Virtual Reality & Game Development
Bachelor of Science | Heidelberg

Shape the future of gaming! Create impressive graphics, develop captivating game mechanics and bring games to life. From design to programming – with our bachelor's degree programme in Virtual Reality & Game Development, you will become an expert in interactive worlds!

A young man with headphones is sitting at a computer station in a gaming room, ready to play.
All Facts at a Glance
Degree:
Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
Start:
Winter semester
Model:
full-time
Language:
German
ECTS:
210
Info:
without NC, accredited
Duration:
7 semesters
Location:
Heidelberg
Costs:
from 690 € per month -  Show costs split
Contents Virtual Reality & Game Development, B.Sc.

Design interactive worlds, experience the future

In our Bachelor's programme in Virtual Reality & Game Development, you will learn how to design digital experiences – from the initial idea to technical implementation. You will first acquire essential fundamentals in computer science, game design, computer graphics and user experience. In the process, you will develop your first prototypes and gain knowledge about game engines, scripting and scientific methods.

As you progress, you can specialise: create impressive game worlds with game art, design captivating gaming experiences in game design, or bring games to life through programming (game programming). In the technical art field, you combine creative and technical aspects, while in virtual and mixed reality you work with immersive technologies.

Through practical projects, modern tools and elective modules, you can deepen your knowledge and sharpen your individual profile. Your studies conclude with a bachelor's thesis, which will prepare you optimally for a career in the games or tech industry – whether as a developer, designer or VR expert.

We offer a wide range of courses in design, graphic design, computer science, media design and media informatics. Be inspired.

A man is working on a computer while looking at a 3D model on the screen. The monitor displays a digital landscape with figures and fire. On the table, additional computer equipment and documents are visible.
4 Gründe für dein Bachelorstudium Virtual Reality & Game Development
  • Professor:innen und Dozent:innen als Coaches in deinen agilen Projekten
  • Entwickeln wie im echten Leben: Game Artist, Game Designer und Game Programmer gemeinsam in einem Team
  • moderne Ausstattung und Lernmethoden
  • Möglichkeit, ein Gründungssemester zu absolvieren und das eigene Indie-Studio angeleitet vorzubereiten

Career Virtual Reality & Game Development, B.Sc

Career Virtual Reality & Game Development, B.Sc.

A bachelor's degree in Virtual Reality & Game Development opens up numerous exciting career paths, which are very diverse depending on your chosen specialisation.

With a focus on game art, you can work in game studios, become a freelancer or start your own projects. You will develop graphic designs, 3D models and visualisations for various platforms. Industries such as film, television and advertising also offer exciting opportunities. In addition, you can opt for master's programmes in areas such as game design or computer graphics.

Game design also offers a wide range of career opportunities. You can work in existing game studios as a level or narrative designer or start your own studio. Other activities include developing prototypes, storytelling and research in the field of computer game science. Here, too, you have the opportunity to continue your studies with a master's degree to deepen your expertise.

The Game Programming specialisation qualifies you for software development in game studios or other areas such as simulations and interactive applications. You can work with classic programming languages or modern game engines. In addition, there are numerous master's programmes in areas such as computer science or computer game studies.

With technical art, you will be able to bridge the gap between artists and developers. You can work in game studios, in the media or automotive industry, or in film production, combining 3D graphics with programming. Here, too, a master's degree in applied computer science or computer graphics is a possible next step.

In the field of virtual and mixed reality, you can work as a developer in many different industries – from gaming and aerospace to architecture and medicine. Your work will be increasingly in demand in areas such as visualisation and interactive media. Master's programmes in creative technologies or digital reality are also suitable for this specialisation.

