Best Film Schools in UK for Indian Students in 2024



If you are a film buff, and want to make a career out of it, then a look into the best film schools in UK is well worth it. A brilliant amalgamation of creativity, art and technology, the world of film production has much to offer, especially for a generation entertained by web series and OTT platforms.

The United Kingdom, a renowned cultural hub, has some of the best film making courses in London and its other cities. If you are considering entering the world of movies and artistry, this article is for you.


Why study Film in the UK?


Graduating from a top film school is not a mandatory requirement to get into the field of film production. However, UK film schools are known to be deeply rooted in the industry. They use these connections and their top notch facilities to create skilled filmmakers who can keep up with the changing demands of the industry.

UK film schools also have an immense number of specialisations to choose from. Whether you want to work as an editor, a screenwriter, a cinematographer or a director, you have the choice to specialise in the different aspects of filmmaking right from the beginning.

If you choose to get into the acting line, film courses in the UK do not have fixed lines separating film from theatre. It is one of the main reasons why many of the successful actors from the UK are as comfortable in front of a camera, as they are on stage.

Besides acting, studying film courses in the UK will also help you develop excellent communication, writing, research and creative thinking skills that can open up career prospects across industries.

After the USA, the UK is the second biggest global market for film and high-end TV productions, providing you with numerous job opportunities.

Top Colleges for Studying Film Production in the UK


In this section, we will be looking at some of the best film schools in UK and the courses they offer.

S.No Film School
1 London Film School
2 Met Film School
3 The Screen School, Goldsmiths
4 National Film and Television School
5 Ravensbourne University
6 University of Westminster
7 University of Kent
8 University of Glasgow
9 University of Warwick
10 University of the Arts London

1. London Film School


Located in the heart of London, London Film School is a non-profit higher educational institution dedicated to the dissemination of film studies to its students. Built in a conservatoire model, this film school is a hub of culture and creativity. The school has the latest technology and state-of-the-art infrastructure for its students to explore new methods of storytelling. Renowned globally, LFS has a diverse crowd, with over 50% of their students coming from outside the United Kingdom.

Campus: Covent Garden, London

Courses

LFS offers only Masters, PhD and a few short film making courses for its students. This school does not have any undergraduate level programmes.

  • MA Filmmaking
  • MA Screenwriting
  • MA International Film Business
  • MA documentary Filmmaking
  • PhD Film by Practice
  • LFS Workshops

Fees

Their masters programmes are typically two years long and costs around £34,000 per year for international students. A non-refundable application fee of £50 must also be paid at the time of submission of the application.

Scholarships

While there is no specific financial aid offered by the school, you can apply to any of the external sources of funding such as the British Council  or other charitable organisations.

Employability

All graduates go on to become Associates of London Film School (ALFS). With the school’s reputation, graduates have gone on to carve a niche for themselves in film industries across countries. Notable alumni of LFS include Howard Atherton, Koby Adom and Terry Bedford. The school also produces a number of movies each year in which their students get to actively experience being part of the production team.

2. Met Film School


Source: Met

Established 2 decades ago, the Met Film School has grown from offering unaccredited credit courses to becoming one of the top film schools in London England accredited by the University of West London and having multiple campuses in London and one in Berlin. Having taught over 15,000 students from over a 100 countries, the Met is one of the best film schools in UK.

Campuses: London, Leeds and Berlin

Courses

While the school also has a few bachelor degree programmes, they are typically not open for international students. However, you can write individually to the admissions committee to consider your application. Here is a list of the masters courses in film production.

  • MA Cinematography
  • MA Directing
  • MA Documentary and Factual
  • MA Film and Television Production
  • MA Post Production
  • MA Screen Acting
  • MA Screenwriting
  • Numerous short film making courses

Fees

The tuition fee is about £26,500 for the MA programmes.

Scholarships

Since it is a private set up, there are no scholarships to study film in UK, with the Met. You can however, apply for financial aid either through the British Council or Education UK.

