Film schools in London: There are thousands of film schools around the world, with new ones popping up all the time.
London is known as one of the best cities in the world to study film, so it’s no surprise that it has some of the best film schools in the country.
Whether you want to be an actor, director, or screenwriter, there are plenty of programs from which to choose, so it’s important to find one that fits your personality and learning style.
If you’re just starting out on your search for the best film schools in London, then this guide will point you in the right direction.
Let’s take a look at what they have to offer.
Why study filmmaking in London?
The capital city of England, London is known for its rich culture and art scene, making films is one of the most popular careers among aspiring filmmakers, as it gives them a chance to create memorable characters, tell compelling stories, and put their creativity on display.
Therefore it comes as no surprise that more and more people are moving to the city every year to get a shot at starting out in their careers.
According to Oxford Royale, here are some of the reasons why people come to London to study film:
- Beautiful and iconic locations
- British acting traditions make for excellent performers
- There are endless opportunities to see great films
- People in London are used to seeing film crews
- London suits any genre
What are the requirements for film schools in London?
There are many different film schools in London but what is it that you should be looking for before you decide which one to attend?
The requirements for entry vary slightly depending on the school, generally, the minimum requirement is a Bachelor’s degree with Honours, and international students can produce an equivalent or higher qualification.
To gain entry into the film schools in London, you should have professional film experience, personal statements, work samples, and references from your teachers and previous employers too.
You might also be required to provide;
- CV/Resume
- Personal statement (up to 750 words) – more guidance is available in the online application system
- An original script for a short film about three minutes in length
- Education certificates (degree-level qualifications only
- Two references
- A passport-sized photo
Also read: Easiest Film Schools To Get Into US, UK, CANADA, EUROPE
What are the best film schools in London?
1. London Film School
London Film School was founded in 1956 as the London School of Film Technique, it is the oldest film school in the United Kingdom located in Covent Garden, London.
The school offers MA, Ph.D., and Workshops programs in filmmaking and it has been ranked as one of the best film schools in the world by Hollywood Reporters.
LFS alumni have collaborated with some of the most renowned filmmakers from the UK and beyond.
The school’s partnerships with film studios have opened up opportunities for students to make real films, many LFS graduates also go on to become industry professionals.
The tuition fee for London film school for in-state of native students is £62,380 while international students pay £62,580.
Contact details:
Address: 24 Shelton St, London WC2H 9UB, United Kingdom.
Phone: +44 20 7836 9642
2. London Film Academy
The London Film Academy is one of the newest film schools in London starting in 2001, it has grown to become a leading higher education institution for film, TV, and related media.
The school offers a number of short courses for those looking to gain practical knowledge without pursuing a full-term program, these courses range from one to six days and provide students a certification of completion in advanced filmmaking and documentary filmmaking.
Aspiring filmmakers can pursue a full undergraduate and postgraduate program providing practical training across all key filmmaking disciplines.
Contact details:
Address: 52a Walham Grove, London SW6 1QR, United Kingdom.
Phone: +44 20 7386 7711
Also read: 20 Best film Schools in California with Key Facts
3. University of Westminster
One of the best film schools in the United Kingdom is the film school at the University of Westminster, offering a three-year degree leading to a BA honors in filmmaking.
The postgraduate program provides students with MA in Film, Television, and Moving Image as full-time study.
Because of the school’s reputation, over 90% of graduates from the BA Honors film program here find full-time work or advanced study within 15 months.
There are opportunities for international students to join the program, they can take part in a semester or year-long exchange at institutions around the world which would build their confidence.
Domestic students should budget about £8,500 per session while international students should budget £17,000.
Contact details:
Location: 309 Regent St, Marylebone, London
Email: course-enquiries@westminster.ac.uk
4. Screen And Film School
Screen and Film School in Brighton is one of the top film schools in Europe offering programs that can take aspiring filmmakers from amateurs to professionals.
Students will be grounded in different courses from cinematography, directing, producing, editing, screenwriting, sound, post-production, filmmaking, etc.
