MA Serial Storytelling
ifs Internationale Filmschule Köln
Program Overview
The MA Serial Storytelling at the ifs Internationale Filmschule Köln is Europe’s first and only international Master’s Programme focusing on collaborative writing for series. Focusing on both local and international series markets, this intensive two-year Master's degree programme combines story development skills, collaboration techniques ("Writers’ Room"), and the innovative approach of artistic research. Students work with highly acclaimed international guest speakers and scholars, such as Matt Hastings (The Handmaid’s Tale), Bob Konrad (Kleo), Denise Harkavy (The Expanse), Philip Käßbohrer & Matthias Murmann (How To Sell Drugs Online [Fast]), Annette Hess (The Interpreter of Silence, Ku’damm 56/59/63), Tyron Ricketts (Sam – A Saxon), Frank Spotnitz (X-Files, The Man in the High Castle), Hagai Levi (The Affair, In Treatment), Jeppe Gjervig Gram (Borgen, Follow the Money), Pilar Alessandra (On the Page), Laurie Hutzler (Nine Powers), Stanislavs Tokalovs & Teodora Markova (Soviet Jeans), and many more. The programme is supported by industry partners such as RTL, ZDF/ZDFneo, btf bildundtonfabrik, Network Movie, Series Mania, Seriencamp, and the Film Festival Cologne.
EURFinancials
Financials
INFOIntakes and Duration
Intakes and Duration
Intake Season
Winter (October)
Duration
4 semesters
COCareer Outcomes
Career Outcomes
You can always explore various career paths after completing this program. The listed options are some of the most popular among graduates.
EURSalary Outlook
Salary Outlook
Typical range
€45,000 – €75,000 per year
Fresher, mid-level, and experienced ranges are linked to external sources so they stay auditable for applicants.
LANGLanguage & Exams
Language & Exams
Teaching Language
English
Applicants need to provide proof of their English language skills at B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, e.g. by a TOEFL score of 72 points (Internet-based) or equivalent test results. Native English speakers are exempted from this, as are applicants holding an English high school diploma or an English academic degree. In addition, all applicants have to demonstrate the appropriate level of English during the selection process (interviews and writing assignments). German language skills are only required for students in the German track.
REQRequirements
Requirements
Academic Admission
To obtain a Master's degree, applicants must have an undergraduate degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) with a minimum of 180 ECTS credits or a higher degree (e.g. a German "Magister" or "Diplom") from an accredited university, and must have worked in the field of media production for at least one year. The ifs welcomes talented applicants who have received degrees in unrelated fields. In addition, applicants need to provide proof of adequate English language skills (see below) as well as basic training in screenwriting and dramaturgy. The latter may be acquired by enrolling in an ifs summer school before the start of the programme. In justified exceptional cases, applicants with exceptional artistic skills whose CVs lack one or more of these formal requirements may request to enrol in the programme as advanced training participants.
APS Certificate
An APS certificate is required for applicants who have completed their qualifying education in India, China, or Vietnam.
IELTS Score
Not specified
Application Deadline
Application deadlines are subject to changes. Please refer to the above university course link for the most accurate information.
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