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The Central State Office for Distance Learning (ZFU) has approved the course Game Design under the number 1117221c. Who this German-taught Game Design B.A. is for — and what you need to apply
This degree suits you if you want to enter the games industry fully online from outside Germany. Typical profiles include: (1) junior designers or QA/gameplay testers aiming to formalise skills with a recognised Bachelor (180 ECTS) while building a portfolio; (2) UX/UI, media or 3D generalists seeking to pivot into systems, level or narrative design without pausing work; (3) indie creators who need structured methods, analytics and production know-how to take concepts to prototype and release. You study without mandatory on-site attendance and can sit exams online, which makes it feasible from abroad.
Admission requirements
Formal entry routes are flexible and recognise international backgrounds. The programme is taught in German.
- Standard university entrance: general or subject-specific higher education entrance qualification, or German Fachhochschulreife.
- International school-leaving certificates: admission based on an equivalence check (Anabin). Typical examples include IB Diploma or other foreign secondary qualifications considered comparable.
- Admission without Abitur: possible via one of the following:
- Master craftsperson certificate (Meister) or
- Advanced professional training (e.g. IHK Fachwirt) or
- At least two years of recognised vocational training plus three years of full-time work experience. Depending on fit, you may start with a trial study or provide alternative proof of aptitude. EU vocational qualifications can be accepted if comparable to German DQR level 4 (subject to equivalence check).
- Required German language certificates (for non-native speakers, proof before start; usually not older than five years):
- TestDaF with at least 3 points in all sections
- DSH-1
- telc Deutsch B2
- ÖSD B2
- Rolling admission: you can start any time; full-time and two part-time models are available.
Personal requirements
Remote study rewards consistency and self-management. Plan a realistic weekly workload aligned to your model: about 40 hours (full-time), ~30 hours (part-time I) or ~20 hours (part-time II). You will iterate on prototypes, deliver design documents and collaborate in virtual teams, so you need strong self-organisation, reliable time-blocking and the perseverance to finish multi-week projects. Comfortable German at B2 level is essential to follow materials, join live sessions and present work; clear written feedback and documentation matter as much as creative ideas. Be proactive in seeking feedback, schedule live classes across time zones when possible, and reserve quiet blocks for exams and portfolio work. If you can protect regular study hours alongside your job and keep momentum through sprints and reviews, the fully online format will fit you well.
What will you study in the Game Design (B.A.) at IU International University?
This programme is taught in German. If you apply with an international background, you need German at about B2 level; accepted certificates include TestDaF (min. 3 in all parts), DSH-1, telc Deutsch B2 or ÖSD B2. You study as a Fernstudium (distance learning) approved by the German authority ZFU (state approval no. 1117221c).
You combine design, psychology and technology to take a game from idea to playable prototype. Early modules cover user-centred design and narrative: e.g. User Experience, Storytelling and Game Studies. Psychology (motivation, emotion, attention) underpins how you shape rules, reward systems and fair difficulty curves.
Gameplay, level and world building: you explore Game Development and Level Design, Advanced Game Design and World Design. You learn to design core loops, missions, spatial layouts, enemy/NPC placement and pacing so that systems, puzzles and progression feel coherent.
UX/UI and audio-visual craft: you work on Design and Ergonomics of User Interfaces, Fundamentals of Audio-Visual Media and Game Art. This sharpens interface logic, usability, feedback systems and the visual/audio language that supports player experience.
Tech, data and production: you touch on Artificial Intelligence, Augmented/Mixed/Virtual Reality, Statistics and Data Analytics & Big Data. With IT Project Management and Collaborative Work you practise agile teamwork, documentation and scope control that mirror real studio workflows.
Electives let you shape your profile: choose Concept Game Designer (ideation, pitching, prototyping), Core Game Designer (systems, levels, balancing) or Analytic Game Designer (player data, monetisation, UX metrics). Multiple project modules (analogue game, digital prototype, industry insights) build a portfolio. You finish with a Bachelor’s thesis for a total of 180 ECTS. IU is a state-recognised German university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule), and this degree is programme-accredited through 02/2029.
How does the Game Design distance programme work?
