Course Overview
Course summary
At Westminster we develop thinking filmmakers who have something to say to, and about, the world.
This three-year degree is one of the best-known film courses in the world, with an international reputation for its academic and practical teaching. We operate from a purpose-built facility in Harrow, with two large film and television studios, a set construction workshop, and extensive post-production facilities. The Harrow campus also houses design, photography, music, fashion, and animation degrees, enabling a unique hothouse of creative opportunity.
The environment is both academic and creative, with all students studying film theory alongside their practical work. You'll collaborate creatively as you learn production specialisms in writing, producing, cinematography, directing, production design, editing and sound. In addition to theoretical and creative content, you’ll also receive support in professional practice skills such as self-promotion, networking and freelancing.
We have an excellent network of industry contacts who contribute to teaching on the course and we remain in frequent contact with graduates who’ve gone on to successful and sustained careers in the field. Notable alumni include cinematographer Seamus McGarvey (The Greatest Showman and Nocturnal Animals), director Asif Kapadia (Senna and Amy and screenwriter/producer Neal Purvis (No Time to Die and Skyfall). Recently Yasmin Afifi won the 2024 BAFTA Best British Short Film for Jellyfish & Lobster. Our student films have been shown at festivals globally and have won awards through NAHEMI, the Royal Television Society, the Student Academy Awards, the Grierson Documentary Awards and the Learning-on-Screen Awards.
Top reasons to study with us
- Oscar- and BAFTA-winning film alumni – graduates of this course have gone on to celebrated careers in the film industry
- State-of-the-art facilities – a purpose-built studio facility with two large film and television studios, a set construction workshop, a 3D workshop, and extensive post-production facilities
- Work experience with a difference – recent placements include Industrial Light and Magic, Working Title Films and positions on King Arthur, Jack Ryan and Mary Queen of Scots
Course structure
The course emphasises group work, with students participating in small-scale productions in the first year and larger groups in the second year. This film practice gives students the opportunity to explore different disciplines, before finding a specialism in the second year.
The teaching of craft and theory is taught through a combination of workshops, tutorials, seminars, lectures and feedback sessions, introducing students to skill-based crew roles and critical literacy which are both crucial to a successful career in film. Course work is assessed through creative projects, critical essays, self-reflective writing or portfolios, and presentations.
The following subjects are indicative of what you will study on this course.
Each student will have roles in a range of documentary and fiction production projects, shooting and editing on 16mm film as well as digitally, and working in small groups. You'll be able to choose from a number of specialist screen option modules.
Subjects of study include:
- Constructing the Real: Documentary Filmmaking
- Creativity and Collaboration (Film)
- Introduction to Film and Television
- Production Design for the Screen
- Visual Effects and Animation
- Working with Actors
Credit Level 4
The focus is on specialist areas, including directing, cinematography, screenwriting, producing, editing, and sound, to enable you to work in larger crews. You will also undertake a core work-based learning module, which will include a short work placement or an alternative equivalent work-based experience.
Subjects of study include:
- Camera and Lighting Skills
- Contemporary Issues and Trends
- Contemporary Television Drama
- Drama Production
- Identities: Race, Class, and Gender in Film and Television
- Location Production
- Short Form Film and Video
- Work-Based and Placement Learning (Film)
Credit Level 5
Between Years 2 and 3, you may also undertake an optional year-long placement. If you take advantage of this option, you’ll undertake an additional year-long industry placement year module running parallel to your self-selecting placement, and your final degree award will be BA Honours Film with Professional Experience.
Find out more about the costs involved in taking a placement year.
You'll work on drama, documentary, and commercials production, engage in a research project, and develop your understanding through an Industry module to prepare you to move into your chosen career.
Subjects of study include:
- Advanced Production
- Advanced Screenwriting
- Documentary Production
- Research Project (Film)
- Understanding the Film and Television Industry
Credit Level 6
Programme Recognition
This course is industry-recognised by ScreenSkills, the industry-led skills body for the UK's screen-based industries, and carries the ScreenSkills Select quality-mark, which indicates courses best suited to prepare students for a career in the screen industries.
