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The Central State Office for Distance Learning (ZFU) has approved the course Game Design & Production under the number 1162924c. Who benefits from the B.Sc. Game Design & Production – and what should you bring?
The course is right for you if you don't just play games, but want to understand and design their mechanics and worlds. Typical profiles: You already work in a creative or technical profession (e.g. media design, technical informatics, 3D design) and want to qualify for the gaming industry. Or you are active in project or community management and want to take on responsibility in game productions. Also, as a high school graduate with a strong passion for games and the willingness to delve into design, art, and development, you are in the right place – either alongside your job or while fulfilling family obligations.
- For professionals who want to study flexibly and switch or advance in the gaming industry.
- For creatives interested in technology – from concept art to prototyping in a game engine.
- For organizational talents who want to coordinate game projects and manage teams.
Admission Requirements
Admission is possible with or without a high school diploma, and there is no numerus clausus. Three paths lead to the study:
- General higher education entrance qualification or subject-specific higher education entrance qualification.
- Without a high school diploma, with specialist further education examination.
- Without a high school diploma, with completed vocational training (in a related field; details are clarified by the study advisory service on a case-by-case basis).
Acknowledgment of previous achievements: Continuing education and training as well as study performances can be recognized – both flat-rate and individually. Up to 90 credits are possible; 40 € are credited per recognized credit. The study can start at any time; you choose between 36 or 48 months with a free extension.
Personal Requirements
Important are self-organization, perseverance, and the joy of trying new things. You should be willing to systematically familiarize yourself with game art, game design, and development, iterate in game labs, and translate feedback into projects. Helpful are an eye for user experience, a basic understanding of project management, and the ability to communicate clearly in distributed teams.
- Time management: Realistically plan about 10-15 hours per week in the 48-month model; rather 15-20 hours in the 36-month model.
- Learning routine: Short, regular slots work better than learning marathons – especially alongside a job and family.
- Hands-on orientation: Willingness to build prototypes, analyze game mechanics, and work with a current game engine.
- Resilience: Iterative work means "build – test – discard – improve." Frustration tolerance and focus will help you through challenging phases.
If you bring these points and plan your studies realistically, you will create a solid foundation for graduation – and for starting your career as a designer, developer, or producer in a dynamic growth industry.
What do you learn in the Bachelor Game Design & Production at Euro-FH?
You build skills in Game Art, Game Design, Game Development, and Project Management - complemented by Game Analytics and Marketing. From the beginning, you work hands-on in Game Labs, implement projects, and prepare yourself for the role of Game Producer. The degree programme comprises 180 credits and concludes with the Bachelor's thesis.
Design, Art, Narrative: Visualization and 2D/3D fundamentals, Character and Environment Design, Storytelling, and Narrative Design. You learn how game worlds are consistently designed and how User Experience and Interface Design shape the player's experience.
Development & Technology: Introduction to Game Engines, Prototyping, Gameplay Programming, and technical production processes. You implement mechanics, test builds, and familiarize yourself with version control, assets, and pipelines.
Production & Management: Project planning, agile methods, budgeting, and team coordination. You control releases, milestones, and quality assurance - core tasks of producers.
Analytics & Marketing: Game Analytics, User Research, Monetization models, and Game Marketing. This way, you evaluate retention, conversion, and community growth, and prepare for Live-Ops.
Specializations: You choose a specialization from four areas: Serious Games (applications, projects), E-Sports (E-Sports, Event Management), Animation Character (Character Design, Character Production), or Digital Innovation Management (Digital Business Models, Design Thinking). These focuses sharpen your profile for specific career goals.
How does the distance learning programme Game Design & Production work?
Start anytime. You study 100% flexibly with digital materials, webinars, audio study booklets, and learning apps - supported by the AI learning companion KILEA. Exams are possible monthly, online or at nationwide locations. The standard period of study is 36 or 48 months, with a free extension of 18 or 24 months.
