Application

Application Procedure

The Master's programme 3D Animation for Film & Games admits new students every year in the winter semester. Admission is based on a two-step process. The next application phase starts in January 2025, application deadline will be 31 March 2025.

The two-stage application process consists of:

Step 1 (international student only):

Validation of the first higher education degree by Uni-Assist. (s. further information below)

Step 2 (all applicants):

Application for the programme / artistic-scientific aptitude test, which consists of the following elements: the submission of all necessary application documents (degree documents and application tasks).

Application Timeline:

The MA 3D Animation for Film & Games admits new students every winter semester. The application tasks are, consequently, published in the early onset of each year. The deadline is always March 31.
After all applications have been reviewed, the successful applicants will be notified in May, in order to make it possible to start studying in September.
The details of the application timeline each year are published with the application tasks in January.

Application Documents:

To apply for the programme / artistic-scientific aptitude test, you will need to submit the following documents:

  • Completed application tasks; published anew in January of each year
  • CV
  • Portrait photo
  • Scans of academic certificates, degrees
  • Proof of 12 months professional experience; refer to our FAQs for acceptable documentation

Requirements

The successful completion of a university degree with the degree “Bachelor of Arts” or “Bachelor of Sciences” or with an equivalent such as Diplom, Magister, Master or Staatsexamen in the fields of Film, Games, Design, Architecture or equivalent.

Proof of a professional experience of at least twelve months’ duration relevant to the course of study after completion of the first university degree. This practice time should be completed up to the beginning of the program. It can, however, be acquired cumulatively. The period, in which it was acquired, should lie in the last five years before the application time. Exceptions such as an extension of the timeframe may be approved upon request.

Proof of special study-related suitability for the “3D Animation for Film & Games” degree programme (aptitude test during the application phase).

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS WITH NON-GERMAN DIPLOMAS

Please be aware that CGL does not check the formal validity of your degree documents. International applicants, therefore, have to submit their degree documents to the validation agency Uni-Assist parallel to the CGL application procedure. The application portal of Uni-Assist is open from mid February to March 31.

You can apply in digital form at Uni-Assist – even without official certification, you do not have to send any documents by post. TH Köln reserves the right to check these documents during the enrollment. If your documents are issued in a language other than English or German, you are required to submit a German or English language translation from a state certified translator.

We would generally recommend you to prepare and submit your Uni-Assist materials early on. The evaluation process by Uni-Assist can take up to four weeks during peak times even longer. Your final admission, however, depends on the result of the evaluation.

Please find further information on the Uni-Assist procedure here:

Further information can be found here:

To obtain a residence permit, international students have to demonstrate sufficient funds to secure their livelihood. The amount required is equivalent to the BaföG (Federal Education and Trainings Assistance Act for university students) maximum rate of € 861 per month.

Citizens of member states of the European Union, the European Economic Area (EEA) – that is Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein – as well as Switzerland have equal legal status on the labor market as German citizens. This means that they have the same access to the labor market as German students and are permitted to work as much as they would like to without having to obtain prior approval of German authorities. Students are advised, however, not to work longer than 20 hours a week, as you would have to pay social insurance contributions should you exceed this number of hours.

International students from countries which are NOT member states of the EU, the EEA or Switzerland are normally permitted to work 120 to 140 full days or 240 to 280 half days (or 20 hours/week) per year if they are in possession of a valid residence permit for Germany. The immigration office will record these provisions in your residence permit. Should you wish to work more days per year, you will need to obtain approval from your immigration office and the German Federal Employment Agency.

Tasks and Examination

General Information

You can apply via the Cologne Game Lab application portal during the application phase. The next application phase starts in January 2025, application deadline will be 31 March 2025.

You can find the link to the Cologne Game Lab application portal and the application tasks below.

After all applications have been screened, the interviews take place sometime in May or June, so that a start of studies in September is possible.

 

Study Fees and Financing

Study Fees

The tuition fees for the MA 3d Animation for Film & Games are 1,500 euros for EU students and 2,500 euros for non-EU students per semester. This includes a 250 euro contribution to the ifs support association.

The ifs is a cooperation partner of the TH Köln and all ifs students are enrolled at the TH Köln.

Any further questions? We will be happy to help!

Dr. Laura Frings

Programme Managerin MA 3D Animation for Film & Games am Cologne Game Lab

Team
Phone
+49 221 82754296
E-Mail