This course is also delivered through a partnership with BAFTA albert Education, which provides staff and graduates with the tools and techniques needed to learn about environmentally responsible working practices and their professional relevance. The partnership will help students develop knowledge about sustainability, carbon footprinting and planet placement in programmes.
Programme Memberships
British Film Designers Guild (BFDG) – Through this organisation students are able to attend conferences, become part of a thriving online network which organises events (online and face to face), provides job alerts, offers career advice to its members and helps promote individuals through its weekly showcase newsletter.
National Association for Higher Education in the Moving Image (NAHEMI) – NAHEMI offers members a high-profile opportunity to showcase their students’ work at national and international festivals, providing a unique student-led cultural experience, as well as an opportunity for debate and networking. Offering prestigious awards for students’ productions, NAHEMI also organises competitions for student filmmakers, including the prestigious Nahemi/Kodak Student Commercial awards with 16mm stock donated by Kodak, and live briefs set by the advertising industry.
The International Association of Film and Television Schools (Centre International de Liaison des Ecoles de Cinéma et de Télévision – CILECT) – Through this partnership, students are able to participate in networking collaborations, regional or inter-regional workshops, conferences, symposia, festivals, and co-productions.
We are full members of CILECT, the International Association of Film and Television Schools (Centre International de Liaison des Ecoles de Cinéma et de Télévision), the prestigious global network of top-tier film, television, and animation institutions.
CILECT unites over 180 leading media schools from more than 63 countries across six continents, fostering collaboration among students and staff to share the best professional, educational, and artistic practices.
Our CILECT membership is in recognition of our exceptional facilities, the high quality of our students’ work, and our commitment to the highest standards in research, education and training in the moving image.
Programme Training Opportunities
This course is committed to health and safety training, and has partnered with the Mark Milsome Foundation to offer an optional online course for students wishing to develop their skills in this area.
The Mark Milsome Foundation Skillset Production Safety Passport course ensures that students are equipped with essential safety knowledge, as they venture into careers in the film and TV industry.
Created in memory of Mark Milsome, the course provides a Level II Production Safety Passport valid for 5 years from ScreenSkills. This additional course is available free of charge to University of Westminster students studying this Undergraduate course.
For more details on course structure, modules, teaching and assessment Download the programme specification (PDF).
To request an accessible version please email [email protected]
Get your copy of the University of Westminster prospectus and browse the range of courses on offer.
Contact us for general course enquiries:
+44 (0)20 7911 5000 EXT 65511
(Mon–Fri, 10am–4pm BST)
Live chat with us
(Mon–Fri, 10am–4pm BST)
Open days
Join us at an open day online or on campus. Get a feel for student life at the University of Westminster and talk to course leaders and our support teams.
Can't attend? See more open events
Careers
Join our successful alumni
A high proportion of our graduates go on to well-paid and creatively satisfying careers in a wide range of production roles.
Industry-focused teaching
Your practical and creative development is supported by workshops and tutorials led by practising industry professionals, as well as by the course team.
Graduates in work and/or further study
95% of our Film BA students are in work and/or further study 15 months after graduation.
Source: Discover Uni (Accessed November 2024)
Work experience
London is the centre of the UK’s film and television industries, so there are plenty of opportunities for students to gain work experience during their course, and doing this makes it easier to find paid work on graduating. Students undertake work experience that relates to their desired career path as part of the third year Professional Practice module, and recent placements include:
- Art Assistant on Bohemian Rhapsody
- Casting Assistant at Aston Casting
- Location marshalling on Jack Ryan Season 2 and Annihilation
- Positions at Emmerdale, Broadchurch and Mary Queen of Scots
- Roles at Industrial Light and Magic, Working Title and Envy Post Production
- Runners for ESPN: Wimbledon and US Open
- Sound Assistant at Phenomenon Films
- VFX Production Assistant on King Arthur
Industry links
Our strong industry links mean that the course is supported by professionals in the sector. Students benefit from workshops and tutorials that introduce them to different skills and specialisations, and allow them to develop these skills in an industry-style production context. As well as influencing career choices, leading professionals also tutor students on their productions.