Employability

One of their London campuses is located in the famous Ealing Studios that include recent productions such as The Imitation Game, Black Mirror and Downton Abbey. The school also regularly partners with media giants such as Twitter, YouTube, Amazon Studios and the BBC for its students to practise their pitches. The modules are designed in such a way ensuring the connection between education and industry, thus making their graduates highly employable in the creative industries.

3. The Screen School, Goldsmiths, University of London


Source: Goldsmiths

Renowned for its academic excellence, the Screen School at Goldsmiths has named itself the “next generation film school”. One of the top film schools in London England, it emphasises on keeping up with the times and creates professionals who can keep up with industry demands of today. The school is renowned for including various postgraduate specialisations in filmmaking. Recognised worldwide, this school has some of the best film courses in UK.

Campus: London

Courses

  • MA Film & Screen Studies
  • MA Filmmaking
  • MA Filmmaking (Cinematography)
  • MA Filmmaking (Directing Fiction)
  • MA Filmmaking (Editing)
  • MA Filmmaking (Producing)
  • MA Filmmaking (Screen Documentary)
  • MA Filmmaking (Sound Recording, Post-Production & Design)
  • MA Script Writing

Fees

Their masters programmes are 1 year long and the tuition costs £28,580 for international students.

Scholarships

You can apply to Goldsmiths postgraduate scholarships or the FWA bursary for financial aid.

Employability

Graduates of the Screen School go on to work as cinematographers, camera operators, lighting designers or take on other technical and creative roles in the media industry across the world.

4. National Film and Television School (NFTS)


Source: NFTS

Since its inception in 1971, the National Film and Television School (NFTS) has been an independent institution awarding recognised postgraduate degrees and diplomas in the field of film production. With its state of the art facilities, exclusive masterclasses and powerful industry connections, NFTS is one of the most sought after top film schools in UK. In 2018, the school won the prestigious BAFTA for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema. The school has 4 campuses in the United Kingdom – Beaconsfield, Leeds,Cymru (Wales) and Glasgow (Scotland).

Courses

Masters degrees in NFTS are two years long and provide hands-on training. The following specialisations are taught as part of an MA in Filmmaking degree.

  • Cinematography
  • Composing for Film and Television
  • Creative Business
  • Directing and Producing Science and Natural History
  • Directing and Producing Television Entertainment
  • Directing Animation
  • Directing Documentary
  • Directing Fiction
  • Editing
  • Film Studies, Programming and Curation
  • Games Design and Development
  • Marketing, Distribution, Sales and Exhibition
  • Producing
  • Production Design
  • Screenwriting
  • Sound Design for Film and Television
  • VFX (CG)
  • VFX (Compositing)
  • Diplomas/ Short Courses/ Workshops in Filmmaking

Fees

International students are to pay £26,000 per year as tuition fees.

Scholarships

The school does not directly support international students but you can apply for funding through various external organisations.

Employability

Over the years, the school’s employability rate has been consistent at around 90%, 6 months after graduation. About 97% of the biggest budget films and two thirds of all Netflix productions have at least 1 NFTS graduate in a key role. The school makes it a point to identify key skill gaps in the industry and develop a curriculum that fills these gaps, making their graduates highly sought after.

5. Ravensbourne University


Source: Ravensbourne University

Located in the heart of London, Ravensbourne University is an institution that is dedicated to the study of design and digital media at the pre-degree, bachelors and masters level. A hub of creativity and innovation, Ravensbourne is one of the UK film schools you want to be in, surrounding yourself with creativity and access to high end technology to give life to your imagination. The TV and Film department at the university seeks to impart an education wherein you will be exposed to the entirety of the film production spectrum.