You study fully online with rolling start dates, digital materials and virtual classes. Assessments are mostly remote via online proctoring; test centres are available if you prefer. There are no mandatory on-site days in Germany. As a purely remote programme, no visa is required.
Teaching language and certificates
The teaching language is German. If German is not your native language, the university accepts common B2-level proofs such as TestDaF (min. 3 in all parts), DSH-1, telc Deutsch B2 or ÖSD B2. This ensures you can follow live sessions, study materials and exams.
Learning format and study materials
This is a Fernstudium (distance learning) built around IU’s digital campus: interactive online classes, recorded inputs, practice tasks and forums. You receive e-books, videos and exercises; a study AI supports revision. Group work mirrors production pipelines and prepares you for project-based assessments.
Exams and taking them from abroad
Most exams are taken online 24/7 with identity-checked proctoring from wherever you live. Depending on the module, you may submit prototypes, portfolios and presentations. If you prefer in-person exams, IU offers test centres in Germany and selected cities abroad.
On-site requirements in Germany
There are no compulsory on-campus phases. Numerous virtual seminars and live workshops are offered but remain location-independent. Optional activities (e.g. a study abroad term) do not affect progression if you do not attend.
Workload, time models and time zones
Choose one of three models: 36 months (about 40 hours/week), 48 months (around 30 hours/week) or 72 months (about 20 hours/week). Live sessions are scheduled in German time (CET/CEST), with recordings for asynchronous catch-up. ZFU state approval: 1117221c.
What does the Game Design (B.A.) cost?
Tuition is paid in monthly instalments in euros. Current regular rates range from €259 to €399 per month depending on your time model. In the standard 36-month option, this totals roughly €14,364 at €399/month. In the extended 72-month option, it’s about €18,648 at €259/month.
A free extension of up to 12 months allows you to finish without extra tuition if you need more time. Materials are digital and included. Possible additional costs: optional travel to a test centre if you do not sit exams online, and voluntary printing of study texts or portfolio production expenses. Payments are made monthly from abroad in euros; plan for exchange rates and any bank fees if your account isn’t euro-denominated.
What careers and recognition does the Game Design (B.A.) offer?
You earn a Bachelor of Arts with 180 ECTS aligned to the Bologna framework. IU is state-recognised in Germany, and this programme is accredited through February 2029. ECTS credits are designed for international comparability, which supports recognition for graduate study or employment outside Germany.
Typical entry roles include:
- Game Designer: concepts, rules, features, prototyping and iteration across genres and platforms
- Level Designer: spatial layouts, mission flows, enemy/NPC placement, puzzle and pacing design
- UX/UI Designer (Games): interaction flows, HUDs, accessibility, usability testing and iteration
- Analytic Game Designer or Game Data Analyst: telemetry, funnels, A/B tests, monetisation models
- Product/Live-Ops roles: roadmaps, KPI tracking, content updates, events and retention
Careers span studios and publishers, mobile and F2P titles, XR/VR, serious games and gamification in agencies and in-house teams. Salaries vary widely by region, studio size and shipped titles; a strong portfolio from the programme’s project modules helps you position for junior roles and growth.
Who is the Game Design (B.A.) right for – and who not?
This programme suits you if you want a structured, practice-oriented path into game design while studying remotely in German. It fits working professionals who need flexibility and prefer building a portfolio through iterative projects and a bachelor’s thesis.
- You want a fully remote, ZFU-approved distance programme with online exams and no mandatory on-site days.
- You are comfortable studying in German and discussing design, UX and data topics in German-language seminars.
- You aim to build a portfolio across analogue and digital prototypes, level/world design and UI/UX artefacts.
- You value a Bologna-aligned 180-ECTS bachelor’s degree for international mobility or later master’s studies.
Some situations are a poor fit. These points are real exclusion criteria for many international applicants.
- You need an English-taught programme. This degree is taught in German with B2-level proof.
- You require a campus-based studio experience with compulsory in-person classes; here, teaching is primarily online.
- You cannot commit at least 20–30 hours per week alongside work; even the slower track needs regular study time.
- You are seeking entry to a regulated, licenced profession. Game design is not a regulated field and does not lead to licensure.
Lade… 
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