Recent visiting professionals include:
- Kit Fraser (Director of Photography, Eternal Beauty, Under the Shadow)
- Louise Hooper (Director, Flesh and Blood)
- Mick Audsley (Editor, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire)
- Paul Trijbits (Producer, Fish Tank, Saving Mr Banks)
- Sara Dunlop (Commercials Director)
- Seamus McGarvey (Cinematographer, The Greatest Showman, Atonement, Anna Karenina, We Need to Talk About Kevin, Godzilla)
Job roles and graduate employment
Film and television can be difficult industries in which to gain a foothold. Our emphasis on equipping graduates with skills in entry-level roles as well as experience in Head of Department roles, allows them to gain immediate employment and opportunities to progress.
Typical entry-level roles can include:
- AD runner or 3rd AD
- Art department trainee or assistant
- Camera trainee
- Editorial trainee/ 2nd assistant editor/assistant editor
- Location runner/location assistant
- Production assistant
- Script reader
- Script supervisor’s assistant
- Researcher
Examples of graduate employment include:
- Assistant Location Manager on Annihilation (Saba Kia) and locations Assistant on The Nutcracker (Tara Acton)
- Assistant Script Supervisor on Men in Black: International (Alice Guillot)
- Central Loader on Cats (Hannah Jell) and Aladdin (Cenay Said), clapper Loader: 2nd Unit on No Time to Die (Phil Barnes), 2nd AC: Sprite Unit on Bohemian Rhapsody (Maiya Rose) and Camera Trainee on The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance (Sarah Collins)
- Director's Assistant: 2nd Unit on Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (Lois Gration) and 1st AD/2nd Unit Director on 47 Meters Down (James Nunn)
- Production Assistant on The Danish Girl (Behnam Taheri) and on Set Production Assistant on Spider-Man: Far From Home (Pippa Howson) and Production Co-ordinator on Yesterday (Jannika Oberg) and Downton Abbey (Aneta Chalas)
- VFX Production Assistant on Dumbo (Jack Lewis) and VFX Editor on Hellboy (2019) (Kieran Waller) and VFX Data Capture on Cats (Chris Upson)
Other recent graduates have gone on to further study, including:
- National Film and Television School – graduates currently doing MAs in Screenwriting, Cinematography, Editing, Commercials.
- MA Film and Screen Studies, Cambridge University
- MA History of Dress, Courtauld Institute
- PhD, Film Directing, University of Liverpool
- MA English Literature, City University
- MFA Production Design, American Film Institute
Unlock your career potential at Zone29
Zone29 is our new home for student enterprise and career success, opening in spring 2026.
It will be your digital and physical destination for careers opportunities and guidance, including:
- jobs, placements and work experience
- tailored career guidance and mentoring
- step-by-step career planning through the Westminster Award
- work and study abroad programmes
- help with starting your own business or freelancing
- connecting with Westminster graduates
Graduate success
This course has helped to shape the careers of some of the most influential names working in the industry today, such as:
Seamus McGarvey - Cinematographer (The Greatest Showman, Atonement, Anna Karenina, We Need to Talk About Kevin, Godzilla)
Asif Kapadia - Director, 2016 BAFTA and Oscar Winner (Amy, The Warrior, Senna)
Cinders Forshaw – Cinematographer (Poldark, The Athena, Tipping the Velvet)
Paul Trijbits - Producer (Jane Eyre, Saving Mr. Banks, This is England)
Neal Purvis - Writer (Jonny English, Casino Royale, Skyfall, Spectre)
Lucia Zucchetti - Editor (Colette, The Queen, Rat Catcher, Testament of Youth, Game Change)
Babak Anvari - Director, 2017 BAFTA Winner (Under the Shadow)
Other recent graduate credits include:
- 2024 winner for BAFTA Best British Short Film (Jellyfish and Lobster) - Writer and Director (Yasmin Afifi)
- Cinematographer's Assistant – The Mummy, Wonder Woman, Beauty and the Beast (Jack Mealing)
- Production Assistant – Wonder Woman (Lois Gration)
- Cinematographer - Eternal Beauty, Wounds (Kit Fraser)
- 2nd Unit Electrician – Spiderman: Far from Home (Greg Probert)
- DoP – The Will Smith Bucket List (Edgar Dubrovsky)
- Technical Assistant – Warner Brothers Television Production UK (Amanda Fox)
- Writer/Director ‘After Love’ (BFI and BBC Films) – Aleem Khan
- Editor, ‘The Trip to Greece’, ‘The Trip to Spain’ – Marc Richardson
- Art Department Trainee on Spider-Man: Far From Home (Nathalie Carraro)
- Oscar for Best Live Action Short 2016: ‘Stutterer’ – Shan Ogilvie, Producer
- Oscar for Best Live Action Short 2017: ‘Sing’ – Kristof Deak, Writer/Director
- 2019 Screen Daily Star of Tomorrow – Dionne Edwards, Writer/Director
- In Competition at Cannes 2016: ‘Dreamlands’ – Sara Dunlop, Director
International Opportunities
Many of our courses offer international study and work experiences, and the University provides other global opportunities that all students can apply for – so whatever you're studying, you'll have the chance to go abroad.
