15 Film Studies Programs for High School Students in the UK
- Stephen Turban
- 3 hours ago
- 13 min read
If you like making short videos, taking pictures, or watching films while thinking about the process behind them, filmmaking may already interest you. A film studies program in high school helps you explore that interest in a structured way. It introduces how film is studied as an academic subject in universities.
The UK has a strong film culture and many universities that offer programs focused on cinema and media studies. In these programs, you may explore different film traditions, study genres such as drama and documentary, and analyze how directors use cinematography, editing, and sound to build a film.
Why should I do a film studies program in high school?
Participating in a film studies program helps you understand how your interest in filmmaking can develop into a field of study. You may attend lectures, discuss films with instructors, and work on assignments that examine how films are structured and interpreted.
These programs also prepare you for studying film or media in college. They give you early exposure to the subject and can give you a strong advantage in college applications. Admission officers often appreciate applicants who have explored their interests through structured programs before applying.
With that in mind, here are 15 film studies programs for high school students in the UK!
If you’re looking for online summer research programs, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
Several programs are free, including Summer Film School at Southwark Park Galleries, Iconic Steps Free Summer Filmmaking Courses, and BFI Film Academy Short Courses, making UK film studies accessible to students across income levels.
Programs span a wide range of film disciplines, including hands-on production (BFI Film Academy, UK Film School, Young Filmmakers Academy), animation (Arts University Bournemouth), commercial photography (Arts University Bournemouth), screenwriting (Iconic Steps, ISSOS), and academic film studies research (Lumiere, Immerse Education).
Several programs are based in London and give students access to the UK's leading film institutions, including the British Film Institute, London Film Academy, and Central Film School, as well as studio visits to companies like Warner Bros. and DNEG.
Students looking for residential experiences can apply to LITE Regal Film Academy, ISSOS Film Summer School, Future Filmmakers Summer Camp, and Young Film Academy's Residential Camp, all of which include on-campus accommodation alongside structured production training.
Deadlines and enrollment windows vary widely, with some programs like BFI Film Academy and Iconic Steps posting rolling or region-specific deadlines, so students should check each program's website early in the spring to avoid missing available spots.
Location: Southwark Park Galleries, London, UK
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: July 20 to August 17
Application Deadline: No information available
Eligibility: Young people aged 13 - 19 with an interest in filmmaking. No prior experience required
The Summer Film School at Southwark Park Galleries runs as a series of five Saturday workshops where you experiment with filmmaking in a studio setting rather than a traditional classroom. Led by artist Shepherd Manyika, the sessions focus on developing ideas, capturing footage, and shaping those materials into short films. You explore visual storytelling through exercises that combine video, objects, and music, drawing inspiration from Afrofuturist cinema such as Space Is the Place. Each week builds on the previous one. One session might focus on recording footage, another on editing and arranging scenes. By the final session, you assemble a short film that reflects the ideas you explored during the workshops.
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Full financial aid is available!
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
Location: Iconic Steps, London, UK
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: July 24 - August 27
Application Deadline: No information available
Eligibility: Residents of Lambeth or Newham aged 16 - 25
Iconic Steps runs short summer courses in London that focus on specific areas of filmmaking and media production. Each week centers on a different craft area such as screenwriting, editing, documentary filmmaking, music videos, or commercial production. During the sessions, you work with industry mentors who guide practical exercises while discussing how these roles function in real productions. One week might involve planning a documentary sequence, another might focus on assembling footage in an editing suite. Alongside the technical work, the courses also include discussions about career paths in film and television and how creative projects move from concept to finished production.
Location: Oxford, Cambridge (UK); Singapore; Sydney; Toronto; Boston
Cost: Varies; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts with rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 13 - 18 currently enrolled in middle or high school
The Academic Insights Pathway, Film Studies track by Immerse Education, offers middle and high school students the opportunity to explore film at an undergraduate level in an academically rigorous environment. Delivered in small seminar-style classes of 4 - 10 students, the program is taught by academics from leading universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, and Harvard. You’ll attend university-style lectures and receive weekly 1:1 supervision sessions with your tutor, allowing for personalized academic guidance. While you can choose from over 20 subjects, those selecting Film Studies examine cinematic theory, critical analysis, and storytelling within a global film context. The program concludes with a personal academic project, accompanied by written feedback and a certificate of completion. Designed to mirror the structure of a university course, the experience provides insight into studying film and related disciplines at the undergraduate level. You can find more details about the application here.
