London is home to the UK's finest film schools that attract aspiring filmmakers from around the world. These schools offer a diverse range of programs tailored to various aspects of filmmaking, including directing, screenwriting, cinematography, producing, and more. So whether you want to get into documentary filmmaking, make independent films or become a location scout, there is a course for you.
"Best" doesn't mean the same thing for everyone though, which is why the ten schools on our list offer a range of course types from weekend workshops to postgraduate degrees, as well as different class sizes and prices. But what do these schools have in common? The goal to foster a passion for filmmaking and develop the future stars of the industry.
Contents
- National Film and Television School
- Met Film School
- London Film School
- The Screen School at Goldsmiths
- City Academy
- Raindance
- The University of Westminster
- Ravensbourne University
- University of the Arts London
- Central Film School
1. National Film and Television School (NFTS)
The main NFTS campus is located 30 miles outside of London in Beaconsfield, but a selection of classes are also offered at the London base in Golden Square in the West End.
The NFTS has earned some impressive stats over its prestigious 50 year history and The Hollywood Reporter voted it one of the 15 ‘Top International Film Schools’ in the world. Around 90% of students consistently secure a job in their subject area within six months of graduating, and it is one of only a handful of schools globally to have had students nominated for Academy Awards based on films they made as part of their studies.
NFTS has an extensive list of famous alumni including Oscar winners Roger Deakins (cinematographer on 1917, No Country for Old Men) and Nick Park (creator of Wallace and Gromit). The school also regularly attracts top names to teach masterclasses, such as director Christopher Nolan (Tenet, Inception).
The school offers more than 30 postgraduate and certification courses countrywide, but the London base focuses on short courses and diplomas on a variety of subjects ranging in length from two days to one year.
London location: Film and TV Charity, 22 Golden Square, London W1F 9AD
Courses offered: Full and part-time diplomas and certificates
Fees: A one year part-time diploma costs £11,100.
2. Met Film School
Established in 2003, the Met Film School is a relative newcomer but has quickly become one of the top film schools in London. Courses here cover a wide range of film including cinematography, acting, screenwriting, producing, editing, special effects, port-production and more.
The school’s home is Ealing Studios in west London, one of the world’s oldest production facilities where huge productions such as Last Night in Soho, Downton Abbey, and The Theory of Everything were filmed. The Met even has its own successful production company, MetFilm Production which makes films for theatrical release.
The school focuses on connecting education and industry, for example, they partner with corporates like YouTube, BBC and Amazon Studios for students to practise their pitches on. Students also have access to the facilities and equipment at Ealing Studios, for example one of its sound stages, to provide further real-world experience.
London location: Bldg E Ealing Studios, Ealing Green, London W5 5EP
Courses offered: Introductory courses, diplomas, undergraduate (Honours BA) and postgraduate (MA) courses.
Fees: A three year BA program costs £27,750 for domestic students and £42,750 for international students; a one year MA program costs £24,500 for domestic students and £26,500 for international students.
3. London Film School
Founded in 1956, LFI is the oldest film school on this list and is located in the heart of central London. It offers a narrow selection of courses, with no undergraduate level programs. However there are some short workshops and professional development courses available too. The school is highly regarded internationally with work regularly screening at film festivals around the world, and over 50% of the students come from outside the United Kingdom.
The postgraduate studies focus on directing, producing and writing and there are no courses for actors. The school has an extensive film library and provides students with access to the London Metropolitan University Library.
There are plenty of well-known alumni including BAFTA winners Duncan Jones (director of Moon), Michael Mann (writer and director of The Last Mohicans) and Iain Smith (producer of Mad Max: Fury Road).
London location: 24 Shelton St, London WC2H 9UB
Courses offered: Postgraduate courses (MA, PhD), workshops
Fees: A two year MA program costs £66,618 for both domestic and international students.
4. The Screen School at Goldsmiths
Goldsmiths is part of the University of London and operates out of a purpose built media facility located in New Cross, south east London. The Screen School offers one year postgraduate (MA) degrees only, for those who already hold a BA in film, media or arts.
The courses focus on film production with paths in directing fiction, screen documentary, producing, cinematography, sound recording and design, editing and script writing. As a self proclaimed “next-generation school” the programs aim to produce students who are forward looking and have experience in a wide variety of media types including video games and web dramas.
As the school is part of the university, you can also apply for affordable student accommodation in the city.
London location: Goldsmiths, University of London, New Cross, London SE14 6NW
Courses offered: postgraduate (MA) courses only.
Fees: A one year MA program costs £14,910 for domestic students and £28,580 for international students.
5. City Academy
City Academy has over 40 locations around London, but the film courses are taught at their new flagship venue in Clerkenwell.