Opportunities could include:
- Taking part in semester or year-long exchanges at institutions around the world
- Attending an international summer school or field trip
- Developing your CV through volunteering or work placements abroad
International experience broadens horizons, boosts self-confidence, and improves global understanding, alongside being fantastic for your career.
Find out more about our international opportunities, including funding options and where you can go.
Course Leader
Dr Laura Stephenson
Senior Lecturer
Dr Stephenson is a Senior Lecturer in Film. As Course Leader for the Film BA, she aims to bring together the often-divided worlds of film theory and practice, by linking philosophy with creative and practical skillsets.
Originally training as an editor for film post-production in New Zealand, Laura went on to postgraduate study where she specialised in gender theory. Her doctoral research examined cinematic characters through a psychoanalytic lens, exploring mental suffering as an inherent aspect of the human condition. Whilst completing her Doctorate, Laura continued to work in pre-production roles as a concept developer, ethics adviser and script editor.
Since 2009 Laura has taught numerous media modules including film theory and production, advertising, screenwriting, gender equality, and psychoanalytic narrative studies.
Successful filmmakers have diverse, innovative careers. They are the mergers of the artistic and the technical, the philosophical and the commercial. That unifying practice starts here, at Westminster
Course Team
- Zoe Allsop - Senior Lecturer
- Dr George Clark - Lecturer
- Dr Mariana Cunha - Lecturer
- Toral Dixit - Lecturer
- Samuel Harman - Lecturer
- Tom Hooper - Senior Lecturer
- Dr Ozlem Koksal - Senior Lecturer
- Dr Virginia Pitts - Senior Lecturer
- Eleanor Roseblade - Senior Lecturer in Media
- Carl Jones - Senior Lecturer
The film student experience
Special effects
Students film a car explosion for graduation film ‘Look Up’
Kodak Commercial Awards
3rd year students win three awards, including Best in Brief and third overall at 2019 Kodak Commercial Awards
On location
2nd year students filming ‘Husky’ using an Easyrig camera support on location in East London
Top Gear: paid work experience
2nd and 3rd year students working as location marshalls; they assisted in closing off streets in Central London for ‘Top Gear’
Students win in Beijing
Graduates travelled to Beijing for ISFVF and win Best Sound award for ‘Audrey and the Rocket’
Best Film School Award
Graduates were invited to the VIGK Festival in Moscow with three films and won the award for Best Film School Programme
Camera team
3rd year camera crew setting up during filming of ‘A Human Vice’
Why study this course?
“This is a highly impressive and well-thought-out course, which provides relevant and high-quality learning to its students, most of whom go on to work in the industry."
- Anthony Alleyne, ScreenSkills Select Industry Evaluator
Acclaimed films
Our students’ films are shown at festivals globally and have won a host of honours and awards, including Royal Television Society Awards (the latest in 2021), a Student Academy Award (2011), a Grierson Best Student Documentary Award (2015).
Industry experience
The course receives substantial support from the industry and you will gain experience of working with professional actors, negotiating with facilities houses, equipment hire companies and local authorities.
