The Student Room Group

Best universities for film/tv?

I intend to study film undergraduate (and television if included in the course) next year and have completed all sections of my application though admittedly I’m still missing a fifth university to apply to and I’m ngl the league tables are highly variable.

I’ve just completed five years of high school education in New Zealand where I’ve been living and so haven’t been able to come to open days which sucks because it probably would’ve helped me in a lot of ways, though I have been able to visit KCL’s strand campus with a staff guide.

I’m applying to Goldsmiths as it’s ranked highly by some and has great alumni, KCL as again some rank it highly for the subject and the location is great, Warwick because I love the modules offered, and Royal Holloway to be safe and it also offers a more practical production course which is one of the higher ranked courses that Holloway offers.

I just wanted some advice from students in Britain who may know more about the status of academia/connections, or even social life and scholarships for international students, honestly with a focus on connections I could make at the university.

I am focusing on schools in London or the general south of the UK (though if there are any in Manchester that would be great - I just haven’t seen any that are highly considered for film), as this is an area I know better and is where my family are. I’ve heard both good and bad things about UAL, Westminster, Bournemouth, and MetFilm.

I have aspirations in screenwriting but frankly just want to be involved in the industry across a range of areas, and so would also prefer unis where I could take modules in other areas like English, business, or philosophy. I’m not particularly worried about higher grade requirements.

Thanks to anyone whose bothered to read all of this :smile:
Original post by Stirfrying
I intend to study film undergraduate (and television if included in the course) next year and have completed all sections of my application though admittedly I’m still missing a fifth university to apply to and I’m ngl the league tables are highly variable.

I’ve just completed five years of high school education in New Zealand where I’ve been living and so haven’t been able to come to open days which sucks because it probably would’ve helped me in a lot of ways, though I have been able to visit KCL’s strand campus with a staff guide.

I’m applying to Goldsmiths as it’s ranked highly by some and has great alumni, KCL as again some rank it highly for the subject and the location is great, Warwick because I love the modules offered, and Royal Holloway to be safe and it also offers a more practical production course which is one of the higher ranked courses that Holloway offers.

I just wanted some advice from students in Britain who may know more about the status of academia/connections, or even social life and scholarships for international students, honestly with a focus on connections I could make at the university.

I am focusing on schools in London or the general south of the UK (though if there are any in Manchester that would be great - I just haven’t seen any that are highly considered for film), as this is an area I know better and is where my family are. I’ve heard both good and bad things about UAL, Westminster, Bournemouth, and MetFilm.

I have aspirations in screenwriting but frankly just want to be involved in the industry across a range of areas, and so would also prefer unis where I could take modules in other areas like English, business, or philosophy. I’m not particularly worried about higher grade requirements.

Thanks to anyone whose bothered to read all of this :smile:


I'll give you a quick lowdown on UK universities and Film in general and hopefully others will come in and add more detail.

in contrast to NZ, the UK has very. many universities of very varying quality and reputation. Film etc is also a degree that tends to have two different types of course - the more theoretical and the more practical. It is important that you decide which of those approaches you prefer, because generally they are offered at different universities. The universities with the stronger reputation nationally and internationally deliver more theoretical, analytical courses, the universities with the weaker general reputation, do the more practical courses (UAL, Westminster, Bournemouth generally very weak Unis, but may be outstanding for Film only, for example). That's why you are seeing so much variation in the league tables. If you want a very hands on course, you need to do a lot of research to make sure graduates are getting into the industry, not just retail.

UK degrees tend to offer narrowness and depth, I very much doubt you will find a film degree which allows you to do philosophy, English, business etc unless it's a film-related approach ie a module in that degree programme.

You could focus on London specifically, in the hope you can get involved in the scene there, but otherwise there's nothing special about 'the south of the UK'. Manchester, Glasgow, and many northern cities have flourishing arts scenes.

