Central Film School
Description of Central Film School
- Year of foundation: 2008
- Location: London
- Age: 16+
- Type of education: joint
- Number of students: 100 people
- Accommodation: independent
- Language learning: English.
Since its founding in 2008, Central Film School has been open to anyone who wants to become film industry professionals. The Bachelor, Master, Short programs of Central Film School are devoted to the main aspects of filmmaking. The school is characterized by a practice-oriented approach, small class sizes, individual eduaction.
Here, each teacher develops unique techniques, uses the latest equipment and methodology to get acquainted with the most modern professional practices. Pupils meet with film professionals of all industries, have the opportunity to learn from their experience: screenwriters, distributors, directors, authors of documentaries.
In 2018, Central Film School opened its own film industry to provide resources for the first film projects of students and graduates. Artistic, documentary, corporate pictures of graduates are shot under the guidance of professionals and provide an opportunity for beginners to express themselves in the film industry.
Programs offered by Central Film School range from summer courses to graduate programs. All graduates leave CFS with the skills necessary to work in fiction, short and documentary films. Some applicants come to study without practical skills or a portfolio.
Bachelor, masters in practical filmmaking, film adaptation receive a degree from the University of Gloucestershire.
What challenges might international students face at UK universities?
The usual challenges of adapting to a new country, culture, and teaching style are common. Homesickness and language barriers can also be issues.
However, UK universities strive to support international students.
Educational process
Practice is the basis of the educational process - students undergo internships on the basis of partner organizations, create individual projects, attend additional master classes and seminars to expand their horizons, exchange information and improve knowledge.
Faculties and colleges
CFS London has two academic departments, each of which is focused on teaching students of a certain higher level of education: bachelor's and master's degrees. In the summer months, the department of short-term courses is open.
Things to know about
CFS provides ample opportunities for skill development both during classes and independently, providing students with equipment, materials and access to all studios and campus facilities almost around the clock.
Programs and prices, tuition fees in Central Film School
International Foundation
- Beginning - October 2019
- Duration - 1 year
- Cost - £ 15950 / g.
- Age - 16+
- English language.
The International Foundation in the field of media production is aimed at the formation of skills and knowledge in the field of cinema, television, and the media.
Requirements for admission:
- certificate of complete secondary education;
- IELTS 5.0;
- Portfolio, including videos of no more than 10 minutes.
IF aims to improve English, academic writing skills, research skills. During the program, students:
- get acquainted with the main practitioners of film production,
- will form an understanding of visual media,
- learn to convey meaning and emotions through moving images;
- explore famous paintings in general, representative and global contexts;
- explore general trends, varying in British, American, European, Indian cinema and beyond these cultural paradigms.
The student will explore possible script formats in the following areas:
- genre, story and audience;
- cinema concept development;
- creating a memorable character;
- basics of dramatic structure and formatting.
Pupils present a personal project created under the guidance of a teacher: in creating it, they use the skills and experience acquired during their studies, demonstrate their willingness to move to the appropriate undergraduate course at Central Film School.
Undergraduate Practical Filmmaking
- Beginning - October 2019
- Duration - 2 years
- Cost - from £ 16,500 / g.
- Age - over 18 years old
- English language.
The program is aimed at training filmmakers, the formation of their necessary skills in a variety of disciplines, preparing for future careers. Experienced filmmakers and teachers have developed a training program for the development of students' talent, providing knowledge for successful work. It is focused on the study of technology, the production process, the subsequent work on the released product. Students try themselves in the role of directors, producers, cinematographers, editors, and sound designers. Some graduates continue their education, others work as freelance workers in independent projects, performing various types of work to gain experience.
Entry requirements:
- 64 points on the UCAS system (I apply for Russian, foreign students at school, with specialists
- IELTS 6.0
- visual portfolio including a short video (maximum 10 minutes).
Undergraduate "scenic skills"
- Beginning - October 2019
- Duration - 2 years
- Cost - from £ 12,600 / g.
- Age - over 18 years old
- English language.
