MA Filmmaking in UCA vs MetFilm vs Uni of Gloucestershire

Original post by Akshansh

Hi guys, I have applied to these three colleges for MA in filmmaking and got interviews coming up from Metfilm London and UCA Farnham for MA filmmaking. I'm an international student so the college fee is really high as well. I'm very confused about which one should I pick.
UCA has got better reviews in TSR apart from the fact it's in a small town. Metfilm being a proper film school might be a better option but not sure its fee is justified.

Right now my options are:-

UCA Farnham
Metfilm School London
University of Gloucestershire

Please help me out, if anyone has had experience in studying in any of these institutions or know any institute better than these.

Thank you!

London is very expensive to live, and I was not that impressed with it, its only advantage being in London. UCA is based in a small Surrey Village, with not much going on and is an 1 Hour by train to London. Gloucestershire I have no knowledge of I'm afraid. Hertfordshire University is good and Close to a Big Studio with industry links. Have you thought of NFTS very good for Masters in Filmmaking, I would highly recommend here for Industry links also, hope this is of help, good luck.

Reply 2

OP

Original post by Boomde2020

London is very expensive to live, and I was not that impressed with it, its only advantage being in London. UCA is based in a small Surrey Village, with not much going on and is an 1 Hour by train to London. Gloucestershire I have no knowledge of I'm afraid. Hertfordshire University is good and Close to a Big Studio with industry links. Have you thought of NFTS very good for Masters in Filmmaking, I would highly recommend here for Industry links also, hope this is of help, good luck.

Hey thanks for replying! I'll go check Herefordshire University. And NFTS is really expensive and difficult to get it, I'm gonna pass that.
UCA has got fine reviews, the only drawback is it being in a village area.

Reply 3

Original post by Akshansh

Hey thanks for replying! I'll go check Herefordshire University. And NFTS is really expensive and difficult to get it, I'm gonna patchss that.
UCA has got fine reviews, the only drawback is it being in a village area.

UCA is good, but hasn't dealt with the Covid situation vey well. Arts Univerity Bournemouth may be of Interest, it is also a CILECT University as well.

Reply 4

OP

Original post by Boomde2020

UCA is good, but hasn't dealt with the Covid situation vey well. Arts Univerity Bournemouth may be of Interest, it is also a CILECT University as well.

AUB has 2 year master's course, I am specifically looking for 1 year MA in filmmaking. I came across London Film Academy as well, but can't see any credibility of that particular film school. Do you happen to know anything about it?

Reply 5

Original post by Akshansh

AUB has 2 year master's course, I am specifically looking for 1 year MA in filmmaking. I came across London Film Academy as well, but can't see any credibility of that particular film school. Do you happen to know anything about it?

Went to an open evening a couple of years ago. Well it's situated right next to Ealing Studios, but you won't get much chance to work in there (we were told,) you have to sign as an extra and join equity. I didn't think it offered much more than any other Film School out there, just the expense. If you want to stick close to London, then look at somewhere like UAL and Westminster and Middlesex Universities. If you fancy Brighton Brighton Film School has good links and is very hands on and practical. I ended up at UCA for my BA in I am in my 2nd year. I am not looking at doing an MA after Uni, going to try and get some experience in the industry and make a few shorts and enter into some film festivals. I may do an MA a few years down the line. Hope this is of help.

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filmworker

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You should look at the MA at Hertfordshire. They are a highly practical course, with some very big name guest speakers contributing to the tuition. It is also ScreenSkills and CILECT accredited.

Reply 7

OP

Original post by Boomde2020

Went to an open evening a couple of years ago. Well it's situated right next to Ealing Studios, but you won't get much chance to work in there (we were told,) you have to sign as an extra and join equity. I didn't think it offered much more than any other Film School out there, just the expense. If you want to stick close to London, then look at somewhere like UAL and Westminster and Middlesex Universities. If you fancy Brighton Brighton Film School has good links and is very hands on and practical. I ended up at UCA for my BA in I am in my 2nd year. I am not looking at doing an MA after Uni, going to try and get some experience in the industry and make a few shorts and enter into some film festivals. I may do an MA a few years down the line. Hope this is of help.

Thank you for such detailed input. Just curious, how is UCA in general? And specifically in the film department? I've heard their Film block just opened last year in the campus.

Reply 8

Original post by Akshansh

Thank you for such detailed input. Just curious, how is UCA in general? And specifically in the film department? I've heard their Film block just opened last year in the campus.

It is OK in general, you don't get to specialise much in your chosen role, and you have to be really good in your chosen specialism to do it, as many people are vying for the same positions. It has NOT handled the Covid situation like other Universities have very well. At present making a short with 8 others under strict Covid conditions, not using the studios, having to you my Uni house to film it. We get to use the Uni cameras, etc only for a short window of 4 days in April, without choice of days, this will be the only 2nd time since Oct 2020 that we have had use of equipment. They have not been very organised, 3rd and 1st years have been given priority over the 2nd Years. I would seriously look at Universities that have dealt well with Covid. I know AUB Bournemouth have and been very good to all, (know someone there).

Reply 9

OP

Original post by Boomde2020

It is OK in general, you don't get to specialise much in your chosen role, and you have to be really good in your chosen specialism to do it, as many people are vying for the same positions. It has NOT handled the Covid situation like other Universities have very well. At present making a short with 8 others under strict Covid conditions, not using the studios, having to you my Uni house to film it. We get to use the Uni cameras, etc only for a short window of 4 days in April, without choice of days, this will be the only 2nd time since Oct 2020 that we have had use of equipment. They have not been very organised, 3rd and 1st years have been given priority over the 2nd Years. I would seriously look at Universities that have dealt well with Covid. I know AUB Bournemouth have and been very good to all, (know someone there).

I think I need to apply for Hertfordshire and Queens University as well, AUB offers 2 years masters so I'm going to cross that off.
If you don't mind me asking, does UCA offer some part time jobs for International students? Or in Farnham.
Also, do you know anyone who's studying MA Filmmaking at UCA?

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