MA Serial Storytelling ifs Internationale Filmschule Köln

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.

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 centre 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

• acquire a wide-ranging skill set that combines the tools of professional screenwriters and an in-depth knowledge of creative teamwork
• master models and methods of serial storytelling formats

Hands-On Experience

• develop four to five series projects with different formats over four semesters
• create fascinating characters, compelling ensembles, surprising plots and sustainable concepts
• master key soft skills such as pitching, networking and negotiating
• gain 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

• learn from highly acclaimed international writers, producers, showrunners and executives
• enjoy 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

• explore philosophical and ethical topics and expand the knowledge of serial storytelling in academic as well as artistic research projects
• 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

TH Köln (University of Applied Sciences)

To obtain a Master’s degree, applicants must have an undergraduate degree (Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent degree) with a minimum of 180 ECTS credits or a higher degree (e.g. a German "Magister" or "Diplom") from an accredited university. The ifs welcomes talented applicants who have received degrees in unrelated fields.

In justified exceptional cases, applicants with exceptional artistic skills whose CVs lack one or more of these formal requirements may request to enrol 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.

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

Approx. 340 EUR per semester (payment to TH Köln)

The ifs is a cooperation partner of the TH Köln (University of Applied Sciences). Enrolment at the TH Köln is mandatory for all ifs students.

Approx. 1,000 EUR per month

For financial support to cover tuition fees, students can apply for an interest-free loan from the second semester onwards from the "Friends of the ifs Society". The approval of the interest-free loans depends on the financial situation of the applicant and the amount of funds available. Repayment of the loans begins six months after graduation or completion of studies.

For all ifs degree programmes (except the MA in 3D Animation for Film and Games), the "Friends of ifs Society” awards special scholarships to students facing financial hardship in exceptional cases. The scholarships cover the tuition fees. Affected students may contact the “Friends of ifs Society” at any time.

The ifs Internationale Filmschule Köln is a comprehensive educational and professional training institution with an artistic-scientific focus serving aspiring media professionals. On the initiative of the NRW state government and the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW, the school was founded in 2000 as a non-profit company, the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW being the sole principal partner of the ifs. The ifs is consistently ranked as one of the best film schools in Germany, based on its outstanding student support, excellent teaching and project work and active festival participation, including a Student Academy Award. The ifs portfolio encompasses the Bachelor's programme in Film, offering various specialisations, alongside Master’s programmes in 3D Animation for Film & Games, Digital Narratives, Entertainment Producing and Serial Storytelling. The study programmes are carried out in cooperation with the TH Köln – University of Applied Sciences. In addition, there are several professional training programmes for media professionals, including the unique European Showrunner programme. The courage and will to promote ongoing development and change is what distinguishes the ifs. The school enjoys a constant flow of impulses and inspiration through its close collaborations in all the fields of the audiovisual landscape. The primary focus lies on the media developments and innovations of the future. The school is a member of CILECT as well as the International Association of Film and Television Schools. It cultivates partnerships with a global network of film schools and universities.

The ifs in a nutshell:

• innovative media education reflecting current developments and their aesthetic and cultural potential
• individual and intensive support provided through small groups of students and a two-year programme cycle
• excellent teaching by renowned national and international filmmakers and academics serving as professors and lecturers
• network building during studies facilitated by a strong practical orientation and numerous contacts in the media sector
• professional teamwork fostered by a combination of vocational specialisation and interdisciplinary cooperation
• intercultural experience gained through international collaborations with film schools worldwide

Cologne (Germany), a city with a 2,000 year heritage, is a buzzing media hub. A third of Germany’s TV programmes are produced in Cologne. Key TV and radio stations, numerous renowned film and TV production companies and more than 70 print and digital publishing companies are based in the city, drawing a creative and artistic crowd. In addition, a large and still growing number of exciting international productions are made in Cologne and North Rhine-Westphalia.

The ifs is located in Schanzenstraße in Cologne-Mülheim, which is the creative and media quarter – next door to TV production companies, studio facilities, publishing houses, a radio station and the municipal theatre.