Best uni for film?
Hi! I’ve recently sent off my application for film and have applied to: Napier, Westminster, Middlesex, RCS and York. Just wondering out of these which is the best? I want to write and direct if that’s at all relevant
Reply 1
Hi @garfluvr0
First off, congrats on getting your application sent off. You’ve picked a solid range of film courses at Napier, Westminster, Middlesex, RCS and York, and it’s completely normal to wonder which one is “the best.”
The tricky part is that there isn’t a right answer- especially in creative fields like writing and directing.
Instead, it helps to look at the factors that will matter most to you and the kind of filmmaker you want to become.
1. Graduate Opportunities
One of the most useful things you can research is where graduates end up. Are students finding work in writing rooms, production companies, or independent film? Do the universities have strong industry connections, film festival presence, or partnerships with studios? This can give you a realistic sense of how each course helps launch careers.
2. Course Rankings and Reputation
University rankings aren’t everything, but they can offer a rough idea of teaching quality and student satisfaction. Checking resources like the Guardian league table- or even film-specific forums and student reviews- can help you compare the schools from different angles.
3. Support While You’re Studying
Writing and directing require space, feedback, and mentorship. Look into what each course offers in terms of:
Good support systems can make a huge difference, especially in such a hands-on discipline.
4. What Kind of Filmmaker You Want to Be
Since you’re interested in writing and directing, try to align each programme with your goals. Some courses are more technical, others more storytelling-driven. Some emphasise collaboration, while others allow more independent creative control.
So… Which Is Best?
It genuinely depends on the environment in which you think you’ll grow the most- creatively, professionally, and personally. Each of the universities you’ve chosen has strengths, and the “best” one will be the one that matches your style, ambitions, and the kind of work you want to create.
Hope this helps,
Maya
BCU Student Rep
First off, congrats on getting your application sent off. You’ve picked a solid range of film courses at Napier, Westminster, Middlesex, RCS and York, and it’s completely normal to wonder which one is “the best.”
The tricky part is that there isn’t a right answer- especially in creative fields like writing and directing.
Instead, it helps to look at the factors that will matter most to you and the kind of filmmaker you want to become.
1. Graduate Opportunities
One of the most useful things you can research is where graduates end up. Are students finding work in writing rooms, production companies, or independent film? Do the universities have strong industry connections, film festival presence, or partnerships with studios? This can give you a realistic sense of how each course helps launch careers.
2. Course Rankings and Reputation
University rankings aren’t everything, but they can offer a rough idea of teaching quality and student satisfaction. Checking resources like the Guardian league table- or even film-specific forums and student reviews- can help you compare the schools from different angles.
3. Support While You’re Studying
Writing and directing require space, feedback, and mentorship. Look into what each course offers in terms of:
•
Access to equipment
•
Crew availability
•
Script mentoring
•
Opportunities to direct your own projects
•
Support for developing your portfolio
4. What Kind of Filmmaker You Want to Be
Since you’re interested in writing and directing, try to align each programme with your goals. Some courses are more technical, others more storytelling-driven. Some emphasise collaboration, while others allow more independent creative control.
So… Which Is Best?
It genuinely depends on the environment in which you think you’ll grow the most- creatively, professionally, and personally. Each of the universities you’ve chosen has strengths, and the “best” one will be the one that matches your style, ambitions, and the kind of work you want to create.
Hope this helps,
Maya
BCU Student Rep
Reply 2
Original post
by garfluvr0Hi! I’ve recently sent off my application for film and have applied to: Napier, Westminster, Middlesex, RCS and York. Just wondering out of these which is the best? I want to write and direct if that’s at all relevant
Hi! I’m a current student ambassador at the University of York. I’m not personally on the film course, but I can share a bit about the film opportunities here and my general experience studying at York 😊
York offers a BSc in Film and Television Production, which is quite hands-on. Students work on projects like short films, documentaries and studio productions, often taking ideas from writing and planning all the way through filming and post-production. From what I’ve seen, the course focuses a lot on practical storytelling and collaboration, which could be really useful if you’re interested in writing and directing.
Something that really complements the course is the student media scene, which is very active. For example:
• YSTV (York Student Television) - one of the biggest student TV stations in the UK. Students produce shows, short films, sketches and documentaries, and it’s a great place to try directing, writing or producing.
• Tech Soc - focuses on the technical side like lighting, sound and stage production, which can also be really helpful for film projects.
• There are also other creative societies where people collaborate on filming projects and media productions.
From my personal experience studying at York, the community aspect is one of the best parts. There are loads of societies and creative opportunities, so it’s quite easy to meet people with similar interests and start working on projects together. Even though I study Computer Science, I’ve still been able to get involved in lots of different activities, performances and student groups, which shows how much the university encourages students to explore things outside their course.
York as a city is also very student-friendly; it’s safe, walkable and quite inspiring creatively with its history and scenery.
Of course, the “best” uni really depends on what you’re looking for in a course and environment, so I’d recommend comparing the modules, facilities and industry opportunities at each place. But York definitely has a strong student media community alongside the course, which can be great if you want to build experience writing or directing while studying.
Happy to answer any questions about York or student life if that helps! 🙂
Reply 3
hey mate, sorry i dont have much of an answer but have you had your portfolio assessed for napier yet? just out of interested as i applied.
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