Leading London Film Schools for Kickstarting Your Career

1. London Film School (LFS) 

Recognised by the Hollywood Reporter as one of the 15 Best Global Film Schools, the LFS is the UK’s oldest. Its own studio produces 180 films each year, and students gain key credits during production. Work is regularly screened at festivals around the world. 

“To me, what sets LFS apart is its focus on a comprehensive, hands-on approach to all the major aspects that go into making a film,” alumnus Franco Volpi (director, So What Did We Learn Today, Georgina?) says. 

• Programmes: Postgraduate (directing, producing, or writing) and short courses. 
• Notable alumni: Koby Adom (director, Top Boy), Tak Fujimoto (DoP, The Silence of the Lambs), Mike Leigh (director, Mr. Turner).
• Admission requirements: BA with honours, an equivalent higher/professional qualification, or substantial industry experience for postgraduate. 

2. Goldsmiths, the Screen School

Calling itself a “next-generation film school,” Goldsmiths proudly says it “empowers students to be at the cutting-edge of new work and new developments in this fast changing sector.” 

Courses include directing, documentary filmmaking, producing, cinematography, sound recording and design, and editing and script writing. Optional classes, from Media Law and Ethics to Social Activist Film Making, offer a more niche take. 

• Programmes: One-year postgraduate. 
• Notable alumni: Steve McQueen (director, 12 Years a Slave), Sam Taylor-Johnson (director, Nowhere Boy).
• Admission requirements: BA in film, the arts, or media, though relevant experience and proof of the ability to work at a postgraduate level can earn you consideration. 

3. London Film Academy (LFA)

LFA students enjoy access to professional production and post-production equipment, plus in-house studios and a screening theatre. 

Student work has earned praise from top industry figures, including Lord of the Rings actor and Imaginarium Productions founder Andy Serkis, who said, “We’re huge fans of the London Film Academy (LFA) here at the Imaginarium… We’re always incredibly impressed at how well prepared they are in the art and craft of filmmaking.”

The LFA’s short courses attract ambitious filmmakers with busy lives. 

• Programmes: Undergraduate, postgraduate, and short courses.

• Notable alumni: Alvaro Delgado Aparicio (director, The Companion), Jean-Philippe Gossart (DoP, The Witcher).

• Admission requirements: 112 UCAS points for undergraduate; a 2:2 undergraduate degree or substantial industry experience for postgraduate. 

4. Ravensbourne University

Ravensbourne offers a diverse creative community with impressive industry connections. The BBC, Apple, the Royal Shakespeare Company, and Samsung are just some of the people they’ve worked with. Modules in digital film production, digital production editing, and post-production help students find their niche. They produce commercials and documentaries as well as shorts and features. 

Filmmakers interested in technical aspects should explore Ravensbourne courses. BAs also include Editing and Post Production and Digital Content Creation. Alumnus and director Chris Chuky explains, “I think the beauty of being at Ravensbourne is that you can try whatever you want to do…you can try it multiple times until you find what your strengths are.”

• Programmes: Undergraduate. 
• Notable alumni: Gareth Ellis-Unwin (producer, The King’s Speech), Charlotte Regan (director, Scrapper). 
• Admission requirements: Accepts a wide range of preliminary qualifications. 96 UCAS points, with a GCSE Grade 4 or above in English preferred.

5. MetFilm School

Based in Ealing Studios – where The Crown, The Theory of Everything, and The Darkest Hour were filmed – MetFilm School is just one part of this leading screen organisation. MetFilm also includes:

• MetFilm Production: Award-winning feature film production company.
• MetFilm Distribution: Boutique distributor of films across the UK and Ireland.
• MetFilm Sales: International sales agencies specialising in high-end single documentaries and series.
• MetFilm Futures: Employment support team that connects students with industry opportunities. 

Courses cover screenwriting, cinematography, post-production, special effects, editing, producing, and more. Each semester, an “industry partner” sets a creative brief and allows students to produce content for them – previous partners include Amazon, Twitter, and BFI. 

Another benefit? “A coherent understanding of professional, industry-standard equipment gives our filmmaking students a real advantage in the industry,” notes MetFilm School director Jonny Persey.  

• Programmes: Undergraduate, postgraduate, and short courses. 
• Notable alumni: Megan K. Fox (director, Too Good to Be True), Rina Yang (DoP, Euphoria).
• Admission requirements: 96 UCAS points for undergraduate; a 2:1 honours degree from a UK university or overseas equivalent, or industry experience, for postgraduate.

6. Central Film School

Central’s Practical Filmmaking BA and Filmmaking MA are ideal for those with an accelerated future in mind. Undergraduate degrees take two years rather than three to help students save time and money (classes run throughout the summer to ensure no material is missed), and the MA takes one. 

Central Film School graduates like Kim Strobl speak to its hands-on approach to learning: “In London I first studied Film & Television Production, then a year of directing at the end, and was able to gain a lot of professional experience in production,” says the filmmaker. 

Central has welcomed students from 52 countries over the past 10 years. 

• Programmes: Undergraduate, postgraduate, and short courses. 
• Notable alumni: Zaid Ali Khan (director, Khwaabb), Kim Strobl (director, Madison).
• Admission requirements: 96 UCAS points from September 2025 for undergraduates. A relevant 2.2 honours degree or equivalent industry experience for postgraduates. A visual portfolio and personal statement for both. 

7. Raindance Film School

Raindance is the UK’s largest independent film festival, and its school is a clear frontrunner for indie aficionados. 

Festival founder Elliot Grove says, “With our newly determined and defined focus on first and second-time filmmakers, we continue our campaign of championing new voices and the edgy, under-the-radar films.”

Flexible programmes with evening and weekend workshops operate alongside formal study to accommodate those currently working. 

The celebrated Saturday Film School – delivered in person or via Zoom – offers an immersive one-day introduction to directing, producing, and writing. 

• Programmes: Undergraduate, postgraduate, and short courses.
• Notable alumni: Sacha Baron Cohen (creator, Borat), Julian Fellowes (creator/executive producer, Downton Abbey).
• Admission requirements: A GCSE in English at grade A*-C and a full level 3 qualification (such as an A level or an international baccalaureate diploma) for undergraduate. Postgraduate study considers degrees, transferrable professional skills, industry experience, and other criteria. 

8. City Academy Film School

City focuses on technical subjects, including DSLR filmmaking and editing with Adobe Premiere. City students benefit from state-of-the-art equipment, and courses cover the filmmaking process from action to edit. 

Foundation courses are available for beginners, while more specialised options appeal to those who already have some credits. Classes are small and typically run evenings or weekends – ideal for those with other commitments. The five-day Intensive Filmmaking course is an excellent grounding in the fundamentals. 

• Programmes: Short courses. 
• Admission requirements: A basic understanding of the filmmaking process or related disciplines is useful but not mandatory.