The tuition for the Screen And Film School ranges from £9,250 – £10,950 per annum (based on the course) and students can get a BA, MA, Diploma & Short Courses in Filmmaking.
Contact details:
Address: 84-86 London Rd, Brighton BN1 4JF, United Kingdom.
Phone: +44 1273 602070.
Also read: 10 Best Film Schools in Germany
5. Oxford Royal Academy
Based out of Oxford, the University of Oxford provides BA courses in film studies.
Students have access to professional equipment, comprehensive production and post-production facilities, world-class professors who are up-to-date on the latest developments in cinema, and an active support network to help them succeed.
As a film school in London, Oxford Royal is a good choice of school for aspiring filmmakers to learn in the elite ORA academic faculty.
You can shoot, edit and even screen your own short film at Oxford Royal Academy, intending students should have a budget of £5,495 for tuition fees.
Contact details:
Address: The Punt House St Catherine’s College, Manor Rd, Oxford OX1 3UJ, United Kingdom.
Phone: +44 1865 954800.
6. University of West London
The University of West London was founded in 1860 as a public research university in the United Kingdom with campuses in Ealing and Brentford in Greater London, as well as in Reading, Berkshire.
It is a respected university for media courses, particularly for Film, offering a range of film degrees and related programs that provides well-rounded filmmaking skills.
As one of the best film schools in London, undergraduate students are allowed to take courses in film and screen business, English and film, and content, media, and film production.
It takes about three years to complete any of these programs and graduates are well polished for a satisfying career in various aspects of media production.
Intending students can budget a tuition fee range of £9,250 – £13,250.
Contact details:
Address: St Mary’s Rd, London W5 5RF, United Kingdom.
Phone: +44 20 8231 2468.
7. Raindance
Raindance is one of the best film schools in London, it has one of the best film festivals that are functional in London, Los Angeles, New York, Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Budapest, Berlin, and Brussels.
The school was founded in 1992 and strongly focuses on screenwriting and filmmaking and is open to online sessions undergraduates can pick from any of the following courses;
- Filmmaking
- Acting and filmmaking
- Film and performing arts
- BA in international acting, and
- International filmmaking.
Another reason most students prefer Raindance is that it has a great community, so they can easily interact with like minds.
The course duration can be from two days to o two years, and the tuition fee ranges from £7,950 – £14,950.
Contact details:
Address: 10 Craven St, London WC2N 5HE
Email: info@raindance.co.uk
Also read: 10 Best Film Schools in Toronto For Aspiring Students
8. National Film and Television School
One of the most well-known film schools in London is the National Film and Television School, it was ranked #1 as the best international film school by Hollywood Reporters.
The National Film and Television School was founded in 1971 as a television and games school and it is based at Beaconsfield Studios in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, England.
The school offers a total of 30 courses including MA, Diploma, short courses, and online courses with a 2-year postgraduate program in courses like;
- Cinematography
- Directing
- Editing
- Digital effects
- Games design and development
- Producing
- Screenwriting
- Sound design and many more course options
Courses offered by this school vary by course and year level but are all taught by experienced professionals who have a vast amount of industry knowledge.
Getting into this school applicants should make a tuition fee budget of about £3,950 – £24,900 per year.
Contact details:
Address: Studios, Station Rd, Beaconsfield HP9 1LG, United Kingdom.
Phone: +44 1494 671234.
9. Met Film School
In the filmmaking world, Met Film School is one of the most well-known institutions offering undergraduates, postgraduates, and even short film courses in London.
Met was founded in 2003 and located in Ealing, London, the school provides aspiring filmmakers with an incredible network and full access to their professional equipment labs, film studios, editing suites, and more.
Passionate film students will be grounded in courses such as:
- Production
- Screenwriting
- Editing
- Cinematography
- Acting
- Film and production
To get into Met film school for postgraduate programs, the applicant will need an IELTS overall score of 6.5: with at least 6.5 in writing and at least 5.5 in listening, reading, and speaking.
