European Master Studies

Selected European Master Programmes in Film and Audiovisual Archiving

Frankfurt University / Deutsches Filminstitut – DIF

Film Culture: Archiving, Programming, Presentation (Master of Arts)

Description: Building on the deepened knowledge about film history and film theory, the Master Programme “Film Culture” aims at providing advanced knowledge of the technical, administrative, economic, legal and curatorial aspects of archiving, programming and presenting film and AV media. The innovative programme has been designed jointly by University of Frankfurt and Deutsches Filminstitut, drawing on the profound experience in collecting, preserving and exhibiting film of the latter. Special attention is given to the challenges that surround the digitisation of  analogue collections, as well as to the impact that the digital paradigm has on the medium film. The graduates will gain knowledge about strategies and practices of cinema and film culture, the production and distribution of AV content, the characteristics of the AV market as well as copyright legislation. Another thematic priority is the curation and exhibition of film and AV media in different environments like cinemas, museums, festivals and digital platforms.

Degree: Master of Arts in Film Culture: Archiving, Programming, Presentation.

Career opportunities: On completion of the programme graduates will be equipped with the insights and skills essential for a career in film heritage institutions, film and media archives, museums, cultural institutions, festivals etc. focusing on the curation and exhibition of film and AV content as well as the AV industry and broadcasting companies. Graduates have also the possibility to complete a doctoral degree (PhD).

Admission requirements:
The programme is intended for students with a Bachelor in the fields of media or culture or an equivalent programme.

  • Applicants who did not obtain their Bachelor’s degree in the field of “Theater-, Film- and Media Studies” at the Goethe-University of Frankfurt need to provide a Transcript of Records and additional information (max. 1 page) about the study-related courses (title, CP, grade);
  • Knowledge of two modern foreign languages (Niveau A2) or knowledge of one modern foreign language and skills in Latin or Greek (certificates required);
  • Letter of motivation (max. 700 words);
  • Applicants with an international university entrance qualification and Bachelor’s degree must prove sufficient German language skills according to the regulations of the Deutsche Sprachprüfung für den Hochschulzugang (DSH) .

Instruction language: German

Duration: 4 semester (24 months)

Start: The master programme starts at the beginning of the Wintersemester (October)

Credits: 120 CP (Courses: 60, Internship: 30, Master’s thesis: 30) 

Please check the website for detailed information on the admission requirements and the application.

Contact:

Ines Bayer
Deutsches Filminstitut – DIF
Schaumainkai 41
60596 Frankfurt
T: +49 69 961 220 311
bayer@deutsches-filminstitut.de
www.uni-frankfurt.de/

Prof. Dr. Vinzenz Hediger
Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität
Institut für Theater-, Film- und Medienwissenschaft
Grüneburgplatz 1
60329 Frankfurt
T: +49 69 798-32077
info@tfm.uni-frankfurt.de
www.uni-frankfurt.de

University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Professional Master’s Programme in Preservation and Presentation of the Moving Image

Description: The Professional Master’s programme in ‘Heritage Studies: Preservation and Presentation of the Moving Image’ aims at teaching students the knowledge and skills required for the archiving and preservation of audiovisual materials (film, video, digital media) in an institutional context, and for making accessible such works to a range of audiences.

The first year of the programme is devoted to acquiring critical knowledge. In the first semester, the students are introduced to three broad areas of practice (Collection and Collection Management, Preservation and Restoration, and Access and Reuse) and follow a media historiography course. In the second, they specialize further, following two elective courses and writing a thesis on a topic of their own choosing. In the second year, students put their newly acquired knowledge into practice with a 14-week internship project at an institute in the field of audiovisual archiving or presentation, in the Netherlands or abroad.

The programme is designed as a full-time, 18-month programme. Courses run for one or two eight-week blocks, and consist of lectures, seminars, student presentations, field trips, and practical assignments. The teachers are members of the university’s academic staff and specialists in the fields of preservation and/or presentation of audiovisual media. Most classes are taught exclusively to students of this MA, in a group of no more than 15 students.

Degree Requirements:

The programme is intended for students with an academic  Bachelor in the fields of media or culture studies, or an equivalent programme of at least three years of full-time study. Because of the restricted number of places available (15 in total), applicants will have to undergo a selection procedure. The selection committee takes into consideration the candidate’s Bachelor qualification and exam results, prior work experience in the field, motivation and English language skills. The degree programme provides an ideal opportunity for those who already have working experience in the field of preservation and/or presentation and are looking for an additional qualification; special consideration is given to such applicants.

