Digital Narratives – ifs internationale filmschule köln

Master’s program Digital Narratives

The ifs international MA Digital Narratives program offers dedicated media and cultural professionals an opportunity to develop and produce stories with and for the future of digital media.

The program combines creative processes exploring dramaturgy and design with theoretical investigations in the fields of media and cultural studies. Students will study and practice creative digital development and production methods that will enable them to create innovative and immersive narrative forms of communication for digital platforms and genres such as VR/AR, web series, apps, graphic novels, and games – to name a few.

2nd call for applications: for applicants from the EU and from countries with visa exemption (please find here the list of countries).
Application Deadline: 30 June, 2020
Interviews: 29./30. July 2020
Next start of studies: 28 September, 2020
Language of instruction: English
Duration: 2 years (4 semesters)
Residency: semesters 1-2: 12 weeks, semester 3: 8 weeks, semester 4: 3 weeks
Applications Documents [PDF]
Applications Details [PDF]

Curriculum

The MA Digital Narratives supports young creatives to develop their artistic, practical and theoretical skills in the evolving business scene of digital culture.

The central elements of the MA Digital Narratives curriculum are:

• The Study of Digital Culture
Media-theoretical knowledge and research on digital transformation and disruption processes in society, economics, and the arts.
Investigation of the social responsibility in arts and media for a participatory society in the digital age.

• The Study of Narratives
Research and development of immersive narratives based on contemporary technologies and audience engagement strategies in digital media.

• The Study and Practice of Creative Methods
Analysis and implementation of aesthetic strategies and creative development methods in artistic projects and creative businesses.
Analysis and training of creative and agile methods for ideation, development, prototyping, and production in a highly interdisciplinary and collaborative working environment.

• Projects
Collaborative and individual work on artistic, entrepreneurial, and research projects together with external partners and supervised by professors and tutors.

structure

Admission to the MA Digital Narratives takes place every two years in the winter semester.

Duration:
2 years (4 Semesters)

Residency:
The two-year MA Digital Narratives is a fulltime Master’s program (120 ECTS). It is divided into attendance time and self-study time. The attendance time during the first and second semester is twelve weeks (usually every day from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm). During the third semester, there are eight weeks of attendance time. The fourth semester is dedicated to writing the Master’s thesis, so the attendance time is only three weeks.

Degree:
Master of Arts (M.A.), 120 ECTS

Number of students:
max. 12

Program Structure

In the second year of study, the program also offers students classes to facilitate their professionalization, which include the study of business modelling, project financing, project marketing, deal making, and the practical aspects of intellectual property law. In addition, they can receive coaching and mentoring for their projects and for their professional life after their studies.

The program language is English. Studying in a small group of no more than twelve students ensures an intensive and collaborative work. During the first three semesters, the courses are aimed at self-study phases to support indivi-dual and shared research as well as project development. For this, the students can use a co-working space at the ifs. Excursions to internationally relevant conferences and festivals, such as Re:Publica, Transmediale and Clash of Realities are an integral part of the curriculum. It is also possible for students to visit cross-institutional events and create partnerships for research and project work in order to expand their networks.

Fees & Financing

Tuition fee:

Paid in full before the start of studies (for two years):
15.000 euros International Students
11.000 euros EU Students

Or paid per semester:
4.250 euros International Students
3.250 euros EU Students

One-time registration fee: 400 euros

Semester fee at TH Köln: approx. 275 euros (includes the ticket for local public transportation)

Student loans:
For financial assistance to cover tuition fees and/or living expenses, students may apply for an interest-free loan from »The Friends of the ifs international filmschule köln Society«. Loan approval depends on the applicant’s financial situation as well as the funds available.
Repayment of the loan begins six months after graduation/termination of studies and is capped at 200 euros/month. Master’s students may apply from their first semester for the loan program.

Project Support:
To complete their Master’s projects, students have access to the technical equipment of the ifs and will receive financial project support (max. 5.000 euros/student) for the Master’s projects.

Scholarships:
»The Friends of the ifs internationale filmschule köln Society« offers one scholarship to one student of the »Digital Narratives« program for outstanding academic achievement. The scholarship runs from the second semester until the end of the Master’s program. It includes covering the tuition fees as well as a monthly contribution towards the cost of living until the end of the Master’s program.

Beyond the ifs, several German and international foundations offer scholarships to support tuition fees and costs of living during studies.

Guidelines for the awards of scholarships

Overview of scholarship funds for M.A. study programs

The requirements for the award of a scholarship vary between individual foundations. In any case, the enrollment at the TH Köln, franchise partner of the ifs, is mandatory. Another way to finance your studies is to apply for a repayable loan (eg Career Concept, db student loans, KfW Development Bank).

Financing and funding opportunities

Contact

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