BA (Hons) Game Design
This three-year or four-year international route Bachelor of Arts in Game Design will introduce you to the fundamentals of the creative industry and provide you with the opportunity to refine a career path in game design.
Faculty of Creative Industries
Programme Overview
Berlin School of Business and Innovation is in partnership with University for the Creative Arts (UCA). As a result of this partnership, BSBI is able to offer the BA (Hons) Game Design programme. UCA is an acclaimed creative institution in the UK that ranks highly in all three of the major UK league tables. The university has also been ranked 13th out of all UK universities in the Guardian League Table 2024; and ranked no.7 in the 2024 Guardian League Tables for Business, Management & Marketing.
Throughout the programme, an emphasis on creativity and design is complemented by theoretical underpinnings, practice-based research, and the application of design heuristics to address challenges and make informed decisions for building a comprehensive games portfolio.
Year 1: Exploration and experimentation.
Year 2: Refining personal and career goals.
Year 3: Developing a major portfolio to a professional level.
Creative enthusiasts: If you have a passion for creativity and a keen interest in visual arts, this programme provides the perfect platform to channel your artistic energy into a professional skill set.
Aspiring graphic designers: Whether you're a beginner with a budding interest in graphic design or someone looking to enhance existing skills, our programme accommodates learners at various proficiency levels.
Digital design enthusiasts: If you're fascinated by the digital world and want to create impactful visuals for websites, mobile apps, and digital platforms, our curriculum is designed to equip you with the latest digital design tools and techniques.
Programme Fee
Hamburg : Feb,October
BA 2025 October: International students Price: €11,000 | EU Students Price: €8,450
Foundation International Route 2025: February, October: International students Price: €11,000 | EU students Price: €8,450
Special offers: Up to 20% savings for International Students | 10% savings for EU Students Terms and conditions apply.
The School’s admissions process is subject to the Consumer Contracts (Terms and Conditions). Information on your Right of Withdrawal and our Refund Policy can be found in the BSBI study agreement.
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Portfolio Scholarship Competition
Students have the opportunity to showcase their creativity and the chance to receive a scholarship on tuition! This competition is valid on the Faculty of Creative Industries programmes being offered at the Hamburg campus.
Best Portfolio (Study for Free!)
1 Student | 100% Scholarship on Tuition
Second Best Portfolio
10 Students | 50% Scholarship on Tuition
Third Best Portfolio
20 Students | 40% Scholarship on Tuition
Find out more about how to apply here.
Programme Structure
The majority of your work will be completed in groups and on-going support will be provided through the use of structured, targeted individual tutorials and online tutorials. The learning and teaching will consist of a variety of elements such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, animated/non-animated video, practical work, seminars and trips. The assessment strategy will include individual/group reports and/or presentations, case studies, essays, portfolio development, reflective journals and experiential work-based activities. Teaching takes place Monday to Saturdays, during morning, afternoon, or evening sessions. Please note: each year is divided into three terms.
Modules
INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION IN ART DESIGN AND MEDIA
- English for Academic Purposes, Research and Study skills
- Exploring Practices, Process, Materials and Techniques
- Investigating Specialist Practice
- Final Major Project
YEAR 1
- Methods and Processes
- Typography and Principles of Visual Communication
- Historical and Contextual Methods
YEAR 2
- Design Direction
- Contextual Research and Theory
- Study Abroad Exchange (optional)
YEAR 3
- Contextual Research and Critical Perspectives
- Final Major Project
- Professional Practice
Study in
Hamburg
- Delivery: On campus
- Duration: 3/4 years (international route)
- Intakes: February, October
- Campus: Hamburg, Germany
- Degree awarded by University for the Creative Arts
- Price: BA 2025 October | €11,000 (international students) | €8,450 (EU students)
- Price: Foundation International Route 2025: Feb, Oct | €11,000 (international students) | €8,450 (EU students)
The School’s admissions process is subject to the Consumer Contracts (Terms and Conditions). Information on your Right of Withdrawal and our Refund Policy can be found in the BSBI study agreement
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course students should be able to:
Knowledge
- Apply good knowledge of English to communicate relevant international, cultural, contemporary knowledge and historical, theoretical and professional contexts.
- Research and analytical skills to examine and interpret various aspects of game design, including historical influences, emerging technologies, and core design principles.
- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the contexts, concepts, and technologies within the field of game design.
Application to the industry
- Apply autonomy to deliver primary and secondary research involving the identification and use of relevant resources.
- Apply knowledge of game design through critical thinking, practice, experimentation, problem-solving, analysis, and reflection.
- Combine practical training with independent study, to reach full design potential and respond effectively to changing briefs and client’s needs
Skills
- Demonstrate professional skills through project management presentation and communication of ideas.
- Develop a special focus on their chosen and specified field of animation results.
- Develop an in-depth technical skillset to demonstrate their broad level of authorship and agency in their creative practice.