World-class facilities
We operate from a purpose-built studio facility in Harrow, with two sound stages, a set construction workshop, and extensive post-production facilities.
Student Work
Entry Requirements
- A levels – BBB (120 UCAS Tariff points)
- T levels – 120 UCAS Tariff points
- International Baccalaureate – 120 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- BTEC Extended Diploma – DDM
- BTEC Diploma – Not accepted on its own
- Access – 120 UCAS Tariff points from the Access course
In addition to one of the above, you should have:
- GCSE English Language grade 4/C – IB grade 4 Higher level, GCSE Maths Pass - IB Pass
If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.
We also welcome applications from students who are taking a combination of qualifications listed above. For further information, please contact Course Enquiries.
Please note: we do not accept applications for deferred entry.
You are considered for the course on your grades (predicted or achieved), and, if qualified, a portfolio of relevant work.
View more information about our entry requirements and the application process
Portfolio guidance
Number of recommended portfolio pieces.
Please include one or two short films for viewing to a maximum of six minutes in total. Please specify the role(s) you undertook, e.g. director, producer, camera, editor etc.
What should I include in my portfolio submission?
The moving image content should be 2-6 minutes long and should include sound.
How should I structure my portfolio?
You should submit at least one piece of moving image content - we do not look at stills and we don't look at scripts. It's best they submit a live-action short film, not social media shorts or animation content.
How will my portfolio be evaluated?
Your work will be reviewed by a member of the academic team; we look for elements that demonstrate how you tell a story including your choice of imagery, your awareness of sound, the way in which you pull sound and image together (in the edit), and the meaningfulness of the narrative. We recruit a diverse range of students because this variation in background helps create a stimulating learning community and a range of unique student work; let your upbringing and your life experiences shine through in your moving image content so that we can see the real you! Good technical quality is helpful but we're happy to look at work which is unpolished; we'd rather see a student try something ambitious and original (and not execute it perfectly) than follow a very safe pathway which lacks audio-visual or emotional stimulation. In your written statement we are looking for students who articulate the importance of working collaboratively and who are willing to try out a range of roles in a film crew.
What happens next?
An academic will assess the written statement and portfolio and make a decision about suitability for the course. They'll communicate via the University's Admissions team, who will let the student know the result.
Top Tip from our course team
Remember - we are looking for potential and ability to learn and develop not brilliance from the start!
Please do not send in portfolios until requested to do so by the University's Admissions team. You will be notified by email about when to submit your portfolio.
- International Baccalaureate – 120 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis. You can refer to the UCAS calculator to determine your point score
- We accept a wide range of international high school level qualifications. Please see information on Country-specific entry requirements
- We work in partnership with Kaplan International College London who provide International Foundation Certificate courses for students who don’t meet our entry requirements. Upon successful completion, you can progress to your chosen degree at the University of Westminster. Find out about a range of university preparation courses that are accepted for entry.
English language requirements
- If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component. Please note we accept a wide range of English language qualifications and assessments. Find out more at English language requirements.
- If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, then we offer online and on campus pre-sessional English programmes to help develop your English language skills to the required level before you start your course. Find out more about our pre-sessional English programmes.
More information
Please note: we do not accept applications for deferred entry.
You are considered for the course on your grades (predicted or achieved), and, if qualified, a portfolio of relevant work.
Portfolio guidance
Number of recommended portfolio pieces.
Please include one or two short films for viewing to a maximum of six minutes in total. Please specify the role(s) you undertook, e.g. director, producer, camera, editor etc.
What should I include in my portfolio submission?
The moving image content should be 2-6 minutes long and should include sound.
How should I structure my portfolio?
You should submit at least one piece of moving image content - we do not look at stills and we don't look at scripts. It's best they submit a live-action short film, not social media shorts or animation content.
How will my portfolio be evaluated?
