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B.A. Digital Games

TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences (Cologne Game Lab) · Cologne, Germany

100% taught in EnglishApply direct to the university, not the CAOSelectiveTuition-freePortfolio and interview35 places
Duration3.5 years
StartsAutumn 2027
EntrySelective
Deadline (EU)31 Mar 2026Passed: check the university for the next intake
EU fee 2026/27No tuition fee

About the course

A seven-semester English-taught bachelor’s in making digital games, combining project-based practical work with media and game studies. Students choose a focus in Game Arts, Game Design or Game Programming.

Entry requirements for Irish students

  • Germany (KMK/ZAB rules on anabin) accepts the Leaving Certificate for direct university entry only with six general subjects: at least two at Higher Level H5 or better, the other four at O6/H6 or better, including two languages and Maths at O5/H6 or better. Arts subjects need nothing extra, but Cologne Game Lab publishes no Ireland-specific rule, so confirm with admissions and uni-assist. LCA and LCVP are not accepted.
  • Stage 1: CV, certificates, work samples and a homework assignment (a draft game idea on a set topic, in a format you choose, usually with about a month to complete it). Stage 2: interview on site or by video for shortlisted candidates.
  • English: no IELTS/TOEFL certificate required; the whole procedure is in English and the admissions board assesses your English during it.

How to apply

  1. Check your Leaving Cert subjectsMake sure your six subjects meet the German rule (two Higher Level at H5+, two languages, Maths at O5/H6+), and start building work samples.
  2. Apply in MarchSubmit CV, certificates, work samples and the homework assignment on the Cologne Game Lab portal (1–31 March in the 2026 cycle), and send certified documents to uni-assist by 31 March.
  3. Second round and interviewIf shortlisted (notified by 1 May in 2026), attend an interview in Cologne or by video in the first week of June.
  4. Decision and final resultsDecisions come mid-June; send your Leaving Cert results by 15 July, enrol and start mid-September.
Deadline for Irish/EU applicants: 2026 cycle (published): application portal open 1–31 March 2026; documents to uni-assist in parallel by 31 March; candidates notified about the second round by 1 May; interviews in the first week of June; final decisions mid-June; school-leaving certificate can follow by 15 July. Course starts mid-September. 2027 dates not yet published; expect a similar March window and confirm with Cologne Game Lab..

Costs

  • Cologne Game Lab states there are no tuition fees. As at any German public university of applied sciences, you pay a semester contribution each semester (in Germany typically about €150–400 per semester, often including a regional public transport ticket); check the current TH Köln amount before you enrol. Applicants with a foreign school certificate, such as the Leaving Certificate, also go through uni-assist, which charges its own handling fee.
The deadline is 31 March, months before Leaving Cert results, and you must also send documents to uni-assist by the same date. Only 35 students are taken each year, so your work samples and homework assignment matter most.

At a glance

CountryGermany
CityCologne
LanguageEnglish
Apply viaUniversity online portal + uni-assist (for foreign school certificates)
Places35 places per year
EntrySelective
Programme overview ↗B.A. application process ↗← Back to all European courses

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Checked against the official Cologne Game Lab (TH Köln) website: September 2026 (2027 entry). Dates are from the 2026 cycle; confirm 2027 dates with Cologne Game Lab. Always confirm details with the university before applying.