MA Film, Screenwriting
Do you want to create worlds, bring complex characters to life and tell stories that move, captivate and inspire your audience to think? On the Master’s programme in Screenwriting, you’ll make this your profession.
We’ll give you the space and the dramaturgical tools to perfect your own distinctive style. At the same time, you’ll build a broad-based foundation in dramaturgy. We teach you the fundamentals of storytelling in such depth that, after completing your degree, you’ll be able to gain a foothold in a wide variety of creative fields – whether as a freelance writer, in a writers’ room for TV series, developing interactive worlds in gaming, in theatre or in advertising. You’ll learn the universal tool for making your mark wherever stories are created – for every format, every screen and every platform.
Course commencement
Autumn semester
Application deadline
24 February 2026
Standard period of study
4 semesters
Coursework Major / MA
90 / 120 credits
Main teaching language
German
Tuition fee per semester CH / non CH
CHF 720 / CHF 1220
Programme
“You don’t write to present finished answers, but to find out what it even feels like to be alive.” — Greta Gerwig
The global boom in TV series has proven, if nothing else, that at the heart of every outstanding film and every binge-watchable series lies a brilliant screenplay. Today, screenwriters are the most sought-after creative talents in the industry. On the Master’s in Screenwriting at ZHdK, you’ll turn this demand into your own career path.
We’ll get you straight into the thick of things: amongst other things, you’ll practise writing in the writers’ room, develop your own series concept as part of a team, and pitch it in person to decision-makers from broadcasters and streaming platforms. You’ll be guided and supported throughout by renowned, internationally successful filmmakers. Learn from writers, directors and dramaturgs such as Valeska Grisebach, Nora Fingscheidt, Soleen Yusef, Stefanie Ren, Simone Schmid, Güzin Kar, Burhan Qurbani, Alexander Seibt, Plinio Bachmann, Markus Imhoof, Franz Rodenkirchen and Oliver Keidel.
Intensive networking meets tangible results: you’ll complete your course with a fully developed feature-length screenplay or a series bible and a pilot episode – your personal ‘ticket to write’ for the film world.
Major-Minor Programme Model
At ZHdK, students choose a Major. In addition to this core subject, they can choose one or two Minors to deepen or expand their major skills and knowledge across various disciplines. This wide choice of courses is unique in Europe and enables students to develop and sharpen their individual profile.
Possible minors for this major
People
Head of Programme
Head of Major
Lecturers
Guest lecturers
→ More guest lecturers MA Film, Screenwriting
Study projects
Students doing a Bachelor and Master of Arts in Film are required to produce a considerable number of films. Graduate films and selected semester projects can be viewed at www.filmstudieren.ch.
