Film degree advice and experience?

[lolly72]

Would absolutely love some advice from anyones experiences please. DD wants to do a film degree but really wants a good mix of practical and theory. Doesn't want just production and doesn't want just theory. My brain is in a bit of a bog fog with reading the endless modules and ciriculums, so just thought maybe there'd be someone out there that could hopefully shed some desperately needed light.

We have looked at Bristol, Edinburgh, Birmingham and Salford so far but she's having all those last minute panics about if she's on the right track. Has anyone's DC found a great film degree that they're loving and it's got a bit of both? You can't beat real life reviews and experiences!

Thank you so much for any thoughts and advice. Would be seriously appreciated. xx

Look at Cardiff, Westminster and Lincoln.

My DD went to Southampton Solent. Did practical and theory.

Edinburgh Napier. Has a 1/3 theory and 2/3 practical Rated very highly.

Northern Film School, Bournemouth and UAL are pretty good. Exeter if she wants more academic. Tbh if she likes a uni and it has the mix of modules she's into, then I wouldn't worry too much about whether one is more meaningful than another. Industry-wise, a post-grad at NFTS is the only thing that really seems to make any difference and beyond that it's all down to hustle and talent, mainly hustle.

Thank you. Did/is she have/having a good experience?

Thank you. Did/is she have/having a good experience?

My son did his at Warwick, a good mix of academic and practical.
He loved Warwick and the course.

Sorry everyone, haven't quite got the knack of replying etc on mumsnet and then can't seem to be able to update/edit/ delete my own comments. I'm learning!

Thanks so much to everyone that's replied. Researching every single suggestion so you've all been really helpful.. Cheers x

Oooo thought she'd discounted that for being too theory based. Will take another look. And thanks for sharing that he loved Warwick itself. Can make such a difference when they're happy where they are. x

Hi , film teacher here but most of my students target 'academic' theory courses. Warwick definitely is this (v high entry grades and an interview). Past students who have done more practical courses have gone to : Lincoln, Brighton (the uni and the film school), Westminster, Middlesex, Salford and one to Edinburgh Napier. The latter is particularly held in high regard.

Bear in mind, they may need a portfolio on application.

I'd swerve Bournemouth based on recent developments there and likewise Solent.

If you mean Birmingham Uni that's academic in focus.

DD has started at Napier this year. DD wanted a practical course so it’s 2/3 practical and 1/3 theory. It’s difficult to get in. She had to make a film, write an essay and have an interview.

Hey there PiggyWasPushed.
Thanks very much for your reply. She's wanting both academic and practical which seems to be quite a hard degree to find as uni's appear to be focusing on one or the other. Looking into Warwick, it sounds great apart from the only practical being the short film module in year 3.

Don't want to put you on the spot but care to elaborate on the swerving of Bournemouth and Solent?

All advice greatly appreciated. Thank you x

Queen Mary has a good film course that's academic and practical.

Solent is in a lot of financial trouble. Lots of unis are but Solent is especially bad. Bournemouth is not doing great either and is cutting a lot of staffing in what are considered flagship courses, such as media.

I do think you have to go either academic or practical. An academic course that claims practical experience won't give anything like the hands on experience a practical course will - Salford is a good example of a very well provisioned university for hands on experience.

An actual media and comms degree might blend theory and practice more.

My friends did film and media at Solent. They have stayed friends for 30 years and all have senior professional roles in TV and media companies here and in the states.
Solent is considered a joke Uni but if they are half as good as they were I’d say it was worth a punt.

I worked in the careers department at Queen Mary that's why I know about it! The students always seemed super switched on, bright and being in London meant there were some good partnership opportunities with the film sector for placements/ work exp projects etc.

It wouldn't have been called Solent back then though? And that is 30 years ago...

Can I ask what she hopes to end up with? DS is doing a (practical) film degree, and I work in the industry. To work in the industry, the main thing is experience - entering competitions at Uni, getting work experience however you can. The theory side of things won’t be of much use for an actual industry job (but useful in a wider sense in terms of critical analysis, being able to write etc - I guess similar to a literature degree). But if it’s for the love of the subject, crack on!

if she wants to work in the industry, I’d be looking at links/affiliations to specific companies and places such as ScreenSkills etc.

Yes, location helps. London, Manchester, Salford, Cardiff all excellent places to be.

It was.

Yes it’s ancient experience! But hopefully reassuring that their students have been doing well for years ( rather than just being this decades trendy Uni)

Sorry to be a pedant . Not massively relevant to thread but Solent came into being in 2005.

My friends dd is at Bristol and absolutely loves it. Also the practical work she’s produced so far is of a very high standard. It’s a really impressive course.

That’s when it became a Uni proper I guess It has always been called Solent though.