Your work will be reviewed by a member of the academic team; we look for elements that demonstrate how you tell a story including your choice of imagery, your awareness of sound, the way in which you pull sound and image together (in the edit), and the meaningfulness of the narrative. We recruit a diverse range of students because this variation in background helps create a stimulating learning community and a range of unique student work; let your upbringing and your life experiences shine through in your moving image content so that we can see the real you! Good technical quality is helpful but we're happy to look at work which is unpolished; we'd rather see a student try something ambitious and original (and not execute it perfectly) than follow a very safe pathway which lacks audio-visual or emotional stimulation. In your written statement we are looking for students who articulate the importance of working collaboratively and who are willing to try out a range of roles in a film crew.
What happens next?
An academic will assess the written statement and portfolio and make a decision about suitability for the course. They'll communicate via the University's Admissions team, who will let the student know the result.
Top Tip from our course team
Remember - we are looking for potential and ability to learn and develop not brilliance from the start!
Please do not send in portfolios until requested to do so by the University's Admissions team. You will be notified by email about when to submit your portfolio.
- A levels – BBB (120 UCAS Tariff points)
- T levels – 120 UCAS Tariff points
- International Baccalaureate – 120 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- BTEC Extended Diploma – DDM
- BTEC Diploma – Not accepted on its own
- Access – 120 UCAS Tariff points from the Access course
In addition to one of the above, you should have:
- GCSE English Language grade 4/C – IB grade 4 Higher level, GCSE Maths Pass - IB Pass
If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.
We also welcome applications from students who are taking a combination of qualifications listed above. For further information, please contact Course Enquiries.
Please note: we do not accept applications for deferred entry.
You are considered for the course on your grades (predicted or achieved), and, if qualified, a portfolio of relevant work.
View more information about our entry requirements and the application process
Portfolio guidance
Number of recommended portfolio pieces.
Please include one or two short films for viewing to a maximum of six minutes in total. Please specify the role(s) you undertook, e.g. director, producer, camera, editor etc.
What should I include in my portfolio submission?
The moving image content should be 2-6 minutes long and should include sound.
How should I structure my portfolio?
You should submit at least one piece of moving image content - we do not look at stills and we don't look at scripts. It's best they submit a live-action short film, not social media shorts or animation content.
How will my portfolio be evaluated?
Your work will be reviewed by a member of the academic team; we look for elements that demonstrate how you tell a story including your choice of imagery, your awareness of sound, the way in which you pull sound and image together (in the edit), and the meaningfulness of the narrative. We recruit a diverse range of students because this variation in background helps create a stimulating learning community and a range of unique student work; let your upbringing and your life experiences shine through in your moving image content so that we can see the real you! Good technical quality is helpful but we're happy to look at work which is unpolished; we'd rather see a student try something ambitious and original (and not execute it perfectly) than follow a very safe pathway which lacks audio-visual or emotional stimulation. In your written statement we are looking for students who articulate the importance of working collaboratively and who are willing to try out a range of roles in a film crew.
What happens next?
An academic will assess the written statement and portfolio and make a decision about suitability for the course. They'll communicate via the University's Admissions team, who will let the student know the result.
Top Tip from our course team
Remember - we are looking for potential and ability to learn and develop not brilliance from the start!
Please do not send in portfolios until requested to do so by the University's Admissions team. You will be notified by email about when to submit your portfolio.
- International Baccalaureate – 120 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis. You can refer to the UCAS calculator to determine your point score
- We accept a wide range of international high school level qualifications. Please see information on Country-specific entry requirements
- We work in partnership with Kaplan International College London who provide International Foundation Certificate courses for students who don’t meet our entry requirements. Upon successful completion, you can progress to your chosen degree at the University of Westminster. Find out about a range of university preparation courses that are accepted for entry.
English language requirements
- If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component. Please note we accept a wide range of English language qualifications and assessments. Find out more at English language requirements.
- If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, then we offer online and on campus pre-sessional English programmes to help develop your English language skills to the required level before you start your course. Find out more about our pre-sessional English programmes.
More information
Please note: we do not accept applications for deferred entry.
You are considered for the course on your grades (predicted or achieved), and, if qualified, a portfolio of relevant work.
Portfolio guidance
Number of recommended portfolio pieces.
Please include one or two short films for viewing to a maximum of six minutes in total. Please specify the role(s) you undertook, e.g. director, producer, camera, editor etc.