Location: British Film Institute, Multiple locations across the UK
Cost: Free (bursaries available for travel and childcare)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: Varies by region (courses run annually)
Application Deadline: Varies by regional provider
Eligibility: Be aged 16 - 19 on the first day of the course (up to 25 with an Education, Health and Care plan); Be a UK resident; Demonstrate passion or talent in filmmaking and an ambition to work in the screen industries; Not have previously enrolled in a BFI Film Academy course
BFI Film Academy Short Courses take place across the UK through regional training partners and focus on the practical side of filmmaking. The course begins with basic introductions to production roles such as directing, camera work, and editing before moving into collaborative projects. You spend much of the program working in a small crew where each person takes responsibility for a different production task. Filming days are balanced with editing sessions where footage is assembled into a finished short film. By the end of the course, the work completed during the production process becomes part of a short collaborative project.
Location: Arts University Bournemouth, Bournemouth, UK
Cost: Course fee only: £1,799; Course + accommodation & catering: £2,635; Course + accommodation, catering & London airport transfers: £2,970 (25% deposit required; financial aid not specified)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 16 - 20 students
Dates: August 3 - 14; (Accommodation: August 2 - 15)
Application Deadline: July 20
Eligibility: Students aged 15 - 17 at the time of attendance. No formal academic prerequisites required. Intermediate English proficiency recommended
The Animation course at Arts University Bournemouth focuses on how moving images are constructed frame by frame. Studio sessions introduce the principles of animation before moving into practical exercises using techniques such as hand-drawn animation, stop motion, and cut-out animation. Early sessions focus on observation and drawing, while later sessions involve producing animated sequences and editing them into short clips. You work in the university’s animation studios with equipment such as light boxes and animation rigs while instructors review your work and suggest adjustments during critique sessions.
Location: UK Film School, Capital City College, London, UK
Cost: £750 per student (£250 non-refundable deposit required; balance due 6 weeks before course start)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Maximum 12 students per 1 mentor
Dates: July 27 - 31
Application Deadline: Final balance and forms due 6 weeks before course commencement
Eligibility: Students aged 15 - 17 and adults 18+. No prior experience required.
The 5 Day Introduction to Filmmaking course at UK Film School moves quickly through the entire production process. The first stage focuses on developing a short script and planning how the film will be shot. From there, you move into storyboarding, casting, and organizing the production schedule. Filming takes place over several days, where you rotate through crew roles such as directing, operating the camera, or managing sound. Once filming is finished, the footage is edited into a completed short film, which you can keep as part of a personal portfolio.
8. Film Academy
Location: LITE Regal Education, London (University of London campus) or Cambridge (college campus facilities), UK
Cost: 2 Weeks: Residential £5,995; Non-Residential £4,950; 4 Weeks: Residential £11,350; Non-Residential £9,595; 6 Weeks: Residential £15,950; Non-Residential £14,325; (15% deposit required at application; full balance due 60 days before course start)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: 2-Week Options: July 5 - 18; July 19 - August 1; August 2 - 15; August 16 - 29
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; remaining balance due no later than 60 days before course start
Eligibility: Students aged 15 - 18 before September 1. Applicants must demonstrate enthusiasm for filmmaking, strong motivation, and near-fluent English proficiency. Parental/guardian consent and signed Code of Conduct required
Taught by industry professionals and experienced academic tutors, the course provides hands-on training in camera operation, lighting, editing, scriptwriting, and production management. You’ll explore the five stages of filmmaking, from development and pre-production to production, post-production, and distribution, while creating both collaborative group films and an individual short film project. You’ll use professional HD camcorders and industry-standard editing software, including Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut. The program includes field visits to leading visual effects companies such as Prime Focus / DNEG and the Warner Bros. Studio Tour, offering exposure to real-world film production. Residential students live on university campuses with a structured social programme and graduation ceremony, receiving a detailed academic report and certificate upon completion.
