MA Entertainment Producing

The extra-occupational Master’s program Entertainment Producing enables young media professionals to deepen their practical and theoretical knowledge of the essential creative, production and market aspects of entertainment production in television and digital media. Supported by distinguished industry experts, they explore and expand existing processes and formats and develop their own innovative entertainment concepts.
The guiding principle of the new course are creative entertainment producers, who develop and produce innovative formats for a highly dynamic and competitive media market in cooperation with a creative team, and who are also able to bear economic and personal responsibility.

Core competencies for a highly dynamic market

In its two-year curriculum the MA Entertainment Producing combines four central elements:

1. Practical orientation: modules on the development, production and exploitation of entertainment formats and on process-related topics such as leadership, strategy, innovation, collaboration, management and law.

2. Project orientation: Throughout their studies, students go through several project phases. They develop format ideas from the various format genres (e.g. show, factual, reality) independently and cooperatively in the essential aspects.

3. Contextualization: Scientific and application theory modules expand the practical content with regard to entertainment history and media transformation processes, market and media research as well as social responsibility in the entertainment industry.

4. (Self-)Presentation / Networking: Practical exercises, pitches/presentations, network events and field trips specifically promote access to the entertainment market and the expansion of your own network.

Accompanied by tutorials, students in the 4th semester develop their Master’s project up to the pitch in front of industry representatives.

Studying at the entertainment hub Cologne

Cologne is not only a city with a 2000-year history, but also a vibrant media metropolis. And the undisputed entertainment stronghold in Germany: well over half of all German entertainment programs are produced in Cologne and the surrounding area. The most successful TV and entertainment producers have their headquarters or an important branch here. In addition, important TV and radio stations as well as more than 70 print and digital publishers have their headquarters in the city and attract a creative and artistic audience.
The ifs is located in the up-and-coming creative and media quarter Schanzen Street in Cologne-Mülheim – in close proximity to TV production companies, studios, publishing houses, a radio station and the Schauspiel Köln (Theatre of Cologne).

Focus:
Extra-occupational, practice-oriented professional training Master’s degree for members of the non-fictional entertainment industry along the creative process in entertainment production (development, production, exploitation), professionalisation (law, management, innovation, cooperation), creative leadership and social responsibility

Duration:
2 years (4 semesters)

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

Attendance Time:
Semester 1 – 3:
• Introductory phase at the beginning of the study of 3-4 days en bloc
• approx. 16 days per semester, i.e. approx. 6 days per month during the lecture period (3 weekends per month, Friday/Saturday)
Semester 4:
approx. 5 days accompanying the Master’s project (tutorials, colloquia, final events)

Target Group:
Ambitious members of the entertainment industry with at least one year of professional experience, e.g. editors, (junior) producers, production managers, freelance writers, or from individual trades of entertainment production (e.g. editing, directing, cinematography, casting etc.), as well as from related branches such as event, theatre and transmedia/online production.

Group Size:
max. 20 students

Language:
German; international contents/lecturers in English

Workload:
The MA Entertainment Producing is a four-semester extra-occupational part-time Master’s program with 120 ECTS.
There is an introductory phase at the beginning of the course with 3-4 days of attendance en bloc.
In the first three semesters, attendance time of approx. 16 days per semester is required, whereby courses are generally held during the lecture period (for approx. 3 months) on 3 weekends (Friday/Saturday) per month from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or 5 p.m.
During the fourth semester, which is dedicated to the Master’s project, an attendance time of about 5 days per semester is planned for tutorials, colloquia and final presentations.
Added to this is the time spent studying on one’s own, i.e. in particular project work. This varies, but should be planned at around 12 hours per week throughout the semester.

Professor for the MA Entertanment Producing is Jennifer Mival. As a content executive, she has extensive international leadership experience in non-fiction entertainment with a focus on program strategy, format development and production for streaming services and TV stations, and extensive expertise in the international format licensing business.

Jennifer Mival was most recently responsible at Netflix for building up the new Non-fiction Original Series programming area for the German-speaking market and Scandinavia, with stations in Los Angeles, London and Berlin. Previously, she was Executive Producer and Head of Formats at Seapoint, ITV Studios and ProSiebensat1, and Head of Programming at youth channel Joiz. More

In addition to the professor, the MA Entertainment Producing also has a large number of high-profile figures from the entertainment industry. A detailed overview of the pool of experts of the ifs entertainment program can be found here.

The required knowledge and proof will be tested during the application procedure. These are:

Academic Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) of at least 180 ECTS credits or a higher degree (e.g. a German Magister or Diplom degree) from a recognised higher education institution is required for admission to a Master’s program. The ifs welcomes applications from ambitious entertainment professionals who have gained degrees in subjects other than their own.
In justified exceptional cases, applicants with exceptional artistic talent who lack one or more of these formal requirements may apply to participate in this program as participants in continuing education.

