This two-year MA programme is Europe’s first international master's specifically dedicated to collaborative series writing. Taught in English in Cologne, it prepares students to create serial storytelling for both local and international markets. The curriculum emphasizes group-driven development processes—often modelled on professional “writers’ rooms”—alongside a practice-led, artistic research approach to writing.
Students develop storycraft and collaboration techniques through intensive coursework and hands-on projects, while regularly engaging with acclaimed international guest lecturers and scholars. Visiting professionals have included Matt Hastings (The Handmaid’s Tale), Bob Konrad (Kleo), Denise Harkavy (The Expanse), Philip Käßbohrer & Matthias Murmann (How To Sell Drugs Online [Fast]), Annette Hess (The Interpreter of Silence; Ku’damm 56/59/63), Tyron Ricketts (Sam – A Saxon), Frank Spotnitz (X-Files; The Man in the High Castle), Hagai Levi (The Affair; In Treatment), Jeppe Gjervig Gram (Borgen; Follow the Money), Pilar Alessandra (On the Page), Laurie Hutzler (Nine Powers), Stanislavs Tokalovs & Teodora Markova (Soviet Jeans), among others. The programme is also supported by major industry partners such as RTL, ZDF/ZDFneo, btf bildundtonfabrik, Network Movie, Series Mania, Seriencamp, and the Film Festival Cologne—offering valuable networking and visibility opportunities for emerging writers.
Overview
This MA trains early-career writers and media professionals to shape long-form and episodic narratives for television and digital platforms. Taught and mentored by established series creators, script consultants and media scholars, the course combines close analysis of successful shows with guided development of original series concepts. Emphasis is placed on serial dramaturgy, ensemble and character creation, and collaborative writing methods so graduates can propose market-ready, creatively bold projects.
Practical focus and context
Students work hands-on across formats and platforms: they sharpen techniques for series structure, character arcs and pacing, practice working in writers’ rooms, and investigate new narrative forms and distribution channels. The curriculum also covers media-theoretical perspectives and the commercial realities of transnational markets and emerging online platforms. Ethical and philosophical dimensions of storytelling are explored through artistic and academic research projects, encouraging narratives that respond to current social debates and future industry trends.
Outcomes and opportunities
Graduates leave with a toolkit that blends professional screenwriting craft, teamwork methods and industry-ready soft skills such as pitching, networking and negotiating. Over four semesters students create multiple series projects, gain practical experience in collaborative and solo writing, and produce at least one complete drama series within a writers’ room led by a professional showrunner. The programme includes input from international producers and writers, plus privileged pitching and networking routes at events like Seriencamp and Series Mania.
Core modules / key components
Learning outcomes
Programme requirements (curriculum expectations)
This master’s programme is aimed at candidates who already hold a relevant university degree and have practical experience in media production. Applicants must normally possess a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with at least 180 ECTS credits, or a higher-level degree such as a German Magister or Diplom, awarded by an accredited university. Practical experience of at least one year in media production is also required. The programme is open to talented applicants from unrelated academic backgrounds as long as they can demonstrate the required practical experience and motivation.
In addition to academic and professional qualifications, candidates must demonstrate sufficient English language ability and have basic training in screenwriting and dramaturgy. If you do not already have that training, you can complete the necessary basic coursework by enrolling in the ifs summer school before the programme starts. In exceptional cases, applicants with outstanding artistic talent but missing one or more formal requirements may apply to join as advanced training participants.
Winter Semester (International)
https://www.filmschule.de/en/studies/ma-serial-storytelling
Graduates are prepared for careers across the television and digital series industry, including roles as series writers, staff writers, story editors, script consultants, showrunners, and content developers for broadcasters and streaming platforms. The programme’s practical output—multiple developed series projects and experience working in a professional-style writers’ room—creates a portfolio suited to pitching and production opportunities.
Combined with industry partnerships and festival pitching opportunities, alumni can also pursue roles in development departments, independent production companies, or further research/teaching in media and dramaturgy. Given the strong demand for serialized content across international markets and streaming services, the programme’s focus on transnational formats and collaboration skills enhances employability in both national and international contexts.
University of Münster — Münster
University of Regensburg — Regensburg
Internationale Hochschule SDI München/International University SDI München — München
University of Münster — Münster