The program provides a complete set of knowledge and skills for the work of a professional screenwriter, teaches understanding of the wide variety of genres, techniques and strategies of a professional screenwriter. Graduates continue their careers with script editors, scriptwriters of artworks, TV programs, computer games, online content and print media. After completing additional training, graduates can simultaneously work as a film production script writer. Future screenwriters send their work to festivals, contests. Entry requirements:
- 64 points on the UCAS system (check the conditions of entry for Russian, foreign students, check with Smapse specialists)
- IELTS 6.0
- visual portfolio, including a short video, video (maximum - 10 minutes).
Graduate "Film Production"
- Beginning - October 2019
- Duration - 1 g.
- Cost - from £ 9500 / g.
- Age - 21+
- English language.
The training is aimed at nurturing enterprising creative professionals and focuses on the practice of filming. The goal is to develop scripting skills, modern filmmaking and post-production. Graduates are open to many routes and opportunities: the production of motion pictures, an independent television sector, new platforms.
Entry requirements:
- bachelor's degree with honors (related, similar field) or equivalent industry experience
- IELTS 6.0
- visual portfolio, including a short video (maximum duration - 10 minutes).
Master's "Directing"
- Beginning - October 2019
- Duration - 1 year
- Cost - from £ 9500 / g.
- Age - 21+
- English language.
The one-year directing master's degree offers students theoretical and practical knowledge that ensures the development of management skills and the ability to adapt to the ever-changing demands of television, cinema, and online production. Students who have completed the course are ready to work in film or on television, in corporate, commercial, marketing, and feature films.
Entry requirements:
- diploma with honors in the relevant field or equivalent industry experience
- IELTS 6.0
- visual portfolio, including a short video (maximum duration - 10 minutes).
Master's "Documentary Film"
- Beginning - October 2019
- Duration - 1 g.
- Cost - from £ 9500 / g.
- Age - 21+
- English language.
The program "Documentary filmmaking" is aimed at students with an active political, social position. The practical course provides the tools, resources, experience, allowing you to actively participate in social transformations, making documentaries, stories for the media, Internet sites. All stages of documentary production are studied at an advanced level. Programs include research on impact strategies, production, camera work, voice acting, editing. Graduates choose areas of documentary production, academic research, international NGOs, independent television projects.
Entry requirements:
- diploma with honors in the relevant field or equivalent industry experience
- IELTS 6.0
- visual portfolio, including a short video (maximum duration - 10 min.).
Master degree "Producing"
- Beginning - October 2019
- Duration - 1 year
- Cost - from £ 9500 / g.
- Age - 21+
- English language.
The program is intended for those who have already received education in the field of cinema or related fields, and wants to start a business in the field of film production and sales. Students receive the skills necessary to write a business plan, to create a project from development to fundraising. Employment opportunities for graduates: international sales, distribution, distribution.
Entry requirements:
- diploma with honors in the relevant field or equivalent industry experience
- IELTS 6.0
- visual portfolio, including a short video (maximum duration - 10 min.).
Master "Visual Effects"
- Beginning - October 2019
- Duration - 1 g.
- Cost - from £ 9500 / g.
- Age - 21+
- English language.
MA Visual Effects course focuses on a high level of practice, forms technical skills (animated effects, rotoscoping, compositing). Graduates work in the production of art paintings, commercials, corporate, scientific visualization.
Entry requirements:
- diploma with honors in the relevant field or equivalent industry experience
- IELTS 6.0
- visual portfolio, including a short video (maximum duration - 10 min.).
Summer Teen Filmmaking Course
- Age: 16-17 years old
- English language level: IELTS 4.5
- Course length: 2 weeks
- Average class size: 15-18
- Dates: 5th July-18th July, 19th July-1st August
- Registration fee: 100£.
Participants of this summer camp will have a chance to try their hands in the film and TV production industry. The program consists of research and practical experimentation and field trips.
Core aims of the course:
• Exploring a range of practical and theoretical themes in the filmmaking
• Solving creative briefs
• Applying a range of skills and techniques
• Work on editing software
• Presentation of students’ films in a night of premiers.
Certification courses
- Start - January, April, July, August
- Duration - 3/4 weeks.
- Cost - from £ 1595 + £ 100/3 weeks.
