What comes to mind right away when you hear the term “film”? Is there live-action with a camera?
Many people are pretty fascinated by the word “film,” and if you were to study film, you would have to look into how cinema, culture, and society are related. Universities in China are undoubtedly among the greatest higher education institutions in Asia and the world, therefore international students may decide to study cinema there.
The best five universities in China for film studies will be revealed in this post, and we’ll also go over a few other crucial points for you. If you’re a film geek looking to pursue your degree in China, you’ll find this article to be of great guidance in locating the ideal school. So let’s begin our discussion now without further ado!
Is a Film Degree in China Worth Pursuing?
Not everyone would pursue a film degree to make a living off of it. It is a cutting-edge industry committed to providing high-quality films that will please people everywhere. If you’re considering pursuing a film degree, you probably have questions regarding where you should go to study about making movies. As the film industry is constantly adopting new procedures and animations to make things more exotic, you would also take into account the technology a country may provide you to learn.
With so much to offer in screenplay, directing, cinematography, and other fields of filmmaking, China may be one of the best countries in which you can obtain a film degree. In addition, compared to Western colleges, Chinese film academies are more affordable, and the Chinese government provides a significant amount of scholarships to draw in creative international students.
Top Film Schools in China for International Students
We have chosen five universities in China where you can further your profession in film. These institutions guarantee the proper instruction, the right tools, and the professionals who can direct you to your first cinema.
1. Hong Kong Baptist University
- Location: Hong Kong | Medium of Instruction: Cantonese, English
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s, MPhil, Ph.D., Higher Diploma
- Study Program | Admissions
Originally known as Hong Kong Baptist College, Hong Kong Baptist University is a publicly supported institution of higher education. There are five primary campuses for the university, and the Academy of Film is committed to providing education in the cinematic arts and creative media to develop skilled individuals who can contribute to the global arts and cultural industries.
The Academy now offers six full-time film programs, including Television and New Media, Television and Digital Media, Acting for the Global Screen, and others, at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Being a top film school in China, you would receive excellent schooling in film and the filmmaking process if you study any of these subjects.
2. Beijing Film Academy
The Beijing Film Academy, the largest film school in China and the world, was founded in May 1950 and was originally known as the Performance Art Institution of the Film Bureau of the Ministry of Culture. The academy initially consisted of two schools: the School of Photography and the Animation School, with their associated departments and subsequent specialties.
Beijing Film Academy is just one of the schools where the future directors of cinema are learning the ropes. It is positioned 51–100 in the QS WUR Ranking by Subject 2023. Moreover, this film school has achieved international acclaim for its work in filmmaking and is one of the finest universities in Beijing.
3. Communication University of China
A prestigious public university in Beijing is called the Communication University of China and the university offers 124 programs across four degrees. International students can further their film studies at schools for journalism, television, the Institute of Communication Studies, the School of Film and Cinematic Arts, and a lot more.
According to the report of Edurank, CUC is ranked eighth in Asia for cinematography. The courses offered here are carefully crafted to provide students from all over the world with the best instruction.
4. Shanghai Theater Academy
- Location: Shanghai | Medium of Instruction: English, Chinese
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s, Ph.D.
- Study Program | Admissions
A renowned art school for artistic students in China is called Shanghai Theatre Academy. The Shanghai Municipal Experimental Theatre School, which was founded on December 1st, 1945, was its previous name. There are ten instructional units at STA, including departments for acting, directing, dramatic literature, stage design, and others, to ensure the true potential development of the students who are enthusiastic about studying cinema.
For the benefit of the nation, STA has trained tens of thousands of artists and cultural administrators in a variety of professions, and many of its graduates have gone on to achieve success in their vocations. They have received several prestigious honors and have a strong reputation and standing both domestically and internationally.
5. The Central Academy of Drama
Established more than 80 years ago in 1938, the Central Academy of Drama is the first higher education institution in the People’s Republic of China with a theater-related focus. It is considered to be among China’s premier institutes for film, top-level drama, cinema, and television arts. The academy is committed to advancing school system growth and reforming higher education.
The annual tuition is roughly 36,000 RMB for bachelor’s degrees and 42,000 RMB for master’s degrees, and it provides several programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. For the sake of students around the world, the academy consistently works to advance teaching quality, reinforce discipline, and build elite faculty teams.
The above-mentioned are excellent institutions in China for studying film at any degree level. A degree in film studies can lead to professions in industries including art, journalism, academia, and marketing. You can learn about the diverse local customs and culture while studying cinema and residing in China, such as the value placed on family, annual festivals, the love of tea, etc.
We hope that this article on the best film schools in China will help kickstart your search for the perfect school to pursue your film degree. Please also check out the China Scholarships Page for more details on studying in China.
