You’re expected to bring a strong interest in the media industry and a curiosity for its economic, organizational, and technological aspects. You should be eager to understand how media is created and the impact it has − so that you can confidently position yourself as an expert in the fast-moving media landscape.
You should have strong analytical skills, with the ability to identify correlations, patterns, and trends, place results in broader contexts, and critically assess them. You should be solution-oriented and be able to work well in a team.
You must provide proof of a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent degree from a university. It must be demonstrated that 140 credit points have been obtained in the area of economics, communication or media studies, with at least 60 credits from the area of economics. By the application deadline, at least 12 credit points in research methods, including compulsory courses in statistics, must also be completed out of the 140 credit points.
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.
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.
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.
Course sequence
1st semester
- Deepening your statistics knowledge from your bachelor’s degree
- Lectures on media markets: Current topics in media-economic research and practical application in media production
2nd semester
- Start of a one-year research project on current topics in media management
- Media management: Comprehensive study of strategic management as well as quality, personnel, creativity, innovative, and brand management. Application of knowledge in case studies with practical application.
- Seminar on the analysis of the media industry’s parameters within a broader context
- Lecture on strategic communication: Fundamentals of successful corporate communication
3rd semester
- Completion of the research project from the second semester, including a presentation in front of an expert committee.
- Advanced study of media economics: Analysis of the specifics pertaining to various media markets (print, audio, digital platforms)
- Practice class on practical project management: Application of media production knowledge
- Advanced seminar on the current state of media management research and work on a self-selected topic
- Colloquium in preparation for the final thesis: How to develop your research question, find a topic, and “pitch” your own research project
4th semester
- Project with a media company to put your knowledge into practice. Possible topics: Business plans, brand strategies, online content strategies or product development
- Seminar on current developments in the media industry: Applying your knowledge in discussions and developing well-founded opinions
- Completion of the degree program: Master’s thesis and oral examination
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.
A stay abroad is especially suitable after the third semester.
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 instructions on the website of the Student Advising Office for Communication Studies).
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 specialist knowledge in various spheres of the media industry
- Experience in project management
- Methods of academic work (research, analysis, presentation)
- Knowledge of empirical methods
- Experience in data collection (quantitative and qualitative)
- Knowledge of statistical data analysis
- Data preparation 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
- Internet companies
- Production companies
- Advertising, media and market research agencies
- Management consultancies with a focus on the media sector
- Higher education institutions (e.g. as a researcher)
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.
Found the degree program of your choice?
Your dream degree program is just an online application away!
We will show you how to apply for a spot at JGU and what you need to consider regarding requirements, admissions and application deadlines.
Do you need support in choosing the right master’s degree program? Do you have questions about the application procedure, the selection process or simply can’t make up your mind?
The Student Advisory Center is here to help!
Do you have questions about a specific degree program? If you do, feel free to contact the responsible academic advisory office.
The academic advisory offices are the best points of contact for the following topics:
- Structure and content of the program of study
- Planning your course schedule
- Recognition of credits and examinations when changing subject or university
- Examination procedures
Are you looking for information and advice from a student in your (future) program of study?
Then get in touch with your student council!
They represent students’ interests and would be happy to hear from you!
