Film and Television BA (Hons)

Level: Undergraduate

Subject: Design

Year of entry: 2026

Key facts

UCAS Code

P390

Award

BA (Hons)

Duration of study

3 years, 4 years

Delivery

Full-time

Study location

Multiple campuses

Start date

September 2026

School

Edinburgh College of Art

College

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Study abroad

Available

Placement

Available

Second year entry

Available

Open days and events

About the degree programme

We believe in creative storytelling and experimentation. We support a wide range of screen-based work which includes:

  • fiction
  • documentary
  • drama
  • experimental film
  • hybrid film

On this programme, we will encourage you to:

  • be inquisitive and questioning
  • challenge convention and develop new approaches to filmmaking
  • expand your understanding of film form and film contexts.

We do not just teach ‘how’ to push a button but ‘why’ to press it.

Through short films and creative exercises, we nurture work that questions norms and pushes the boundaries of filmmaking. These experiences will help you:

  • find your own creative identities, voice and specialisation
  • develop skills that will help you find work in the film and creative industries
  • graduate with a clear sense of your own filmmaking practice and professional goals

By the time you graduate, you will have created a portfolio of short films in different roles. This helps you explore how every aspect of film and every role within a crew can be a means of creative expression.

We work as a film community supporting collaboration across the degree year groups. We also encourage interdisciplinary collaboration with other departments at ECA and celebrate the opportunities of studying film in an art school.

Our programme ethos is about nurturing your imagination, curiosity, and collaboration, which is underpinned by a professional and highly practical skillset.

Discover what it's like to study BA Film and Television from our staff and students.

How long it takes to complete this degree programme

This programme is usually studied over 4 years, however, some students may be eligible to enter in the second year and complete the programme in 3 years.

Programme benefits

  • The stunning city of Edinburgh is at the heart of annual international cultural and arts events. You will be inspired both within the studios and workshops of the Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) and by the city itself.
  • You will benefit from talks and workshops with professional practitioners and take part in exhibitions, competitions and live projects that help you prepare for professional practice.
  • You will qualify ready for industry, with the confidence to establish yourself as independent and adaptable designer with a range of transferable skills.
  • All of our staff have worked within the industry and bring a wealth of expertise and practical experience to their teaching. 
  • We are an industry-facing course with strong connections within the Scottish and UK audio-visual sectors. 

I chose to study at ECA particularly because of the Film and Television BA (Hons) course’s focus on creativity, experimentation with film and TV, and pushing and developing ideas. That was something I found really interesting and wanted to explore, along with the technical and theoretical aspects of the course.

I also really like ECA’s set-up of collaborating with people from other classes to help you produce short films. For example, Performance Costume students and Textiles students assist with costumes or music students assist with the sound design. I felt this gave a really nice atmosphere to ECA and felt that it was somewhere I would be happy to be for four years.

Laura Wiggett BA (Hons) Film and Television, graduated 2022

Find your entry requirements

Use the dropdowns to find out your entry requirements.

  1. Select the country where you are studying or where you studied your qualification.
  2. Select the qualification you are studying or studied.
United Kingdom,

Tuition fees for BA (Hons) Film and Television

View the tuition fees for one academic year of BA (Hons) Film and Television.

Tuition fees for this programme

Additional costs

There will be additional costs for materials.

Some programmes also offer study trips and individual field-based projects. You will usually be required to pay for:

  • accommodation
  • food, drink and other everyday costs
  • travel

The actual cost will depend on the programme and the courses you select, as well as the nature of each trip.

Accommodation and living costs

You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.

We estimate that a single student can potentially spend a maximum of £920 to £2,257 on living costs each month, depending on your accommodation.

This estimate covers the costs of:

  • accommodation
  • food
  • utility bills
  • travel within Edinburgh
  • health and wellbeing costs

See a breakdown of living costs

Scholarships and funding

Funding information

You can find detailed information on financial support available, based on where you are living, in our funding section.

Funding

What you will study

You will gain practical experience in:

  • approaches to directing and writing films
  • creative producing
  • cinematography
  • sound recording and design
  • editing, colour grading and other post-production processes

Design and Screen Cultures

You will study Design and Screen Cultures courses alongside your practical studio work.

These courses give you a contextual and theoretical understanding of contemporary screen studies.

