Emerson College combines a strong liberal arts foundation with hands-on training in visual and media arts, from 16 mm film to emerging technologies. Its alumni, including recent Academy Award winners and members of the long-standing “Emerson Mafia” network, reflect the College's commitment to providing a top-tier film education from coast to coast.
Beginning in Fall 2025, the Department of Visual and Media Arts will expand into the School of Film, Television, & Media Arts in Boston and Los Angeles, offering both undergraduate and graduate degrees designed to equip students with the skills they need to become resilient and versatile filmmakers. The broad curriculum allows Emersonians to continuously grow by exploring other hands-on media arts disciplines, including photography, installation art, animation, virtual/augmented reality, music/sound design, and virtual production.
Emerson's reputation reflects its impressive growth. In 2025, The Hollywood Reporter ranked Emerson no. 6 among the top US film schools, highlighting its Unreal Engine-powered virtual production studio and integration of AI tools across the curriculum. The College was also reclassified by the Carnegie Institutional Classification as a Special Focus College of Arts, Music, and Design, reflecting its concentrated academic focus. New facilities such as the Gaming and Immersive Media Lab demonstrate how Emerson equips students to find their artistic voices while staying ahead of the curve.
Both the undergraduate application and graduate application are currently open, with undergraduate deadlines starting November 3, 2025. Before you apply for 2026 entry, keep reading to find out the updated admissions guidelines and exciting new developments to Emerson’s film program.
What is it like studying film at Emerson College?
Located in the heart of downtown Boston, Massachusetts, Emerson's home campus places students in one of the most exciting cities on the East Coast. Founded in 1880, Emerson is located in the heart of the Theatre District and is only steps away from Boston Common, the oldest park in the country.
Massachusetts has a growing film industry, offering Emersonians key industry and networking opportunities. In the past five years, dozens of large-budget films and television series were filmed across the state, from "Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice" to "The Walking Dead: Dead City." In addition, many short films were shot in the heart of Boston, such as "SØMÄ ALGEBRA" and "Pocket Bonds."
The Equipment Distribution Center (EDC) loans 700 digital cameras and more than 55 16mm cameras each semester, and students edit and produce their films using Apple technology and industry-standard software. After graduation, many film students have enjoyed the loyalty, mutual support, and lifelong friendships that come with the alumni network — it isn’t called the “Emerson Mafia” for nothing.
Emerson Los Angeles: Hands-on filmmaking in the heart of Hollywood
Emersonians thrive during their studies at the Los Angeles campus on Sunset Boulevard, one of the prime spots for filmmakers to launch their careers. Since opening in 2014, it has provided undergraduates and graduates with classrooms, film screening and sound mixing facilities, outdoor terraces, and on-site housing for 215 students per semester. The campus blends professional-grade resources with a vibrant creative atmosphere. Undergraduates can study at the Los Angeles campus for a single spring or fall semester, and low-residency MFA in Writing for Film and Television participate in several Los Angeles residencies.The Princeton Review ranked Emerson no. 8 among the nation's best LGBTQ-friendly colleges, reflecting the historically inclusive environment of both Los Angeles and Boston. LGBTQ film students can join Emerson’s Advancement Group for Love and Expression (EAGLE) along with Theyta, an association for gender non-binary and gender-nonconforming students.
Expand your network and knowledge through the Professional (ProArts) consortium
Networking and learning opportunities go beyond Emerson. Film students can study at other celebrated Boston institutions under the Professional Arts (ProArts) Consortium, an association of seven Boston-based, visual and performing arts institutions of higher learning. This includes: Berklee College of Music, Boston Architectural College, Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, New England Conservatory, and the School of Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University.
In their second semester, undergraduates can cross register for courses at any ProArts institution and can take a maximum of 28 ProArts credits. (Note: ProArts courses require a minimum 2.7 GPA.)
10 commonly asked questions about Emerson College
1. What are Emerson College’s portfolio requirements?
Emerson recommends that Media Arts Production BFA/BA applicants provide one creative sample from the following:- A film or video submission up to 5 minutes in length (up to 5 GB per file);
- A 5- to 10-page script or screenplay;
- An audio or sound clip; or
- Digital photography.
There is no minimum requirement for cast, and applicants do not have to use the entire allotted run time or meet the page limit to stand out. Additionally, samples in language(s) other than English must have English subtitles or an uploaded English translation.
2. Does Emerson College give merit scholarships?
Along with institutional grant money to help undergraduates with demonstrated financial need, the Office of Undergraduate Admission also offers merit scholarships that reward hard work, leadership, and community involvement.The Office of Graduate Admission offers four merit-based fellowships based on academic excellence, artistic promise, and professional experience. All applicants who submit their applications on time are automatically entered to receive merit-based fellowships. The following awards range from $10,000 and up:
- Graduate Dean's Fellowship
- Half Tuition Fellowship
- Presidential Fellowship
- Emerson Alumni Encore Scholarship
3. Does Emerson College require an interview?
An interview is not required for acceptance. However, applicants can contact their admissions counselors to try to set up an interview.4. How many campuses does Emerson College have?
