Application Process

Entry Requirements:

  • practical media skills, knowledge and experience;
  • Individual interest, intrinsic motivation and personal ambition to deepen media practical and media theoretical examination of non-linear audio visions;
  • the practical ability to work independently and in a team on creative projects;
  • the media-theoretical ability to participate in scientific discourse;
  • the command of the English language in word and writing (During the course of the application phase, the admission board tests the applicant’s English language skills. Therefore, an additional official certificate, e.g. TOEFL, IELTS, is not necessary to be accepted. German language skills are not necessary.)

Application:

The selection procedure determines the artistic and scientific suitability of the applicants. This aptitude test takes place once a year in the spring months. Anyone with a university entrance qualification or who is expected to acquire this by July 15th of the same year is eligible to take part. The entire procedure will be conducted in English.

In practice, the procedure consists of two stages:

  • Submission of documents such as curriculum vitae, certificates and relevant work samples as well as written processing of a homework assignment, usually within a period of one month;
  • Interview on site or alternatively in the case of a very long journey from abroad or for other comprehensible reasons in the form of a video interview.

The homework is the draft of a game idea on a given topic. The applicants are free in the choice of the organization and representation means and can work on the task according to their interests and talents and/or in regard to the desired specialization – as long as the result can be sent digitally. The textual representation of the own play idea can be illustrated in such a way by illustrations and if necessary also already small prototypes be illustrated. Further tasks such as the written discussion of texts on topics from the areas of “Game Studies” and “Game Design Theory” check the reflection competence of the applicants. Those applicants who have proven their fundamental suitability in the first stage of our procedure will then be invited to an interview towards the end of the summer semester. 

Portfolio Guidelines for BA Digital Games:

Game Art – Portfolio Guideline

A Game Art Portfolio should include about  8-12 pieces of art. As the study program is predominantly laid out for students to become art generalists, the chosen pieces are to reflect the level as well as the diversity of the student’s artistic skills. We would be happy to see work such as:

  • Drawings – classical and/or digital (e.g. quick sketches, drawings of objects and nature, color studies etc.)
  • 3D Modeling (please, include image showing wireframe on shaded)
  • 2D and/or 3D Animation (several animations should be edited together in one reel)
  • Workflow – Include visual material documenting the steps you took (e.g. reference images, sketches)
  • Own Style – draw and create in your own style! (avoid e.g. Anime)
  • Game Concept Task specific: for art specialists the emphasis lies on Art over Game Design.  Visuals are needed to support text.

Please, note that the portfolio/ reel should be viewable online (e.g. Artstation, Vimeo, YouTube etc). Nothing will be downloaded.

Game Design – Portfolio Guideline

We’re happy to see your game design work such as :

  • analog games, like board or card games
  • digital games of all genres and types
  • design concepts focused on gameplay and game mechanics (documents, sketches, images or videos of designs you’ve done)
  • examples of game mods (short description + images)
  • any other interesting interactive activity

Tell us about your game related experiences, such as:

  • participating in game jams
  • community activities like managing guilds, participating in game tests, engaging in forums, LARPs, game mastering
  • esports activities
  • game related content you’ve created, like websites, streams, podcasts

Please, note that the portfolio/ reel should be viewable online (e.g. Artstation, Vimeo, YouTube etc). Nothing will be downloaded.

Game Programming – Portfolio Guideline 

We would like to get some information about:

  • your current background in programming
  • games or game related prototypes developed by you
  • knowledge of game engines, e.g. GameMaker, Unity3D, Unreal4
  • your participation in games jams, e.g. Global Game Jam
  • your experience working in a group with different roles, e.g. art, design, sound

Do you have some additional experiences for example in:

  • web technologies, front or backend
  • hardware related technologies like robotics
  • music and sound design

Please, note that the portfolio/reel should be viewable online (e.g. Artstation, Vimeo, YouTube etc). Nothing will be downloaded.

The application period 2024 starts on March 1st! Then, you can find out more about the application process here.


IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS WITH NON-GERMAN DIPLOMAS

Please be aware that CGL does not check the formal validity of your documents. International applicants have to submit their documents to the validation agency Uni-Assist parallel to the CGL application procedure. The deadline for Uni-Assist submissions is also March 31.

All application documents must be submitted to Uni-Assist as officially certified copies. If your documents are issued in a language other than English or German, you are required to submit a German or English language translation from a state certified translator.

For the winter semester 2024/25 you can apply in digital form at uni-assist, you do not have to send any documents by post. TH Köln reserves the right to check these documents during the enrollment.

We would generally recommend you to prepare and submit your Uni Assist materials early on. The evaluation process by Uni Assist can take up to four weeks ­during peak times even longer. Your final admission, however, depends on the result of the evaluation.

Please find further information on the Uni-Assist procedure here:

Uni-Assist

Uni-Assist FAQ