The London Film School | Gateway to cinema for an artist

A quick overview of the UK’s first film school

Since it opened its doors more than 60 years ago, London Film School (LFS) has been a destination for budding creative talent who want to hone their skills, find their voice, and engage with the vibrant UK screen industries. Due to its international student base, LFS has always been where diverse perspectives, experiences, and voices coexist with history and tradition. Here on Shelton Street, the film’s story has come to life: the allure of celluloid, the push towards the book, and the rise of the digital age.  Let’s explore some more fascinating factors about the London Film School.

Courses

The school offers a range of postgraduate programs in filmmaking, screenwriting, and film business. The courses give students hands-on experience in each and every aspect of filmmaking, from screenwriting and directing to cinematography, sound design, and editing.

Some of the key courses offered by LFS are –

1. MA Filmmaking: A full-time, intensive course that covers all aspects of filmmaking, including script development, production, directing, cinematography, and post-production.
2. MA Screenwriting: A course that teaches students how to write screenplays for film and television, focusing on developing characters, plot, and dialogue.
3. Diploma in Filmmaking: A one-year course that covers the fundamentals of film production, including scriptwriting, directing, cinematography, and editing.
4. Diploma in Screenwriting: A one-year course that focuses on the craft of screenwriting, emphasizing developing original ideas and creating compelling characters.
5. Short Courses: LFS also offers a range of short courses that cover specific aspects of filmmaking, such as sound recording, directing actors, and visual effects.

Admission process

This selection process makes it feasible to pick students with a good chance of completing their degrees. Usually, their accomplishments and potential are the criteria for this evaluation.

Applications are processed starting on the date specified on their website. Typically, the institution processes applications in the order they receive them, and individuals with the highest marks get the offers based on the course’s defined selection criteria.

The selection process at London Film School is two-staged as follows:

Review phase

During this phase, Academic Registry will review an application to confirm that it meets admission standards and that all essential paperwork and the English language competence requirements are in order. 

Academic Selection stage

During the Academic Selection stage, an admissions tutor evaluated and interviewed candidates who successfully advanced to this point.

Fees

The tuition fees for the postgraduate courses at the London Film School vary depending on the program and the study duration. For the academic year 2022-2023, the fees for the MA Filmmaking program are £16,700 for UK and EU students and £24,300 for international students. The tuition fees for the MA Screenwriting program are £12,500 for UK and EU students and £19,900 for international students.

It’s worth noting that additional costs may be involved, such as equipment fees, travel expenses, and living costs. LFS offers various funding opportunities to support its students, including scholarships and bursaries, and students are encouraged to explore these options.

It’s also worth noting that tuition fees and other costs are subject to change, so it’s important to check the official LFS website for the latest information.

Faculty

LFS is one of the world’s leading film schools, offering a range of postgraduate programs in filmmaking, screenwriting, and other related disciplines. The school’s faculty comprises industry experts and academics who bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the classroom.

Some of the notable faculty members at the London Film School include

• Mike Leigh – a renowned British filmmaker and director known for his films such as “Secrets & Lies” and “Vera Drake.”
• Stephen Frears – an award-winning British film director known for his films such as “My Beautiful Laundrette,” “Dangerous Liaisons,” and “The Queen.”
• Danny Huston – actor and director famous for his roles in films such as “The Aviator” and “X-Men Origins: Wolverine.”
• Anne Aghion – documentary filmmaker known for her films such as “My Neighbor, My Killer” and “Gacaca, Living Together Again in Rwanda?”
• Gillies MacKinnon – Scottish film director is known for his films such as “Small Faces” and “Hideous Kinky.”

Alumni

The school has an impressive alumni list, including directors Michael Mann, Mike Leigh, Duncan Jones, and cinematographers Roger Deakins and Jack Cardiff.

Overall, the London Film School is a great place to study if you’re interested in pursuing a career in the film industry. Its reputation as a leading film school worldwide makes it an attractive option for many aspiring filmmakers.

Here are some of their top alumni for the London Film School –

• Mike Leigh – Leigh is a British writer and director who has won multiple awards, including the Palme d’Or at Cannes. He is known for his naturalistic style and ability to capture everyday life’s intricacies. Leigh attended LFS in the 1960s.
• Duncan Jones – Jones is a popular British director who worked on Moon and Source Code movies. He attended LFS in the early 2000s and is the musician David Bowie’s son.
• Michael Mann – American director Mann is renowned for his work on movies like Heat and Collateral. He went to LFS back in the ’60s.
• Tak Fujimoto – Fujimoto is an American cinematographer who has worked on films such as The Silence of the Lambs and The Sixth Sense. He attended LFS in the 1960s.
• Danny Huston – Huston is an American actor and director, with films such as The Aviator and Wonder Woman in his portfolio. He attended LFS in the 1980s.
• Adrian Lyne – Lyne is a British film director best known for his work on Flashdance and Fatal Attraction. He went to LFS in the 1960s.
• Mike Newell – Newell is a British film director best known for his work on Four Weddings and a Funeral, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. 
• Lynne Ramsay – Ramsay is a Scottish filmmaker known for her work on films such as We Need to Talk About Kevin and You Were Never Really Here. She attended LFS in the 1990s.
• Christopher Nolan – Nolan is a British-American director. He is regarded as a preeminent director of the twenty-first century and is known for his Hollywood blockbusters with intricate storytelling. His movies have made $5 billion globally.
• Michael Radford – Radford is a British filmmaker who has directed films such as Il Postino and 1984. 

Key takeaways

At 60 years old in October 2016, the London cinema School is the world’s first established international school of cinema technique.

The London Film School provides a number of master’s degrees, a Ph.D., and short film courses.

Graduates of the London Film School can be found in practically every country’s film industry.

LFS is devoted to filmmaking, providing a crucible for intense creative effort; for more such film schools worldwide, click here.  If you have any feedback or queries, please share them in the comments, we would be happy to assist you.

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FAQs

Q1. Is the London Film School open to overseas students?

Ans. If you are an international applicant travelling to the UK for a six-month or longer full-time degree programme, you must apply through the Student Route (formerly Tier IV visa).

Q2. Is the London Film School private or public?

Ans. It is privately sponsored; not to be confused with City of London Academy, which is government funded.

Q3. Can you go to film school after you finish high school?

Ans. Candidates for the position of filmmaker must have a bachelor’s degree. After completing their 10+2, students can pursue an Associate Degree in Film Study, a BA in Cinema Study, a BA in Filmmaking, or a BSc in Digital Filmmaking.