Digital Narratives

Digitisation in the 21st century has not only spawned rapid technological changes. It has also had a fundamental impact on people, culture and society as a whole, which in turn has transformed our overall values and ideals.

The MA Digital Narratives is an artistic and academic full-time study programme that centres on the students' narrative projects. In the combination of theory and practice, the programme enables the development of innovative projects and a critical discourse on digitisation. The programme is based on academic and artistic research of the societal, cultural, media-theoretical, and technical context of digitisation.
Right from the start, the programme conveys an international perspective to the students that in turn promotes their intercultural skills. This takes place on the level of content in the context of digitisation as a global phenomenon, as well as through the international background of the student group.

The programme is held in English.

The programme MA Digital Narratives combines the following five central elements in its curriculum:

Change
Responsibility of the arts and the media in the participatory societies of a digital age

Narratives
Research and development of innovative narratives, technologies and structures for linear and non-linear storytelling

Digitality
Media-theoretical knowledge and research on digital disruption and transformation processes in society, economy and art

Methods
Tools and strategies for the design, creation, communication and financial aspects of projects

Projects
Collaborative work on student projects together with fellow students and external partners, supervised by professors and tutors

Educational organisation

Students work in an interdisciplinary and collaborative environment, use methods of art and science for the design of their stories, and develop narrative strategies and communication processes based on the audience and users. The theory trains students' aptitude for critical thinking, and serves as an inspiration for the practical projects in connection with opportunities and responsibilities. This invites students to self-reflect on their attitudes and perceptions.

Semester 1: Analysis and Consolidation
The first semester focuses on the analysis and consolidation of the project idea. The students classify their project ideas in a context through a general and comparative historical and technological analysis. They explore their topics and the methods they could potentially use, both historically and through a comparison with existing projects. Theoretical and practical events help the students prepare their project.

Semester 2: Development and Perspective
In the second semester, students revise their projects based on the results of their research and with the help of the advanced capabilities acquired throughout their studies. Part of this step is to perform a concrete trans-media design of the project and integrate more forms of expression, media and technologies into the concept. Students also develop potential business models and entrepreneurial approaches. At the end of the semester, a decision is made on the extent of the project's implementation in the further course of study.

Semester 3: Design and Implementation
Depending on the nature of their projects, in the third semester students create a proof of concept, a prototype or the final version of their projects on the basis of previous work.

Semester 4: Documentation
Students complete their studies with a Master's thesis and a project presentation.

Events such as case studies, seminars, and workshops will be held in English.

Course objectives

The programme aims to support students to graduate into self-confident, team-oriented leaders for future-oriented art and media work in industry, science, and culture.

Language requirements

Applicants need to provide proof of their English language skills (B2 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, e.g., by a TOEFL score of 87 points (Internet-based) or equivalent test results.) Native English speakers are exempted from this requirement.

Academic requirements

Prerequisites for obtaining the Master's degree are a Bachelor's degree or an equivalent academic degree with proof of at least 180 credit points according to the ECTS or a higher degree, at least one-year experience in a subject-related professional practice after the BA degree, and excellent English skills.

Enrolment fees

One-time registration fee: 400 EUR

Costs of living

Approx. 800 EUR per month to cover personal expenses

Funding opportunities within the university

For financial assistance to cover tuition fees and/or living expenses, first-semester students may apply for an interest-free loan from "The Friends of the ifs internationale filmschule köln Society". Approval of the interest-free loans depends on the funds available as well as on the applicant's financial situation. Repayment of the loan begins six months after graduation/termination of studies.
"The Friends of the ifs internationale filmschule köln Society" also offers second-semester students one scholarship for outstanding academic achievement. The scholarship runs until the end of the Master's programme. It covers the tuition fees as well as an additional monthly allowance up to 500 EUR to cover living expenses (up to a total of 9,000 EUR), paid throughout the course of studies until completion of the Master's programme.