Develop your voice on a practical filmmaking degree in London
Discover your creative voice and tell the stories that matter to you. Our hands-on Filmmaking BA (Hons) degree combines practical filmmaking with film theory and critical enquiry, helping you develop the creative, technical and collaborative skills to bring your ideas to life.
You'll explore areas including:
- Film history, theory and analysis
- Screenwriting and storytelling
- Directing and working with actors
- Cinematography, sound and editing
- Documentary and fiction filmmaking
- Production design and visual storytelling
- Experimental and emerging technologies
- Independent film production
Why choose St Mary's?
Learn through making films
Filmmaking is at the heart of everything we do. From your first year, you'll develop ideas, experiment with techniques and make films individually and collaboratively.
Through practical workshops, creative projects and critical enquiry, you'll learn to think independently, solve problems and develop your own approach to filmmaking.
Learn with practising filmmakers
Our lecturers are experienced filmmakers, writers and creative practitioners who bring current industry experience into the classroom.
Small class sizes mean you'll receive individual guidance, constructive feedback and the freedom to develop your own creative voice.
We're rated:
- 2nd in London for Academic Support (NSS, 2026).
- Top 10 in the UK for Teaching Quality (The Sunday Times Good University Guide, 2025).
Make London your classroom
Study filmmaking on our campus in Richmond-upon-Thames, with London's vibrant film culture and creative industries on your doorstep.
You'll have opportunities to engage with:
- The British Film Institute (BFI)
- The BFI London Film Festival
- Independent cinemas and film events
- Leading studios including Twickenham and Shepperton
Explore the future of film
Explore how filmmaking is changing through emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, virtual production and extended reality.
You'll be encouraged to experiment, question conventions and consider how new technologies can support original, human-centred storytelling.
Build experience beyond the classroom
Develop professional skills and industry connections through collaborative productions, live projects and work experience.
Opportunities may include:
- Independent film productions
- Film and television studios
- Production and post-production companies
- Creative agencies and digital media
Films begin here
Our filmmaking degree combines creative freedom with practical experience, critical thinking and collaboration.
You'll graduate with a portfolio of creative work, transferable skills and the confidence to pursue your own path in film and the wider creative industries.
Great graduate outcomes
Over decades of film modules, we have produced internationally recognised short films, and graduates who have established successful careers within film and media.
Through our film degree, you'll:
- become multi-skilled and highly employable
- join the 96% of Simmies who are in employment, vocation, or further study within 15 months of graduation (HESA, 2024).
About the Placement Year
A placement year enables you to undertake a year of experience in an organisation between your second and final year.
It will enable you to:
- apply the knowledge and skills you gain from your course in a work setting
- build your commercial awareness and insights into organisations and industries you might want to work in
- develop your professional skills through company training, networking skills and confidence in the workplace
- get some great experience for future job applications or even land a graduate job.
Support from St Mary’s every step of the way
Securing a placement can really help you develop your job search skills and the Employability Service placement and Careers Teams can support you to find and apply for available opportunities.
Please note: in the event that you cannot secure a placement you will be able to transfer onto the three year version of your degree programme.
Chat to us
Chat to us
Applying to university can be daunting, and you may have questions about applying, student life, or your course.
Career opportunities
During your film course, you'll develop essential transferable skills, such as critical thinking, creativity, and teamwork.
You’ll be trained for all practical film-related jobs.
When you start your course at St Mary's, you'll have access to our Career Services, which provides students and graduates with impartial advice on their career progression and development.
Some examples of job roles and areas of work for graduates of undefined include:
Course content
These modules are available in the current academic year and are intended to illustrate what may be offered in future years. Modules are subject to change.
Please note: it is possible that a module listed on the website will not be able to run due to reasons beyond our control. For more information please refer to our course information disclaimer.
Entry requirements
2026 to 2028 entries
Start date
Standard offer
112 UCAS points
Contextual offer
96 UCAS points
About Contextual Offer:
Not sure about your grades? We consider all factors when reviewing your application, as we know not everyone has the same support to reach their potential. So we may make a contextual offer below the standard Tariff if you meet our criteria. Read more about contextual offers.
We understand that sometimes barriers you can't control get in the way of academic achievement. You are more than just your grades. We'll consider your application as a whole, taking into account things like:
- subjects studied at Level 3
- your GCSEs (or equivalent) profile
- non-academic achievements you mention in your personal statement
- your references and motivation.
FAQs
A filmmaking degree gives you the creative, technical, and collaborative skills to bring your ideas to life. At St Mary’s, you’ll make films from your first year and graduate with a portfolio of work to take into the industry.
Graduates go on to roles such as runner, camera operator, sound operator, editor, producer, and director.
Over three years, you’ll cover screenwriting, directing, cinematography, sound, and editing, alongside film history and theory. You’ll make fiction and documentary films and explore emerging technologies such as AI and virtual production.
Our standard offer is 112 UCAS points, and our contextual offer is 96 UCAS points. We look at your application as a whole – including your passion for film.
You’ll study on our beautiful, historic campus in Twickenham, with London’s film culture and creative industries on your doorstep. You’ll have opportunities to engage with the BFI, independent cinemas, and leading studios including Twickenham and Shepperton.
Fees & funding
September 2026
Home
£9,790
International
£17,445
(£1200 during placement year)
*Please note: The above fees are for September 2026 and September 2027 fees will be published shortly. Tuition fee increases for undergraduate Home students are subject to regulatory control by the UK Government. These fees are annual and may increase as detailed in our tuition fee variation disclaimer.
For more information on foundation year fees for home students, please check the details on our tuition fee page.
For more information about whether you are likely to pay home or international fees, please visit our 'understanding your tuition fee status' page.
Information about tuition fees, student loans, and funding your studies can be found within our fees and funding section.
Scholarships
Find out more about our range of scholarships and bursaries available to undergraduate students.
Living costs
A guide to your living costs has been created by our Student Funding Team.
Accommodation costs vary depending on whether you opt for an en suite room and on-site catering. Take a look at our accommodation options and the prices you can expect to pay.
How the degree is taught
- Contact time
- 30%
- Independent study
- 30%
- Guided learning
- 40%
Teaching methods
You'll be taught on our beautiful and historic campus located in Twickenham, London.
You will engage in:
- lectures
- seminars
- practice-based workshops.
Assessment methods
You will be assessed through:
- essays
- practice portfolios.
Feedback
We adhere to the university’s policy of providing feedback on assessments within 15 working days.
Apply now
If you're currently living in the United Kingdom and Ireland, you'll need to apply through UCAS. You can check our step-by-step application guide for detailed information. You will also need to apply directly if you want to study any course part-time.
If you're an international student and you would like to apply for Foundation and Placement Year courses, you can submit an application directly or add St Mary's University as a choice on UCAS. Check our guideline for more information.
September
Transferring from another institution?
St Mary's is happy to consider applications from students who wish to transfer from another university. If this is you, please follow these instructions. Please note: we do not currently accept transfers into our LLB courses.
More from St Mary's
Thinking about whether St Mary's is the right place for you? Come and visit it us on campus.
Find out more about the extensive support system available to you at St Mary’s.
Discover the many areas in which our academies are currently researching.
Discover what life is like on our London campus.