Facts about the Master in Film

Facts

Degree

Master of Arts in Film with Specialisation in Documentary and Experimental Film.

Graduate profile

Graduates of the MA in Film:

• develop their own documentary film concepts and find suitable formats for them;
• have a profound understanding of the connections between design, artistic expression, technology and realisation;
• are familiar with advanced technologies and are capable of acquiring new techniques, technologies and subject areas independently and professionally;
• are familiar with production processes and production contexts in the film sector and capable of planning, realising and assessing film projects;
• know how to position and to present themselves, their projects and their skills on the market;
• understand national and international production and co-production contexts and are familiar with the specific requirements of funding bodies—namely their requirements for project financing—and with the overall funding situation for independent, experimental and artistic productions; 
• are familiar with relevant examples from the history of film and audio-visual media, capable of analysing and evaluating them, and to use the insights gained to critically situate, and reflect on, their own work;
• are able to position their own work within a superordinate theoretical framework;
• have the skills to propose different solution approaches and to defend the validity of their chosen approach successfully, and
• know how to criticise others professionally and to accept and implement critique of their own work.
  
   

Specialisation

• Specialisation in Documentary and Experimental Film

Field of activity

Graduates either distinguish themselves as filmmakers with a broad understanding of the medium, or they assume senior positions in big productions. They also work in commissioned commercial and applied productions.
The master's degree also prepares students for academic careers in teaching and/or research. What is more, graduates have the basic theoretical knowledge and the required number of ECTS credits to pursue a doctorate after the master's degree.

Admission

Please refer to the page Admission Procedures and Requirements for general admission requirements for the Master's programme.

Additional requirements for the Master of Arts in Film:

• Motivation letter (What have you achieved so far in your artistic work? Why? What are your strengths? In which field would you like to expand and deepen your knowledge? What is your motivation to apply for a Master’s programme? Why the MA in Film at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts? What would you like to improve?) Length of letter between one and two A4 pages.
• Portfolio and examples of your previous experiences with the moving image or audiovisual storytelling (these can preferably be submitted online).
• Detailed written project proposal for the practical work, if you want to study full-time and graduate with a completed film. For part-time study or graduation with an experimental approach, we only require a thematic outline of the planned master's thesis. Length between one and two A4 pages.

Entrance examinations

Interested candidates may apply using the registration button. They must upload their certificates, a CV, a motivational letter and a project concept or exposé. In addition, they must provide a portfolio documenting previous artistic and creative work in the field of audio-visual production, narration or conceptual activities.
After reviewing the application documents, the admissions committee will invite suitable candidates for an interview (possible also online). Candidates will be selected on the basis of their application documents and their interview with the admissions committee.

Information sheet on the admission procedure

Application deadline

Academic year 2026/27: 5 March 2026

Commencement of studies

Academic year 2025/26: 15 September 2025 Academic year 2026/27: 14 September 2026

Semester dates

You can find the semester dates and our academic calendar here.

Information events

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• Thursday, 15 January 2026
• Wednesday, 18 February 2026