Games & XR Management (M.A.)

Digitization is having a lasting impact on the everyday life of our society. Media use and media production are undergoing fundamental change and at the same time becoming catalysts for new digital processes. New media are not only becoming companions to classic media formats, but have long since overtaken them and are providing ever faster impetus for innovation and value creation. The media industry is becoming a digitization compass.

Confronted with constant media change and convergence, it is computer games in particular that are increasingly moving into the social focus with their technological dynamics in everyday business and private life. Their technology-driven interactive potential makes games a pioneer in the use of virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed and extended reality. Gamification is also gaining importance as a working tool and production factor in other economic sectors, such as the automotive, mechanical engineering, healthcare and IT sectors, as well as in research.

For this reason, the program combines the areas of design, management and research, so that graduates are not only able to develop innovative applications and games, but also to successfully lead projects and teams, to apply research methods in a targeted manner in business practice, and to implement marketing concepts. The goal of the master's program "Games & XR Management" is to train experts who can transport the innovative power from the games and new media sector into managerial and consulting activities at the executive levels of companies and proactively develop them further - especially in the area of product management and their strategic development.

The focus of the course is on combining a creative, technical education with a focus on product management and development as well as an orientation towards the field of games & XR and the associated design and research focuses:

• XR Art Direction
• Game Mechanics
• Business Creation
• Methods of application-oriented research
• project management

As part of the course, students are also taught skills in the areas of management, business model development, financing and pricing, marketing and business creation. Special subject areas include Human Resources and New Work, Project Funding & Pricing, Leadership & Strategy.

The course is completed in 3 or 4 semesters (depending on the scope of the Bachelor's degree completed beforehand).* You can start the course in either the summer or winter semester. You will earn 90 credit points throughout the course, with one credit point corresponding to 30 hours of work. The course comprises various modules, which consist of attending lectures (including preparation and follow-up work), self-study and taking examinations.

*Note: Graduates of the FHD Bachelor's degree course in Graphic Design Screen and Print Media / Media Informatics & Media Design as well as graduates of other universities with a Bachelor's degree with 210 credit points can complete the Master's degree course in 3 semesters. Applicants with a Bachelor's degree with only 180 credit points must complete an additional semester.

In addition to theoretical know-how, the course is application-oriented and project-based. You can apply your theoretical knowledge practically in your own projects. For this purpose, students have access to the FHD's very well-equipped studios, workshops and laboratories - including the XR research lab and the biofeedback lab. You will also benefit from the FHD's numerous collaborations. Within the framework of these cooperations, the FHD can draw on the latest technology developments and thus open up a broad and high-caliber network to its students through corresponding events, guest lectures and internships.

Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive the internationally recognized Master of Arts (M.A.).

Gaming and XR are among the key technologies for successful digitization processes, which have become indispensable in numerous industries. After graduation, you can work in software companies of any size, educational institutions, publishing houses, media and creative agencies, consulting companies, human resources services or departments, media educational institutions and communication departments. As a product manager, you will be responsible for the conception, production and management of the continuous development of software-based products in the area of games & XR and software. You will take on responsible tasks in product management, which include coordinating different company departments and supporting the company in important decisions concerning the market and customers.

Or you can start your own company! At the FHD you will be accompanied by our start-up consulting team from the first steps to the realization of your ideas on the market.

Of course, a research career is also open to you. After your master's degree, you can complete a doctorate and pursue an academic career.

As a private university, we offer you many advantages and services from the first interest in a place at our university to your graduation - and beyond. With us, you are not just an anonymous matriculation number, but we accompany you individually, purposefully, supportively and challengingly on YOUR way through your studies. 

In order to be able to offer you this high quality of study, we have to charge tuition fees. As a private university, the FHD is not supported by public funds, but has to finance itself completely.

Of course, there are various ways in which you can finance your studies. We will be happy to look at your individual situation and find solutions together.

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For admission to the master's program, you need a first professional university degree or a degree from a state or state-recognized university of cooperative education. Relevant for the master's program "Games & XR Management (M.A.)" are bachelor's or diploma degrees in design, technical or business studies such as mixed reality (VR/AR), game design, (media) computer science, media design, communication, user experience design, human computer interaction, entrepreneurship and product management or related courses of study.

You want to start right away? You can apply here at any time.