Campus: London

Courses

Undergraduate Courses

  • BA (Hons) Digital Film Production
  • BA (Hons) Digital Television Production
  • BA (Hons) Editing and Post Production
  • BSc (Hons) Broadcast Engineering
  • BA (Hons) Digital Content Creation

Related Masters Courses

  • MA Design Communication
  • MA Design Management
  • MA/ MFA Digital Photography
  • MA Illustration
  • MSc Project Management

Fees

Be it at the bachelors or masters level, international students pay a tuition fee ranging from £16,500 – £18,500 per year.

Scholarships

You will automatically be considered for the Ravensbourne undergraduate/ postgraduate scholarships with your application. You can also consider applying to external sources of funding.

Employability

Graduates of the Ravensbourne go on to create world-class works in industries across the globe. Ravensbourne has strong industry links with a range of high-profile companies, including Apple, Barclays, the BBC, European Space Agency, Marks & Spencer, Museum of London, the Royal Shakespeare Company, Samsung and many more.

6. University of Westminster


Source: University of Westminster

Another school with top film courses in UK is the University of Westminster. Highly renowned for its media programmes, this university located in London has a college dedicated to design, creative and digital industries. If enrolled, you will have access to the department’s professional film, video and sound facilities, purpose-built studios and even a set construction workshop.

Campus: Harrow Campus

Courses

Undergraduate Courses

  • Animation BA Honours
  • Animation with Foundation BA Honours
  • Contemporary Media Practice BA Honours
  • Contemporary Media Practice with Foundation BA Honours
  • Film BA Honours
  • Television Production BA Honours

Postgraduate Courses

  • Business of Film MA
  • Film, Television and Moving Image MA

Both full time and part time options are available for the MA in Film programs.

Fees

The bachelors degrees are priced at around 15,500 GBP per year and take 3 years to complete. The master’s degrees are 1 year courses and can cost around £17,000 only for tuition. While budgeting, remember to include the cost of living in UK, which is typically around £13,000 – £16,000 a year.

Scholarships

The University of Westminster has an International Postgraduate Part Fee Scholarship that reduces the burden of tuition to a small extent. However, for the sake of admission and your Tier 4 student visa, you must show proof of finance that you will be able to afford your life and learning in UK. You can also apply to any of the external scholarships to study film in UK.

Employability

Graduates find work in state-funded arts bodies, culture and media industries, and independent arts sectors. Many have also gone on to pursue doctoral or other research degrees in the discipline. Organisations that have hired Westminster film graduates include Cake Distribution, Fluid Touch Pte Ltd, ITV, Jellysmack London, MUBI, Saatchi & Saatchi, TeachFirst and WeVision.

7. University of Kent


Source: University of Kent

Approaching the world of films from both the practical and theoretical angles, Kent film school will teach you the art of screenwriting, improvisation and various filmmaking processes. You also will have access to their one year study abroad programme where you can choose to spend a year in any of their partner universities located across Europe, Canada, USA, South Africa or Asia. You will also have the chance to choose an optional placement year to gain valuable industry experience.

Courses

Bachelors Degrees

  • Drama and Film – BA (Hons)
  • English Literature and Film – BA (Hons)
  • Film – BA (Hons)
  • Film and History – BA (Hons)
  • Film and Media – BA (Hons)
  • Media – BA (Hons)

Postgraduate courses

  • Creative Producing – MA
  • Drama by Practice as Research – PhD
  • Film – MA/ PhD
  • Film with Practice – MA
  • History and Philosophy of Art – MA
  • Media Studies – PhD
  • Music – PhD
  • Performance – Physical Acting – MA
  • Theatre Making – MA

Fees

The BA degrees cost around £22,700 a year while the MA is around £18,600.

Scholarships

Besides all the external sources of funding such as the British Council, Charles Wallace Trust or Chevening, you can also apply to Kent International Scholarship programmes, if eligible.

Employability

Kent graduates have found work in professions including museum positions, teaching roles, film journalists and theatre technicians. They have become integral members of Universal Pictures, the London Film Festival and other arts, culture and heritage-related organisations, as well as being a part of film production.

