Das Master-Studium
»How to be a staff writer; or, why there is no I in team.«
Lawrence Meyers, Inside the TV Writers’ Room
The MA Serial Storytelling at the ifs Internationale Filmschule Köln is Europe’s first and only international Master’s Programme focusing on collaborative writing for series.
Focusing on both local and international series markets, this intensive two-year master's degree programme combines story development skills, collaboration techniques (»Writers’ Room«), and the innovative approach of artistic research.
Students work with highly acclaimed international guest speakers and scholars, such as Steven Kane (Halo, Jack Ryan), Chris Chibnall (Broadchurch, Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials), Annette Hess (Deutsches Haus/The Interpreter of Silence, Ku’damm 56/59/63), Bob Konrad (Kleo, Struwwelpeter), Denise Harkavy (The Expanse), Philip Käßbohrer and Matthias Murmann (How To Sell Drugs Online [Fast]), Juliana Lima Dehne (Maxton Hall, 1899), Adrian Spring and Kirsten Loose (Club der roten Bänder), Ljubica Lukovic (Kljun/Awake, Struwwelpeter), Tyron Ricketts (Sam – ein Sachse/Sam – A Saxon), Jeppe Gjervig Gram (Borgen, Follow the Money), Pilar Alessandra (On the Page), Eilish Kent (Storyland), Laurie Hutzler (Nine Powers), and many more.
Since 2025, the Serial Storytelling professorship has been held by Prof. Jan Martin Scharf, a renowned German TV series writer and director whose work includes »Die Düsteren« (ZDFneo), »Barbaren« (Netflix), »Alphamännchen« (Netflix), »Club der roten Bänder/Red Band Society« (VOX) and »Weinberg« (TNT).
The programme is supported by industry partners such as Disney+, RTL, ZDF/ZDFneo, btf bildundtonfabrik, Network Movie, Series Mania and Seriencamp.
Zielgruppe
Talented aspiring series writers with advanced team working skills, an interest in academic and creative research and at least one year of relevant work experience.
Studienplan und Studienschwerpunkte
The Master's programme »Serial Storytelling« guides young professionals in exploring, mastering, and expanding forms and methods of serial narration for TV and digital platforms. Accompanied by renowned series creators, script consultants, and media scholars, the students analyse the secrets behind the success of popular series and develop their own innovative series concepts. Series dramaturgy, character development, and collaborative writing processes (»Writers' Room«) are at the center of their practical work.
In addition to narrative and media-theoretical content, the programme conveys the basics of transnational markets and new media platforms, and also supports the students in exploring innovative narrative forms, work structures, and distribution channels.
With a strong focus on collaboration skills and innovative strategies, the MA Serial Storytelling provides aspiring series writers with exceptional learning experiences:
Relevant Skills for a Wide Range of Career Paths
- acquiring a wide-ranging skill set that combines the tools of professional screenwriters and an in-depth knowledge of creative teamwork
- mastering models and methods of serial storytelling format
Hands-on Experience
- developing 4-5 series projects in different formats over four semesters
- creating fascinating characters, compelling ensembles, surprising plots, and sustainable concepts
- master key soft skills such as pitching, networking, and negotiating
- gaining hands-on experience in collaborative as well as individual screenwriting, including the creation of a complete drama series within a writers’ room led by an expert professional showrunner
Industry Insights and Networking Opportunities
- learning from highly acclaimed international writers, producers, showrunners and executives
- enjoying privileged networking and pitching opportunities, e.g. at international series festivals such as Seriencamp and Series Mania
Artistic Research and the Social Responsibility of the Storyteller
- explor philosophical and ethical topics in individual research projects while broadening expertise in serial storytelling
- discuss pressing social issues as well as current trends and visions of future series markets, formats, and ways of distribution with acclaimed experts from various fields
- transform these findings into exciting, innovative, and relevant serial narratives.
Internationaler und deutschsprachiger Track
For most courses, the group of 16 students comes together. Consequently, the vast majority of classes in this programme are conducted in English.
However, for more elaborate writing projects and for classes geared to specific series markets, students may split into two tracks: In these specific cases, students of the international track study in English, targeting international audiences, while students of the German-language track study and write in German, with a focus on German-language series markets.
Aufnahme und Zugangsvoraussetzungen
Academic Requirements
Tobe eligible for admission to the Master’s programme, applicants must hold an undergraduate degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) comprising at least 180 ECTS credits, or a higher qualification (e.g. a German Magister or Diplom) awarded by an accredited university. The ifs welcomes talented applicants from all academic backgrounds, including those whose previous degrees are in fields unrelated to film and media.
In exceptional and well-justified cases, applicants with outstanding artistic qualifications who do not meet one or more of the formal admission requirements may apply to participate in the programme as advanced training participants.
Work Experience
Applicants must have worked in the field of media production for at least one year.
Language Skills
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 proficiency is only required for applicants to the German-language track. Applicants who are not native speakers of German and who wish to apply to the German-language track may be asked to provide proof of German language proficiency.
Screenwriting Skills
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 the missing proof has been provided.
Gebühren
One time registration fee
400 Euro
Tuiton fee per semester
Non-EU students: 3.750 Euro
EU students: 2.750 Euro
Semester fee TH Köln
approx. 340 Euro
The ifs is a cooperation partner of the TH Köln and all ifs students are enrolled at the TH Köln and can use the services offered by TH Köln, such as the semester ticket for public transport, access to TH Köln’s International Office or to their sports courses and facilities.