Study Material and Learning Format
You learn multimedia: digital study booklets, videos, webinars, learning apps, and audio formats. Practice takes place in Game Labs - there, you analyze, modify, and develop games with current Game Engine and directly implement theory in projects.
Exams: online or on-site
You can take exams flexibly as online exams or monthly at around ten examination centres in Germany. If a date is cancelled, you can take the exam the following month. This significantly reduces planning pressure in your everyday job.
Overview of On-Site Dates
There are only a few compact seminars, which usually take place online. There is no regular attendance requirement on campus. You only plan possible trips to optional examination locations as needed.
Time Commitment and Flexibility
The total estimated workload is about 5,400 hours (180 credits × 30 h). This corresponds to over 36 months about 150 hours per month (~35-40 hours/week) or over 48 months about 110 hours per month (~25-30 hours/week). In practice, you distribute learning phases flexibly - the free extension of 18 or 24 months provides additional buffer. Recognitions can significantly reduce the workload.
What does the Bachelor Game Design & Production cost at Euro-FH?
The entry price starts at from 259 € per month - the rates vary depending on the time model. The extension within the free periods (18 or 24 months) is free of charge; additional costs may only incur thereafter. Exams are plannable monthly; possible travel and accommodation expenses only arise if you prefer in-person exams to an online format.
Tuition fees can usually be claimed as operating expenses or special expenses for tax purposes. Employers often contribute through subsidies or educational leave - clarify early and demonstrate operational benefits (e.g. skill building in production, analytics, Live-Ops).
What careers and salaries are possible after the Bachelor Game Design & Production?
Typical entry and development roles are Game Producer, Game Designer, Game Developer/Programmer, Game Artist/Graphics Designer, as well as QA Testers. The salary ranges vary according to the company size, location, and tech stack.
- Game Producer: Project and budget responsibility, release planning, team control. Salary approx. 50,000-75,000 € gross/year, even higher in lead roles.
- Game Designer: Core and meta-mechanics, balancing, economy, narrative. Starting salary approx. 40,000-55,000 €, with experience 55,000-70,000 €.
- Game Developer/Programmer: Gameplay, tools, engine integration. Starting salary approx. 45,000-65,000 €, with seniority 65,000-85,000 €.
- Game Artist/Graphics Designer: 2D/3D Assets, Characters, Environments. Starting salary approx. 38,000-55,000 €, experienced 55,000-70,000 €.
- QA/Quality Assurance: Testing, automation, certification. Starting salary approx. 32,000-45,000 €, with specialization up to 55,000 €.
For further specialization or leadership roles, a Master's in Game Development, Media Informatics, Media Management, or Business Informatics is ideal. Portfolios, practical projects from the Game Labs, and specialization choices (e.g. E-Sports, Serious Games) increase visibility in the application process.
Who is the Bachelor Game Design & Production suitable for - and who is it not?
The distance learning programme is worthwhile if you want to enter the games industry part-time or professionalize your role. The combination of design, development, production, and analytics is tailored to producer profiles and interdisciplinary teams.
- You are looking for a flexible distance learning programme without regular attendance requirements - exams monthly online or on-site.
- You want practice: Game Labs, engine-based projects, and specialization (e.g. Serious Games, E-Sports) for a clear profile.
- You aspire to coordinating roles (Production, Live-Ops, Analytics) and want to build project and team management skills.
- You plan to switch from design, computer science, or media - credits can reduce time and fees.
Not everyone benefits from a distance learning programme. Those seeking a full campus experience or very detailed support in the studio should consider alternatives.
- You expect daily studio presence learning with fixed on-site workshops - the program is largely online.
- You cannot permanently free up 20-30 study hours/week alongside work or family - the calculated workload is high.
- You prioritize lowest fees like at public universities - private distance learning programmes are priced higher.
Advisory Service
Have questions about Academic Programs Game Design & Production? Ask your question here, even anonymously. An employee of the institution European Distance Learning University Hamburg or the editorial team will answer you.