Location: Arts University Bournemouth, Bournemouth, UK
Cost: Course fee only: £1,799; Course + accommodation & catering: £2,635; Course + accommodation, catering & London airport transfers: £2,970 (25% deposit required; financial aid not specified)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 16 - 20 students
Dates: August 3 - 14; (Accommodation: August 2 - 15)
Application Deadline: July 20
Eligibility: Students aged 15 - 17 at the time of attendance. No formal academic prerequisites required. Intermediate English proficiency recommended
The Commercial Photography course at Arts University Bournemouth examines how images are created for advertising and brand communication. Studio sessions focus on lighting setups, composition, and working with subjects such as products or portraits. Outdoor shoots introduce location photography, where you experiment with natural light and framing. After capturing images, you work with editing software such as Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom to refine the final photographs. The assignments are structured around simulated commercial briefs so that each project reflects the type of work produced in professional photography studios.
Location: London Film Academy, London, UK
Cost: 1-week course: £595; 2-week course: £995
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Maximum 12 students per cohort
Dates: Summer: August 3 - 14 (2 weeks); August 17 - 28 (2 weeks); Easter and Summer 1-week options also available
Application Deadline: No information available
Eligibility: Students aged 13 - 17 at the start of the course; International students must meet B2 English level (CEFR); Students traveling from outside the UK require a Standard Visitor Visa and a UK-based emergency contact
The Young Filmmakers’ Academy at London Film Academy focuses on the practical side of film production. Workshops introduce the responsibilities involved in different crew roles, including directing, cinematography, sound recording, and editing. In the shorter course, you film projects using smartphone filmmaking kits equipped with professional lenses and stabilizers. The longer course introduces digital cameras and professional sound equipment. Post-production takes place in editing suites, where footage is assembled in Adobe Premiere Pro.
Location: University College London (UCL), London, UK (Organized by Dukes Plus)
Cost: From £2,225
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: Start date July 27 (1-2 weeks)
Application Deadline: Not available
Eligibility: Students aged 15 - 18 with an interest in TV, film, or media. No prior experience required
The Young TV and Filmmaker Summer Experience takes place around University College London and introduces the process of producing short film scenes. Workshops begin with script development and move into filming and editing exercises. You work on a short scene that is planned, filmed, and edited during the program. The schedule also includes visits to film and media locations across London, where professionals discuss how productions are organized in the city’s television and film industries.
Location: Central Film School, London, UK
Cost: £3,295 (Residential); £1,395 (Day Student, includes hot lunch Mon - Fri); Sibling discount: 5%. Early Bird discount: 10% if booked and paid by April 13
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: July 20 - 31; August 3 - 14
Application Deadline: Early Bird deadline: April 13
Eligibility: Students aged 14 - 17; no prior experience required
The Future Filmmakers Summer Camp at Central Film School is a two-week immersive filmmaking and acting program designed for you. You’ll receive hands-on training in key areas such as script development, acting for screen, cinematography, camera operation, editing (including Adobe Premiere Pro), lighting, and sound. Taught by industry professionals and school tutors, the program guides you through the full production process, from story development to final screening. You may choose between a residential or day option, with residential participants staying at Furzedown Student Village in ensuite accommodation. The experience concludes with a campus screening and wrap party, where you’ll showcase your completed projects.
Location: ISSOS, Scotland, UK
Cost: £7,900 (includes £500 registration + £7,400 tuition; all-inclusive residential stay)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Each nationality capped at 10% of intake
Dates: Session 1: June 28 - July 19; Session 2: July 22 - August 12
Application Deadline: No information available
Eligibility: Students aged 13 - 18; open to all experience levels
The ISSOS Film Summer School is a three-week residential programme designed for those interested in filmmaking. Guided by working industry professionals, you’ll explore the full production process, from scriptwriting and story structure to shooting, directing, and post-production editing using professional software. Through interactive workshops and practical sessions, you’ll learn key cinematic techniques, including shot composition, the rule of thirds, and the 180-degree rule. Working in small teams, you’ll produce your own short films, which are screened at a final Creative Night showcase for the entire summer school. The elective runs alongside one academic subject of your choice, creating a balanced academic and creative experience.
