Game Design & Development (B.A.)

About the course

A six-semester (180 ECTS), English-taught B.A. in Berlin covering game design, game art, narrative and programming with game engines. The fifth semester is a practical internship semester worth 25 ECTS. There is no numerus clausus (no competitive cap on places), so anyone who meets the entry requirements can be admitted.

Entry requirements for Irish students

• Macromedia asks for a school leaving certificate that gives university entrance, and certificates from outside Bavaria must be officially confirmed as equivalent where necessary. Under German rules (KMK/anabin), the Leaving Certificate gives direct entry if you have six general subjects. These must include two languages and Maths at O5/H6 or better. At least two must be at Higher Level with H5 or better, and the rest at O6/H6 or better. LCA and LCVP are not accepted. Macromedia publishes nothing specific on the Leaving Cert, so confirm with admissions.
• Application documents (official admissions page): school leaving certificate, CV in table form, letter of motivation, a copy of your passport or ID, and proof of English. A portfolio is not listed for this programme.
• English: Macromedia asks for TOEFL iBT 72 or IELTS 6.0 or equivalent. On its programme fee pages, this applies to applicants who were not schooled in English, so Irish students taught through English should normally be exempt. Confirm this with admissions before you book a test.

How to apply

1. Check your Leaving Cert subjectsPlan six subjects, including two languages and Maths at O5/H6 or better, with at least two Higher Level subjects at H5 or better.
2. Prepare your documentsWrite a CV and a motivation letter, and ask admissions to confirm that you do not need an English test because you were schooled in English.
3. Apply onlineSubmit the Macromedia online application with your certificates, CV, motivation letter and ID well before the deadline, which is about 30 September 2027 for the October 2027 intake.
4. Enrol and paySign the study contract, pay the €699 registration fee and your first tuition instalment, and find accommodation in Berlin before the 1 October start.

Costs

• €6,000 per semester (€12,000 a year) plus a one-off €699 registration fee, as listed on the official programme page for the 2026 intakes. Everyone pays the same fee, whether from the EU or not. Macromedia is a private, state-recognised university, so fees are far higher than at public German universities, which charge only a small semester contribution. It offers payment plans and scholarships. 2027 fees are not yet published.

At a glance