Berlin has a higher education landscape that provides ideal conditions for the growing games industry. A good mix of specialised degree programmes, research centres as well as vocational games trainings offers an extensive spectrum of educational opportunities.
State and state recognized institutions
Best Sabel Berufsfachschule für Design (in German)
The education at the BEST-Sabel Vocational School for Design includes both, the development of solid artistic and manual skills and the confident usage of the latest digital technology; you can find them in Berlin-Mitte. Are you interested in 3D design? Then the Best Sabel Vocational School for Design could be the right choice for you.
Berlin School of Popular Arts (formerly SRH Hochschule der populären Künste (hdpk))
The Berlin School of Popular Arts (formerly SRH Hochschule der populären Künste (hdpk)) is part of the SRH Berlin University of Applied Sciences, a private, state-recognized and accredited university in the heart of Berlin-Schöneberg. One of their studies is the M. A. Computing and the Arts.
SRH Berlin School of Design and Communication
With six Bachelor's and three Master's programmes in marketing, advertising, web development, design and communication, located in Berlin-Kreuzberg, the SRH Berlin School of Design and Communication is a strong academic partner for the Berlin media and agency landscape.
Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF
Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF in Potsdam is a place where film comes alive, a school representing a wealth of different stories and artistic forms, genres and formats, specialization and exchange. With the master program Creative Technologies you can gain solid technical understandings and practical production experiences.
GPB (in German)
The Gesellschaft für Personalentwicklung und Bildung informs you about current professions, possibilities of vocational training, further education and financial support; you can find them in Berlin-Mitte and Berlin-Neukölln. During your training to a game designer, you will acquire a broad spectrum of game design skills and will be able to work in a variety of professions.
HTW Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Berlin (in German)
The HTW, located in Berlin-Schöneweide, is the largest university for applied sciences in Berlin and offers more than 70 courses of study in the fields of technology, computer science, economics, law, culture and design. The course game design qualifies you to work in a developer studio or a related field in the creative industry.
Macromedia University
Macromedia University, a part of Galileo Global Education, is one of the largest German universities for professionally-oriented courses in media management, design, arts, music and business management settled in Berlin-Kreuzberg. The study program Game Design and Development B.A. covers all relevant aspects of game design. It ranges from creative to conceptual to technical content and from analogue to digital media.
MD.H Mediadesign University of Applied Sciences
The MD.H Mediadesign University of Applied Sciences (UAS) based in Berlin-Charlottenburg is one of the leading universities for media and design in Germany. The game design course teaches you the conceptual, artistic and technical foundations of computer game development and deals with the implementation of games for different platforms such as PC, smartphones and virtual reality.
OSZ IMT
The Berlin College of Further Education for Information Technology and Medical Equipment Technology is a type of school at upper secondary level that is comprised of various vocational schools offering courses in both general and vocational education subjects at grades 11 to 13 and is located in Berlin-Neukölln. They offer a training as a game programmer as a full school education.
S4G School for Games (in German)
As an officially recognized educational institution, the School for Games, located in Berlin Friedrichshain, has successfully trained young creative talents for the rapidly growing gaming industry since 2011. The S4G offers three study courses: game development, game engineering and game graphics.
University of Applied Sciences Europe
The University of Europe for Applied Sciences (UE) is part of Global University Systems and based in Berlin-Kreuzberg. The university promotes the future-oriented development of skills and interdisciplinary teaching formats in step with actual practice and according to the highest international standards. Apply now if you are thinking about studying game design.
WAVE AKADEMIE für Digitale Medien (in German)
The educational offer of the WAVE AKADEMIE, located in Berlin-Mitte includes one- and two-year training courses; continuing education courses, an evening school with evening courses and masterclasses in the fields of Audio, 3D / Game, Media and Film. You can apply for the courses game design and game art.
Private educational institutions
CODE University of Applied Sciences
CODE is an international and inclusive learning environment that attracts digital pioneers from all over the world, empowers them to live up to their full potential, and is based in Berlin-Treptow. You can study software engineering and interaction design there.
Games Academy (in German)
Games Academy is Europe’s first and most prominent specialist college for computer and video game development based in Berlin-Mitte. They provide many different study courses: game design, game programming, game production, UX/UI gamification and more.
HMKW University of Applied Sciences for Media, Communication and Management
HMKW is a private, state-approved university with institutional accreditation by the German Council of Science and Humanities in Berlin-Wedding. If you are interested in graphic design and visual communication, the HMKW provides you the appropriate study course.
SAE Institute
SAE Institute is a Partner Institution of Middlesex University with whom it has validated its European degree programmes delivered at its UK, European and selected external campuses. You can find them in Berlin-Kreuzberg. The SAE Institutes provides a range of different study courses e.g. Game Art Animation, Games Programming, Game Art & SD Animation Diploma, Games Programming Diploma, Professional Media Creation and Professional Practice (Creative Media Industries).
Research & Development
DE:HIVE Institute
The DE: HIVE of the HTW Berlin combines research, teaching and entrepreneurship in a unique way. Researchers, founders, teachers and more than 180 students dedicate themselves to the topic of games and its social and artistic perspectives in the Connected Spaces. With an area of 2000 square meters, DE: HIVE is one of the largest national and international GAME HUBs at a university.
Digarec Digital Games Research Center (in German)
DIGAREC of the University of Potsdam is a pool of scholars from diverse research areas. Since its foundation, it combines the disciplines of media studies, psychology, design, media law, computer science, cultural history and allows fruitful synergy effects for all participants.
Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institut
Innovations for the digital society of the future are the focus of research and development work at the Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications, Heinrich Hertz Institute, HHI.
Game Changer Institute
The "Game Changer" of the HTW Berlin research cluster focuses on technical, aesthetic and content-based aspects of computer gaming and seeks to establish new fields of application for digital games.
gamelab.berlin
a research and development platform at the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. Interdisciplinary researchers and developers work together in the era of games.
Institut für Ludologie (in German)
The Institut für Ludologie of the SRH Berlin University of Applied Sciences considers gaming to be a component that shapes or even creates culture. What can we learn from the games or with gaming for other fields?
Museum / Exhibitions
Computerspielemuseum
In the year 1997, the museum was the first institution ever to present a permanent exhibition on the theme of digital entertainment. It is based in Berlin Berlin-Friedrichshain.
