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Best university to study Film studies/production?

I am currently doing Film Studies A Level and I have decided it's what I want to study at university. However, I'm not sure which are the best universities in the UK for it. I'm interested in both the study and production side of film (especially screenwriting and possibly cinematography/directing). If anyone could give me some pointers or unis to look into it would be much appreciated!

I want to be able to get employed in the field of Film and work on films, but I also enjoy the critical analysis aspect of things. However this, to my knowledge, isn't exactly the most employable unless you're a film critic/journalist.

In general, when it comes to films, I am most interested in auteur cinema and the new wave of Hollywood films in the 1960s-early 2000s sort of thing.

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 1

PS Reviewer

Generally if you want to work in film then a CILECT member film school is the best option. CILECT is an international industry accreditation.

Many will allow specialism in screenwriting (and experience in other areas too) as well as including critical analysis and theory. Because the courses are more practical many students will avoid/minimise their theory work but you can explore those topics in more depth if that’s your interest.

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 2

byrondavies

Boomsatsuma film degree in Bristol is really good highly recommend if you want to get into the film industry and don't underestimate how much film happens in Bristol. They get you on about 10 to 20 work experience placements on film sets and post houses while give one on one lectures and small classes and have a good studio. You also get an industry mentor.

Reply 3

PS Reviewer

Original post by byrondavies

This Boomsatsuma? https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/09950816/filing-history
The one with 34 employees and over half a million in bank loans that's still making a loss?
The one that doesn't have the discoveruni widget on their website (or listing on discover uni at all) breaking CMA and OfS rules?

Reply 4

Picnicl

www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk list universities offering Communication and Media Studies.

The best for research quality, which is a potential starting point are (afterwards I've put the highness of their entry requirements e.g. 1st. If a position isn't mentioned, its research quality for this subject wasn't high enough to make the list):

Cardiff (top for research quality for this subject, on 92%) (16th)
Southampton (18th)
Loughborough (13th)
Kent (joint 53rd)
Queen Mary University of London (joint 21st)
Warwick (14th)
Roehampton (89th)
Leicester (joint 40th)
Royal Holloway (20th)
Kings College London (5th)
Newcastle (17th)
Sussex (27th)
Lancaster (19th)
Strathclyde (2nd)
Sheffield (15th)
Birmingham (joint 6th)
Goldsmiths University of London (joint 44th)
Keele (78th)
Liverpool (joint 21st)
Anglia Ruskin (90th)
University of East Anglia (36th)
Nottingham (24th)
Leeds (8th)
Huddersfield (joint 44th)
Coventry (joint 61st)
Manchester Metropolitan (81% research quality) (joint 44th for entry requirements)
Essex (81% research quality) (joint 40th for entry requirements)

There are about 70 more of decreasing research quality but all the most prestigious in general as universities are part of above. I kept going until Essex because it has research quality for all subjects in general of 81% (which coincidentally happens to be the same percentage it has for this subject) which is only 1% off some in the Russell Group.

The research quality of St Andrews (1st for entry requirements) and of York (10th for entry requirements) for this subject is not published, if they do any research.

The following also universities have entry requirements of the same level or higher than some of the above:

Glasgow Caledonian (3rd)
Stirling (4th)
Queen Margaret University Edinburgh (joint 6th)
Robert Gordon University (8th)
Edinburgh Napier (11th)
Arts University Plymouth (12th)
Northumbria (23rd)
Swansea (joint 25th)
University of West London (joint 25th)
University of the Arts London (28th)
Ulster University (29th)
Liverpool John Moores (joint 30th)
Birmingham City (joint 30th)
Aberystwyth (joint 32nd)
Falmouth (joint 32nd)
Edge Hill (joint 32nd)
City, University of London (joint 32nd)
Portsmouth (36th)
Chester (36th)
Salford (39th)
Greenwich (joint 40th)
Lincoln (joint 40th)
Surrey (joint 44th)

For general graduate prospects Loughborough, Newcastle, City University of London then Lancaster are best. For graduates currently doing something related to what they wanted to do, Leicester, Lancaster, University of West London, then Loughborough are best.

So Loughborough is clearly one of the standouts but I studied English at Leicester and love Leicester University so am biased to suggest checking them out too.

Leeds and York also perform pretty strong for graduate prospects for this.