Jobs mit dem Bachelor in Virtual Reality & Game Development:

  • Game Studios
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  • ٲäԻ徱𾱳/Գ
  • Medienagenturen, Werbung, Film und Fernsehen
  • Softwareentwicklung in verschiedenen Branchen
  • Forschung/Lehre (Computerspielwissenschaften)
  • Games-Journalismus
  • Master-Studiengänge (Game Design, Computerspielwissenschaften, angewandte Informatik, Computergrafik, Animation, Medieninformatik)
Four people are standing around a wall covered with sketches and concepts. One is pointing at a drawing while the others listen attentively. In the foreground, computers and headphones are visible.
A student with a phone in hand walks past a red wall.
Your path to the future
Apply now!

Technically & creatively to success!

Since 2010, we have been offering the modern, practice-oriented bachelor's degree programme "Virtual Reality & Game Development", which focuses on the development and design of virtual worlds.

At , you have the opportunity to choose from five exciting Bachelor's specialisations and specialise during your studies.

Find out directly on our specialisation pages which specialisations are offered at which location:

Game Art

Game Design

Game Programming

Technical Art

Virtual & Mixed Reality

Three women are standing at a table in a modern office, while one of them points to a graphic tablet. The environment is bright and creatively designed, with computers in the background.
Bachelor Game Art
Two young people are working together at a table while looking at a screen. The woman is smiling as the man looks kindly at the camera. In the background, there are more people and computers visible.
Bachelor Game Design
Two young people are working together at a table while looking at a screen. The woman is smiling as the man looks kindly at the camera. In the background, there are more people and computers visible.
Bachelor Game Programming
Four people are standing around a wall with concept drawings. One is pointing at the drawings while the others listen attentively. In the foreground, computers and headphones are visible.
Bachelor Technical Art
Two people are wearing virtual reality headsets and seem to be having a great time. They are standing in a bright room and are enthusiastically interacting with each other.
Bachelor Virtual & Mixed Reality
Let yourself be carried away

Our VR/AR Lab

Our VR/AR lab offers you countless development and test systems that can be borrowed or permanently installed. A wide variety of VR goggles, graphics tablets, a holographic projection system, a fully equipped VR corner, a sound station, a large collection of magazines and much more: whether you want to chill out comfortably on the couch, play multiplayer games on the large-screen TV, immerse yourself in virtual worlds, concentrate on projects or work diligently on your own development in group work with additional monitors - our VR/AR Lab is optimally equipped for the development of video games, virtual worlds and VR simulations!

We are a partner of the .

This is what we offer you in our VR/AR lab:

  • HoloLens 2
  • several HTC Vive with TPCast wireless adapters
  • several Oculus Rift (different versions), some with touch controllers
  • Acer Mixed Reality Headset
  • Vuzix M100 Smart Glass
  • Meta 2 Augmented Reality Development Kit
  • Open Source Virtual Reality (OSVR) Hacker DevKit
  • Professional Advanced Realtime Tracking System (sponsored by )
  • Samsung Gear VR 360° camera
  • Valedo motion sensors
  • holographic projection system (Holobox)
  • 27" Graphics Tablet (sponsored by )
  • Xbox One X and PS4 Pro
  • Retro consoles: Sega Mega Drive, PlayStation Classic, Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo Classic Mini
  • Graphics station with graphics tablet, 3D mouse and additional software
  • Audio station with audio interface, microphone, midi keyboard and additional software
  • TV, HD projector and BluRay player

We also offer access within the university to

  • to the Media Production Studio including film, audio, podcast and photo studio
  • the eye-tracking lab
  • a NeuroSky MindWave EEG headset (brain-computer interface)
  • and to several 3D printers.
Semester projects

Click here to see the games that our students have developed

A group of people stands in a room while one of them presents a large check for 5,000 euros for the game "Orbital Bullet." In the foreground, someone is photographing the scene. Awards for the game are visible.

News from the VR & Game Development degree programme

In 2007, of Applied Sciences Heidelberg was one of the first universities in Germany to offer a "Game Development" degree programme. This was followed in 2010 by "Virtual Reality", the first degree programme in Germany to deal explicitly with virtual reality as a mass and entertainment medium. These years of experience, combined with the innovative CORE study model, form the foundation for the solid and practice-oriented education of our students.

