Study film abroad
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Film degrees abroad
For international students, film degrees can provide insight into the world’s most successful visual industries. Whether you’re interested in studying film for the practical area of production, or the analytical side of film criticism, film qualifications are available across the globe in universities, colleges, and even specialist film schools.
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Film program structure
Wherever you decide to study film abroad, you will have a selection of film modules to choose from, which defines your focus on the subject. Film studies modules require many different methods of assessment and ways of learning, including film screenings, lectures, dissertations, seminars, filming, and editing.
You may be required to watch many films in your spare time, which may sound easy but can take up hours of your free time. There will also be many opportunities at university to get involved with film societies, or student media groups to use your skills and knowledge.
Depending on the country you study in, a typical bachelor’s degree in film will take between three and four years, and a master’s degree will take one to two years to complete.
The program curriculum of a film degree would be split into years of study with each year having some compulsory modules, in addition to optional modules to choose from; they would typically focus on the following areas:
- Sound and composition
- Filming and editing
- Culture and identity
- Foreign language cinema
- Genres of cinema
- Film criticism
Types of film degrees
In countries such as the UK and Canada, it is common to study film as a stand alone degree, for example at bachelor’s, master’s or PhD level. However, in the US under a liberal arts education, you may study film as a major or minor meaning you need to dedicate a certain amount of credits to the subject.
Some programs will focus on a particular area of film such as film production or film criticism, which will have different amounts of practical and theoretical study and examination.
Why study film abroad
Studying film requires at least an interest in film, but it may be a particular career path that brings you to study it.
Choosing to study film abroad means you'll have a wide range of programs to choose from, and you could study in a country famous for cinema, or a specific style of film you are passionate about.
It will also give you a unique perspective on how another culture approaches film making that could help you stand out in a competitive market.
Where to study film abroad
Where you study film depends on a few factors and reasons why you are choosing to study it.
Most places in the world have educated notable directors, producers, and filmmakers, so you shouldn’t entirely rule out studying anywhere just because it isn’t known for film.
In all cases it is important to look at the exact details of a university or school’s programs in film to check what you’re interested in is covered.
Best countries to study film
There are many countries and areas with large film industries, making them some of the best countries to study film in. These include:
- USA
- UK
- India
- China
- Japan
- Germany
- France
- Spain
Countries with large film industries can be good options for studying get practical experience through work experience, or even stay on in the country to look for work following completion of your degree.
Best universities to study film
There may be a particular director whose films you love, or a particular film academic whose work you admire. In both cases there will be specific universities that focus on relevant areas to these interests.
The university or film school you decide to apply to will also depend on how practical you want your studies to be. Traditional universities may focus on film in an academic sense, and not the process of making films, as a dedicated film school would.
Film study abroad programs
Film courses at all qualification levels are available across the world to international students. The country, language, and specific university you study in will affect the content of the program, including the types of films focused on and the methods of making them.
At bachelor’s level a film degree would typically sit under a Bachelor of Arts (BA) award, or within a bachelor’s in liberal arts as a major or minor. Master’s degrees in film can be either taught or research.
A doctorate or PhD program in film is likely to be research intensive, with a focus on a very specific aspect of cinema.
