Studying film at a highly-regarded school is one of the most common ways that people break into the entertainment industry. Film schools provide intense practical training so graduates will feel right at home when they transition into a professional setting.
Whether you want to work as a director, cinematographer, writer, or editor, having a degree will give you a competitive edge over the thousands vying for filmmaking careers.
The vibrant creative scene of Europe is home to several film schools. Many award-winning artists graduated from here and would highly recommend studying film in a continent filled with people who appreciate the craft.
However, only a few of these schools have truly made a name for themselves. If you plan to attend one, here are some of the best film schools in Europe.
Where is the Best Place to Pursue a Film Career?
If you are looking for the best place for a film career, places like Los Angeles or New York should be on your list. New York is one of the most vibrant cities in the world, full of theatres and home to Broadway. Los Angeles, on the other hand, is home to many celebrities in the film industry. If you dream of working in any of these film capitals, you must have the right qualifications, starting with getting the right degree. While we do not have specific courses on film, you can browse through our available courses to find the perfect fit from anywhere in the world, including Europe.
Top Film Schools in Europe for International Students
1. London Film School
Originally founded in 1956 and considered one of the best film schools in the U.K., London Film School is the oldest film school in the country. It is located right next to Soho – the European counterpart of Hollywood. This school is very selective and accepts only 260 students each year.
LFS follows a conservatory model. Instead of having a curriculum like in traditional universities, conservatory students focus only on their specific field. At LFS, all your time will be spent working on films created by you and your peers. You will learn the intricacies of filmmaking by experience and finish school with an extensive portfolio of directing, writing, editing, and cinematography.
The school offers an M.A. in Filmmaking, an M.A. in Screenwriting, an M.A. in International Film Business, and a Ph.D. Film by Practice. Fully equipped studios, editing suites, recording areas, and an extensive range of cameras are available for use by students. Through the school’s industry connections, students may also access Soho facilities from time to time.
2. University of Television and Film Munich
This top film school in Europe is more popularly known by its German name, Hochschule für Fernsehen und Film München (HFF Munich). Established in 1966, it is a public film school that accepts only about 350 students every year.
HFF Munich specializes in training the next generation of filmmakers from an earlier age. The school only offers bachelor’s degrees in seven disciplines, namely Film and TV Feature, Cinematography and VFX, Screenplay, Montage, Film and TV Documentary, and Production and Media Business. No postgraduate degrees have been available since 2019.
Undergraduates can pursue specializations as they are working on their Bachelor’s degree. Classes in journalism, advertising, creative writing, and serial storytelling classes are not required but are available for those who want to expand their knowledge and portfolio further.
3. Lodz Film School
The Leon Schiller National Film School, more popularly known as Lodz Film School, has been a mecca for aspiring filmmakers who are fluent in the Polish language. Some of their most notable alumni include Andrzej Wajda and Roman Polanski, both highly regarded for creating award-winning films about Polish history.
Since its establishment in 1948, Lodz has educated artists through intensive practical learning. More time is spent working with cameras, editing software, and other production equipment than doing lectures in the classroom. The school successfully finishes the production of 300 student documentaries and films every year.
Lodz is an excellent film school that offers 3-year Bachelor’s degrees in Film and TV Direction, Screenwriting, and Film and TV Production. It also offers a 2-year M.A. in Film and TV Production. All courses are taught in Polish and language classes are available for international students who want to improve their fluency.
4. 3iS Film and Cinema School Paris
The International Institute for Image and Sound, more widely known as 3is Paris, is a private institution for film education primarily based in Paris. With additional campuses in Bordeaux and Lyon, the school boasts over 15,000 square meters of space dedicated to multi-camera studios, editing facilities, sound booths, and screening rooms.
3is offers a BFA in Filmmaking, a B.A. in Film, an MFA in Cinematography, and an MFA in Recording and Music Production. Bachelor’s degrees take three years to complete, including a six-month internship while Master’s degrees take two years. All courses are taught in English.
5. La Fémis
Situated in the heart of Paris, La Femis is considered the most prestigious film school in the world. It is part of the Paris Sciences et Lettres University and aims to train students in all aspects of filmmaking. Only 50 students are admitted every year.
As one of Europe’s best film schools, La Femis only accepts students in higher education. It has a unique 4-year curriculum designed to provide in-classroom and practical training across various filmmaking disciplines. During the 2nd and 4th years, some students participate in foreign exchange programs. La Femis has established partnerships with international film schools for this, including HFF in Munich, CalArts in Los Angeles, and Columbia University in New York.
All courses at La Femis are offered only in French. Students who successfully finish the curriculum are awarded an institution-specific degree equivalent to a Master’s.
6. Tallinn University – Baltic Film, Media and Arts School
Tallinn University is a public university formally founded in 2005. It is the result of a merger of several schools and institutions based in the capital of Estonia. The film program is offered by the Baltic Film, Media, and Arts School.
BFA offers a bachelor’s degree in Audiovisual Media, which has a curriculum dedicated to mastering the technical aspects of filmmaking, including cinematography, light, and design. You can also study for a bachelor’s degree in Crossmedia, which focuses on producing content for non-traditional platforms like live performances and social media.
This top film school in Europe also offers master’s degrees in Screen Media and Innovation, Documentary Film, and Communication Management.
7. National Film and Television School
The National Film and Television School runs the greatest number of courses in filmmaking in Europe. With over 30 master’s and certificate courses, NFTS has the broadest range of behind-the-camera courses, including very niche disciplines such as production accounting and script supervision.