Yves Masullo and Robin Mächtel show just how successful our graduates can be with their game "Orbital Bullet", which won the most important prize for games in Germany - the German Computer Game Award, in the "Prototype" category for young talent (endowed with € 15,000). Shortly afterwards, the game received another award at the GermanDevDays (endowed with €5,000).

News from the degree programme From Heidelberg to the big stage: students at Gamescom

students conquer Gamescom 2025: with their self-developed video game, they show what creative minds from Heidelberg can do. The project combines innovation, team spirit and passion for gaming and was presented to an international audience at the world's largest trade fair - an opportunity to showcase ideas, skills and contacts in the industry.

You can study here

Our locations

Scholarship Study funding: Gaming Aid Scholarship

The Gaming Aid supports young talents in the study programmes (Bachelor/Master) Game Design, Game Graphics, Interactive Narrative Design, Sound Design and Game Engineering at selected universities. You can receive up to 800 euros per month with this scholarship. In addition, you will be supported during your studies by an experienced developer studio, which will also provide the internships required for the practical part of the programme.

Costs

Smart financing

As a state-recognised, private university, is financed by tuition fees. This income goes towards equipping our campuses, services for our students and quality assurance. In this way, we ensure that you receive the best possible education under optimal study conditions.

Tuition fees

  • Berlin: € 750 / month
  • Heidelberg: € 690 / month

The one-off enrolment fee is € 750.
If you come from a non-EEA country without a residence permit, the enrolment fee is € 1,000 - you must pay the tuition fees for one semester in advance. From the second semester onwards, payments for the remaining semesters of study are due six weeks before the end of the study period that has already been paid for. Payments are to be made semester by semester.

With the exception of any placement, aptitude or equivalency tests, no separate examination fees or similar are charged, not even for repeat examinations.This gives you maximum cost transparency during your studies.

In addition to efficient organisation, a goal-oriented course of study also requires a solid financial basis in order to be able to pay rent, living costs and tuition fees. There are various financing options, such as educational loans or scholarship programmes.

We have summarised all the financing options for you.

Admission requirements and application

Authorisation

You can register at any time without obligation via our to apply. We will then check your application documents and invite you to a personal interview.

You can be admitted to study at the of Applied Sciences Heidelberg

  • General higher education entrance qualification, entrance qualification for universities of applied sciences or an equivalent higher education entrance qualification or higher education entrance qualification for qualified professionals*
  • if you have the general higher education entrance qualification (Abitur), the subject-restricted higher education entrance qualification (subject-restricted Abitur) or the entrance qualification for universities of applied sciences
  • or if you have at least two years of vocational training and at least three years of professional experience plus an aptitude test
  • and if you have also successfully completed our selection process.

If you come from abroad, you can be admitted,

  • if you can provide us with a university entrance qualification in the form of certificates from your previous education and sufficient knowledge of German (DSH or TestDaF exam) and if you have also successfully completed our selection procedure.

Your application must include a convincing and personal letter of motivation. A portfolio, portfolio or work samples are not necessary, but will be considered favourably. If you do not yet have your degree certificate, you can submit it by the start of the programme.

You must register once for the online application process. This gives you the opportunity to add information and files later before you send us your documents.

Application process

We look forward to welcoming you to . This is what our application process looks like:

  1. You apply online via the application portal
  2. If you fulfil the admission requirements, we will invite you to a selection interview
  3. If the interview is successful, you will receive a letter of acceptance and a study contract from us
  4. You sign the study contract and send it back to us
  5. You pay the enrolment fee
  6. If you come from a non-EU country, you pay your tuition fee one semester in advance in addition to the registration fee. From the second semester onwards, payments for the remaining semesters are due six weeks before the end of the study period you have already paid for.
  7. We will send you your letter of admission
  8. You take part in our induction week and then you're ready to go!
Do you still have questions?
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Last call for the winter semester 2025 🎓
Apply for your dream degree programme by November 1.