8. University of Glasgow


Source: University of Glasgow

One of Scotland’s four ancient universities, the University of Glasgow also has some of the best film production courses in UK. It is important to note that the universities bachelors programmes are awarded an MA degree and take 4 years to complete while masters in film production and other courses are awarded an MSc Degree.

Courses

  • Creative Arts & Industries [MA]
  • Film & Television Studies [MA]
  • Creative Industries & Cultural Policy [MSc]
  • Film & Television Studies [MLitt]
  • Film Curation [MSc]
  • Filmmaking & Media Arts [MSc]
  • Media Management [MSc]

Fees

Both bachelor’s and master’s programmes for international students cost around £26,000.

Scholarships

You can apply for the Undergraduate Excellence Scholarships or the India Merit Awards if deemed eligible.

Employability

Graduates go on to a range of careers in the media and creative industries including film education, festival management and programming, and arts administration as well as to research roles in television, academia, or the public sector.

9. University of Warwick


Source: University of Warwick

Located on the outskirts of Coventry, the University of Warwick is one of the top universities in the United Kingdom, across all disciplines. Their department of Film and Television studies has been ranked very highly by both the Guardian and Times Higher Education.

Courses

  • Film Studies BA
  • Film and Literature BA
  • MA in Film and Television Studies

Fees

The undergraduate degree costs around £24,800 while the masters degree is around £12,500.

Scholarships

As Indian students applying to Warwick, you will be eligible to apply for Warwick Undergraduate Global Excellence Scholarships or apply to the Warwick bursaries, if you can show proof of financial need.

Employability

Graduates have gone on to pursue roles such as arts officers, educators, producers and directors, authors, writers and translators and research and development managers. The department’s list of lawyers include StudioCanal, Fox Searchlight, All 4, Sky Studios and numerous academic institutions.

10. University of the Arts London


Source: UAL

Having one of the largest international student populations in the United Kingdom, UAL is one of the finest film schools in London England. With its film courses offered by the London College of Communication, you get to learn and practise on a range of genres and experiment with the entire process of filmmaking.

Courses

  • BA (Hons) Illustration and Visual Media
  • BA (Hons) Sound Arts
  • BA (Hons) Animation
  • BA (Hons) Production Arts for Screen
  • BA (Hons) Film and Screen Studies
  • BA (Hons) Film Practice
  • BA (Hons) Computer Animation and Visual Effects
  • BA (Hons) Film and Television
  • BA (Hons) Immersive Media and Mixed Reality
  • MA Character Animation
  • MRes Art Moving Image
  • MA Illustration and Visual Media
  • MA Film
  • MA Sound Arts
  • MA Documentary Film
  • MA Screenwriting
  • MA Performance: Screen
  • MA Visual Effects

Fees

For the undergraduate courses, the fee is around  £28,570 per year. The master’s programmes are around £29,000.

Scholarships

Here are some of the UAL scholarships to consider

  • Summer Hardship Fund
  • The Gucci Scholarships
  • UAL International Postgraduate Scholarships

Employability

Graduates have gone on to work in a range of filmmaking sectors including taking on prestigious roles in the BBC. One of the UAL alumni Leila Hussain is making short documentary features all over the world for CNN. Your career path is primarily dependent on your creativity and your passion, even within the field of filmmaking.

Besides the top ten list, here are a few more reputed schools to consider.

S.No Film School
1 London Film Academy
2 Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts
3 Northern Film School, Leeds Beckett University
4 Bournemouth Film School
5 University of Essex

Eligibility Criteria for Applying to Film Schools in the UK


The following are the basic admission requirements for Indian students to get into the best film schools in England.
For Bachelors in Film Courses:

  • Completed class XII with at least one A-level humanities subject. The average score required is around 75 – 90%.
  • Undertake English language proficiency tests such as IELTS/ TOEFL/ PTE

For masters in film production in UK:

  • Completed a bachelors degree in a relevant field with upper second class or first class honours.
  •  Work experience is not mandatory but will definitely be considered.
  • Proof of English language proficiency.

