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Study film abroad

: We maximize your chance of getting admitted to your chosen universities

The smart alternative to applying direct for film degrees abroad and the easy way to find programs that match your eligibility and aspirations

Find your perfect film programs abroad

Find film programs you love that match your needs & aspirations, where you stand a high chance of acceptance.

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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.

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

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.

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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

  • false

    Dance and Film & Visual Culture - BA (Hons) Liverpool Hope University, UK

    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Duration
    3 years
    Annual tuition fee
    15,506 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 12,500 GBP

    Start date
    September
    Show program overview about Dance and Film & Visual Culture
  • false

    Acting for Theatre, Film & Television - BFA Long Island University Brooklyn, USA

    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Duration
    4 years
    Annual tuition fee
    35,736 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 35,736 USD

    Start date
    September, January
    Show program overview about Acting for Theatre, Film & Television
  • false

    Acting: Film, TV & Stage - BA (Hons) Buckinghamshire New University, UK

    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Duration
    3 years
    Annual tuition fee
    15,506 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 12,500 GBP

    Start date
    September, February
    Show program overview about Acting: Film, TV & Stage
  • false

    Film - BA Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand

    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Duration
    3 years
    Annual tuition fee
    17,158 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 28,621 NZD

    Start date
    February
    Show program overview about Film
  • false

    Film and Media Studies - BA Oglethorpe University, USA

    Program type
    Bachelor's
    Duration
    4 years
    Annual tuition fee
    39,300 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 39,300 USD

    Start date
    August, January, June
    Show program overview about Film and Media Studies

Associate in film

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    Acting for Film - AFA New York Film Academy, USA

    Program type
    Associate
    Duration
    16 months
    Annual tuition fee
    37,226 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 37,226 USD

    Start date
    August, January, May
    Show program overview about AFA Acting for Film
  • false

    Film Production - ASc Santa Monica College, USA

    Program type
    Associate
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    9,264 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 9,264 USD

    Start date
    August, January, February, June
    Show program overview about Film Production
  • false

    Film, Television, and Electronic Media - ASc College of the Desert, USA
    • Blended learning

    Program type
    Associate
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    7,368 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 7,368 USD

    Start date
    August, January
    Show program overview about Film, Television, and Electronic Media
  • false

    Film Production Technology - ASc Broward College, USA

    Program type
    Associate
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    8,952 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 8,952 USD

    Start date
    August, May
    Show program overview about FILM PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY, ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE
  • false

    Film, Television and Electronic Media - AA Cuesta College, USA

    Program type
    Associate
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    10,650 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 10,650 USD

    Start date
    August, January
    Show program overview about Film, Television and Electronic Media

Diploma in film

  • false

    Acting for Film and Television - UGDip Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Canada

    Program type
    Undergraduate diploma
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    11,347 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 15,412 CAD

    Start date
    September
    Show program overview about Acting for Film and Television
  • false

    Writing for Film and TV - Dip Toronto Film School, Canada

    Program type
    Undergraduate diploma
    Duration
    18 months
    Annual tuition fee
    26,319 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 35,746 CAD

    Start date
    October, January, April, July
    Show program overview about Writing for Film and TV
  • false

    Broadcasting: Radio, Television, Film & Digital Media - OCADip Centennial College, Canada

    Program type
    Undergraduate diploma
    Duration
    3 years
    Annual tuition fee
    12,298 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 16,704 CAD

    Start date
    September
    Show program overview about Broadcasting - Radio, Television, Film & Digital Media
  • false

    Broadcasting: Television and Film Production - OCDip Fanshawe College, Canada

    Program type
    Undergraduate diploma
    Duration
    14 months
    Annual tuition fee
    12,796 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 17,380 CAD

    Start date
    September
    Show program overview about Broadcasting - Television and Film Production
  • false

    Digital Film Production - OCDip Sault College, Canada

    Program type
    Undergraduate diploma
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    11,390 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 15,470 CAD

    Start date
    September
    Show program overview about Digital Film Production

Certificate in film

  • false

    Film Production Management - Cert College of the Desert, USA
    • Blended learning

    Program type
    Undergraduate certificate
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    7,368 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 7,368 USD

    Start date
    August, January
    Show program overview about Film Production Management
  • false

    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
    17,056 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 13,750 GBP

    Start date
    September
    Show program overview about Music Production for Film, TV and Games

Pathway in film

  • false

    Media and Film Studies - International Year One - UGP University of Sussex, UK

    Program type
    Undergraduate pathway
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    23,321 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 18,800 GBP

    Start date
    September, January
    Show program overview about Media and Film Studies - International Year One

Film graduate programs

Master's in film

  • false

    Arts: Cinema Studies - MA University of Canterbury, New Zealand

    Program type
    Master's
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    19,184 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 32,000 NZD

    Start date
    January, February
    Show program overview about Arts: Cinema Studies
  • false

    Sound Design for Film and Television - MA Bournemouth University, UK

    Program type
    Master's
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    17,987 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 14,500 GBP

    Start date
    January
    Show program overview about Sound Design for Film and Television
  • false

    Contemporary Film Culture - MA University of the West of England - UWE Bristol, UK

    Program type
    Master's
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    19,227 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 15,500 GBP

    Start date
    September
    Show program overview about Contemporary Film Culture
  • false

    Documentary Film Production - MA London Metropolitan University, UK

    Program type
    Master's
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    16,436 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 13,250 GBP

    Start date
    September
    Show program overview about Documentary Film Production
  • false

    Film - MFA Miami International University of Art & Design, USA

    Program type
    Master's
    Duration
    2 years
    Annual tuition fee
    29,475 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 29,475 USD

    Start date
    October, January, April, July
    Show program overview about Film

Doctorate in film

  • false

    Cinema Studies - PhD University of Canterbury, New Zealand

    Program type
    Doctorate
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    4,255 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 7,099 NZD

    Start date
    August, September, October, November, January, February, March, April, May, June, July
    Show program overview about Cinema Studies
  • false

    Film, Media and Communication - PhD University of Portsmouth, UK

    Program type
    Doctorate
    Duration
    3 years
    Annual tuition fee
    20,219 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 16,300 GBP

    Start date
    October, February
    Show program overview about Film, Media and Communication

Diploma in film

  • false

    Arts: Cinema Studies - PGDipArts University of Canterbury, New Zealand

    Program type
    Postgraduate diploma
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    16,306 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 27,200 NZD

    Start date
    January, February
    Show program overview about Arts: Cinema Studies

Certificate in film

  • false

    Advanced Television and Film - PGCert Sheridan College, Canada

    Program type
    Postgraduate certificate
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    24,227 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 32,905 CAD

    Start date
    September
    Show program overview about Advanced Television and Film
  • false

    Advanced Television and Film: Script to Screen - PGCert Centennial College, Canada

    Program type
    Postgraduate certificate
    Duration
    1 year
    Annual tuition fee
    11,554 USD

    Fee in university's local currency 15,693 CAD

    Start date
    September
    Show program overview about Advanced Television and Film – Script to Screen

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