Option courses

In Years 1 and 2 you can also enroll in different option courses offered by the wider University. You should select a combination of courses that reflect your interests and enhance your main area of study.

Second year entry

If you are successful in applying for direct entry into our second year, you will not be disadvantaged compared to peers who are studying in their first year with us.

At second-year entry, courses focus on developing foundational knowledge of film practice and cinematic forms. We expect more critical thinking and exploration of unconventional techniques and processes at this stage of the degree.

You will join a cohort of film students in our core practical courses that concentrate on visual aesthetics and the language of cinema. You will also have the option of studying electives with students from the wider ECA and UoE communities.

We also ensure that you will have access to the same range of workshop inductions and technical support available to our Year 1 students with the Information and Technical and Technology Services team.

Year 1 is about foundations. It offers a grounding in cinematic language and the building blocks of storytelling through moving images and sound.

You will:

  • get to know your fellow students in a fast-paced practical environment
  • work on different creative film exercises
  • collaborate in entry-level crew roles on senior film projects
  • attend masterclasses and workshops on various practical aspects of filmmaking

In Design and Screen Cultures, you will address the key histories and theories of design and screen studies.

Option courses

You can take 60 credits of courses from:

  • Design and Screen Cultures
  • the wider College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Your choices will be subject to availability and will require discussion with the relevant course organisers.

Find Year 1 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

Year 2 is about growth. It provides opportunities to develop your technical and creative skillset while engaging in more collaborative filmmaking projects.

You will:

  • develop your personal interests and technical abilities toward areas of specialisation
  • collaborate on film projects that are more ambitious in scale, schedule and crew

You will work on film projects and creative exercises that involve diverse production techniques and approaches to the medium, including:

  • understanding different film forms and trying various production approaches
  • exploring the power of story, subject matter and authorship in your work
  • technical training to develop your camera, lighting, sound and editing skills
  • collaborate in assistant roles on senior film projects

You will continue studying Design and Screen Cultures courses.

Like Year 1, you can choose option courses from the wider college.

Find Year 2 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

Year 3 focuses on experimentation. It gives a chance for you to explore new ideas and develop unique methods that challenge conventional filmmaking.

You will:

  • have opportunities to experiment in greater detail, take risks and think outside of the box during the creation of short film projects
  • work with actors to explore collaborative processes involved in writing and filming scenes to a professional standard
  • try diverse creative approaches to narrative filmmaking and find your distinctive way of creating films
  • collaborate at a creative level in key roles on senior film productions

You will also:

  • take a further Design and Screen Cultures course
  • have the opportunity to study abroad, which can help broaden your understanding of the discipline
  • have the opportunity to complete a self-initiated work placement
Find Year 3 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

Year 4 is about depth. It allows you to consolidate skills, creative approaches and collaborations that have developed during the past three years.

Developing film projects

You will:

  • have the opportunity to develop and present a film project
  • undergo in-depth rigorous research to contextualise your work in the wider film and moving image landscape
  • attend workshops and tutorials that support your idea development
  • benefit from guest lectures and masterclasses with industry professionals who will help you hone your skills and creative ambitions
Realising film projects

Following a pitching process, you and your fellow students will collaboratively produce a maximum of 10 film projects.

For this, you will take on Head of Department roles, such as:

  • producer
  • director
  • editor
  • cinematographer
  • sound designer

You will also complete a written dissertation as part of your Design and Screen Cultures course.

Typically, at the end of Year 4 you will have the opportunity to take part in our Graduate Show. This is a chance to exhibit your work. You can see work submitted by previous graduates on our 2024 Graduate Show page.

BA Film and Television Graduate Show 2024

Find Year 4 courses (2024-2025 academic year)

Study abroad

You will have the opportunity to study abroad in Year 3 of this degree at one of our partner universities.

If international travel restrictions allow, you may be able to choose where you study from our selection of international partners.

A study abroad experience will allow you to immerse yourself in a different culture, enrich your learning and enhance your future job opportunities.

Your study abroad options

Placements

In Year 3 you will have the opportunity to complete a self-initiated work placement.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

Most design teaching and learning is through involvement in a range of experiential courses situated in a studio environment.

