Applicants must have worked in the field of media production for at least one year. (see FAQ for more details)

Very good English language skills.
B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, e.g. by a TOEFL score of a minimum of 72 points (internet-based) or equivalent test results. Native English speakers are exempted from this.

German language skills are only required for students in the German track.

A solid understanding of the basics of screenwriting and dramaturgy in theory and practice is a prerequisite for this programme. This is assessed in the application process. If an applicant’s knowledge and skills in this field prove to be yet insufficient at the time of selection, the applicant may be required to enroll in the ifs’ »Summer School Screenwriting« (or in a comparable course) before the start of the Master’s Programme (additional costs apply). In these cases, admission is pending until pending proof has been provided.

Fees for EU citizens

Tuition fee per semester:       2,750 euros including study fund
Semester fee at TH Köln:      approx. 300 euros (including semester ticket for local public transportation)
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:      approx. 300 euros (including semester ticket for local public transportation)
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.

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.

If you are applying for a DAAD Scholarship, which requires an acceptance letter to be submitted, we are not always able you to provide you with this document. The reason for this is that our admission process usually starts after the application deadline for the DAAD scholarships has ended.
However, we are able to issue a different certificate before the scholarship’s application deadline. This document does not include personal information of the applicant and is not a certificate of acceptance. Instead, it details the entry requirements for the MA and the general information of the programme. In the past, DAAD has accepted this kind of certificate for other prospective students’ scholarship applications.

For more information on funding opportunities see “FEES & FINANCING”.

Applicants need to provide proof of 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 well as applicants holding an English high-school diploma or an English academic degree In addition, all applicants have to demonstrate an appropriate level of English during the selection process (interviews and writing assignments).

Only candidates applying for the German language track need to be fluent in German (written and spoken). Non-native German speakers who wish to write series in German may be asked to submit a proof of language proficiency.

Tasks 1 – 3 of the application tasks must be answered in English. Applicants for the international track are requested to submit also tasks 4 – 7 in English. Candidates for the German track are requested to submit tasks 4 – 7 in German.

Non-EU students are welcome to apply for the MA Serial Storytelling.

Yes, you may also submit your finished scripts. But depending on the volume of material received, we cannot guarantee that the jurors will be able to read the additional scripts.

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.

A basic training in screenwriting and dramaturgy is required. This will be assessed in the selection process. If your skills are not yet at an adequate level, you may be required to enroll in the ifs »Summer School Screenwriting« (or a comparable top-level screenwriting programme) before the start of the MA Serial Storytelling (additional costs apply).

You will not have to come to Germany for an interview: Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an entrance exam. The exams will consist of interviews and writing tasks. Each applicant must be available for approximately one day during this period. The entrance exams will be conducted online.

Announcement shortlist: January 20, 2023 (international track) / March 16, 2023 (German-language track)
Interviews: February 5−7, 2023 (international track) / March 24, 2023 (German-language track)

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. For the application process, scanned PDF copies of the certified copies are sufficient. Once you are admitted to the programme, you will have to submit the certified copies in hard copy as part of your enrollment at TH Koeln.

Yes. Applicants must have gained relevant practical experience in the field of media or writing for at least one year. If you do not have a full year of practical professional experience yet, but expect to have completed a year of experience before September (i.e. before the beginning of the study programme), 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 ifs's Series dept. (serialstorytelling(at)filmschule.de).

This decision is up to you, but please be aware of the fact that the MA Serial Storytelling is a full-time 120 credits Master’s programme.

In the first three semesters, we expect attendance for a period of about 14 weeks per semester, with mandatory courses running five days a week from 10 am till 4 pm or 5pm (even longer during project phases, etc.). In-between lecture periods there will be extensive writing assignments. During the fourth semester, which is dedicated to writing the master’s project, students are required to be in Cologne for a period of approximately six weeks to attend the oral exams, preparatory sessions, and presentations. Here, too, a considerable amount of time will need to be dedicated to the writing process.

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. 300 euros.

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.