Work Experience

Applicants must have at least one year’s professional experience in the entertainment industry – in production/editing or the individual creative trades of production (e.g. directing, cinematography, editing, casting etc.). Applications from a related practical field such as event, theatre or trans/multimedia production are also possible.

Language Skills

A good command of English is required and must be proven during the selection process. Although the degree program is mainly offered in German, English is also offered on a case-by-case basis as a group working language in project work and in events taught by international lecturers.

A good knowledge of German is essential for participants.

Tuition Fees

EU Citizens:

Tuition Fees per Semester: 2,500 euros (including the Student Education Funds)
Optional Semester Fee TH Köln (University of Applied Sciences Cologne): approx. 280 euros (including VRS semester ticket)
One-time registration fee: 400 euros

Non-EU Citizens: 

Tuition Fees per Semester: 3,500 euros (including the Student Education Funds)
Semester Fee TH Köln (University of Applied Sciences Cologne): ca. 280 euros (including VRS semester ticket)
One-time registration fee: 400 euros

Scholarships

The ifs awards seven scholarships (as of March 2021), which are donated for the MA Entertainment Producing by companies from the entertainment industry. These are usually partial scholarships that cover at least 50% of the tuition fees. More information about these scholarships and the application process will be available here soon.

In addition, The Friends of the ifs Society awards scholarships to master’s students with outstanding academic achievements. Beginning in the winter semester of 2021, for the MA Entertainment Producing one or two tuition fee scholarships may be awarded for a period of four semesters.

In addition to the ifs, numerous German and international study foundations offer scholarships to support tuition fees and living costs during the course of studies.

The requirements for the award of a scholarship vary depending on the scholarship provider. An overview of the scholarship programs of external foundations can be found at:

Financing and Funding Opportunities

Student Loans

For financial support to cover tuition fees and/or living expenses, students can apply for an interest-free loan from the Friends of the ifs Society from the first semester onwards. The approval of the interest-free loan depends on the financial situation of the applicant and the amount of funds available. Repayment of the loan begins six months after completion of the studies.
Students are generally entitled to BAföG if they are studying for the first time. The responsible Federal Office for Education and Training Support decides on applications for a state student loan or scholarship. A prerequisite for submitting an application is enrolment at the TH Köln, the ifs’ cooperation partner (tuition fees for the winter semester 2020/2021: 280.50 euros). This scholarship includes all services provided by the TH Köln and the semester fee. Both German and foreign students are eligible to apply. International students can find out about the BAföG regulations relevant to them here.
Another way of financing your studies is to apply for a repayable loan. The following collection of links makes no claim to completeness and is only alphabetically ordered.

Education and Student Loans:

• Bildungsfonds
• Bildungskreditprogramm der Bundesregierung
• Career Concept AG
• CHE – Centrum für Hochschulentwicklung
• DAKA – Darlehenskasse der Studentenwerke im Land NRW
• Deutsche Bildung
• Deutsche Kreditbank
• Erasmus+ Master degree loans 
• KfW Bank

In order to make sure that degree certificates obtained abroad meet the admission requirements of the ifs (university entrance qualification), applicants can consult the following database: http://anabin.kmk.org  
If your degree does not meet the ifs admission requirements, applicants with particular artistic talent may be invited to take part in a separate admission procedure and complete the program as a continuing education participant.

In order to obtain a residence permit, international students must prove that they have sufficient means of subsistence. The required amount corresponds to the BaföG maximum of 861 € per month. 

Citizens of member states of the European Union, the European Economic Area (EEA) – i.e. Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein – as well as Switzerland have the same access to the labour market as German students and may work as much as they wish without the prior consent of the German authorities. However, students are advised not to work more than 20 hours per week, otherwise they will have to pay social security contributions.
International students from countries that are NOT members of the EU, the EEA or Switzerland are generally allowed to work 120 full days or 240 half days per year if they hold a valid residence permit for Germany. Students who wish to work more days per year must obtain the approval of the Foreigners Authority and the Federal Employment Agency.

What is the regular tuition fee per semester?

Fees for EU citizens
Tuition fee per semester: 2,500 euros including study fund
Semester fee at TH Köln: 280.50 euros (including the ticket for local public transportation)
One-time registration fee: 400 Euro

Fees for non-EU citizens
Tuition fee per semester: 3,500 euros including study fund
Semester fee at TH Köln: 280.50 euros (including the ticket for local public transportation)
One-time registration fee: 400 Euro

Are there any funding opportunities for the program?
To finance tuition fees and to support living expenses, students may apply to the »Friends of the ifs Society« for interest-free loans and scholarships.
Application for student loans is possible after acceptance to the program. The granting of loans is dependent on the economic situation of the applicant and the resources available. Repayment of the loans begins six months after graduation.
In addition, MA students may apply for scholarships honoring outstanding academic achievement. The regulations for these scholarships are currently being updated. You will find more information here soon.

