European Film Business and Law LL.M. | MBA

Application and selection process

1. Your application documents (application for admission, if applicable application for recognition of achievements, supporting documents) are received online in due time and form.
2. After the application deadline, the admission and, if applicable, the selection process begins.
3. Successful applicants will receive a letter of admission, rejected applicants a letter of rejection.
4. Successful applicants enroll on time and decide to study full- or part-time.
5. The program starts in October.

Recognition of achievements

• Your professional experience is helpful in the application process, in case seats have to be awarded through a selection procedure. The more work experience you can demonstrate, the higher your chances of enrollment.
• It is possible to receive additional credit instead of completing the project module. You can apply for the necessary credit by providing proof of at least three years of relevant work experience. It is best to do so directly with your application.

Deadlines and dates

• Application deadline for the winter semester 2025/26 is July 31, 2025.
• Start of the study program is in October 2025.

About your employer
If your employer covers all or part of the tuition fees, both sides benefit: You continue your education in a targeted manner and gain the know-how for future management positions. Your employer uses an ideal tool for employee development and retention and is part of an innovative continuing education program. Talk to your employer about this opportunity!

DAAD scholarships

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) provides various kinds of DAAD funding for foreign students, graduates and postdocs as well as on funding offered by other selected organisations

Student loans and scholarships in Germany

•     Federal government education loan (Germany)
•     KfW study and education loans
•     Deutschlandstipendium of the Film University and the University of Potsdam
•     VFF scholarship (funding for the 3rd and 4th semester, only for MBA students)

In addition, there are numerous scholarship providers and foundations that provide financial support to students of non-consecutive Master's programs.

Funding programs of the federal states in Germany

Many federal states provide funding for continuing education if you live or work in the corresponding state. Information and support programs at the state level can be found at www.foerderdatenbank.de of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and on the pages of the state governments.

Tax refund from the tax office

You can claim the costs for professional training in your tax return as business expenses for self-employed persons or as income-related expenses for salaried employees.

Depending on your personal income and thus your personal tax rate, the tax office will indirectly contribute up to 50% of the costs of the MBA program through a tax reduction. Deductible expenses include tuition fees, technical literature, study materials, application costs and travel expenses. In addition, the interest on a training loan can be claimed against tax.

The film industry is a vibrant and multifaceted arena that thrives on fresh talent and groundbreaking concepts. To fuel the aspirations of film professionals, the Erich Pommer Institute is proud to announce the availability of two partial scholarships for the European Film Business and Law LL.M. | MBA program.

Each scholarship generously covers 50% of the tuition fees and targets individuals keen on advancing their careers, embracing the future of European cinema, and unlocking their full potential.

These scholarships are not just about advancing individual trajectories; they're about enriching the collective future of the film industry. We're seeking applicants with a fervent dedication to their craft, a crystal-clear vision for their professional journey, and the capacity to leave an enduring mark on the European film landscape.

At the Erich Pommer Institute, we are staunch advocates for equal opportunities and vehemently oppose all forms of discrimination. We acknowledge the complex nature of discrimination and are dedicated to addressing the unique needs of marginalized groups at every juncture, ensuring a level playing field for all aspiring film professionals.

The scholarship is inseparably linked to the implementation of the master's program European Film Business and Law and requires participation in it. Successful admission is a prerequisite for receiving the scholarship. This will be settled directly with the Erich Pommer Institut. Any further claim of the scholarship holder for other compensation or payment of the benefit is expressly excluded.

*Application for the scholarship is made through the general application form for the master's program. If you want to apply for the scholarship, please provide us with a motivation letter of about 2000 characters that can be uploaded directly in the form.

1. When can I apply for the winter semester 2025/26?

Applications are usually always possible in spring. The application deadline is July 31 of each year.

2. What admission requirements do I have to fulfill?

LL.M.

• Academic law degree from a German university or equivalent institution with a state examination or first law degree (Section 5 (1) of the German Judges Act - DRiG) or
• Academic law degree from a German university or equivalent institution with a bachelor's degree (LL.B.) with at least 180 credit points (proof of legal studies by Diploma Supplement or similar) or
• Economics single-subject studies at a German university or equivalent institution with a minimum of 180 credit points with a Bachelor's, Master's, Magister or Diplom degree (proof of legal study achievements with at least 30 credit points by Diploma Supplement or relevant work experience) or
• Two-subject law or economics studies at a German university or equivalent institution with at least 180 credit points with a Bachelor's, Master's, Magister or Diplom degree (proof of legal study achievements with at least 30 credit points by Diploma Supplement or relevant work experience) or
• Other (e.g. foreign) degree (if applicable, proof of legal study achievements by Diploma Supplement) or relevant professional experience
• Proof of at least one year of professional activity
• Proof of English language skills | at least C1 (CEFR)

MBA

• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent first professional degree from a German university or equivalent institution with at least 180 credit points (proof of academic achievement by Diploma Supplement or similar) or
• Other equivalent (e.g. foreign) degree (if applicable, proof of academic achievements by Diploma Supplement or similar)

• Proof of at least one year of professional activity
• Proof of English language skills | at least C1 (CEFR)

3. Which proof of language skills in English, which is at least level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), is possible?

• Certificate UNIcert© III or IV
• TOEFL® Internet-Based Test (iBT) or TOEFL iBT Home Edition with at least 95 points
• Cambridge English C1 Advanced (CAE) with at least 180 points
• IELTS "Academic" with at least 7 points in each area
• Certificate of completion of an English-language study program from a recognized university
• Certificate of university entrance issued in an English-speaking education in a country where English is an official language
• Pearson Test of English - PTE Academic with at least 76 points
• Cambridge English C2 Proficiency (CPE).
• Other equivalent certificates (The examination board of both universities will decide on the recognition in the selection process.)

4. What is the certificate of university entrance?

The University Entrance Qualification is a diploma/school leaving certificate that allows/allowed you to start your bachelor’s degree course at university (e.g. high school diploma, attestat, baccalaureat, bachillerato, general certificate of education, etc.)

5. Can I obtain both an LL.M. and an MBA?

Yes, a double degree is possible. For this purpose, two semesters are added after the acquisition of the first degree in order to catch up on the respective modules and to write the second master's thesis. There is a 50% discount on the second degree.

6. How is the payment in installments structured?

Students who wish to pay in installments pay in five installments at the beginning of each semester, whereby the enrollment installment and the installment for the first semester must be paid relatively promptly.

7. How is the part-time study program designed?
The modular design of the study program makes it possible to flexibly arrange the study contents. Therefore, part-time study is possible without any problems. Basically, part-time study means that in the first two semesters you complete only 15 ECTS instead of 30 ECTS per semester, thus doubling your standard study time from 4 to 6 semesters.