Please outline a concept for a research and development project that you plan to realize throughout your graduate studies at CGL. Depending on your individual preference, you can lay a stronger focus on the research or the development part of the project – or dedicate an equal amount of work to both. This should also be your Master’s Project and Thesis.

(In the first two semesters, a research and development project is assigned within a 10-ECTS-module for each semester. The third semester allows you to nearly fully concentrate on the completion of the project.)

A) Research project (max. 1000 Words)

Your individual research project can be a theoretical, empirical, or applied study. It should be related to the development project. Please include the following information:

• In which academic field(s) or discipline(s) you will conduct your research – e.g., game studies, game informatics, game design, game arts.
• ­A research question or hypothesis.
• ­Methodology.

Additionally, you should provide:

• ­ A timetable spanning all three semesters.
• ­ A list of references.

(These two last items do not count towards the 1000-word limit.)

B) Development project (max. 1000 Words)

Your development project can be a game or any other type of interactive experience. It could also entail the development of technology, such as a game engine.

We encourage you to deliver your development project in a form that suits your ideas and creative abilities in the best way possible. Concepts are accepted in written form (as a pitch document, game design document, etc.), as a visualization (concept art, animation, level mockup, etc.), as a film clip (e.g., teaser/trailer), or as mixed media. Please refrain from sending us prototypes. Should you create one, please send us videos and/or screen captures.

All projects should start with a working title and a short description (100 words max). The structure and form of the main part of your presentation are up to you.

Please also provide a timetable for your development project spanning all three semesters (can be combined with the timetable for the research project).

Submitting a group development project is possible. However, each team member needs to send an individual application detailing his or her contribution. Please keep in mind that not all group members are guaranteed acceptance.

“Tell us why you would like to study at CGL.”

Please make sure to upload your portfolio on the online application platform.

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

“MADG2025_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. We will invite a group of selected candidates to the interview round which will take place on June 6. The interview schedule will be posted on our website on May 14. 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  at  the end of June.

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. Our student registration office will conduct the assessment of your diplomas concerning their legal validity after the aptitude assessment (in July). In case you pass our aptitude assessment, we will offer you more information on this matter.

International Applicants with non-German diplomas

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 2025/26 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.