In general, the Master of Arts in Media Management is right for you if you …

• wish to learn about the economic and societal contexts behind media while bridging theory and practice,
• are not only interested in the latest media economics research findings but are also motivated to conduct research yourself,
• want to gain practical insights into media companies and establish contacts with media professionals,
• prefer a close-knit academic atmosphere and small classes at a media hub that is a great place to live and work in.

Proof of English language proficiency is not required for the application. However, we expect that you have sufficient active and passive English language skills to understand English-language academic literature and, if necessary, participate in courses taught in English.

In addition, a number of academic and formal requirements must be met in order to secure a spot in the program. These are described in detail below.

You must provide proof of a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent degree from a university. The shares or content must be documented :

• You must provide proof of 140 credit points in the fields of business, communication, or media studies,
• of which at least 60 credit points (CP) must be in Business and Economics.
• Of the 140 CP, at least 12 CP in methodology, including mandatory statistics, must also be completed by the application deadline.

If you have not yet received your bachelor’s degree certificate by the application deadline, but have earned at least 135 credits in your bachelor’s program, you must apply by the set deadline with a transcript (certified copy issued by your university) of all coursework and exams completed to date, including your average grade to date; this certificate must be issued by the responsible higher education institution. If the admission requirements listed above require proof of a specific number of credit points, applicants must provide proof of two-thirds of that number by the end of the application deadline.

Exception The “two-thirds rule” applies only to the required credit points in the field of business and economics / communication studies / media studies. It is mandatory to obtain the 12 credit points required in the field of empirical methodology (incl. statistics) by the end of the application period.

Applicants who did not earn their university entrance qualification (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung, HZB) at a German-language institution or complete a German-language degree program must provide proof of German language proficiency for enrollment.

Good to know: The legally binding basis for selection, admission and enrollment is the text of the entrance requirements as specified in Section 2 of the currently valid examination regulations and, where applicable, in the appendix.

Information on the examination regulations. (In German)

In the first semester, you will explore current topics in media economics research through lectures on media markets. Media economics practice is taught in media production, in particular. Media economics practice is particularly taught in media production. You will also deepen the statistics knowledge you acquired during your bachelor’s degree program to optimally prepare you for future research projects and to develop the ability to properly contextualize and present existing research.

In the second semester, you will apply your knowledge by launching a year-long research project on current topics in media management. Past projects have addressed questions such as the economic use of audience metrics in journalism, the role of personal networks in film and television production, or the role of freelancers in media companies. In the module Media Business Administration, you will deepen your understanding of strategic management, quality, personnel, creativity, innovation, and brand management, and apply your knowledge through real-world case studies. A lecture on strategic communication provides the fundamentals of successful corporate communication, and a seminar covers the broader contextual framework of the media industry.

In the third semester, you will complete the research project from the second semester and present your findings. Furthermore, you will deepen your media economics knowledge by addressing the specifics of various media markets, ranging from print and audio to digital platforms. You will apply your media production knowledge in a practice-oriented project management practice class. Another seminar brings you up to date with the latest developments in media management research, including artificial intelligence, platform economy, brand management, and offers the opportunity to delve into a self-selected topic. To prepare for your master’s thesis, a colloquium in the third semester will also guide you through the topic selection process, from the initial idea to the research question and the “pitch” of your project.

In the fourth semester, you will finally put your accumulated knowledge into practice by working together with fellow students on a project with a media company (in the past, among others: Burda, Der SPIEGEL, SWR, VRM, Warner Music Group, WirtschaftsWoche, X-Filme). Possible topics include business plans, brand and online content strategies, or product development. You will learn to apply your academic knowledge substantively in discussions about current developments in media economics. The degree program concludes with your master’s thesis and an oral examination. Please click to enlarge.

Stays abroad

Would you like to live abroad for a semester or a year? Do you want to learn another language and get to know a new culture? Or gain a different perspective on your particular subject? A stay abroad provides you with the perfect opportunity to achieve this and is possible with every degree program – either self-organized or by taking advantage of one of the popular exchange programs. This is made possible by various cooperation agreements and partnerships with foreign universities.

For more information on this topic, please visit our websites on studying abroad. Visit our student exchange platform for an overview of cooperating universities in your field.

This program of study does not require you to spend time abroad, but you nevertheless have the opportunity to do so.

The degree program’s module structure is designed so that, typically from your third academic semester, you have a mobility window to study abroad.

On the website of the Communication Studies student advising office you will find subject-specific information on stays abroad.

Internships

You will also gain valuable practical experience during your studies by completing a flexible internship of at least 12 weeks in the field of media management.

The internship module can be completed at any point during your studies. However, we recommend using the semester break to avoid missing classes during the semester. Relevant part-time or student jobs can also be recognized as a compulsory internship, see information on the website of the Communication Studies student advising office. (In German)

Voluntary internships are another good opportunity to obtain more in-depth insight into a professional field.

An internship allows you to discover whether everyday life in a particular occupation suits your career expectations and interests. You can gain qualifications for a professional field and acquire important professional and personal skills to start a career. An internship helps you both shape your career path, and mold the remainder of your course sequence – in particular by selecting specializations that suit your practical experience.

You can find further information and relevant internships on the Career Service website.

As a graduate, you will possess a diverse portfolio of knowledge und skills, which qualify you for future leadership roles in media companies and media-related institutions:

• Comprehensive subject-specific knowledge in various media economics fields
• Experience in project management
• Techniques for academic research (retrieval, analysis, processing)
• Knowledge of applying empirical social science methods and data collection (quantitative and qualitative)
• Expertise in statistical data analysis, processing, and presentation
• Creation of strategic conclusions

During your studies, you will already have the opportunity to build your professional network through contact with both fellow students in your year (about 25 people) as well as with alumni of the master’s program. The following areas highlight some of the typical types of companies, in which you would be a highly sought-after employee:

• Newspaper and magazine publishing houses
• Broadcasting stations
• Music and book publishing houses
• Platform providers and streaming services
• Production companies
• Advertising, media, and market research agencies
• Management consultancies with a focus on the media sector
• Higher education institutions and non-university research institutions (e.g., as researchers or data analysts)

You will additionally be qualified for professional fields in which excellent media skills or business knowledge are relevant: Public sector and administration (e.g., specialist consultant, public relations), market, opinion or social research and business (e.g., management consultancy, purchasing/materials management, human resources, corporate training, advertising, marketing, and PR).

Not sure what to do after graduation? Don’t worry!

A university degree generally does not prepare you for a single profession but qualifies you for a wide range of career paths – for example, in research, in a typical profession related to your field of study, or in one of many other academic fields.

This is why career orientation is also part of your studies. Gaining practical experience is key, and you can do so through internships, working student positions, part-time jobs or voluntary work, for example.

JGU’s Career Service will support you throughout the entire process with information, advice, workshops and numerous events – from career orientation and working on your profile and skills to finding your dream job and successfully applying for it.