- Demonstrate understanding of the theoretical debates relevant to game design in its wider cultural context.
- Develop and implement creative solutions by critically evaluating game design concepts, experimenting with innovative approaches, and reflecting on the outcomes to refine and improve designs.
- Demonstrate the application of technical and professional communication skills in building and presenting game design artefacts.
- Evaluate forms of ‘othering and belonging’ in relation to normative attitudes within creative practice. Develop an awareness of the impact of EDI on game design, considering diverse perspectives and experiences.
Career Progression
With the gaming market ranking as the fifth largest globally and experiencing unprecedented growth, pursuing a BA (Hons) Game Design opens up abundant career opportunities in the thriving computer games industry. Graduates can explore various roles within the field, including:
Level Designer
Character Designer
Virtual Reality (VR) Games Designer
AI Designer
Cinema Game Designer
Games Design and Development
Rendering Programmer
Foundation International Route Option
Minimum Age: 18 (titles awarded upon completion of at least 11 years of schooling)
(if applicant is 17 and turns 18 within 3 months of enrolment still eligible for enrolment)
How to create an exceptional portfolio will be available in this integrated international route foundation in art design and media course to guarantee you a direct progression into your BA degree course.
Academic Qualifications: ECCTIS UK equivalent to GCSE
BA (Hons)
Minimum Age: 18 (titles awarded upon completion of at least 12 years of schooling)
For direct Year 1 BA entry you’ll be required to submit an online portfolio via our BSBI Applicant Portal.
Academic qualifications: A school leaving certificate with a pass to pursue higher education in Germany e.g. Abitur, Fachhochschulreife or Matura. Alternatively, an international baccalaureate, international school leaving certificates, BTEC/national diploma or advanced vocational certificate of education will be accepted.
If you do not meet the above academic requirements, applicants with professional qualifications and/or four years of full-time work experience will be considered on an individual basis.
English language requirements:
Access to Proof of English Guide (UCA) here.
You can apply now to study with BSBI! It’s quick and easy, here’s how it works:
- Create an account here
- Select the programme and intake you want to apply for
- Complete all sections of the online application
- Submit online application
- Our Admissions Team will liaise with you with regards to next steps
The course will enable you to reach your full design potential with the help of industry experts. You’ll build a strong portfolio of powerful software skills and demonstrate effective thinking methods to navigate the challenges of today’s creative industry.
This course is ideal for those looking to enhance their expertise, confidence and skills in graphic design. You’ll become equipped with the latest skills in digital design software in order to produce an industry-standard portfolio for future career opportunities.
This Year 3 direct entry programme is tailored to students looking to build upon their knowledge of the graphic design industry and clearly communicate their creative ideas through a final major project.
Modules
Contextual Research and Critical Perspectives
Final Major Project
Professional Practice
Key Facts
Location: BSBI Hamburg Campus
Duration: 1 year (full time)
Intakes: October
Awarding body: University for the Creative Arts
Price: BA 2025 October | €11,000 (international students) | €8,450 (EU students)
Price: Foundation International Route 2025: February/October | €11,000 (international students) | €8,450 (EU students)
Entry Requirements
Graduates from a vocational academy/institute are not required to present a portfolio upon certified successful completion of their vocational training and are eligible for a direct entry into year 3.
Same is applicable for students who completed HND in Graphic Design, Illustration or Animation or direct year 3 progression upon successful completion of level 5/Year 2 by a UK awarding body.
English language requirements:
Graduates from a Schengen zone vocational academy/HND/ Level 5 progression by UK awarding body are not required to present an IELTS language test but required to pass BSBI English diagnostics test which will be provided by BSBI for direct entry year 3 BA Degree.
In recent developments of hybrid learning, we require each student to arrive equipped with a laptop. We, therefore, recommend the purchase of a design-friendly mobile laptop. Please click below to read more about the technical requirement.
Your Portfolio Submission
For year 1 entry you’ll be required to submit an online portfolio via our BSBI Applicant Portal. Before submitting your artwork, please have a look through the Portfolio Cookbook
What is a portfolio?
- Your portfolio is a collection of your best work. We want to see what inspires you, how you develop your work, your creative thinking processes, how and what you create and what makes you a unique creative individual.
What should my portfolio contain?
- Your portfolio might contain sketches and paintings, digital art and design. It might also contain sound work, short films.
- Upload up to 12 pieces of work which can include audio or video files.
How do I submit my portfolio?
- We’ll only be accepting portfolios digitally. You can do this once you’ve applied via our online submission system within the Applicant Portal.
- You can also link to external websites such as Vimeo and YouTube.
Further information on how to compile and upload your portfolio will be provided by our admissions team via our admissions portal once you have applied.
The Virtual Student Lounge
You’ll also be able to discover more about living and studying in Europe’s start-up capital, Berlin and find out more about the services on offer at BSBI.