You will be taught through:

  • seminars
  • technical workshops
  • lectures
  • tutorials
  • critiques
Your development

Your development is influenced by research and critical thinking, as well as the following contexts that shape creative design practice:

  • visual
  • intellectual
  • social
  • professional

These elements are taught through Design and Screen Cultures courses and involve:

  • exhibitions
  • competitions
  • collaborations
  • live industry projects
Masterclasses

You will benefit from workshops and masterclasses from internal and visiting staff, who all work and exhibit internationally in film and television.

Assessment

We use formative assessment throughout this programme. This helps us give meaningful feedback and encourages experimentation in the studio and beyond.

Formative assessment for compulsory courses can include:

  • portfolio
  • presentations
  • essays against course learning outcomes

There is a mid-session review, usually at the mid-point of any course you study.

Summative assessment at the end of all courses is informed by your:

  • academic progress
  • creative progress
  • performance throughout

Your course grades are calculated through this summative assessment plus a moderation process.

Monday
  • 11am to 1pm: Seminar 
  • 2pm to 4pm: Industry masterclass 
Wednesday
  • 10am to 12pm: Set etiquette workshop 
Thursday
  • 2pm to 5pm: Introduction to Lighting workshop 
Friday
  • 10am to 1pm: Camera workshop 2 

Support for your studies

ECA’s Student and Academic Support Service (SASS) supports students throughout their studies in all degree programmes at ECA.

You will have a dedicated Student Adviser, based within SASS, who is specially trained to support you during your studies. Your Student Adviser will be your first point of contact for any support, including questions about your studies or your well-being. Your Student Adviser can support you with:

  • personal or wellbeing issues that you are facing, including how to access specialist support
  • queries related to your programme, such as course enrolments, programme transfers and academic progression
  • applying for extensions and special circumstances
  • advice about how to take a break from your studies
  • registering with the Disability and Learning Support Service

If you’re unsure who to ask, you can contact your Student Adviser as a first point of contact.

Support for your studies

Our academic staff

At ECA, you'll join a community of practising designers, artists, illustrators, writers, critics and curators working across visual, and material culture.

The majority of our faculty members in the subject area teach on the programme.

You will meet, and work with most of them during your studies. You can explore our people directory to discover more of the staff you will learn from.

ECA People Directory

Where you will study

Study location

Design students benefit from studio-based learning at our Lauriston Place campus. You will also benefit from the exhibitions and events associated with our vibrant art college.

Some Design and Screen Cultures teaching takes place in the University's Central Area.

You will also get to experience lectures and classes across the wider University of Edinburgh campus.

Academic facilities

Specialist technical facilities

In addition to the studios, you will be taught across a range of specialist workshop environments, which are predominantly located in Lauriston Campus.

You will have access to:

  • film studio
  • specialist equipment store which provides a broad range of industry-standard cameras, lighting and sound recording equipment
  • post-production facilities such as editing suites and a colour grading suite
  • cinema space

Workshops are staffed by specialist technicians and practitioners, who will support and guide your technical development during your studies.

In addition to these facilities, we also have the ECA Store on campus where you can purchase materials for your projects, along with our Free-Use Hub where you can access free recycled materials. Students also have access to Bookit, where you can access and loan a wide range of digital and technical equipment for free as part of being a student.

Bookit - Equipment loans and studio booking

You can find out more on the ECA website.

Facilities and resources at ECA

Investing in our learning environment

Edinburgh College of Art is excited to be undertaking a capital redevelopment of ECA’s Lauriston Campus over the next three years, from April 2024 to April 2027.

The project aims to maximise the use of existing space, improve accessibility, and create a vibrant campus that fosters collaboration and innovation.​

The project involves refurbishing and repurposing various spaces across the Lauriston campus, including technical facilities, student and teaching spaces, and the relocation of the Reid School of Music from Alison House to the Lauriston Campus. New social spaces, seminar rooms, and studios are being created to accommodate our growing community.

You can find more about the project on our website:

Building work starts at ECA’s Lauriston Campus - Edinburgh College of Art

Virtual tour

You can take a closer look at the Edinburgh College of Art and explore our facilities and campus with our virtual tour.

Take a virtual tour of Edinburgh College of Art

Career paths

Our students successfully enter into a rapidly evolving industry in a wide range of creative and technical roles, secure traineeships, and often work independently as freelancers.

We boast a vibrant alumni network and strong links with the cultural and creative sector across Scotland and beyond. Their work regularly wins awards.

Professional practice is woven into all our courses from Year 1 to ensure your career prospects are enhanced. 

