Program Overview

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M.A. Filmwissenschaft

The consecutive Master's program in Film Studies is a follow-up to the Bachelor's program in Film Studies (or comparable programs). The standard study period is four semesters, and the program concludes with a Master's thesis. The seminars are typically conducted in German, so advanced language skills are required. The program is free of charge, with no tuition fees.

Research Environment

The Master's program in Film Studies at Freie Universit酹 Berlin offers an excellent research environment. The Film Studies seminar is part of several international and interdisciplinary research projects, providing Master's students with various opportunities for participation.

Object of Study

The Master's program in Film Studies is strongly research-oriented. With its close content-related connection to other art and media science subjects and its field of study, the program conveys a well-founded methodology for recognizing and reflecting on the aesthetics, forms, and effects of audiovisual image media. The focus of the program is on the development, critical reflection, and independent development of scientific problem statements in the areas of film history, analysis, and theory, as well as other audiovisual representation forms. In addition to preparing students for a doctoral program, the program aims to qualify students for highly qualified theoretical and scientific activities that are in demand in numerous cultural areas.

Study Objectives and Professional Qualification

Graduates of the Master's program possess in-depth scientific knowledge and further professional qualifying competencies. These include, in particular, factual and methodological specialist knowledge in the areas of history, analysis, aesthetics, and theory of audiovisual culture, as well as the ability to independently and interdisciplinary work on scientific questions and tasks, and to reflect, categorize, and analyze problems in a method-based manner.

The Master's program in Film Studies qualifies students for film studies research and teaching, as well as for a subsequent doctoral program. Furthermore, the program prepares students for activities in the following areas:

• (Film) museums (archive, program planning, publications)
• Cinemas (program planning and curatorial activities)
• Festivals (program planning, organization, and curatorial activities)
• Specialist publishers (editing)
• Film, television, and radio
• Funding institutions
• Work in foundations, associations, and politics (advising, analysis, specialist departments)

Structure of the Program - Modules - Application

Structure of the Program

The Master's program in Film Studies consists of six modules, each comprising two thematically related courses. In the first two semesters, students deepen their critically reflected insight into current research fields of film historiography, film analytical problem areas, and media aesthetic theory formation. The reflection and application of different methodological approaches in film studies are also a focus. The third semester is dedicated to a research-practical project and the development of current research questions, which should provide the basis for the Master's thesis. This is worked out in the fourth semester and accompanied by a colloquium.

The Master's thesis should demonstrate that students are able to independently work on a research task using scientific methods and present it. After successfully completing the study program, the academic degree Master of Arts (M.A.) is awarded.

Modules

In the course of the Master's program in Film Studies, students complete six modules, which typically consist of two courses (see module overview M.A. Film Studies).

In each module on film analysis and history, as well as film aesthetics and art/media theory, students learn to explore problem areas of current film and media science research and develop their own problem statements and theoretical concepts.

The Advanced Module Methods focuses on the application and critical reflection of film scientific methods. The Advanced Module Theory intensifies the critical reflection and contextualization of film theoretical concepts, particularly in the interdisciplinary context with art, culture, and media sciences.

In the Project Module, students try out practical working methods of media science research or other potential professional fields, such as archives and museums, film programming, or film criticism.

The Module Current Research Questions is dedicated to the development of a comprehensive scientific study from a self-chosen area, which should provide the basis for the Master's thesis. Students present their studies in the seminar and moderate the scientific discussion independently.

Application and Admission

The application and admission procedure is centrally organized by Freie Universit酹 Berlin.

To be admitted to the Master's program, applicants must demonstrate the following requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Film Studies or an equivalent university degree that corresponds to the content and structure of the Bachelor's program in Film Studies at Freie Universit酹 Berlin.
• In the case of graduates from foreign universities: German language skills at an advanced level.

The program is not subject to restricted admission.

• Please note that the equivalence check can only be carried out as part of the application process and not in advance. For your own orientation, you can use the curriculum of the Bachelor's program in Film Studies.
• Due to the scientific-theoretical orientation of the Master's program, practical professional experience is not a criterion for selecting students.
• Motivation letters or expos廥 are not required.
• If you are still studying at the time of application, a preliminary overall grade is sufficient, which must be confirmed by the examination office of your university. You should have completed at least 2/3 of your studies.

Further information on application and admission can be found in the admission regulations for the Master's program in Film Studies.