Important Note: While the academic requirements are fairly commonplace, the most important aspect of your application is your display of creativity. Film schools are always on the lookout for students who are imaginative, unafraid of expressing their art and who are capable of going against the grain. So your creative portfolio, your personal essay/ statement of purpose and your letters of recommendation must all display your imaginative side to the admissions committee.

Cost of studying Film in UK for Indian Students


In this section, we answer the question “How much does it cost to study film making courses in London and in other parts of UK as an Indian student?”. It is important to note that the figures shown in the table below are the average cost and approximation to give you a general idea. The actual costs can vary depending on your selection of courses, the universities and the city that you will be living in.

Cost Amount in Pounds
(Approx figures per year)
Amount in INR
(Approx figures per year)
Tuition (Range) £15,000 – £60,000 Rs 15 – 60 lakhs
Cost of Living
Rent (On Campus) £4,000 – £7,000 Rs 4 – 7 lakhs
Rent (Off campus, shared living) London – £9,000
Rest of UK – £6,700
London – Rs 9 lakhs
Rest of UK – Rs 6.7 lakhs
Food £1,800 – £2,200 Rs 1 – 2.5 lakhs
Transport £1,000 Rs 1 lakh
Health Insurance £470 Rs 50,000
Utilities £650 – £800 Rs 65,000 – 80,000
Average Total Living Expenses £14,400 – £16,800 Rs 14 – 17 lakhs

Career opportunities after studying Film in the UK


As creative and vast as this field is, the job profiles after your graduation are also varied and spread across industries. According to UK Prospects, some of the jobs directly related to your degree include

  • Broadcast presenter
  • Film director
  • Film/video editor
  • Location manager
  • Production designer, theatre/television/film
  • Programme researcher, broadcasting/film/video
  • Runner, broadcasting/film/video
  • Television camera operator
  • Television/film/video producer

You can also get into the world of advertising, marketing, event management, PR, VFX and so on. Considering the creative and flexible nature of the industry, there is also no fixed average salaries. It purely depends on your skills, talents, negotiating skills and what you bring to the table for every project.

The ideal place to begin looking for job opportunities is the career guidance/ career services cell of your institution who will provide invaluable help by connecting you with prospective employers.

Frequently asked questions


What is the best film school in London?

The best film schools include London Film School, MetFilm School, NFTS and many more. Do check our table listing the top schools in UK.

Can I do a short film course in the UK?

Yes, of course. In addition to BA and MA degrees, almost all film schools offer short film making courses wherein you can learn one specific skill set or one aspect of production. These courses can last anywhere between a few weeks and a few months. However, you cannot take the Graduate Route to stay and work in UK on completion of short film courses.

Are there any free film schools in UK for international students?

None of the UK schools for higher education have a free tuition/ no tuition policy. So, no, there aren’t any free film schools in UK for international students. That said, with the right scholarships, you can alleviate much of the burden of tuition and living expenses.

Can I get a job after studying film in the UK?

Yes. After completing your bachelors or masters degree, you can stay for 2 years via the Graduate Route and work in UK. It is however, important to recognise that the field is competitive and also highly dependent on personal tastes.

Is a UK film degree recognised in India?

The film industry is not a highly regulated space for this to be a concern. In terms of job prospects, a degree from UK is not only recognised but also highly valued in India. However, when it comes to higher education, India recognises 2 year masters degrees as a requirement to apply for a PhD (in India). So if you have done a 1 year masters in the UK, it might be a bit of a hassle.

How good is the London film school?

The London Film School is deemed as a Centre of Excellence by the UK film industry. It is also highly cosmopolitan and international in its student community that opens you up to ideas and designs from all over the globe.

How to apply to UK universities with TC Global?


While studying in the best film schools in UK can be very thrilling, the prep and paperwork of it all can get overwhelming. The easiest way to reduce your stress is to sign up with TC Global.

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Let’s shape your future together.



Date added
24.01.2024

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