Emerson film students can also study in Los Angeles, California; Prague, Czech Republic; Paris, France; and Kasteel Well, the Netherlands.The Emerson Los Angeles (ELA) program gives Emerson film students the chance to take courses and internships in the heart of Hollywood (see: “Get a Head Start in Hollywood at Emerson Los Angeles"). The ELA building houses up to 215 students per semester and offers easy access to Fox, Paramount, and other major motion picture studios.
In the Global BFA in Film Art, undergraduate film students start and end the program in Boston for two semesters. The remainder of the program takes place in Paris, France at the Paris College of Art along with one summer at Emerson's satellite campus in Kasteel Well, the Netherlands.
Few other film programs in the world offer students the chance to find their muse at a breathtaking 14th-century moated medieval castle in the Netherlands and the capital of France. In addition to expanding their awareness of global film and communications and developing French language skills, students can strengthen their storytelling skills by independently exploring the highlights of Western Europe.
The Prague summer film program places Emerson students at the Academy of Performing Arts (FAMU), one of Europe’s most prestigious and top-ranked institutions for film, across four weeks of study. FAMU and Emerson College faculty provide instruction and mentorship in a production course and a film studies course. By the end of the summer program, in teams of two, students will produce a 5-7 minute digital film.
5. How competitive is Emerson College?
Emerson is a moderately selective college with an overall higher acceptance rate compared to other universities and colleges in our database. In 2022-2023, Emerson enrolled 4,123 undergraduates but awarded only 359 film degrees.FilmSchool.org users have reported even higher acceptance rates (see “Emerson College Acceptance Rate”). Visit our Application Database to learn more about accepted student demographics.
6. How many graduate students are admitted to Emerson’s film program each year?
The low-residency Writing for Film and Television MFA admits 12 students per academic cycle, while the Film and Media Art MFA admits 28 to 32 students each year, according to faculty and staff.7. Is Emerson College progressive?
Emerson is known for offering a forward-thinking, liberal atmosphere. The College has also worked to better address racism and prejudice on-campus by providing annual Teach-In on Race seminars led by prolific BIPOC figures in the film industry, such as Anna Deavere Smith. Founded in 2016 by an ad-hoc Cultural Competence Committee, Teach-Ins include student activism sessions and student-led panels about racial equity. Faculty-only sessions help instructors tackle the why and how of teaching students about race.The Social Justice Collaborative at Emerson also helps support individuals and communities within marginalized groups. (Learn more about the SJC’s initiatives here.) In addition, the Office of Intercultural Student Affairs provides more than a dozen cultural organizations that support BIPOC, disabled, and LGBTQ students.
8. Does Emerson College offer a full ride?
Yes. The Creative Circle scholarship invites undergraduates into the Emerson Circle of Creative Scholars (ECCS), joining students who have made significant academic accomplishments and contributions to their community. Additionally, Emerson offers a limited number of graduate Full Tuition fellowships.9. What is Emerson's student-to-faculty ratio?
Emerson has a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio.10. How much does Emerson College cost to attend?
For the 2025–2026 academic year, the tuition for undergraduates is $57,984, while the tuition for a single graduate credit at Emerson is $1,495. For an in-depth overview of additional costs such as fees, housing, residencies, and materials, please read "Emerson College Cost of Attendance, Financial Aid, and Scholarships for 2026 Entry."Emerson College film school virtual information sessions
Destination Graduate School: Emerson College OverviewDate: September 17, 2025, 12:00 p.m. EDT
Details from Emerson's website: Ready to take the next step in your academic journey at Emerson? Join us for a virtual Graduate Admission Overview! During this session, you'll get the opportunity to ask questions, hear from our admissions counselors, and learn more about Emerson College's diverse graduate programs, our vibrant community, our admissions process, and so much more.
Click here to RSVP
Graduate Film and Media Art (MFA) Webinar
Date: September 15, 2025, 2:00 p.m. EDT
Details from Emerson's website: Join us for a virtual Film and Media Art (MFA) Information Session! During this session, you'll get the opportunity to hear from our admissions staff and faculty and learn more about the Film and Media Art program, the application process, life at Emerson, and more. We hope to see you there!
Click here to RSVP
Graduate Writing for Film and Television Webinar
Date: October 1, 2025, 12:00 p.m. EDT
Details from Emerson's website: Join us for a virtual Writing for Film and Television (MFA) Information Session! During this session, you'll get the opportunity to hear from our admissions staff and learn more about the Writing for Film and Television program, the application process, life at Emerson, our community and more.
Click here to RSVP
Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect application instructions for Fall 2026 admission.
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