Starters Information
Welcome to Creative Media and Game Technologies (CMGT)! On this page you will find more information about the introduction and the start of your study programme. Keep an eye on the page until the last minute for possible changes.
Classes will start on Monday 31 August 2026. Your schedule will be available online at Xedule  in August. Please check all schedules, so you will have an idea about subjects and times on the first days of your study. You will receive detailed information upon arrival at Saxion University and online.
Class times & holidays
Curious about Saxion's course schedules and holidays? Check them here!
On MySaxion.nl you will find all the tools you need for your studies at Saxion. You can find the following on MySaxion:
- Your timetable and changes to your timetable;
- Information about exams;
- Your most recent e-mails, grades and Bison and Brightspace announcements;
- Who’s who: easily search for a lecturer or fellow student;
- Information about your degree programme and Saxion's facilities;
- Urgent notices and news
Do you want to learn more about MySaxion? View the MySaxion video.
MySaxion Student App
Thanks to the new MySaxion Student App, you can now check your phone at any moment to see your current timetable and exam timetable. If a timetable changes, then you will receive a notification. Read on to see how to install the app and what you can expect of it. 
This is the first step towards offering you a smartphone app that has all the information you could need during your studies. Download the app, available in the store now! 
Laptop
Laptop with recent mobile graphics card: i7 processor - minimum of 16GB RAM (32 GB strongly preferred) - 1TB SSD - RTX 4050 or AMD 6600M (or higher)
Cost around 1000 euros and up.
Better specifications are always worth investing. You are going to use this for at least 4 years, so buying good quality hardware and hardware that is comfortable to use is always a wise choice. This entirely depends on your budget.
Headset
Headset (a model with Over-ear isolating cushions) for audio lessons. Sennheiser and Harman Kardon are decent brands.
Costs around 50 euros.
Better specifications are always worth investing. You are going to use this for at least 4 years, so buying good quality hardware and hardware that is comfortable to use is always a wise choice. This entirely depends on your budget.
Drawing tablet
Required for ARTIST ROLE
Drawing tablet: Wacom bamboo / Huion pro.
Costs around 100 euros.
Better specifications are always worth investing. You are going to use this for at least 4 years, so buying good quality hardware and hardware that is comfortable to use is always a wise choice. This entirely depends on your budget
Software
Required for ARTIST ROLE
Required for ARTIST ROLE
Zbrush 73,80 euros per year (starting Semester 2) Here you can find it: https://www.maxon.net/en/buy/plan-pricing-for-students
Ableton Live 12 standard for students and teachers.
Ableton Live for students and teachers | Ableton
You can buy this through www.surfspot.nl once you have a student-status.
Costs around 130 euros for unlimited license.
Booklist
Books are not mandatory for this study, but please take a look at the recommendations
| ISBN | Titel, author and publisher | Edition |
| 9781000750553 | Real-Time Collision Detection, e-book Ericson, Christer Taylor & Francis | 1 |
| 9780990582908 | Game Programming Patterns Nystrom, Robert Ingram International Inc. | 1 |
| 9781138035454 | Game Engine Architecture Gregory, Jason Taylor & Francis | 3 |
| 9780988927803 | Jumping into C++ Allain, Alex Bertram Books | 1 |
| 9780135957059 | The Pragmatic Programmer: journey to mastery, 20th Anniversary Thomas, David Hunt, Andrew Pearson Education | 2 |
| 9780132350884 | Clean code – a handbook of agile software craftmanship Martin, R.C. Prentice-Hall | 1 |
| 9781491903995 | Effective Modern C++ Meyers, Scott John Wiley & Sons Ltd | 1 |
| 9781518800276 | Learn C-sharp in One Day and Learn It Well Chan, Jamie Ingram International Inc. | 1 |
| 9780321334879 | Effective c++: 55 specific ways to improve your programs and designs 3/e Meyers, Scott Addison Wesley Longman GBP | 3 |
| 9781617292231 | Grokking Algorithms Bhargava, Aditya Pearson Education | 1 |
| 9781568817231 | 3D Math Primer for Graphics and Game Development Dunn, Fletcher Taylor & Francis | 2 |
| 9781138627000 | Real-time Rendering Akenine-moller, Tomas Haines, Eric Hoffman, Naty Taylor & Francis | 4 |
Books are not mandatory for this study, but please take a look at the recommendations
| ISBN | Titel, author and publisher | Edition |
| 9781498781732 | Story Structure and Development Caldwell, Craig Taylor & Francis | 1 |
| 9780972667647 | The Skillful Huntsman: Visual Development of a Grimm Tale at Art Center College of Design Le, Khang Ingram International Inc. | 1 |
| 9780823008094 | How to Become a Video Game Artist Kennedy, Sam R. Marston Book Services Ltd |
|
| 9780740797712 | Color and light: a guide for the realist painter Gurney, J. Andrews Mcmeel | 1 |
| 9781138014152 | The Visual Story Block, B. Taylor & Francis | 3 |
| 9781034663898 | Perspective made easy Norling, Ernest R. Gardners Books Ltd | 1 |
| 9781933492735 | How to Draw Robertson, Scott Ingram International Inc. |