Film undergraduate programs
Bachelor's in film
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Acting for Theater, Film and Television - BFA Long Island University Brooklyn, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
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39,458 USD
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- September, January
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Film and Motion Design - BA SRH Berlin University of Applied Sciences, Germany
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 42 months
- Annual tuition fee
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9,450 EUR
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- October, April
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Acting: Film, TV & Stage (Top-up) - BA (Hons) Buckinghamshire New University, UK
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
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14,250 GBP
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- September, February
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Film and Screen Arts - BA (Hons) Arts University Plymouth, UK
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
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16,500 GBP
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- September
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Film - BA (Hons) (with foundation) Bournemouth University, UK
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
17,595 GBP
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- September
Associate in film
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Acting for Film - AFA New York Film Academy, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
39,088 USD
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- August, January, May
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Film, Television and Electronic Media - AA Cuesta College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
12,288 USD
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- August, January
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Film, Television and Electronic Media (for Transfer) - ASc Berkeley City College, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
10,740 USD
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- August, January
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Film, Television, and Electronic Media - ASc College of the Desert, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
7,368 USD
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- August, January
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Film, Television, and Electronic Media (Diablo Valley College) - AS-T Colleges of Contra Costa, USA
- Program type
- Associate
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
9,840 USD
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- August, January
Diploma in film
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Writing for Film and TV - Dip Toronto Film School, Canada
- Program type
- Undergraduate diploma
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
11,040 CAD
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- October, January, April, July
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Film (Melbourne Campus) - Dip AIT Academy of Interactive Technology, Australia
- Program type
- Undergraduate diploma
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
17,250 AUD
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- February, May, September
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Film & Television Production (Montreal Campus) - Dip Trebas Institute, Canada
- Program type
- Undergraduate diploma
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
14,630 CAD
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- January, May
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Film and Television Production - AdvDip Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Canada
- Program type
- Undergraduate diploma
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
20,105 CAD
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- September
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Film and Video Production - Dip Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, Canada
- Program type
- Undergraduate diploma
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
19,935 CAD
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- September
Certificate in film
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Music Production for Film, TV and Games - Cert HE The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance, UK
- Program type
- Undergraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
15,250 GBP
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- September
Pathway in film
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FdA 3D Animation and Visualisation for Film and Games - FdA Arts University Bournemouth, UK
- Program type
- Undergraduate pathway
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
7,250 GBP
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- October, February
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Film and Media, International Year One - UGP University of Sussex, UK
- Program type
- Undergraduate pathway
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
19,750 GBP
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- September, November, January
Film graduate programs
Master's in film
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Film - MA Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
22,670 NZD
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- August, September, October, November, January, February, March, April, May, June, July
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Film & Media Arts - MFA American University, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 3 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
34,596 USD
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- January, September
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Film & Television - MA Falmouth University, UK
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
17,950 GBP
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- September
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Film and Photography Preservation and Collections Management - MA Toronto Metropolitan University, Canada
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
32,814 CAD
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- January, September
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Film and Television - MSc DePaul University, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
23,868 USD
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- September
Doctorate in film
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Film, Media and Communication - PhD University of Portsmouth, UK
- Program type
- Doctorate
- Duration
- 6 years
- Annual tuition fee
-
8,150 GBP
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- October, February
Certificate in film
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Advanced Television and Film - PGCert Sheridan College, Canada
- Program type
- Postgraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
32,905 CAD
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- September, January, May
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Film and Multiplatform Storytelling - PGCert Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Canada
- Program type
- Postgraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
18,498 CAD
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- September
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Film and Television: Business - OCGCert Centennial College, Canada
- Program type
- Postgraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Annual tuition fee
-
17,303 CAD
Fees are displayed in the university's local currency
- Start date
- September
Entry requirements to study film abroad
As it’s unlikely you would have studied film specifically at high school level, university’s and film schools won’t need a specific score for a film class for admission to a bachelor’s, but may want you to show you have experience with media and/or art.
At master’s and doctorate levels, the admission process may need you to prove you have sufficient practical or academic experience with cinema.
Studying film abroad will require an admission process that is set by the specific university for the exact program want to study. Every institution will want you to have passion and an interest in film, but you may also need to provide the university with the following:
- Academic transcripts
- An English language proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL or IELTS)
- Proof of finances
- References
- CV
- Personal statement
Future film careers
Film degrees have a wide range of careers associated with them, as well as transferable skills that are useful in other industries. You’ll have a good ability to analyse and organize following a film studies course.
Common film degree jobs include:
- Journalist
- Camera operator
- Producer
- Director
- Broadcast engineer