Studying film at a specialist school can provide structured practical training, access to production equipment, and opportunities to collaborate with other filmmakers.
A degree is one route into film and television, but employers may also consider a candidate’s portfolio, production experience, technical skills, and professional network.
Europe is home to public and private institutions offering film education in several languages and at different academic levels.
Let’s take a look at the top film schools in Europe.
Top Film Schools in Europe
1. London Film School
Founded in 1956, London Film School is one of the world’s longest-running centers for filmmaking. It is also included in our guide to the best film schools in the U.K.
LFS follows a conservatory model. Students on its MA Filmmaking program learn through collaborative production work, practical guidance, and filmmaking deadlines rather than relying exclusively on classroom lectures.
The school’s current full-time courses include an MA in Filmmaking, MA in Screenwriting, MA in Film Marketing, MA in Film Producing, and MA in International Film Business. It also offers short courses and professional development opportunities.
2. University of Television and Film Munich
The University of Television and Film Munich is more commonly known by its German name, Hochschule für Fernsehen und Film München, or HFF Munich.
Current study areas include Film and Television Feature, Film and Television Documentary, Montage, Production and Media Business, Screenplay, and Cinematography and VFX. Students can also participate in interdisciplinary offerings covering subjects such as creative writing, television journalism, advertising, and serial storytelling.
3. Lodz Film School
The Leon Schiller National Film School, more commonly known as Lodz Film School, educates directors, cinematographers, animators, photographers, screenwriters, editors, production managers, and actors. Regular degree programs are taught in Polish, and applicants must meet the language requirement for their chosen course.
The school places a strong emphasis on practical production. Its students complete approximately 300 film projects each year using professional production and post-production facilities.
Program structures vary by subject. Directing and cinematography are offered as integrated five-year master’s programs rather than three-year bachelor’s degrees. Other fields are available at bachelor’s or master’s level, and the school also operates a doctoral school.
4. 3iS Film and Cinema School Paris
The International Institute for Image and Sound, more widely known as 3iS, is a private creative-arts institution. It operates campuses in Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon, Nantes, and Avignon.
Its English-taught BA in Film & TV in Paris takes three years to complete and is delivered full-time on campus. The curriculum covers the major creative and technical areas of film and television production.
3iS also offers a two-year Master in Filmmaking, along with programs in areas such as recording and music production. Applicants should check the language, campus, and qualification attached to each program because these differ across the school’s portfolio.
5. La Fémis
Situated in Paris, La Fémis is featured in our guide to the best film schools in the world. It is a member of the Paris Sciences et Lettres University community and provides advanced training in filmmaking and related screen professions.
La Fémis has a four-year core curriculum covering seven departments: directing, production, screenwriting, cinematography, sound, editing, and production design. The diploma awarded through the core curriculum carries the French grade of master.
French proficiency is compulsory for the core program’s competitive entrance examination. La Fémis also participates in the three-year SACRe practice-based doctoral program administered through PSL.
6. Tallinn University – Baltic Film, Media and Arts School
Tallinn University’s Baltic Film, Media and Arts School, commonly known as BFM, offers programs at bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Depending on the program, instruction is available in Estonian or English.
Bachelor’s options include Audiovisual Media and Crossmedia. Audiovisual Media develops filmmaking and production skills, while Crossmedia combines storytelling, media production, audience engagement, and marketing across multiple platforms.
Current graduate offerings include programs such as Documentary Film and Communication Management. BFM also offers a four-year PhD in Audiovisual Arts and Media Studies.
7. National Film and Television School
The National Film and Television School offers a broad selection of behind-the-camera courses, including highly specialized subjects such as production accounting, script supervision, cinematography, editing, producing, and screenwriting.
Its current full-time portfolio includes two-year MFA programs, one-year MA programs, diplomas, certificates, and short courses. Applicants should review the page for their chosen subject to confirm its qualification, length, and delivery format.
8. VIA University College
VIA University College’s Film & Transmedia department is based at Filmby Aarhus, a professional film and media environment in Aarhus.
VIA offers a professional bachelor’s degree in Multiplatform Storytelling and Production. The Danish-language program takes three and a half years to complete and carries 210 ECTS credits.
The curriculum covers storytelling and production across multiple platforms and includes practical projects. VIA also offers international semester-based opportunities, but the Multiplatform Storytelling and Production qualification itself is a bachelor’s program rather than a master’s degree.
9. University of the Arts London
University of the Arts London offers film programs through London College of Communication.
Its BA Film Practice and BA Film and Television programs normally take three years of full-time study, The courses combine creative development with practical production work in areas such as directing, cinematography, editing, sound, and screenwriting.
The full-time MA Film currently takes one year and three months to complete. It is a practical postgraduate course centered on independent filmmaking, experimentation, and critical development.
10. Bournemouth University
Bournemouth University currently offers a BA (Hons) in Film & TV Production and separate postgraduate programs in directing and producing for film and television.
The BA normally takes three years and includes a four-week placement. Students may instead select a four-year route that incorporates a minimum 30-week placement.
The MA Directing Film and Television and MA Producing Film and Television are separate one-year, full-time degrees.
We hope you found this article on film schools in Europe informative and helpful. For additional study-abroad options, explore these Programs in Europe for International Students.
