Applicants must have worked in the field of film or media production for at least one year.

Good German and good English language skills are required: Applicants who did not obtain their university entrance qualification at a German-speaking institution must provide proof of good knowledge of German at the level of DSH-1 (“Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang". The DSH-1 exam can alternatively be replaced by equivalent certificates or proof, like e. g. B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (“Gemeinsamer Europäischer Referenzrahmen für Sprachen”) or TestDaf level TDN 3.

Fees for EU citizens

Tuition fee per semester:       2,750 euros including study fund
Semester fee at TH Köln:      more information
One-time registration fee:     400 Euro

Fees for non-EU citizens

Tuition fee per semester:      3,750 euros including study fund
Semester fee at TH Köln:      more information
One-time registration fee:    400 Euro

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 programme. 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.
For more information see "Study fees & financing".

No.

Good German and good English language skills are required: Applicants who did not obtain their university entrance qualification at a German-speaking institution must provide proof of good knowledge of German at the level of DSH-1 (“Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang". The DSH-1 exam can alternatively be replaced by equivalent certificates or proof, like e. g. B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (“Gemeinsamer Europäischer Referenzrahmen für Sprachen”) or TestDaf level TDN 3.

The tasks must be answered in German.

Yes, non-EU students are welcome to apply for the master's programme.

Yes, you can also submit other work samples (no download links). However, depending on the volume of applications, we cannot guarantee that the admissions jury will be able to sift through the additional material.

Yes, you can apply with a Bachelor’s degree or a graduate-level diploma, which includes the Magister.

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 programme without previous academic experience. In this case, no Master’s title is awarded on completion of the programme.

After the pre-selection, candidates who have made it to the second round will be invited to take an entrance exam, which is expected to take place on-site at the ifs in May/June. This part of the examination consists of a course-related interview with the admissions committee and a group discussion with other applicants. In addition, candidates may be sent an assignment to work on with the invitation to the entrance examination, which will also be the subject of the interview.

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.

Information on certification can be found on the page of our cooperation partner TH Köln:
https://www.th-koeln.de/mam/downloads/deutsch/studium/bewerbung_zulassung/infoblatt_beglaubigung.pdf

Knowledge of basic dramaturgical models, dramatic narrative methods and cinematic forms as well as experience of practical work in a responsible position, on various film projects (these can also be student short film projects) are mandatory for this degree programme. This will be examined during the selection process.

Yes. Applicants must have a total of at least one year of professional experience in the media sector. If you do not currently have a full year of practical work experience, but expect to have completed one year of work experience by September 2025 (i.e. before the start of your studies), please indicate this in your application. If you are unsure whether the type of work experience you have is one of the recognised activities, please contact the MA FILM department for clarification (v.wittmann@filmschule.de, masterfilm@filmschule.de).

This decision is up to you, but please note that the MA FILM is a full-time Master's programme (with 120 ECTS).
In the first three semesters, attendance time of 6 weeks per semester is required (with lectures usually taking place five days per week from 10 am to 4 or 5 pm), as well as approx. 11-12 weeks of project time (usually self-study or teamwork plus project counselling). During the attendance time, the students take part in seminars, workshops and individual subject-specific and methodological advice with the supervising professors and external lecturers. Attendance is compulsory for the courses in these phases. The project time/own study time serves to deepen and expand the students' own subject knowledge and the conception, implementation and reflection of the co-creative approach to the joint project. During these phases, it is up to the students to organise their working and learning processes independently. However, advisory meetings and/or team meetings may also take place. During the fourth semester, which is dedicated to the Master's project, attendance is compulsory for about 2 weeks, plus oral exams and a project presentation.

Students who are accepted to the programme will be provided with a list of useful links.

For an estimation of the average costs of living in Cologne please see here.