
Originally founded in Sydney in 1976, the SAE Institute has been providing students with world-class creative media training at its four UK campuses for over 40 years.
At SAE UK, you can study a range of industry-focused degrees across six subject areas: Animation, Audio, Film, Games, Music Business and Web Development, and their specialist fast-track courses enable you to graduate in just two years.
Whether you choose to study at the modern campuses in Glasgow, Liverpool, London or Oxford, you’ll have access to state-of-the-art equipment and benefit from an industry-informed curriculum that’s relevant to workforce needs.
With 50 campuses in 20 countries, you’ll be part of an institution with global reach — in fact, the SAE Institute is the largest creative media school in the world!
When it comes to job prospects, the success of SAE alumni speaks for itself. When you join SAE, you’ll be joining an academic community that has produced BAFTA, Grammy and even Oscar winners!
SAE Institute has 12,000 successful alumni all over the world, so you’ll be able to connect with people who are already working in the creative media industries. You’ll also benefit from the Alumni Mentoring Scheme, a six-month programme where successful alumni share their experience with current students, and make sure they’re ready for the world of work.
There is also the opportunity for both students and alumni to enter their work in to The SAE Awards. This acclaimed annual ceremony awards categories such as Best Film & TV, Best Music and Best VFX and winning here can give your career a huge boost.
All of this, combined with the fact that you’ll learn practical skills using industry-standard equipment throughout your degree, means that you’ll graduate with valuable hands-on experience and the skills you need to succeed in the workplace.
Facilities

Because the SAE Institute offers industry-focused courses, you’ll have access to industry-standard facilities throughout your degree. Just some of the facilities and equipment available across SAEs campuses include:
- Game art animation labs
- Green screens
- Music production studios
- Recording booths
- Cameras and lighting equipment
- Web development labs
- Seminar rooms
- Lecture theatres
- Libraries
The studios on the London campus are staffed by experienced technicians who can help you to make the most of the top-of-the-range equipment. At the Oxford site, you’ll study in a newly-refurbished listed building with all the equipment you need to learn your craft like a pro.
The Liverpool campus is also newly refurbished, and has brand new Mac labs and a live lounge where local bands perform and are recorded on high-tech equipment by students. Finally, the Glasgow campus opened in 1990 and has steadily built a reputation as a centre of excellence in audio and digital filmmaking training ever since.
Courses and Fees

SAE offers 2-year degrees in:
BA/BSc (Hons) Audio Production
BA/BSc (Hons) Digital Film Production
BA/BSc (Hons) Game Art Animation
BA/BSc (Hons) Music Business
BA/BSc (Hons) Visual Effects Animation
BA/BSc (Hons) Web Development
BSc (Hons) Games Programming
We also offer 1-year skills diplomas in all of the above apart from Games Programming.
Tuition fees are £9000 a year for UK/EU students at SAE London, Liverpool and Oxford. Fees for domestic and EU students at SAE Glasgow are £7,500 a year. SAE fees are fully funded by the Student Loans Company for eligible students living in England.
International Students per Year:
Fees for international students are £13,000 a year at SAE London, Liverpool and Oxford, and £11,500 in Glasgow.
SAE 1-year diplomas are self-funded.
Fees for Glasgow - £5,700
Fees for Liverpool, London and Oxford - £6,000
Accommodation
SAE Institute doesn’t have its own halls of residences at any of its UK campuses, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be supported while you’re looking for somewhere to live.
On SAE’s website you can download a comprehensive accommodation guide packed full of useful information on where to start when you’re new to one of their location cities, or even the country. You can also join the SAE’s accommodation Facebook group, where you can find flatmates and news on available properties.
The Institute also has a list of recommended private student accommodation providers for all of its campuses. Often you’ll be able to stay in a private hall of residence with other students in the city, most often in shared flat with a private bedroom and en-suite bathroom, or a studio apartment.
On the private market you can find a room to rent in a shared student house or flat, or a whole property to rent out with your friends.
Open Days
Why come to an open day?
SAE open days are the best way to see our amazing studio, lab and teaching spaces.
Meet our expert lecturers who have a proven track record in the creative industries, but also our talented and inspiring students to find out more about their experience.
What are undergraduate open days like?
At an SAE open day you will:
- Meet students and staff
- Take a campus and studio tour
- See student work
- Get information on admissions, accommodation, fees and finance and student support.
What are postgraduate open days like?
Our virtual postgraduate webinars will allow you to find out more about studying the MA/MSc Professional Practice (Creative Media Industries) online programme.
Virtual tours
If you’re unable to attend an open day or you’re just too excited to wait to visit us in-person, take a virtual 360 tour at https://www.sae.edu/gbr/360-campus-tours
How to get to SAE?
For directions, please visit our campus pages:
Glasgow - https://www.sae.edu/gbr/campuses/glasgow
Liverpool - https://www.sae.edu/gbr/campuses/liverpool
Living Here

