements, you may be assessed based on 3 years of relevant work experience (illustration, animation, graphic design or general visual communication), demonstrating your ability to study at postgraduate level.
English Proficiency
- IELTS: 6.0 overall TOEFL IBT: 80 (Listening 17, Reading 18, Speaking 20, Writing 17). Pearson Test of English (PTE): 56 (with min 51 in each component). Duolingo English Test: 105+.
COMPUTER EQUIPMENT
- In recent developments of hybrid learning, we require each student to arrive equipped with a laptop. We, therefore, recommend the purchase of a design-friendly mobile laptop. Please click below to read more about the technical requirement. Technical Entry Requirement
Online Application
- You can apply now to study with BSBI! It’s quick and easy, here’s how it works:
- Create an account here
- Select the programme and intake you want to apply for
- Complete all sections of the online application
- Submit online application
- Our Admissions Team will liaise with you with regards to next steps
Portfolio Submission
- Your Portfolio Submission
- You are required to submit an online portfolio via our BSBI Applicant Portal. Before submitting your artwork, please have a look through the Portfolio Cookbook
- What is a portfolio?
- Your portfolio is a collection of your best work. We want to see what inspires you, how you develop your work, your creative thinking processes, how and what you create and what makes you a unique creative individual.
- What should my portfolio contain?
- Your portfolio might contain sketches and paintings, digital art and design. It might also contain sound work, short films.
- Upload up to 12 pieces of work which can include audio or video files.
- How do I submit my portfolio?
- We’ll only be accepting portfolios digitally. You can do this once you’ve applied via our online submission system within the Applicant Portal.
- You can also link to external websites such as Vimeo and YouTube.
- Further information on how to compile and upload your portfolio will be provided by our admissions team via our admissions portal once you have applied.
Edge Student Hub
Finding the perfect place to live while you study is crucial. BSBI has partnered with Edge Student Hub, to provide an accommodation package that ensures you have a comfortable from day one in Germany. Located just 45 minutes from central Berlin, the accommodation provides convenience and ease. Shared rooms start at €599 per month, with single rooms and shared apartments also available. Secure your ideal living arrangement and focus on your studies without any worries.
Bring a Friend and save €500!
If you have a friend who is also planning to study in Berlin, let your Accommodation Advisor know. You can receive a €500 discount on your final month’s rent for a shared room*. Please note that your friend must be enrolled at Gisma, BSBI, UE Germany, or Arden Berlin to qualify for this offer.
CAREER PROGRESSION
Successful Graduates: Navigating Lucrative Careers in the Gaming Industry.
Our alumni have successfully transitioned into readily accessible avenues, leading them to rewarding and thriving positions within the dynamic field of game development:
- Concept designer
- Game designer
- Games developer
- Multimedia programmer
- Multimedia specialist
- Software engineer
- VFX artist
BSBI’s dedicated Careers Service helps Masters in Game Design students and alumni reach their career goals and realise their potential. The Service offers specialised support and aims to build long-lasting relationships with local and national employers.
Visit the Careers Service website.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Creative Game Design and Innovation
Upon successful completion of the MA in Game Design, students will be able to create original game concepts, develop prototypes, and test innovative ideas that push creative boundaries. They will gain the confidence to experiment with different genres, mechanics, and emotional experiences to design engaging and impactful games.
Game Analysis and Development Expertise
Students will develop both practical and theoretical expertise across a broad range of game design and development principles, concepts, and techniques. They will learn to deconstruct games by analysing their dynamics, mechanics, and aesthetics, while proposing innovative solutions to enhance the overall player experience.
Research, Critical Evaluation, and Professional Practice
The programme equips students with the ability to apply a variety of analytical and research methodologies to examine the form and content of video games. They will critically evaluate game art and design practices, reflect on their own work, and apply industry-standard approaches to assess and improve games within professional development environments.
Industry Impact and Creative Leadership
Graduates will gain a strong understanding of the key concepts, theories, and debates shaping the evolving field of game design. They will develop the skills, mindset, and professional awareness needed to make a meaningful contribution to the creative industries, explore new opportunities for innovation, and create a lasting impact within their chosen sector.
OUR NUMBERS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES
Built from more than 2,800 student responses across BSBI campuses, the results reflect strong student satisfaction, support, and career-focused learning.
87%
overall student satisfaction
88%
feel BSBI provides a diverse and inclusive environment
90%+
satisfaction with career services
84%
would recommend BSBI
96%
satisfaction with enrolment support
400+
students secured jobs or internships in 2025
HOW TO APPLY
Apply for your enrolment today and secure your place at BSBI.
Speak with an expert and plan your academic future at BSBI.
STUDENT VOICES
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TESTIMONIALS
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