Do I need to provide formal proof of my English language skills?
No written formal proof is required. English language skills will be checked during the selection process, usually in a personal interview.

Do I have to have a good knowledge of German? 
Good German language skills are mandatory for the participants.

Can I submit the application documents in my native language? 
The application documents must be submitted in German or English language.

Can non-EU students apply?
Non-EU students are welcome to apply for the MA Entertainment Producing. Applicants should, however, have the necessary German and English language skills.

Can I submit further documents (e.g. complete treatments, videos or letters of recommendation) in addition to the required application documents?
Yes, additional material can also be submitted. However, depending on the volume of material received, we cannot guarantee that the jurors will be able to read the additional material comprehensively.

Can I apply if I hold a German »Magister« degree?
Yes, you can apply with a Bachelor’s degree or a graduate-level diploma, which includes the Magister.

Is it possible to apply without a bachelor’s degree?
To earn the Master’s degree, you are required to hold a bachelor’s or equivalent degree. Applicants with outstanding artistic qualification may be allowed to enroll in this program without previous academic experience. In this case, no Master’s title is awarded on completion of the program.

How much practical experience in entertainment production do I need?
Practical experience in the entertainment industry corresponding to at least one year of professional activity must be proven. The experience may have been acquired in entertainment production or also in the individual creative sections of production (e.g. editing, directing, cinematography, casting, etc.). Proof of practical experience in a field relevant to the Master’s program, such as event, theatre or trans/multimedia production, is also possible.

Do I have to come to Cologne for the entrance examination? When do the entrance exams take place? 
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an entrance exam. The entrance examination consists of an oral interview.
Each applicant must be available for approximately one day during this period.
Because of the pandemic, the entrance exams will take place online if necessary (e.g. via Skype or Zoom) in 2021.
Further information about the format and dates of the entrance examination will be announced here on the MA Entertainment Producing website shortly.

Do I have to have my BA certificates certified? Do I have to submit a translation of my BA certificates?
Yes, you must submit a certified copy of your undergraduate degree certificates. If your certificates were issued in a language other than German or English, they must be translated into German or English, and the translation must also be certified.

Do I need to have work experience? 
Yes. Applicants must have gained relevant practical experience in the entertainment industry for at least one year.
The experience may have been gained in entertainment production or also in the individual creative sections of production (e.g. editing, directing, cinematography, casting, etc.). It is also possible to provide proof of practical experience in an area relevant to the Master’s program, such as event, theatre or trans/multimedia production.
If you do not have a full year of practical professional experience yet, but expect to have completed a year of experience by September 2021 (i.e. before the beginning of the study program), please indicate this in your application.
If you are unsure whether or not the type of experience you have might be deemed relevant, please check with the Entertainment Producing dept. (see CONTACT).

Will I be able to work during my studies? 
The Master Entertainment Producing is a part-time study program. Students of the Master Entertainment Producing are explicitly encouraged to pursue a professional activity within the entertainment industry during their studies. However, such simultaneous professional activity is not obligatory.
The Master’s program is expected to require an effort as follows: During the first three semesters, attendance of approximately 16 days per semester is required, with lectures usually taking place on 3 weekends (Friday/Saturday) per month from 10am to 4pm or 5pm during the lecture period (for approximately 3 months). During the fourth semester, which is dedicated to the Master’s project, attendance time of approx. 5 days per semester is planned for tutorials, colloquia and final presentations. In addition, there is the self-study time, i.e. in particular the project work. This varies, but should be planned at approx. 12 hours per week over the entire semester. At the beginning of the program, there is an introductory phase with an attendance period of 3-4 days en bloc.

Do I have to enroll at the TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences as well?
Yes, MA students at ifs are required to enroll at the TH Köln. This provides students with low-cost tickets for public transportation and the opportunity to use the TH Köln libraries, the services of the international office, student sporting facilities etc. The semester fee at the TH Köln amounts to approx. 280 euros.

How do I find accommodation in Cologne?
Students who are accepted to the program will be provided with a list of useful links.

What’s the cost of living in Cologne?
For an estimation of the average costs of living in Cologne please see here.

If you have any questions about the MA Entertainment Producing, please contact us:

Jan Lingemann
Head of Entertainment
T +49 221.920188-265
j.lingemann(at)filmschule.de

Maren Radau
Assitance Entertainment
T +49 221.920188-278
m.radau(at)filmschule.de

Janina Jansen
Student Service
T +49-221.920188-222
j.jansen(at)filmschule.de