Informatics: Games Engineering

The breathtaking development of games stems from the dramatic progress made in informatics and modern computer technology. Graphics and sound are becoming increasingly realistic. The complexity of simulated worlds and stories told is also increasing. New sensory technologies enable new types of interaction. Further, games are no longer only played alone at home in front of a screen. Smartphones enable us to play online games anywhere. Outstanding knowledge of informatics is therefore required in order to understand and use these technologies. However, games engineers do not only keep an eye on the technology, but also on the people using it. 

For a comprehensive description of the program, please refer to the degree program documentation:

• Degree program documentation for the master's program in Informatics: Games Engineering (PDF, German)

The duration of the master’s program in Informatics: Games Engineering is four semesters.

• In addition to the required modules, the focus of the first three semesters is on the content of your chosen specialties. These are complemented in the third semester by the master’s seminar, a master’s internship and, if chosen, guided research.

• The fourth semester is devoted to the master’s thesis.

• Program structure & Overview of modules

Required language skills for admission:

You need sufficient English language skills if you wish to apply for this program. Evidence of your language proficiency has to be submitted before the end of the application deadline. Learn more about recognized certificates and other ways to prove your English language skills.

This evidence of your language proficiency confirms that you comply with the minimum language requirements for admission to the program. Depending on the program and your individual background, it may be necessary for you to keep working on your language skills during your studies. Be sure to take a look at the services of our Language Center.  

Languages of instruction:

The language of instruction for this program is German or English. Depending on the focus area you choose, you can study in German, English or both languages. The language of instruction for each module is detailed in the module overview. // To learn more about the language of instruction for each module, contact the departmental student academic advisor of this program.

Given the high level of flexibility you will have enjoyed in putting together your curriculum, as a graduate you possess an individual competency profile.

Available lines of specialization are:

• computer graphics and animation
• numerical analysis and simulation
• hardware-specific programming
• visual computing
• autonomous systems
• game theory and algorithmic economics
• interaction and communication
• internet models, technologies, applications

Your skills are complemented by content from specialist areas in the elective subject catalog for the master’s program in Informatics, your own guided research work and extradisciplinary fundamentals.

The games market is booming. All development studios therefore have a huge demand for qualified specialists in the areas of informatics and games engineering. Added to which, serious games are increasingly penetrating industry sectors such as automotive, aerospace and plant engineering, medicine, banking, and management. 

Minimum requirements to apply for a Master's program at TUM are a recognized undergraduate degree (e.g. a bachelor’s) and the successful completion of the aptitude assessment procedure. Aptitude assessment allows the TUM school or department to which you are applying the opportunity to evaluate your individual talents and motivation for study.

During the application period, you must apply through the TUMonline application portal and upload your application documents.

If you receive an offer of admission, you will additionally have to submit individual documents as notarized hardcopies by post to be enrolled.

Generally, applicants with a qualification for postgraduate studies (e.g. a bachelor’s) obtained outside of the EU / EEA must have their documents reviewed in advance through uni-assist.

In detail:

• Applying for a master’s program: Application, admission requirements and more
• Important information about your application from the TUM school or department

• Degree Certificate and Diploma or Subject and Grade Transcript of Studies to Date
• Transcript of Records
• Proof of English Language Proficiency
• Letter of Motivation
• Essay
• Curricular Analysis
• Module Catalog
• Complete and Current Résumé
• Passport
• Preliminary Documentation (VPD) if the qualification for graduate studies (e.g. a bachelor's) is obtained outside the EU/EEA

We may require additional documents depending on your educational background and your country of origin. Complete the online application to receive a comprehensive list of the required documents.

• Application for Enrollment (signed)
• Degree Certificate and Diploma (certified copy)
• Transcript of Records (certified copy)
• Most Current Photo (as for ID)
• Digital notification of your health insurance status from a German public health insurance provider (requested by applicant)

We may require additional documents depending on the type of educational background you earned and your country of origin. After accepting an offer of admission in TUMonline, you will receive a list of documents you must submit to TUM in hardcopy for enrollment.

Application period for the winter semester: 01.01. – 31.05.
Application period for the summer semester: 01.09. – 30.11.

During the application period, you must apply through the TUMonline application portal and upload your application documents. Please be aware that we can only process your application if you upload all required documents within the application period.

We will review your application as soon as it is complete. Please check your TUMonline account regularly, to see if we have any queries to your documents or if you have to amend one or more documents.

After receiving admission, you will see in TUMonline which documents you have to submit for enrollment, and in which form. Please note that you always have to send the signed application for enrollment and all notarized hardcopies by post.

We recommend that you submit the documents for enrollment as soon as possible after receiving admission. If individual documents are not available by then, you can submit them up to 5 weeks after the start of the lecture period. You will, however, only be enrolled once we have received all documents.

You can check the status of your application at any time in your TUMonline account.

Selection takes place through an aptitude assessment procedure. Aptitude assessment is a two-part procedure after the submission of an official application to a program. In this procedure, the TUM school or department determines whether you meet the specific requirements for its master’s degree program.

In the initial stages, the grades you obtained during your bachelor's program, as well as your written documents, will be evaluated using a point system. Depending on the amount of points accumulated, applicants are either immediately admitted, rejected or invited to an admissions interview. 

• Aptitude Assessment for Master
• Description of the Aptitude Assessment (Appendix 2, German) (PDF 2 MB)

The online application process takes place through our application portal TUMonline

While industrial internships are not required, specialized lab courses are an integral part of the program.