You’ll have the choice of living and studying in four vibrant cities with the SAE Institute:
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and a cultural hub packed with museums and art galleries and some of the most beautiful architecture in the country, including buildings designed by the famous Scottish architect, Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
Glasgow has a buzzing gastronomic scene and is fast-developing a reputation as the place to go for the best vegetarian and vegan food in Scotland. There’s also plenty of shopping at the historic Sauchiehall Street, and the West End is where you’ll find all the best bars and clubs.
The London campus is based in the East End, a stone’s throw from trendy Shoreditch, packed full of digital media companies, not to mention pubs, bars, and fashionable eateries.
Of course, you’re not limited to the immediate area. In London you can take advantage of a fantastic public transport system to check out events all over the city with ease. There are also plenty of national and even international rail stations in the capital, so if you want to see more or the UK or Europe, you’ll be perfectly placed to do so.
Liverpool is another lively, student-friendly destination with lots to see and do. It’s a UNESCO City of Music with a wealth of live music venues, and of course the Beatles Story Exhibition. Liverpool also has the most art galleries in the UK outside of London, including the Tate Liverpool, a fantastic contemporary art gallery that shows work by some of the best modern artists in the world.
Liverpool is also a paradise for shoppers. Head to Liverpool ONE to find all the biggest high street names, with plenty of places to eat and drink, and even a mini golf course. You’ll be able to browse designer labels at Tessuti and Harvey Nichols.
Oxford is the smaller of SAE’s locations, so it’s perfect if you like a quieter life. That doesn’t mean you won’t find plenty to do though.
There’s plenty of shopping to be done in the city centre, and you’ll also have the world-famous Ashmolean Museum on your doorstep. You’ll also be just a short train ride away from some of England’s beautiful countryside.
Term Dates
Students can enrol on our programmes in January, May or September.
Travel Information
SAE Glasgow
85-87 Portman Street
Kinning Park
Glasgow
G41 1EJ
Top Questions
What do you look for in your students?
Passion for their subject
How much of an emphasis do you place on building workplace skills like presenting, project management and people skills?
A lot
What's university welfare and disability support like?
SAE has an excellent student experience team who support every student throughout their studies. For further information and to meet the campus teams visit https://www.sae.edu/gbr/student-support
What support is available to students who are struggling for any reason?
Student voice is a priority for us and each campus has a dedicated student rep and student experience officer to support all students with additional needs. More information can be found at https://www.sae.edu/gbr/student-voice
Do you offer any courses/sessions to help mature students with the university experience?
We have specific enrolment sessions and on-course workshops tailored for mature students
What social events do you offer when people first join to help people make friends and settle in?
A freshers Facebook group so new students can start interacting before they enrol, pub quiz and other socials
How much one-to-one contact time do students receive from their lecturers?
12-15 hours per week
What percentage of your students get a full time job after 6 months of graduating?
85% of SAE graduates are in full-time employment within 6 months of graduating.
Roughly how many students start each year?
400
What’s the ratio of male/female students?
70/30
What fields of study is the university best known for?
Animation, Audio Production, Digital Film Production, Games Programming, Music Business and Web Development