It was founded in 1971 and only offers 2-year master’s degrees. Students can choose from 17 concentrations, including cinematography, creative business, editing, and screenwriting. In over 50 years, the school has produced many notable graduates. One of them is David Yates, who later directed several Harry Potter Films.
Industry professionals make up the faculty at NFTS. Masterclasses from big names in entertainment are also conducted once in a while.
8. VIA University College
- Location: Denmark | Medium of Instruction: Danish, English
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s
- Study Program | Admissions
VIA University College is a Danish institution established in 2008. The school has campuses in various cities across the country, with the main campus located in Horsens.
With its cutting-edge facilities and extensive curriculum, VIA University College is regarded as one of the top schools for film in Europe. It offers a Bachelor’s program in Multiplatform Storytelling and Production, three and a half-year program that covers various aspects of filmmaking. You’ll have the opportunity to work on both narrative and documentary films during your time at VIA University College.
9. University of the Arts London
Located in High Holborn, London, the University of the Arts London is a large consortium of art schools in England. It was formed in 2004 and is made up of six colleges, all of which have a focus on arts and design.
The institution offers a Bachelor’s in Film Practice and a Bachelor’s in Film and Television. These two four-year programs cover various filmmaking aspects, from directing to cinematography to screenwriting.
Master’s students at the University of the Arts London can pursue an M.A. in Film. The program is two years in duration and focuses on the practical aspects of filmmaking.
10. Bournemouth University
Bournemouth University was established in 1992. The university has seven schools, one of which is the School of Film and Media. This school offers both undergraduate and graduate programs in filmmaking.
The three-year Bachelor’s program introduces students to all aspects of cinematography and filmmaking. Bournemouth University offers a wide range of electives, allowing students to specialize in their area of interest. During the two-year Master’s program, students can choose to specialize in either directing or producing.
11. Warsaw Film School
The Warsaw Film School is a Polish institution founded by screenwriter and producer, Maciej Ślesicki, and Bogusław Linda, a well-known Polish actor. By designing a curriculum influenced by their professional experiences, both founders led the school to become one of the best schools for film in Europe. It offers a three-year Bachelor’s program in Film and Multimedia.
This course allows students the opportunity to direct various types of films, including documentaries, music videos, and short films. Students also learn about screenwriting, cinematography, and producing through vigorous practical and theoretical training.
12. Film and Audiovisual School of Catalonia
The Escola Superior de Cinema i Audiovisuals de Catalunya, better known as ESCAC, is a film school located in the Spanish city of Barcelona. It was founded in 1994 and is one of the top film schools in Europe. In addition to its filmmaking programs, ESCAC also offers courses in animation and video game design.
ESCAC is a highly selective school. This three-year bachelor’s program introduces students to filmmaking by teaching them about directing, cinematography, and producing. As a student at ESCAC, you’ll have the opportunity to make your own short films. The master’s program at ESCAC is a two-year course focusing on screenwriting and directing.
13. Aalto University
The Aalto University School of Arts, Design, and Architecture is located in Helsinki, Finland. It was established in 2010 and uses Finnish, Swedish, and English as its teaching languages. The school has various programs in design, architecture, media, and art.
Aalto University offers a four-year bachelor’s and two-year master’s program in Film and Television. The two courses are among the most popular programs at the school. Both programs allow students to specialize in either directing or producing.
The undergraduate course is made up of practical and theoretical training, while the master’s program is research-oriented.
14. Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
- Location: Greece
- Degrees Offered: Bachelor’s, Master’s
- Study Program
Greece’s Aristotle University of Thessaloniki is the country’s largest institution of higher education. It was established in 1925 and has since grown to become a leading research and teaching university. The university is best known for its programs in the arts and humanities but has a particularly strong reputation as one of the top European schools for film studies.
The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki has a Faculty of Fine Arts that has four schools. One of them, the School of Film was founded in 2004. The four-year Bachelor’s program in Film Studies helps students gain a comprehensive understanding of filmmaking through theoretical and practical training. The two-year master’s program in Fine Arts allows students to specialize in either directing or producing.
15. Institute of Art Design + Technology – The National Film School
Dublin’s Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design, and Technology is a leading institution for creative education and research. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs in various disciplines, including design, media, arts, and technology.
There are multiple filmmaking programs at Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design, and Technology that provide practical and theoretical training. You’ll have the opportunity to make your own films and practice your screenwriting, directing, and producing skills. If your goal is to work in the Irish film industry, the Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design, and Technology is an excellent choice.
16. Edinburgh Napier University
Edinburgh Napier University is a public university in the Scottish capital of Edinburgh. It was established in 1992 and has since become one of the best universities in Scotland. The university has a strong focus on business, creative industries, and life sciences.
It is also home to the Edinburgh School of Film, Television, and Media, which offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs. The three-year bachelor’s program covers a broad range of topics, such as directing, cinematography, and producing. The master’s program at Edinburgh Napier University is a two-year course focusing on screenwriting and directing.
17. FAMU – Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts
In 1946, the Czech Republic’s Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts (FAMU) was established in Prague as a branch of the Academy of Performing Arts. FAMU is the oldest and best film school in Eastern Europe and has educated some of the region’s most successful filmmakers, including Academy Award-winning director Miloš Forman.
The school offers three-year undergraduate programs and two-year graduate programs. The courses are focused on practical training and prepare students for careers in the film and television industry. FAMU has a studio complex with state-of-the-art equipment, making it one of the best-equipped film schools in Europe.
We hope that you found this article on the best film schools in Europe informative and helpful. To learn more information about studying abroad and such, check out the Programs in Europe for International Students!