The film school has a range of practical courses, including an intensive foundation course for beginner filmmakers and courses covering technical skills like editing in Adobe Premiere.
The classes are small and usually run in the evening or over weekends so you can take part alongside work or other commitments, and there is also the option to take summer courses. There are no full-time study available here.
London location: 10 Herbal Hill, London EC1R 5EG
Courses offered: Filmmaking foundation course, summer school, beginner and short courses.
Fees: The 10 week filmmaking foundation course costs £750.
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6. Raindance
Raindance is widely known for its independent film festival of the same name. Its London campus is located centrally in Charing Cross but the school also has international centres in New York, Toronto and Vancouver among others.
There is plenty of variety and flexibility when it comes to courses, with evening and weekend workshops, part-time and full time diplomas, and the opportunity for more formal study with undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. The school covers pretty much every subject within filmmaking with the exception of acting courses.
Raindance describes itself as a "professional, accredited film school with an independent spirit" and is just as popular with indie film aficionados as it is with full-time students launching a career in the industry.
London location: 10 Craven St, London WC2N 5HE
Courses offered: short evening and weekend courses, diplomas, undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
Fees: One-evening courses start from £48; a one year MA program costs £11,950 for domestic students and £14,950 for international students.
7. The University of Westminster
Don’t be confused by the name, the school's campus is actually located in Harrow, north west London where there is plenty of space to house facilities such as a TV studio, editing rooms, two soundstages, set construction workshop and a mastering suite.
The school teaches most aspects of film and TV production (but not acting). The three year undergraduate BA programs emphasise group work and provide an equal combination of academic and vocational studies with the opportunity to work in a professional setting in your final year.
There are a number of famous alumni including Neal Purvis (screenwriter for multiple James Bond films) and Seamus McGarvey (cinematographer on Atonement, The Greatest Showman).
London location: Watford Road, Northwick Park Roundabout, Middlesex HA1 3TP
Courses offered: Undergraduate (BA) and postgraduate (MA) degrees, research studies (PhD, MPhil, DProf, MRes)
Fees: A three year BA program costs £27,750 for domestic students and £46,200 for international students.
8. Ravensbourne University
Ravensbourne University is centrally located in North Greenwich and offers hands on learning with degrees in digital film production, digital TV production editing and post-production.
Thanks to the university’s ties to high profile companies like Apple, Barclays, the BBC, European Space Agency, Marks & Spencer, Museum of London, the Royal Shakespeare Company and more, students often start working on professional shoots within their first year.
As well as meeting the school’s academic requirements to apply, you must submit a portfolio showcasing your work. The school also likes applicants to have a background design, art or another creative field.
London location: 6 Penrose Way, London SE10 0EW
Courses offered: Undergraduate (BA) and postgraduate (MA) degrees.
Fees: A three year BA program costs £27,750 for domestic students and £51,000 for international students.
9. University of the Arts London
Screen school is taught at the London College of Communication in Elephant and Castle, part of the University of Arts London (UAL). There are a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees offered in film and TV production, animation and visual effects, virtual reality and sound arts.
The school encourages students across subjects to collaborate on projects, preparing them with the teamwork skills needed when working in the industry.
Check out the scholarships on offer to see if you are eligible for assistance with your course fees.
London location: Elephant and Castle, London SE1 6SB
Courses offered: Undergraduate (BA) and postgraduate (MA) degrees.
Fees: A three year BA program costs £27,750 for domestic students and £85,710 for international students; a one year MA program costs £13,300 for domestic students and £28,570 for international students.
10. Central Film School
The newest school on the list, Central Film School was founded in 2009 and is located in Whitechapel, just a short journey from central London. Central Film School offers accelerated degrees, meaning all of their undergraduate degrees are delivered over two years to help save students time and money before entering the industry.
The school offers diplomas which typically take one to six months as well as internationally accredited undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. The courses focus on practical training and offer some pioneering subjects in the industry like MA programs in virtual reality and immersive media, and mixed reality.
London location: Universal House, 88-94 Wentworth St, London E1 7SA
Courses offered: short courses, undergraduate (BA) degrees and postgraduate (MA) degrees.
Fees: A two year BA program costs £41,500, a one year MA program costs £17,950 for both domestic and international students.
That's a wrap
You can find so much great information on school websites to help you decide which one is the right fit for you, including student work samples, alumni testimonials and course break downs.
But once you've narrowed down your options there is still nothing better than visiting the campus and speaking with current students or alumni to get a sense of the school's culture and atmosphere. So make sure to check out which schools have upcoming open days you can attend.
And if you want to hone your skills further by making a short film this year, why not see if you can submit to a film festival in 2024?
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