London Film School (LFS) vs London Film Academy (LFA) vs MetFilm School vs University of Arts, London (UAL) vs Goldsmiths, University of London?

[Anush]

Hi, My name is Anush Saxena and I am from India. I am interested in pursuing a MA/MFA in Filmmaking from UK. I am confused between these schools but I can't make up my mind as there are no official rankings on the internet. Some articles put LFS on top while others put LFA or MetFilm School above LFS.

What I understand is that LFS was established in 1956 hence I think it should be the best among these (especially LFA and MetFilm School as they both were established in 2000s). Also the courses look pretty good in LFS. University of Arts, London ranks 2 in the world for the subject Arts and Design according to QS Rankings but I'm not sure if Filmmaking comes under that subject/department. I have no clue about Goldsmiths as it is not a dedicated film school but offer filmmaking courses.

Also, which school provides best connections with the industry? As there is a provision now that international students can stay in the UK for two years after the completion of the course, I am wondering if I'll be able to get work in the film industry in the UK and is it a good option to go to the UK at all. I am also looking for programmes in Europe such as Prague Film School or EICAR, but again, no reviews really anywhere on the internet.

 

[4thbass]

Hey Anush!
I fit in the same profile that you are looking for. Let's connect on WhatsApp or call maybe?
Hit me up @ +91 9830437909

Cheers!

 

[Morolake]

Hey guys. My name is Morolake, and I'm from Nigeria. I'll also like an answer to the question Anush asked as I'm processing my admission to a film school in the Uk. I'll love to connect with the both of you too, if you don't mind. You can reach me on WhatsApp @+234 8088162367.

Thank you!

 

[Neha]

Hi, My name is Anush Saxena and I am from India. I am interested in pursuing a MA/MFA in Filmmaking from UK. I am confused between these schools but I can't make up my mind as there are no official rankings on the internet. Some articles put LFS on top while others put LFA or MetFilm School above LFS.

What I understand is that LFS was established in 1956 hence I think it should be the best among these (especially LFA and MetFilm School as they both were established in 2000s). Also the courses look pretty good in LFS. University of Arts, London ranks 2 in the world for the subject Arts and Design according to QS Rankings but I'm not sure if Filmmaking comes under that subject/department. I have no clue about Goldsmiths as it is not a dedicated film school but offer filmmaking courses.

Also, which school provides best connections with the industry? As there is a provision now that international students can stay in the UK for two years after the completion of the course, I am wondering if I'll be able to get work in the film industry in the UK and is it a good option to go to the UK at all. I am also looking for programmes in Europe such as Prague Film School or EICAR, but again, no reviews really anywhere on the internet.

Hey Anush!
I am Neha from India and I am stuck in the same boat as you are, I applied to Prague Film School and got it. However, due to no substantial information online regarding the school, I am not sure whether I should take up the course there. As far as UK is considered I am mostly looking at Met Film School and LFA, mainly because they have 1-year programs.

Let me know if you come to any sort of conclusion on this/ we can also discuss this further

 

[Anush]

Hey Anush!
I am Neha from India and I am stuck in the same boat as you are, I applied to Prague Film School and got it. However, due to no substantial information online regarding the school, I am not sure whether I should take up the course there. As far as UK is considered I am mostly looking at Met Film School and LFA, mainly because they have 1-year programs.

Let me know if you come to any sort of conclusion on this/ we can also discuss this further

Hey Neha, sorry for replying so late. I am still not sure but I have a slightly better understanding of these universities from the time I posted this question. Would you like to chat further on WhatsApp? If yes, feel free to ping me on +91 9713288065.

 

[Anush]

Hey guys. My name is Morolake, and I'm from Nigeria. I'll also like an answer to the question Anush asked as I'm processing my admission to a film school in the Uk. I'll love to connect with the both of you too, if you don't mind. You can reach me on WhatsApp @+234 8088162367.

Thank you!

Hey Morolake, thanks for the reply and sorry for replying so late. Sure, I'll ping you on WhatsApp right away

 

[Anush]

Hey Anush!
I fit in the same profile that you are looking for. Let's connect on WhatsApp or call maybe?
Hit me up @ +91 9830437909

Cheers!

Hey, sorry for replying soooo late. Sure, I'm hitting you on WhatsApp right away.

