In order to apply to the Master’s program “Game Development & Research,” candidates must hand in a proposal for a project in the field of non-linear AV media. Candidates may select any theme or genre for the proposal.

A) Written project outline (1000 Words)

Prepare a written presentation which outlines the project you want to achieve and how you plan to achieve it. We will accept narrative as well as non-narrative approaches. You should take the following points into consideration when developing your idea and mention them in the presentation of your project:

• Short description / storyline (if applicable), gameplay elements
• Target audience
• Platform
• Examples of similar work / sources of inspiration

B) Visualization (Digital Forms)

Give us a first impression of the look and feel of your project. The type and style of the visualization are up to you. From mood boards, sketches, storyboards, and character design, to short animations. Please refrain from sending us prototypes. Should you make one, send us screen and/or video captures.

Tell us what your three favorite pieces of AV media are (games, film, etc.) and justify your choices.

Tell us why you would like to study at CGL.

Convince us in one sentence why you should be picked for this program.

Please combine both assignments into one PDF and label it as follows:

“MAGDR2023_lastname-firstname.pdf”

This document can include links to audiovisual add-ons like external players (YouTube, browser games) or downloadable files (e.g. Dropbox). Please make sure that the submitted formats are easily accessible.

You need to upload the PDF to the corresponding field in the online application form. The form needs to be submitted by March 31 at 23:59 CEST at the latest. Please ensure that all documents are complete before you upload your application. We do not accept duplicate applications. Once you submit it, you will receive your applicant number. Keep this number safe! It will be important for the next step of the application process.

After March 31 all applications will be evaluated. A group of selected candidates will be invited to the interview round which will take place on June 13 & 14. The interview schedule will be posted on our website on May 26. To find out if you have been invited to an interview, you will need to look for your applicant number, which will be provided to you in the confirmation mail, after you submitted the application form on the CGL website. 

The interviews will be conducted online.
The interview modality is: Zoom.

Once the interviews are carried out, all accepted and rejected candidates will be informed via email in the beginning of July.

Be aware that CGL does not check the formal validity of your diplomas as a formal entrance requirement to TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences. The assessment of your diplomas concerning their formal validity will be conducted by our student registration office after the aptitude assessment (in July). In case you pass our aptitude test, we will offer you more information on this matter.

International applicants have to submit their documents to the validation agency Uni-Assist parallel to the CGL application procedure. The deadlines for Uni-Assist submissions are March 31 (BA & MA applicants).

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 2023/24 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.