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

The MA Serial Storytelling requires very good English language skills of at least B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, e.g. by a TOEFL iBT result of at least 4 (before 2026: 72 points) or equivalent test results.

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
Semester fee at TH Köln:      more information
One-time registration fee:     400 Euros

Fees for non-EU citizens

Tuition fee per semester:      3,750 Euros
Semester fee at TH Köln:      more information
One-time registration fee:    400 Euros

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 honouring outstanding academic achievement.
Application for this scholarship is possible for the second semester at the earliest.

Financing options

If you are applying for a DAAD scholarship that requires you to submit a letter of acceptance, we may not always be able to provide you with the exact document required by the DAAD. This is because our admissions process usually starts after the application deadline for DAAD scholarships.
However, we may be able to issue a different certificate before the scholarship application deadline. This document does not contain any personal information about the applicant and is not an acceptance letter. Instead, it contains the entry requirements for the MA and general information about the programme. In the past, the DAAD has accepted this type 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 proficiency at level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, e.g. by a TOEFL iBT result of at least 4 (before 2026: 72 points) or equivalent test results. This requirement does not apply to applicants with an English A-Level, a degree from an academic programme where English is the languae of instruction, or an equivalent qualification. In addition, all applicants will be required to demonstrate an appropriate level of English during the selection process (interviews and written 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 Cologne 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:

21 January 2025 (international track)

Interviews:

international track: 3-5 February 2025
German-language track: 1 April 2025

You don’t have to submit a certified copy of your BA certificates. However, if your certificates were issued in a language other than German or English, they must be translated into German or English by a sworn translator, and this translation must be certified. For the application process, scanned PDF copies of the certified copies are sufficient.

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 15 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, the enrollment of students of the ifs at TH Köln is mandatory.

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.