Serious Games & Digital Knowledge Dortmund University of Applied Sciences and Arts

The Bachelor's degree programme in "Serious Games & Digital Knowledge" is unique as it takes the fundamental connection of playing and learning seriously — in both digital and non-digital media. Its production-focused approach is interdisciplinary and bilingual (German/English), conjoining expertise from the departments of design, computer science and business studies. Students qualify in all relevant areas of serious game design and development, game-based learning and gamification. Game aesthetics, media theory and pedagogics meet programming and team management with a strong focus on application and team management, using state-of-the-art technologies. Cooperative project work is highly encouraged: within the university's well-equipped workshops, in exchange with students from other design programmes and with external business partners.

This is a thematic overview of the course content. Detailed information on the exact names of the courses, information on ECTS or semester hours per week can be found in the examination regulations and in the module handbook.

First semester:

Basic game mechanics, 2d art basics, maths & programming basics, scientific methods

Second semester:

Interaction design, 3d art basics, introduction to game engines, introduction to media studies, game studies & media pedagogics I, basic economics

Third semester:

Level design, project management, game engines advanced, game studies & media pedagogics II, entrepreneurship

Fourth semester:

Narrative design, XR game development, multiplayer development, copyright law & economics in creative businesses

Fifth semester:

Game design with external stakeholders, AI-based game development, interdisciplinary project I, game studies & media pedagogics III

Sixth semester:

Advanced game design, serious game project, interdisciplinary project II, game studies & media pedagogics IV

Seventh semester:

BA project, BA thesis, business start-up

This is a short overview. Please make sure to check the details for the required degrees and certificates in your specific case with the International Office: 

https://www.fh-dortmund.de/international/international-office/index.php?loc=en

• FORMAL QUALIFICATION: You need a degree that qualifies you for a university of applied sciences / arts — preferably with a design-, IT- or education-related focus. Examples include: subject-related entrance qualification, vocational technical diploma, technical / vocational baccalaureate; or higher: GCE A-Levels, upper secondary school leaving certificate, general university entrance qualification. In some cases, an apprenticeship combined with several years of subject-related professional experience will also suffice.
• KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GETTING YOURSELF INTO: You need six weeks of practical experience / internship in a subject-related business or institution. Examples of subject-related are design business, software development, publishing, digital media, education, etc. Some school degrees with a subject-related vocational/artistic focus can replace this requirement.
• TALENT AND TECHNIQUE: You need to pass a test of your artistic aptitude. It is a combination of your portfolio and two tasks you will receive in February (or along with your first registration). You need to submit all of this by 30 April. We may invite you for an interview afterwards.

Find more details about the programme on our website: https://www.fh-dortmund.de/serious-games?loc=en-US.

The semester fee is in a mid three-figure EUR range. Find the current fee here: https://www.fh-dortmund.de/serious-games?loc=en-US.

See the following link for further information: https://www.fh-dortmund.de/studieren/vorbereiten/semesterbeitrag.php?loc=en-US.

Please find some helpful information on the cost of living in Dortmund here: https://www.fh-dortmund.de/studieren/leben-und-wohnen/kosten-finanzierung.php?loc=en-US.

The Fachhochschule Dortmund provides an online job market, where students can find jobs related and unrelated to their studies, internships in Germany and abroad, Bachelor's or Master's thesis topics and graduate positions. Please find more information here: https://www.fh-dortmund.de/studieren/vorbereiten/studium-finanzieren/stellenmarkt.php?loc=en-US.

Please find all information on scholarship possibilities here: https://www.fh-dortmund.de/studieren/vorbereiten/studium-finanzieren/stipendien.php?loc=en-US.

And some more information on support programmes for international students here: https://www.fh-dortmund.de/international/foerderprogramme/studienfinanzierung-fuer-internationale-studierende.php?loc=en-US.

The Fachhochschule Dortmund's International Career Service (ICS) will accompany you on your way — from initial orientation to successful entry into the German job market.

https://www.fh-dortmund.de/international/international-career-service/index.php?loc=en-US

Please find information on accommodation possibilities in Dortmund here: https://www.fh-dortmund.de/studieren/leben-und-wohnen/wohnen.php?loc=en-US.