- Language - English (Upper Intermediate)
- Age - over 18 years old.
The course offers students to master the skills in the field of documentary practice, to understand the broad context of documentary studies, to study modern approaches from project development to rental. The course team produces its own short documentary at the end of the course.
Certificate "Practical filmmaking"
- Start - January, April, July, August
- Duration - 3 weeks.
- Cost - from £ 1595 + £ 100/3 weeks.
- Language - English (Upper Intermediate)
- Age - over 18 years old.
A practical course for students without experience or with a small cinematic baggage offers the opportunity to gain experience in the production of a short film project - from the development of the script to post-production. Training includes:
- theory, practice of filmmaking, the study of key elements of the process of creating a movie, the structure of scenarios, development, leadership, visual narration;
- an intensive series of workshops on several aspects of filmmaking, including production, cinematography, sound, editing, casting;
- editing, sound engineer work, editing a visual row.
Six Monthly Independent Filmmaking Program
- Beginning - April, October
- Duration - 24 weeks
- Cost - from £ 7500 + £ 100/24 ​​weeks
- Language - English (Upper Intermediate)
- Age - over 18 years old.
The course “Six Months of Independent Cinema” prepares to work as independent directors. Students develop their own voice and style, learn the key aspects of joint film production, the role of a screenwriter / director. The emphasis is on the joint work of teachers and students. They study the language of visual narration, develop an understanding of the fundamental nature of cinema, technical skills, develop, direct, edit, focusing on the leadership of the film crew.
Pre-Sessional English
- The duration of training is from one to three months,
- The start dates are September, July, August.
CFS London, together with Wimbaldon School of English, offers short-term courses focused on improving the level of linguistics, preparing for IELTS, expanding vocabulary, and obtaining learning skills. The course is available in three formats: one, two or three months of one-on-one, small group sessions with a native teacher. The lessons will cover topics such as:
- Learning skills,
- Independent learning,
- Research methods,
- Critical thinking,
- Communication
- Presentation
- Participation in discussions, seminars,
- Teamwork in an academic context.
The basis of the course is the development of basic knowledge and skills: reading, writing, grammar, pronunciation, listening comprehension, vocabulary. The student will be able to improve his level through constant communication with classmates, work on projects.
The course is available to take in parallel with the higher education program.
Accommodation, meals, prices
Central Film School helps students with the search for suitable housing: in particular, it collaborates with London-based Nest, a specialist in providing housing for local and foreign students. London Nest offers safe, proven accommodation options in central London or in the suburbs - prices range from £ 220 to £ 350 / week. Sophomores often seek accommodation options on their own.
Activities Central Film School
Bachelors and masters receive a free annual pass to the Curzon cinema.
Summer shifts include a variety of trips: for example, a tour of the Warner Brothers Studio, the program "Harry Potter and local attractions."
Advantages
Central Film School provides the best possible practical film education. The school focuses on independent cinema: together with the British film company Curzon, it offers free research programs in the field of independent film production (Curzon was awarded the BAFTA-2017 for outstanding contributions to British cinema). The company is the first fully integrated independent studio in the UK in the field of production, distribution and film distribution. Today, the Curzon network has 20 cinemas in which admission is free for all film school students.
Central Film School provides all students with short-term courses, undergraduate and graduate programs with a budget for work: for example, up to £ 2,500 is allocated for a bachelor's project budget. All students have free access to equipment, studios, and after graduation they are given the opportunity to use studio space, equipment at reduced rental rates.
Facilities and equipment at Central Film School
Central Film School is located near Shoreditch, London’s brightest cultural district, being part of the creative and entrepreneurial community, including art fairs, fashion, vintage markets, food festivals, bars, clubs, restaurants. CFS is near four metro stations and Liverpool Street Station.
Central Film School provides students with all the necessary equipment for educational projects; Depending on the program modules, students have access to suburban facilities and premises. Central Film School encourages students to develop personal projects, allows you to use all the equipment of the school for this:
- studio with a green room;
- editorial area;
- production room;
- viewing.