Scholarships - very little chance, your best bet is to bring one from NZ.
Original post by Stirfrying
I intend to study film undergraduate (and television if included in the course) next year and have completed all sections of my application though admittedly I’m still missing a fifth university to apply to and I’m ngl the league tables are highly variable.
I’ve just completed five years of high school education in New Zealand where I’ve been living and so haven’t been able to come to open days which sucks because it probably would’ve helped me in a lot of ways, though I have been able to visit KCL’s strand campus with a staff guide.
I’m applying to Goldsmiths as it’s ranked highly by some and has great alumni, KCL as again some rank it highly for the subject and the location is great, Warwick because I love the modules offered, and Royal Holloway to be safe and it also offers a more practical production course which is one of the higher ranked courses that Holloway offers.
I just wanted some advice from students in Britain who may know more about the status of academia/connections, or even social life and scholarships for international students, honestly with a focus on connections I could make at the university.
I am focusing on schools in London or the general south of the UK (though if there are any in Manchester that would be great - I just haven’t seen any that are highly considered for film), as this is an area I know better and is where my family are. I’ve heard both good and bad things about UAL, Westminster, Bournemouth, and MetFilm.
I have aspirations in screenwriting but frankly just want to be involved in the industry across a range of areas, and so would also prefer unis where I could take modules in other areas like English, business, or philosophy. I’m not particularly worried about higher grade requirements.
Thanks to anyone whose bothered to read all of this :smile:

In the same boat but Aussie! Just wondering how you are going with your decision and if you have chosen a course? All the best!
Original post by Stirfrying
I intend to study film undergraduate (and television if included in the course) next year and have completed all sections of my application though admittedly I’m still missing a fifth university to apply to and I’m ngl the league tables are highly variable.
I’ve just completed five years of high school education in New Zealand where I’ve been living and so haven’t been able to come to open days which sucks because it probably would’ve helped me in a lot of ways, though I have been able to visit KCL’s strand campus with a staff guide.
I’m applying to Goldsmiths as it’s ranked highly by some and has great alumni, KCL as again some rank it highly for the subject and the location is great, Warwick because I love the modules offered, and Royal Holloway to be safe and it also offers a more practical production course which is one of the higher ranked courses that Holloway offers.
I just wanted some advice from students in Britain who may know more about the status of academia/connections, or even social life and scholarships for international students, honestly with a focus on connections I could make at the university.
I am focusing on schools in London or the general south of the UK (though if there are any in Manchester that would be great - I just haven’t seen any that are highly considered for film), as this is an area I know better and is where my family are. I’ve heard both good and bad things about UAL, Westminster, Bournemouth, and MetFilm.
I have aspirations in screenwriting but frankly just want to be involved in the industry across a range of areas, and so would also prefer unis where I could take modules in other areas like English, business, or philosophy. I’m not particularly worried about higher grade requirements.
Thanks to anyone whose bothered to read all of this :smile:

Hi there,

It's great to hear you're considering studying at Royal Holloway. Our Department of Media Arts, led by award-winning world-class experts in the field and practising professionals, is committed to achieving the highest standards in both the study and practice of screen media!

Our BA Film, Television and Digital Production is one of the few in the country to place an equal weight on the teaching of practice and theory, with our students pursuing and developing their practical and creative skills as well as fostering their analytical and critical faculties in the study of media history and theory. Find out more about our course here: https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/research-and-teaching/departments-and-schools/media-arts/studying-here/undergraduate/

Our campus is one of the most beautiful in the world with numerous teaching and study spaces, bars and cafés, high-quality accommodation, and sports facilities. If you can't visit us in-person, our Virtual Experience allows you to explore our beautiful campus from the comfort of your own home. You'll be able to take a 360 tour which shows where you could live, study and socialise on campus. Take a look here: https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/virtual-experience/life/

At Royal Holloway, we offer a great range of scholarships provide cash awards or a reduction on tuition fees. You'll need to apply for most of our scholarships, but some are awarded automatically if you meet certain criteria. Find out more here: https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/fees-and-funding/scholarships/

Hope this helps, give me a shout if you have any other questions about Royal Holloway!

Best wishes,

Royal Holloway, University of London Rep

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