|
| 9781616893323 | Graphic Design: The New Basics, revised and updated Lupton, Ellen Macmillan Distribution Ltd | 1 |
| 9780285641778 | Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain Edwards, Betty Gardners Books Ltd | 4 |
|
| Art Fundamentals Andrews, I., Baade, C.A., Doll, M. Worcester: 3dtotal Publishing | 1 |
| 9781933492957 | Framed Ink Mateu-Mestre, Marcos |
|
Books are not mandatory for this study, but please take a look at the recommendations
| ISBN | Titel, author and publisher | Edition |
| 9780300190991 | The Proteus Paradox: How Online Games and Virtual Worlds Change Us? And How They Don't Yee, Nick John Wiley & Sons Ltd | 1 |
| 9781498781732 | Story Structure and Development Caldwell, Craig Taylor & Francis | 1 |
|
| Plot Versus Character: A Balanced Approach to Writing Great Fiction Gerke, Jeff |
|
| 9781538717974 | Consider This: Moments in My Writing Life After Which Everything Was Different Palahniuk, Chuck Ingram International Inc. | 1 |
| 9781119629191 | The Design Thinking Toolbox: A Guide to Mastering the Most Popular and Valuable Innovation Methods Lewrick, Michael John Wiley & Sons Ltd | 1 |
| 9780321965516 | Don't make me think Krug, S. Pearson Education | 3 |
| 9781138098770 | Game Design Workshop Fullerton, Tracy Taylor & Francis | 4 |
| 9781118968055 | Value Proposition Design: How to Make Stuff People Want Osterwalder, Alexander John Wiley & Sons Ltd | 1 |
| e-book | Game Mechanics: Advanced Game Design Adams, Ernest Dormans, Joris |
|
|
| Graphic Design for Non-designers: The Ultimate Primer for the Design Rookie Seddon, Tony Waterhouse, Jane |
|
| 9780815361367 | An Architectural Approach to Level Design Totten, Christopher W. Taylor & Francis POD | 2 |
| 9780321929679 | Fundamentals of Game Design Adams, Ernest Pearson Education | 3 |
| 9780385339032 | Screenplay foundations of screenwriting Field, S. Doubleday US | 2 |
| 9780262240451 | Rules of play - game design fundamentals Salen Mit Press | 1 |
| 9781032397542 | The Cores of Game Design Mechanics, Economics, Narrative, and Aesthetics R. Serpa, Y. Routledge Taylor & Francis Group | 1 |
INTRO is coming up and you don't want to miss it! 💚 This is your first week at Saxion and your introduction to your study programme, fellow students and student city. 25 & 26 August, you will go out with your study programme for an unforgettable start to your studies! Curious about your INTRO programme? 📅 You can find it in the INTRO-app.
From 20 August, you’ll receive instructions by email on how to download the app and log in. If you buy a ticket later, keep an eye on your inbox. Please note: you need a ticket to download the app!
Course introduction programme
The course introduction programme of Creative Media and Game Technologies takes place on Monday 24 August and Tuesday 25 August.
Download the complete schedule of the course introduction programme!
After the course introduction programme you can join the INTRO for more fun activities and the INTRO-concert. Check the INTRO-page for more information.
Welcome to XP!
Study Association XP is the ultimate hub for CMGT students and anyone eager to join our vibrant community. Based in Enschede, we're a creative association with over 250 awesome members. Whether you're international, Dutch, a nerd, or a gamer, we've got something for everyone.
At XP, we host a wide range of events including movie nights, parties, picnics, workshops, and the famous yearly Game Jam. Plus, we support your studies and creative career with museum visits, company tours, events with industry professionals, and more!
Sound like your kind of place? Join us on Discord and check out one of our upcoming events: https://discord.gg/RSyd6NzeNG.
Do you have a cool idea for an event or want to join our organizing team? Visit us at the XP office in the building or DM one of the XPersonnel on Discord!
We are looking forward to meeting you!
Much love, and GLHF,
Study Association XP
Creative Media and Game Technologies (CMGT)
Saxion location ‘Alphons Ariëns’
Ariënsplein 1, Enschede
First floor, Z15.1
Team Support CMGT
T: +31612787005
E: [email protected]
Opening ours location ‘Alphons Ariëns’ during the summer holiday:
- 20 July - 24 July open from 8:00 - 16:30 (week 30)
- 27 July -14 August closed (week 31-32-33)
- 17 August - 21 August open from 8:00 - 16:30 (week 34)
- 24 August - 28 August open from 7:30 - 18:00 (week 35 – Introduction week)
Academy of Creative Technologies (ACT) (CMGT is part of ACT)
Saxion location ‘Epy Drost’ (glass building)
Van Galenstraat 19, Enschede
Front Office ACT
Ground floor
T: +31880199130
E: [email protected]
Opening ours location ‘Epy Drost’ (glass building) during the summer holiday:
20 July - 24 July in person, by e-mail and by phone from 8:00 – 16:30
- 27 July - 14 August not available
- From 17 August in person, by e-mail and by phone from 8:00 - 16:30
Our Front Office colleague at location ‘Epy Drost’ will be available as mentioned below:
- 20 July - 24 July open from 8:00 - 16:30 (week 30)
- 27 July -14 August closed (week 31-32-33)
- 17 August - 21 August open from 8:00 - 16:30 (week 34)
- 24 August - 28 August open from 7:30 - 18:00 (week 35 – Introduction week)
Answering your questions may take a little longer than usual.