Surveying equipment:
- Canon C100;
- Canon C300;
- Blackmagic 2.5k;
- Samsung 360 ° VR;
- ARRI Alexa Classic;
- ARRI SR3.
Admission dates and extra charges
Education in undergraduate and master's programs annually begins in October.
Start of summer programs depends on the specific course.
Extra fees:
- Registration fee (for a programme/course) 100 GBP
- Registration fee (for a Six Month, Undergraduate or masters programme) 500 GBP.
Extras:
- Registration fee (for a programme/course) 100 GBP
Enrolment process
To enroll in one of the CFS programs, applicants will have to go through several registration stages, some of which are available online.
- Submitting an application and filling out the registration form, providing the required documents,
- Receiving a positive response on the consideration of the application with an invitation to the entrance exams,
- Payment of registration fees,
- Interview
- Obtaining an official invitation to study, with the help of which visa documents can be issued,
- Payment of the program fee,
- Arrive at campus to accommodate in a residence, attend orientation events, and begin classes.
Enrolment statistics
Admission of candidates is carried out on an individual basis, students enter on the basis of their existing merits, portfolio.
Perspectives
Over the past 10 years, CFS has graduated hundreds of students from more than 52 countries, who subsequently cooperate with leading international companies in the film industry. Graduates of the school work for organizations such as Netflix, BBC Studios, Walt Disney Pictures, Marvel Studios, Paramount Pictures Company, and others.
Entry requirements, how to apply, what is required to enrol
The school accepts applicants from anywhere in the world - you can apply on the film school website. List of documents and requirements:
- a link to your video on the Internet (for example, Vimeo, YouTube) or a link to your work in the file-sharing system (SendSpace);
- A 1-2 page motivation letter explaining the desire to enroll in a course;
- scan copy of the passport;
- British study visa;
- IELTS certificate (minimum score - 6.0).
Applications are also submitted through UCAS.
Scholarships Central Film School
CFS has a system of discounts that cover part of the cost of tuition:
- International discount for early confirmation of admission - for those who pay the full cost of the program by the end of April,
- Discount for graduates who continue their studies - 10%,
- Discount on short-term and summer courses — 10% for early booking.
Students can request additional funding for their studies in the form of government credits, loans, foundation scholarships, and partner organizations. The institution itself offers only one scholarship program based on the student's outstanding academic merit: it is a 10 to 50% discount on tuition fees, which are awarded to up to 10 students annually.
Literature and references
Institution on the map
Residence permits, citizenship and other services
- Guardianship services during the studies
- Student supervision
Review about Central Film School
Recommendations on when to apply
Language courses, schools and children's language camps | Primary and secondary education - private schools | Preparation programmes for entering universities - higher education | Higher education (after completing accredited programs A-level, IB, High School) - Bachelor, Master, MBA |
- we recommend to apply 6-9 months before the start of the course (some camps and schools offer discounts for early booking or for lengthy study programs) - there are some very popular and high demand children's camps, where the applications need to be submitted 1 year in advance (in particular Switzerland , Great Britain , USA , Canada , Austria) | - we recommend to apply one year before the start of the training program, - some schools have a specific time frame (September-November - please specify an individual school) - some schools require tests in several stages (UKISET, internal tests of the school: English, mathematics, logics, subjects, interview, some require a personal visit) | - we recommend to apply one year before the start of the program, - for Foundation and Pathway programs, IELTS and TOEFL certificates are usually required, respectively | - recommended submission one year before the start of the program, - the deadline normally closes in January, for TOP HEIs and, as a rule, in March in other universities - for a bachelor, a Foundation or Pathway preparatory program a completed A-level, IB, High School + IELTS / TOEFL are required - for Masters you need a graduated higher education, in some cases you need a pre-Masters program - MBA requires completed higher education, work experience preferably at least 2-3 years, etc. |
Kevin is a Specialist in International Students at University of Sussex. Earlier, he worked at University of Suffolk. He is a Bangor University graduate and has been working in higher education for more than 14 years. Kevin realizes the usual challenges of adapting to a new country, culture, and teaching style, so he recognizes the importance of supporting international students by organizing an orientation week and numerous events and societies to help them settle in and make friends.