 

[Anush]

Hey Neha, sorry for replying so late. I am still not sure but I have a slightly better understanding of these universities from the time I posted this question. Would you like to chat further on WhatsApp? If yes, feel free to ping me on +91 9713288065.

Also, what I understand till now is that LFS, LFA, Metfilm are proper film schools whereas UAL and Goldsmiths are top universities in the UK for art and design courses. Out of the five, I think LFS tops the list as I saw its name in some really good film school lists. On the other hand, there's no real information about LFA and Metfilm. Rather they seem to me an appropriate equivalent of Whistling Woods, Mumbai. I am inclined towards UAL for now, as the university ranks 2nd in the world for art and design courses according to QS Rankings. It's a huge university having around 19000 students so I believe the atmosphere there would be really great if one belongs to art field and wants to be among like-minded people. Goldsmiths looks good too for art and design courses. UAL has a 15 month course whereas Goldsmiths has a one year course.

About PFS, I'm really not sure as the language is a barrier, plus there's no post study work visa. The fees is a little less than the UK but I think 2 years of PSW visa is a pretty good opportunity to stay back in the UK and work.

 

[PhoebeLuna]

Hi,

Just came across this post and in a similar boat studying an MA in Screenwriting.
I’ve applied for LFS and Met and been offered to both. For me, I definitely see LFS is the better option. Just from the interviews I saw a substantial difference between the two. At Met my interview was done by an admin there whereas for LFS I ended up having a 1hr long conversation with the Head of Screenwriting and it received fantastic feedback, challenging questions and got a glimpse at how much more detail and support I’d receive as a writer.

My main concern is the cost of these courses. It’s also quite expensive to relocate to the UK. Has anyone had any luck with scholarship applications for non UK or EU residents?

Be great to know how people are finding their course taking into consideration how expensive the pound is.

 

[Anush]

Hi,

Just came across this post and in a similar boat studying an MA in Screenwriting.
I’ve applied for LFS and Met and been offered to both. For me, I definitely see LFS is the better option. Just from the interviews I saw a substantial difference between the two. At Met my interview was done by an admin there whereas for LFS I ended up having a 1hr long conversation with the Head of Screenwriting and it received fantastic feedback, challenging questions and got a glimpse at how much more detail and support I’d receive as a writer.

My main concern is the cost of these courses. It’s also quite expensive to relocate to the UK. Has anyone had any luck with scholarship applications for non UK or EU residents?

Be great to know how people are finding their course taking into consideration how expensive the pound is.

Hi Phoebe,

Congratulations on getting into both the schools. Yes, MA Screenwriting in LFS seems really good. What my research tells me is that it's really hard to get scholarships in these schools as they're not really very big universities with millions of pounds of funding provided by the government or other bodies. They are basically running on for-profit basis as students body is really small and they need to sustain themselves too. But, the good thing about the UK from 2021 is that whoever successfully completes a degree there be it undergraduate or postgraduate, that person is eligible to apply for a two year post study work visa and under that the individual is allowed to do any work/find work for 2 years. That money can be used to pay back the loan (if you take any) and get good experience in working in the UK. Also, part time work for 20 hours is allowed while studying but as LFS course is really intensive I'm not really sure if working part time with the degree is a possibility or not. But that's always an option.

Also, there are scholarships run by the UK government and other countries which provide full funding to students like Chevening and Commonwealth scholarships. It hugely depends on which country are you from.

Where are you from? Also would love to know your experience on the whole process of admission.

 

[Junaid Arif]

Hi, I am Junaid and I am still struggling to choose between MetFilm school, Goldsmith, London film academy, and Bournemouth. Can you please share your decision if any of you have finalized yet?

 

[J.raaj]

Hi Im Jithin.Ive been looking for a good film school to pursue an MA in Cinematography. I had almost finalised on NFTS,but now im having second thoughts as the reviews about the school not so good. Do you guys happen to know about any alternatives. If yes, is it possible that you guys could ping me on whatsapp? (+91 7034382171) Thankyou.

 

[Christheart]

Hi Im Jithin.Ive been looking for a good film school to pursue an MA in Cinematography. I had almost finalised on NFTS,but now im having second thoughts as the reviews about the school not so good. Do you guys happen to know about any alternatives. If yes, is it possible that you guys could ping me on whatsapp? (+91 7034382171) Thankyou.