Location: Arts University Bournemouth, Bournemouth, UK
Cost: Course fee only: £1,799; Course + accommodation & catering: £2,635; Course + accommodation, catering & London airport transfers: £2,970 (25% deposit required; financial aid not specified)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 16 - 20 students
Dates: August 3 - 14; (Accommodation: August 2 - 15)
Application Deadline: July 20
Eligibility: Students aged 15 - 17 at the time of attendance. No formal academic prerequisites required. Intermediate English proficiency recommended
The Filmmaking and Production course at Arts University Bournemouth focuses on creating a short fiction film in small production teams. The program begins with scriptwriting and storyboarding sessions where scenes are planned, and roles are assigned. Filming then takes place using professional cameras, lighting setups, and sound recording equipment. Editing sessions focus on assembling the footage into a finished film while instructors review each stage of the process. The program concludes with a screening during which the completed projects are discussed and evaluated.
Location: Culford School, Suffolk, UK
Cost: From £1,790 for a 1-week camp; £3,490 for a 2-week camp (includes board, meals, tuition, equipment, and activities)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No information available
Dates: 1-week camps: August 2 – 9; August 9 – 16; 2-week camp: August 2 – 16
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Young people aged 13 – 17, grouped into 13 – 14 and 15 – 17 age bands
Young Film Academy’s Residential Filmmaking & Screen Acting Summer Camp takes place at Culford School in Suffolk, where you spend one or two weeks living on campus while working through the process of making short films. At the start, you choose a pathway: the Filmmaking Crew if you want to focus on directing, cinematography, and editing, or the Acting Crew if your interest is performance for the camera. Workshops run throughout the day, alternating between practical exercises and on-set demonstrations, so you see how a script becomes a filmed scene and how different roles on a set connect. Filmmaking and Acting crews eventually merge during production, which means you collaborate on short film projects where scenes are rehearsed, shot, and edited within the same week. By the end of the session, those films are screened at the school’s on-site cinema, creating a small-festival atmosphere.
Frequently asked questions
What types of film studies programs are available for high school students in the UK?
Options include free community-based workshops (Summer Film School, Iconic Steps, BFI Film Academy), university-style academic programs (Immerse Education, Lumiere), hands-on production intensives (UK Film School, Young Filmmakers Academy, Central Film School), residential summer camps (ISSOS, LITE Regal, Young Film Academy), and specialist arts university courses in animation, photography, and filmmaking (Arts University Bournemouth).
Are there free film studies programs for high school students in the UK?
Yes, several programs are free. BFI Film Academy Short Courses are free to UK residents aged 16 to 19, with bursaries available for travel and childcare. Summer Film School at Southwark Park Galleries is also free, and Iconic Steps in London offers free summer courses for residents of Lambeth or Newham aged 16 to 25. Programs like Immerse Education and LITE Regal Film Academy charge tuition but offer financial aid or bursaries.
Which UK programs are best for students who want hands-on production experience?
UK Film School's 5 Day Introduction to Filmmaking, Young Filmmakers Academy at London Film Academy, Arts University Bournemouth's Filmmaking and Production course, and Central Film School's Future Filmmakers Summer Camp all give students direct experience operating cameras, recording sound, and editing footage into a finished short film. LITE Regal Film Academy also includes visits to professional visual effects studios.
Are any UK film programs open to international students?
Several programs welcome international students. ISSOS Film Summer School in Scotland caps each nationality at 10% of the intake, ensuring an international mix. Young Film Academy's residential camp in Suffolk accepts international students with a Standard Visitor Visa and a UK-based emergency contact. Immerse Education operates across Oxford, Cambridge, and other international locations and accepts students worldwide. Arts University Bournemouth courses recommend intermediate English proficiency but do not require prior filmmaking experience.
Which programs are best for students interested in animation or photography rather than live-action film?
Arts University Bournemouth offers two distinct two-week courses specifically focused on animation and commercial photography alongside its filmmaking track. The animation course covers stop-motion, hand-drawn, and cut-out techniques, while the photography course focuses on studio lighting, composition, and commercial briefs, using Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom.
When should I apply to film studies programs for high school students in the UK?
Timelines vary significantly. BFI Film Academy and Iconic Steps post regional and rolling deadlines that students should check early in the spring. Arts University Bournemouth closes July 20 for its August courses. UK Film School requires the final payment and forms six weeks before the course starts. ISSOS and LITE Regal accept rolling admissions. Students should begin researching in the autumn and aim to secure places in the most popular summer programs by spring.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.