I'm currently studying at UH with some of the posters above.
I researched a host of universities before deciding where I wanted to apply last year. These included the much lauded Bournemouth and Ravensbourne, Uni of Herts, UCA (Farnham) and Portsmouth Uni.
In my opinon a film and Tv course is governed by the determination and dedication of the student and the opportunities that each course can offer them.
Farnham was a bit of a joke to be honest, the staff seemed very cold and unhelpful during open days, the standard of the editing equipment is laughable in comparison to Uh. The winning moment came at the end of my interview when the interviewee asked where else I had applied and when I told him remarked, "Oh really? why are you applying here for? I'd go to Herts instead..."
Bournemouth, well it claims that 100% of students get a job in the industry after graduation. That's a load of *******s. They also do assignments based on using 16mm film to learn the value of setting up your shots correctly and taking your time with your film. Ok, but its a completely dead technology and stands you in no stead at all in the industry. Also, film students are treat like dogs and sent to Salisbury, where the facilities are less than useless.
I have two friends currently at Bournemouth, one doing TV one doing film, neither are enjoying it and feel they've dropped a ******* going there.
Ravensbourne was a waste of time unless you want to be surrounded by vapid stick thin anorexics...
Portsmouth was obsessed with documentaries, and the equipment was not true hd. DV tapes are the way of the dinosaur.
Uni of Herts was different, it was unique. It was the only place i visited twice and the lecturers remembered my name. The standard of equipment, the forward thinking, means that students are utilizing equipment that the leading lights of the industry are currently experimenting with and will in common usage by the time we graduate. Equipment like Digital SLR cameras.
Uni of Herts are building relationships with employers and making every effort to find work experience for students, not just go " well, if you can find it you can do it..."
Last week we received an exclusive workshop with Phillip Bloom, a leading industry guru on DSLR's, he was very impressed by the students and staff he met, think I'm lying? check his Twitter page...
Bloom wont be visiting any other Unis in the UK that's for sure.
The level of dedication given by members of staff is untouchable, always willing to listen, to help, to explain. We receive excellent camera and editorial lectures, not just "ooh look! Here's the on switch!"
Were looking to create films using shallow depth of field, to bring our camera work to as near a professional level as possible, as quickly and help our films stand out from the crowd.
Herts has struck an excellent balance between theory and practical and allows students the chance to grow and make more innovative films rather the same old bland tosh doled out by so many students.
You need simply to search out the showreels and vimeo pages of current students and the curators webpage to see the calibre of creation available at Uni of Herts.
The course may be quite new of the scene but its making leaps and bounds every year and i can say honestly this was the best decision I could have made, cos this uni embraces students with determination and dedication.
Robby Richmond Ba in Film and TV Entertainment Uni of Herts(eventually!)
ps Seriously where else are you going to find a course that offers you a chance to be an Apple accredited editor for free? That course in itself is a huge step in the right direction gaining a job in the industry...