I had made

Hey Anush!
I am Neha from India and I am stuck in the same boat as you are, I applied to Prague Film School and got it. However, due to no substantial information online regarding the school, I am not sure whether I should take up the course there. As far as UK is considered I am mostly looking at Met Film School and LFA, mainly because they have 1-year programs.

Let me know if you come to any sort of conclusion on this/ we can also discuss this further

Hey, have you decided anything? i have also been looking for Filmmaking Masters in UK, have selected few, lets discuss? you can ping me on +918823888536

 

[Kai]

Hey everyone,

I am eager to pursue screenwriting but I'd like to get experience in all aspects of cinema so I plan to do an MA filmmaking course. I've been looking at some schools and universities in the UK so I wanted to know if there were any updates or if y'all are studying in film schools right now or are trying to figure it out? Maybe we could discuss!

 

[Koutai]

Hey guys,

I am also in between UAL, Goldsmiths, Arts University Bournemouth, Bournemouth University and York. Do you have some opinion for me?

Thank you

 

[Lukita Liu]

Hey guys,

I am also in between UAL, Goldsmiths, Arts University Bournemouth, Bournemouth University and York. Do you have some opinion for me?

Thank you

I'm also stuck between UAL and Goldsmiths now. Though I'm in the MA Screenwriting program 2022. It's just so hard to choose.

But for your question, I guess London is the best city to study Film in Britain as long as you are interested in taking part in more student film shooting outside the school and maybe even doing an internship. It just provides much more chances as I know.

Hope this help a little. Also, if you are interested in making a contact (for now it seems like we may end up at the same school LOL), my Facebook is Lukita Liu.

 

[Koutai]

I'm also stuck between UAL and Goldsmiths now. Though I'm in the MA Screenwriting program 2022. It's just so hard to choose.

But for your question, I guess London is the best city to study Film in Britain as long as you are interested in taking part in more student film shooting outside the school and maybe even doing an internship. It just provides much more chances as I know.

Hope this help a little. Also, if you are interested in making a contact (for now it seems like we may end up at the same school LOL), my Facebook is Lukita Liu.

I do want to study in London for that matter. I will receive the answer from Goldsmiths in a week hopefully but in a longer time from UAL and I need to apply to a scholarship with my offer, so if I get it I may need to choose Goldsmiths (in case I am admitted).

Goldsmiths was founded earlier, it has a larger alumni and it is known in the arts. UAL is newer but it looks more practice and industry oriented. So I am not sure which is the better choice but I kind of feel more symphatetic towards Goldsmiths.

I also have an offer from York which id a great university in terms of prestige but I didn't see its film program anywhere in these threads, even though it is accredited by ScreenSkills. I am not sure if it would be a good choice if I don't end up in a London school.

 

[Neelam Patnaik]

Hello Members , I am following the thread of the discussion regarding choice of film schools . My daughter is finishing her high school in May 2023. She has received offer from LFA , KENT , KINGSTON & UAL for Bachelor of Artsin Film Making . We are looking for advise and suggestions with regards to which Univ/ college foom the above specified is the best . From the discussions above , I find that all of you are going to pursue Masters in Film Making. As senior, what would you advise for my daughter . Kindly share your opinion .

 

[Tara Mokhtari]

Hello,

I'm deciding between LFA and Met Film, I have offers from both which I have to answer soon. Also, my main major is Directing, and Met Film offers a Directing MA, while LFA offers a filmmaking MA and also Met film told me they can only give me a place in their Berlin School, so if anyone has experience or knowledge about this, I would be very happy if you can help me with this decision and options. Also, I have offers from some other universities or Film schools, like the Art University of Bournemouth, and I’m waiting for the answer from NFTS and LFS, which if I want to wait I'll lose my other offers.

 

[Aaron Cine]

Hello,

I'm deciding between LFA and Met Film, I have offers from both which I have to answer soon. Also, my main major is Directing, and Met Film offers a Directing MA, while LFA offers a filmmaking MA and also Met film told me they can only give me a place in their Berlin School, so if anyone has experience or knowledge about this, I would be very happy if you can help me with this decision and options. Also, I have offers from some other universities or Film schools, like the Art University of Bournemouth, and I’m waiting for the answer from NFTS and LFS, which if I want to wait I'll lose my other offers.

I was faced with the same choice! I was accepted to MET MA Cinematography, London and UAL LCC MA Film-Cinematography