Can't choose the university for me

I applied for film production at university this year so I understand what you've been doing. I don't know heaps about loads of different universities but the ones I applied to are three of the top courses in the UK for film production so I would recommend looking them up and obviously reading other threads about where other people have applied to. Also, UNISTATS website is really helpful to see employability rates, how much of the course is practical/theoretical since you may like one more than the other. Some websites also do a virtual tour, especially arts universities as they filmmakers so there are usually at least some way for you to get a glimpse of what university life is like there.

So I applied to:

The university of Westminster (Film) - out of all the ones I applied to, from what I understand this one is the least practical but is still obviously very practical. You work in large groups to make films and have to specialise in a certain area after year one. The media school is based on the Harrow Campus which I think is in London. I didn't realise this when I applied but the accommodation is super expensive. I think the average cost of a room is probably just under £200 a week which is so steep but of course this is because all of the accommodation is in London. London has the advantage of being in the centre of a media hub, there would be more work experience opportunities here rather than a city more out in the sticks but in terms of getting a part time job that could cover the expensive accommodation...good luck. When I visited Westminster (I didn't go to an open day, I just saw the campus at my interview) it seemed quite chilled, relaxed, there was definitely a nice vibe and the facilities there are great so I would consider them!

Arts University Bournemouth (Film Production) - this one is probably the most well known film course possibly in England. It is very competitive and promotes itself as very exclusive. Doing film here at such a recognisable university would most likely be a very good thing. The campus is all in one place unlike Westminster and Norwich where the campuses are spread out in separate buildings, and the university is right next to Bournemouth University so there would be a lot of students, not just arts students around you. When I went to the open day and interview here it gave an amazing vibe. There is work up on the walls and professional and student exhibitions in the university which makes it feel super arty. Out of all the universities I visited, this one definitely have the best atmosphere. One thing they encourage is interaction between students on all the different courses, like working with the costume designers and the actors and making films in your spare time, writing scripts for others in different years...The whole feel of the place was great. Here you have to specialise which is for me their only let down for me since I don't want to specialise...The accommodation at AUB isn't ridiculously priced and there are lots of shops around so it shouldn't be too hard for you to find a job either.

Norwich University of the Arts (Film and moving image BA) - I love this university. Norwich as a place is very safe, its near Norfolk which is super green with loads of good landscapes. Norwich has lots of little independent shops that I'm sure you could find a job in, it has a big shopping centre nearby as well. The atmosphere when I went was really friendly and quite...maybe "urban". Once again, like AUB its a largely practical course and they encourage you to interact with other courses like animation to make films which is great. Here you don't have to specialise, which I think is a real selling point and they are the top specialist arts and design university in the country. Unfortunately from what I understand there isn't enough accommodation for all first years students so some will have to either live at home and commute or find a house instead of live in halls. But since you live overseas you should pretty much be guaranteed accommodation so you shouldn't worry about that too much.

Obviously I applied for primarily practical film courses so if you want more theoretical you'll have to look into that...I hope this helped a bit and you could private message me with any other questions you have if I can help!

Thank you so much for your reply! I'm like you, I've been searching for a mostly practical film course too.
Through my research, I've noticed that the Arts University Bournemouth seemed to offer a very good course, but I went to Unistats and it had a student satisfaction rate of 38%, which is really low comparing to other universities that I checked. I didn't know it was very well known. I also noticed it was 100% assessed by course work which I think it's great.
Westminster was on my list of possibilities but unfortunately it's too expensive for me.
As for Norwich University of the Arts, I didn't thought of it until you mention it so thank you for that! I had a look through the website and it seems really appealing. The content of the course seems very interesting too.
I hope you get offered a place on those universities!
And thank you again!

I'm having a lot of trouble finding which course in which university to apply. I know I want to study film, and I've found a lot of possibilities for me, but I have no idea, by just prospectus and websites, how each course is thought and the atmosphere of the uni. Going to open days would be perfect, but I don't live in the UK. I can't afford getting on a plain and go through the country visiting universities (although it would be brilliant).
I would like to enroll on a course that would bring me a lot of experience from practical work, in a city where I could find a part time job to pay for my accommodation. Please, any advise from previous experiences or recommendations?

Bournemouth has a good reputation for film and it's by the sea so a great location. A few of my ex-students have gone there. Unistats can be inaccurate as it depends who responds and which courses they are doing.

Hiya!
I'm from Pakistan, and my story is just like your's. I have got offers from Ravensbourne Ba digital film,AUB and today I got offer for film and Moving image Production by Norwich University Arts. I have now decided to got NUA. Norwich is far far better than Bournemouth and tuition is also less, while unistats shows that it has 88% student satisfaction .
NUA is the place which you should consider. Living in london will make you bankrupt while bournemouth is like village. I belive that Life in norwich will be far far better than bournemouth.

Very best of luck!

Hi, my cousin studies Film in Wales, Cardiff Uni and she is really happy with the course. Also the city is amazing and really cheap to live in. She is a fresher and lives in Uni halls where I visited her last month. was truly amazing top quality and really helpful people in the uni and city. Also tuition fees are cheaper i think.

Bournemouth has a good reputation for film and it's by the sea so a great location. A few of my ex-students have gone there. Unistats can be inaccurate as it depends who responds and which courses they are doing.

I have the same doubt.. I saw Bournemouth's Post Production Editing MA and really liked.

But I also saw a MA in Postproduction with Visual Effects at Uni of York, a MA in Film Making at Kingston Uni and a MA in Film at Edinburgh Napier Uni.

Does anyone know something about those universities? They worth it?

Hi paulafanaia,

I just replied to you on another thread about the course, but thought I might as well reply to this too, in case others want to see it on this thread

I'm currently studying the MA in Post Production Editing at Bournemouth University. It's been a brilliant year so far and we're now beginning to work on our final major projects, which is exciting and scary!

We work alongside the other MA students, who are studying Directing, Cinematography, Scriptwriting, Sound Production, Radio and Producing. So far we've made a short 3 minute documentary, a 3 minute drama and two 5 minute dramas. It's been a great learning experience and I've loved it all.

We're taught to edit on Avid, and we've also had a couple of lessons on Davinci Resolve, Photoshop and After Effects.

If you or anyone else on this thread want to know more about the course, uni, town or campus then I'd be happy to answer questions

Alice

When i was at college the student advice lady told me the reason UNISTATS had low mark for aub is because they rate universities based on their academic profile... or something like that. Anyways im guessing because it is a highly practical and arts based course with very particular workshops it doesnt rank very well on paper.

I'd really like more information on the course as well. Ill be starting the 4 year course this year and I'd really like more information on that first preperatory year since i'll be finishing it at 27 years old. eek.

When i was at college the student advice lady told me the reason UNISTATS had low mark for aub is because they rate universities based on their academic profile... or something like that. Anyways im guessing because it is a highly practical and arts based course with very particular workshops it doesnt rank very well on paper.

I'd really like more information on the course as well. Ill be starting the 4 year course this year and I'd really like more information on that first preperatory year since i'll be finishing it at 27 years old. eek.