MetFilm School Ltd Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses are accredited by the University of West London.
Contact details:
Address: Ealing Studios, Ealing Grn, London W5 5EP, United Kingdom.
Phone: +44 20 8280 9119 2003.
Also read: 12 Best Film Schools in Poland To Get Into
10. City Academy Film School
City Academy Film School was founded in 2006 as a coeducational school offering both full-time and part-time courses, it’s one of the longest-established independent film schools in London.
It has an excellent reputation for teaching skills that can set students up for a career within the film industry and its lecturers are experienced professionals with many years’ worth of credits to their name.
Contact details:
Address: 38 Rosebery Ave, London EC1R 4RN, United Kingdom.
Phone: +44 20 7042 8833.
11. The University of Warwick Film and Television Studies
The University of Warwick is one of the best film schools in London because it offers the perfect balance between practice and theory.
Students gain a broad understanding of filmmaking techniques, styles, history, and cultures – both their own and those abroad.
The courses are taught by professional film experts who have dedicated their lives to working in the industry, and they lead to a BA in film studies in three years.
The Film Studies degree from the University of Warwick covers the foundations of film and television history, theory, analysis, and interpretation.
Contact details:
Address: The Stanley Building, 7 Pancras Sq, London N1C 4AG, United Kingdom.
Email: filmstudies@warwick.ac.uk.
12. The Ravensbourne University of London
Ravensbourne University is a special school for higher education and innovation in art, design, and media, the school also offers courses in television and broadcasting.
Students can get enrolled in this school to pursue a BA in Digital Film Production in three years, they will be grounded in:
- Cinematography
- Directing
- Production
- Green Screen and
- VFX
The tuition fee for the film program at Ravensbourne University is £9,250 for in-state tuition and international students pay £16,500.
Contact details:
Address: 6 Penrose Way, Greenwich Peninsula, London.
Email: admissions@rave.ac.uk
Also read: 20 Best Film Schools in France To Get Into
13. Leeds Beckett University, Northern Film School
The Northern Film School is one of the best film schools in the United Kingdom, the school offers both bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and is situated in the city center of Leeds.
It takes three years to complete the film program leading to a BA in film, one of the reasons students choose this school is that they offer a hands-on learning experience.
Students can pick from any of the courses offered by the university such as;
- BA in filmmaking
- MA in documentary filmmaking
- Film curation and exhibition and
- Screenwriting.
Contact details:
Address: Leeds Beckett University, Woodhouse Lane, Woodhouse Leeds.
Phone: +44 113 812 8035
14. Goldsmiths the Screen School
The Goldsmiths the Screen School was founded in 1891 and is at the forefront of media and art education, drawing in talent from both fields.
The school offers a full-time MA in filmmaking with courses such as MA in Film & Screen Studies, Television Journalism, and Script Writing.
It takes two years to complete the film program here and the tuition fee ranges from £5,000 – £23,000.
Contact details:
Address: 8 Lewisham Way, New Cross, London.
Email: course-info@gold.ac.uk or admission@gold.ac.uk
15. Central Film School
The Central School of Speech is among the newest film schools in England founded in 2008 and it is consistently ranked as one of the best places to study film.
The Central Film School offers both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees as well as short courses in Filmmaking and Screenwriting.
It takes two years to complete the BA program while it takes a year to finish the postgraduate degree program.
Intending students should budget to pay the fee of £22,200 for in-state students while out-of-state students pay a tuition fee of £41,500 per session for the Undergraduate degree program.
Contact details:
Address: Old School House, 66 Leonard St, London EC2A 4LW, United Kingdom.
Phone: +44 20 7377 6060.
Film Schools in London | FAQs
Where can you work with a film degree in London?
Some of the best film schools in London can lead to a variety of careers, but the most common positions are within the filmmaking industry.
What is the best film school in London?
The London Film School is arguably the best film school in London from reviews across the web.
What can you do with a film degree in London?
With a film degree in London, you can become a Broadcast presenter, Film director, Film/video editor, Location manager, Production designer, etc.
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