Application deadlines: 1 February (scholarship applicants); 1 March (others)

Duration: 18 months (full-time, day-time classes)

Instruction language: English

Credits: 90 ECTS (Courses: 48, Internship: 24, Master’s thesis: 18)

Contact:

Eef Masson, programme coordinator (for questions about programme contents): E.L.Masson@uva.nl

Graduate School for Humanities (for queries about the formalities of application, fees, funding, residence in the Netherlands, and related matters)
Universiteit van Amsterdam
Spuistraat 210, room 003
1012 VT Amsterdam
The Netherlands

T: +31-20-525 3157 (Dutch students)
or -4481 (international students)
F: +31-20-525 3592
Email: graduateschool-fgw@uva.nl
Web: www.hum.uva.nl/graduateschool

 

Stuttgart State Academy of Art and Design, Germany

Master’s Programme in Conservation of New Media and Digital Information

Description: This  two-year graduate (M. A.) programme allows students to learn the possibilities of long-term preservation of analogue and digital photographs, video recordings and digital archival cultural heritage. The future “Conservators for New Media and Digital Information” (M.A.) or Preservation Managers profit from a knowledge pool of international visiting experts and cooperations with leading international institutions. During the course of study, they not only acquire technological insight, but also use real-world projects at partner institutions in Germany and elsewhere, in order to prepare for their field of activity.

The structure of the curriculum enables a heterogeneous group of students with different preliminary knowledge to compensate for deficiencies and to support special interests. All modules are rated according to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). The master’s programme is organized into four modules: conservation, media, computer science and supporting studies. The media module focuses on three main areas: photography, video and digital information.

In the first and second semester, the focus lies on conveying the theoretical basis in the individual modules. The theory is supplemented by practical exercises. In the third semester two five-week conservation projects will be carried out in a partner institution. An internship must be completed between the second and third and/or between the third and fourth semester. The fourth semester is reserved exclusively for the preparation of the master’s thesis.

Degree requirements: Diploma or bachelor degree; portfolio with examples of previous (professional) activity and/or projects that show your interest in the content of the course; Interview; English and German language skills

Duration: 24 months (full-time, day-time classes)

Instruction language: German and English

Credits: 120 ECTS

Contact:
Staatliche Akademie der Bildenden Künste Stuttgart
Konservierung Neuer Medien und Digitale Information
Am Weißenhof 1
70191 Stuttgart
Germany

Telefon: +49.[0]711.28440-322
E-Mail: info(at)mediaconservation.org
http://www.mediaconservation.abk-stuttgart.de/

 

Université de Lausanne/Cinémathèque Suisse, Switzerland

 

Master’s Programme in Film Studies With Archive Option at the Cinémathèque Suisse

Description : Dans le cadre de la Maîtrise ès Lettres en cinéma (Réseau Cinéma CH), la Section d’Histoire et esthétique du cinéma de l’Université de Lausanne offre, en collaboration avec la Cinémathèque suisse, une option de 15 crédits intitulée « Archives ». Cette option entend sensibiliser les étudiant(e)s aux problèmes de la conservation et de la restauration des films sur pellicule, ainsi qu’aux questions liées à la conservation de documents dits « non-film », tels que les appareils, les affiches, les photographies, les maquettes utilisées pour des décors (voire ces derniers eux-mêmes), les costumes, les scénarios ou découpages, les documents comptables relatifs à la production, à la distribution et à l’exploitation, etc. Il s’agit ainsi de réfléchir à une méthodologie permettant d’exploiter par exemple des fonds de manuscrits d’auteurs ou plus largement d’agents du cinéma, ou la documentation d’une maison de production ou d’un ciné-club. Cette formation vise d’autre part à initier les étudiant(e)s à certaines problématiques que requièrent les pratiques professionnelles afférentes à ces divers objets d’étude. Elle entend enfin donner aux étudiant(e)s les moyens de prendre la mesure des conséquences (souvent mésestimées) de la prise en compte de ces aspects extérieurs à la projection du film sur la construction du savoir en histoire et en esthétique du cinéma.

Duration : 4 Modules (part-time)

Instruction language : French

Credits: 15 ECTS

Contact :
Section d’histoire et esthétique du cinéma
Université de Lausanne
Selim Krichane
Unithèque
1015 Lausanne
Switzerland

Tel. +41 (0)21 692 30 18
selim.krichane@unil.ch
http://www.unil.ch/cin