Careers Service

Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals.

The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies.

With the Careers Service, you can:

  • access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengths
  • try different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you develop
  • get help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobs
  • attend careers events and practice interviews
  • get information and advice to help you make informed decisions

Visit the Careers Service website

Further study

After you complete your programme, you may want to go onto further study at Edinburgh or a different university. You could progress to:

  • a masters degree
  • a postgraduate diploma or certificate
  • a PhD
  • a second undergraduate degree

Find out about options for further study 

Postgraduate degrees you might be interested in could include:

Graduate profiles

Visit our alumni directory to hear from two graduates of BA Film and Television.

Alumni profile - Jack Allen

Alumni profile - Kitty McMurdo-Schad

How to apply

You must submit a full application through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) before the relevant deadline.

Guidance on applying through UCAS

What you need to apply

As part of your application, you will need:

  • your academic qualifications
  • a personal statement
  • evidence of your English language skills (with relevant qualifications)
  • a reference

Portfolio

You need to submit a digital portfolio to show your artistic skill and potential. 

The portfolio guidance for 2026 entry will be released in August 2025.

How we select

If you have met, or are predicted to meet, all our entry requirements by the relevant deadline, then your application will go into our selection process.

As part of this selection process, we will review all the information you submit in your UCAS application when we decide who to select for this degree programme.

How we select applicants

When to apply

  • 2026 entry UCAS deadline: 14 January 2026 (6:00pm GMT)

This is the deadline for all UK, EU and international applicants to non-medicine and veterinary medicine programmes.

To find out if any degree programmes have spaces after 14 January 2026, search the University of Edinburgh on the UCAS website.

Search degrees that are open on the UCAS website

Key application dates and deadlines

After you apply

After you have applied for your degree programme, we suggest you have a look at the following information to help you prepare for university:

Applying as an international student

As an international student, you apply for this degree programme through UCAS.  

Find out more about applying through UCAS  

Visas and immigration 

If you do not have the right to live in the UK, you will need to apply for and secure a Student visa before the start date of your degree programme.  

Our Student Immigration Service can help you with the Student visa application process. 

Applying for a visa  

Agents  

An education agent is someone who can help you with the application process as an international student. 

We work with education agents around the world and have a list of local offices you can contact.  

Find contact details for an education agent

What our students say

What is it really like to study here? Our students share their experiences on our social media.

You can find out what a day in the life is like for an Edinburgh College of Art Student, from late nights in the library to their favourite walks around the city!

Instagram: Edinburgh College of Art

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single undergraduate students from outside Edinburgh. To be eligible, you need to meet all criteria and apply for accommodation by 16 August in the year of your entry to the University.

University accommodation website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

If you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.

Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place

Societies and clubs

Our societies and sports clubs will help you develop your interests, meet like-minded people, find a new hobby or simply socialise.

Societies

Sports clubs

The city of Edinburgh

Our vibrant capital is a blend of culture, history, nature and modern city life. A fantastic place to live, it is also the perfect location to study film and television.

As a place of outstanding architectural interest and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, Edinburgh offers the perfect setting in which to study the built environment.

Edinburgh’s dynamic cultural scene boasts the largest collection of historic buildings, museums, art galleries and theatres of any city in Scotland.

The University of Edinburgh’s museums and galleries include:

  • the Talbot Rice Gallery
  • Centre for Research Collections
  • St. Cecilia’s Hall: Concert Room and Music Museum

Edinburgh is home to several major annual festivals, each bringing talent from around the world to our streets and stages, making the celebration of diversity an intrinsic part of the city’s culture. These include the:

  • Festival Fringe
  • Film Festival
  • Art Festival
  • Book Festival
  • Jazz & Blues Festival

Some of our students even participate in our annual festivals.

Health and wellbeing support

You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.

The support services we offer include:

  • a student counselling service
  • a health centre (doctor's surgery)
  • support if you're living in University accommodation
  • dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustment

Health and wellbeing support services

Contact us

Contact us through our enquiry team if you have any questions about this programme.

Open days, events and visits

Find out when our next open days will be taking place

Open days, events and visits

Chat to our students on Unibuddy

Related degree programmes

You may also be interested in

Discover Uni data

This information is part of a government initiative to enhance the material that higher education institutions provide about their degree programmes.

It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.

Some programmes do not have Discover Uni data available.