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international filmschool cologne
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international filmschool cologne

ifs internationale filmschule köln
The ifs internationale filmschule köln is an artistically and scientifically oriented training institution for media professionals. On the initiative of the state government of North Rhine-Westphalia and the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW, it was founded in 2000 as a non-profit limited liability company whose sole shareholder is the Film- und Medienstiftung. Their reputation as one of the best film schools in Germany is based in particular on the intensive supervision of the students, the outstanding teaching and project work and not least on numerous awards, including a student Oscar.
Data from the university's official pages

Facts about the university

Ownership Private, North Rhine-Westphalia
City Cologne
Founded 2000
Programmes 2 programmes · 2 bachelor's
German for enrolment B2
Semester contribution €250 per semester
Application Directly to the university; bachelor's until 15.03

About the university

The program profile of the ifs comprises the bachelor degree course Film with a focus on script, directing, creative producing, camera, editing picture & amp; Sound, VFX & amp; Animation and Production Design, as well as the international master’s degree programs in Serial Storytelling, Digital Narratives and 3D Animation for Film & amp; Games. The courses are offered in cooperation with the TH Cologne. Further master’s programs are currently in planning. In addition, there are extensive training opportunities for professional filmmakers, from costume design to masterclass non-fiction.

The focus of the programs at the ifs is individual and intensive care. For this, small numbers of students and a 2-year cycle form the organizational framework for admission to the course of studies. In teaching, the focus is on the connection of scientific-theoretical with design teaching and artistic project work. Film education is based on the principles of narrative film. The combination of professional specialization and interdisciplinary cooperation characterizes the training at the ifs. Students work together early on with all the trades involved in the production and make important contacts in the industry during their studies. An intensive cooperation with national and international teachers from media practice and science guarantees a first-class education for the students – also in an international comparison.

Courage and will for permanent development and change distinguish the ifs. Ifs receives continual impulses not only through its close interaction with all areas of the audiovisual media landscape, but also through the ongoing evaluation of its courses of study and further education. The focus here is on the media developments of the future. With this, ifs provides its students with an innovative media education that lays the foundations for professional filmmaking artistically and technically, taking into account and communicating new technological developments as well as their aesthetic and dramaturgical potential.

The ifs is u. a. Member of the International Association of Film Schools CILECT and maintains numerous collaborations with international film schools and universities.

How to apply

The general procedure is the same for all programmes of the university; the required grade, language and additional requirements are on the page of each programme.

  1. 1
    Check your school-leaving certificate
    Direct admission, admission after a year at a university at home, or Studienkolleg first — it depends on your country and certificate.
  2. 2
    German B2 and a certificate
    DSH, TestDaF or telc C1 Hochschule — before you apply, not after.
  3. 3
    Application directly to the university
    Bachelor's until 15.03. Deadlines differ between programmes — check the programme page.
  4. 4
    Admission, visa, moving
    Plan 2–3 months for the visa and the blocked account — start them in parallel with the application.

What it costs to study

Semester contribution€250

Some programmes charge their own fee — see the programme page.

If you don't meet the requirements yet

Two typical stops: a school certificate without direct admission and German below the required level. Both can be solved within a year, but plan them before you apply, not after a rejection.

Questions about international filmschool cologne

How much does it cost to study at international filmschool cologne?
Every student pays the semester contribution of €250. Some programmes charge their own fee — see the programme page.
Are there programmes in English?
No — all programmes in our catalogue are taught in German.
When do I need to apply?
Most bachelor's programmes: until 15.03 for the winter semester. If you apply via uni-assist, send the documents 4–6 weeks earlier.

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