What should I include in my portfolio submission?
The moving image content should be 2-6 minutes long and should include sound.
How should I structure my portfolio?
You should submit at least one piece of moving image content - we do not look at stills and we don't look at scripts. It's best they submit a live-action short film, not social media shorts or animation content.
How will my portfolio be evaluated?
Your work will be reviewed by a member of the academic team; we look for elements that demonstrate how you tell a story including your choice of imagery, your awareness of sound, the way in which you pull sound and image together (in the edit), and the meaningfulness of the narrative. We recruit a diverse range of students because this variation in background helps create a stimulating learning community and a range of unique student work; let your upbringing and your life experiences shine through in your moving image content so that we can see the real you! Good technical quality is helpful but we're happy to look at work which is unpolished; we'd rather see a student try something ambitious and original (and not execute it perfectly) than follow a very safe pathway which lacks audio-visual or emotional stimulation. In your written statement we are looking for students who articulate the importance of working collaboratively and who are willing to try out a range of roles in a film crew.
What happens next?
An academic will assess the written statement and portfolio and make a decision about suitability for the course. They'll communicate via the University's Admissions team, who will let the student know the result.
Top Tip from our course team
Remember - we are looking for potential and ability to learn and develop not brilliance from the start!
Please do not send in portfolios until requested to do so by the University's Admissions team. You will be notified by email about when to submit your portfolio.
What our students say
Tomas Berka
Film BA
This University is one of the best in the country and has the potential to help you to gain all the knowledge you need to get a job in the future. Also, if you are not from London and worry about moving here, I can tell you from my own experience that there is nothing to worry about. Despite the fact that I’m an international student, I was able to become independent pretty quickly and that just gave me a head start into life at University
Mia-Rose Toni Jones
Film BA - 2024
What I‘ve enjoyed the most are the people on my course. The tight-knit group dynamic, constant collaboration, and shared experiences create a network of working professionals and close friends. This collaborative environment is crucial in our industry, teaching us how to work effectively with a variety of people.
Harry Pollard
Film BA - 2024
I've enjoyed the course's emphasis on storytelling. I think it’s important to have the opportunity to explore the different areas of film to find what suits you. The university's encouragement of this has been crucial to my development.
What our students say
Yasmin Safieddine
Film BA - 2024
The lecturers were very reliable and hands-on in their teaching approaches. I especially enjoyed learning theory and film history from lecturers who were clearly enthusiastic and knowledgable on topics such as cinema from around the word.
Westminster Degree Shows
The Westminster Degree Shows are an annual collection that showcases the creativity, vibrancy and artistic talent of our undergraduate arts courses. You can see the latest online collection on Westminster Degree Shows.
Develop specialist skills
Focus Pulling
Measuring focus for Butlins commercial shot on 16mm in the Film Studio
Documentary in Indonesia
Third-year students with local children in Indonesia during filming of documentary ‘Tono’
Props sourcing
Production Designer Liam Winter sourced a prop hog for his graduation film ‘Cuckoo’
Sound team
Second-year students recording sound on major drama ‘Yout’
16mm editing
First-year students edit black and white 16mm film on Picsyncs and Steenbecks
Script supervising
A third-year student works in her specialist role as script supervisor on the graduation film ‘Chalk’
Production design details
A third-year production designer working on the claymation miniatures for graduation film ‘Just Josie’
Learn new skills
Learn a new language
From Arabic to Spanish, you can learn a new language alongside your degree with our Polylang programme.
Develop your entrepreneurial skills
Our award-winning Westminster Enterprise Network offers industry networking events, workshops, one-to-one business advice and support for your startup projects.
Gain extra qualifications
We provide access to free online courses in Adobe and Microsoft Office applications, as well as thousands of specialist courses on LinkedIn Learning.
Facilities
Lighting workshop
Students learn how to light a car scene with professional Gaffer Freddie Bonfanti
Camera team
Camera crew on location with Arri Alexa for graduation film ‘Survive Us’
Working on set
Students preparing to shoot on the bedroom set, built in the Film Studio, for graduation film ‘Singularity’
Camera workshops
A student practising camera operating on the Arri D-21 during a camera workshop in the Film Studio
Office Shoes commercial set
Students built a military base in the Film Studio for a commercial for Office Shoes
Operating Arri Alexa
Third-year students practise prior to their graduation film shoot
16mm Bolex filming
First-year students shoot their final drama
Fees and Funding
UK tuition fee: £9,535 (Price per academic year)
Please note that if you defer your place, the first year’s tuition fees will be those of the academic year in which you enrol, which may be higher than the fee shown for this year.
Fees are subject to UK Government Parliamentary procedure.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
Funding
As well as tuition fee loans, there is a range of funding available to help you fund your studies.
Find out about undergraduate student funding options.
Scholarships
The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible undergraduate students, which cover all or part of your tuition fees.
Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.
Additional costs
See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.
International tuition fee: £17,000 (Price per academic year)
When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase International tuition fees.
Please note that if you defer your place, the first year’s tuition fees will be those of the academic year in which you enrol, which may be higher than the fee shown for this year.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme
If you are an international student accepted on an undergraduate programme starting in September 2024 or September 2025 at level 3 (Foundation) or level 4 (first year) on the basis of an eligible EU qualification only, you will be awarded a tuition fee reduction which will align your fee more closely to the one for UK students. For more information, see the EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme.
International student funding
Find out about funding for international students.
Additional costs
See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.
UK tuition fee: £9,535 (Price per academic year)
Please note that if you defer your place, the first year’s tuition fees will be those of the academic year in which you enrol, which may be higher than the fee shown for this year.
Fees are subject to UK Government Parliamentary procedure.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
Funding
As well as tuition fee loans, there is a range of funding available to help you fund your studies.
Find out about undergraduate student funding options.
Scholarships
The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible undergraduate students, which cover all or part of your tuition fees.
Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.
Additional costs
See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.
International tuition fee: £17,000 (Price per academic year)
When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase International tuition fees.
Please note that if you defer your place, the first year’s tuition fees will be those of the academic year in which you enrol, which may be higher than the fee shown for this year.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme
If you are an international student accepted on an undergraduate programme starting in September 2024 or September 2025 at level 3 (Foundation) or level 4 (first year) on the basis of an eligible EU qualification only, you will be awarded a tuition fee reduction which will align your fee more closely to the one for UK students. For more information, see the EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme.
International student funding
Find out about funding for international students.
Additional costs
See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.
We Are Westminster Blog
Read our blog to get an insight into student life and studying at the University of Westminster.
Alumni
Roma O Connor
Film BA - 1993
VFX Producer for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
The course was invaluable experience not only because it gave a sound technical grounding and therefore adaptability, but it also taught me to work within a team environment where every area is given due relevance, which is essential in film-making and especially in features.
Teaching and Assessment
Below you will find how learning time and assessment types are distributed on this course. The graphs below give an indication of what you can expect through approximate percentages, taken either from the experience of previous cohorts, or based on the standard module diet where historic course data is unavailable. Changes to the division of learning time and assessment may be made in response to feedback and in accordance with our terms and conditions.
How you'll be taught
Teaching methods across all our undergraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application. Learning typically falls into three broad categories:
- Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
- Placement: placement hours normally include placement opportunities, but may also include live projects or virtual activity involving employers
- Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision
How you’ll be assessed
Our postgraduate courses include a variety of assessments, which typically fall into two broad categories:
- Practical: examples include presentations, podcasts, blogs
- Coursework: examples include essays, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation
Data from the academic year 2024/25
Supporting you
Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.
- Study support – workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
- Personal tutors – support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
- Student advice team – provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
- Extra-curricular activities – volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more
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Course Location
Harrow is our creative and cultural hub, home to most of our arts, media and digital courses. It houses state-of-the-art facilities for every discipline, including project and gallery spaces, film studios, creative labs, collaborative learning spaces, and the Westminster Enterprise Network.
Harrow Campus is based in north-west London, just 20 minutes from the city centre by train.
For more details, visit our Harrow Campus page.
Contact us
Call our dedicated team on:
+44 (0)20 7911 5000 ext 65511
Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday
Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday
More information
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