BA (Hons) Film & Television Production

You should submit your application before 28 February 2025 (16:00 GMT). If you apply after 28 February, we can’t guarantee there will still be places on your course.

Applying after a break in studying
The application process is the same as it is for everyone else. You will have the option within your personal statement to explain why you have chosen to return to study now and how you feel you will benefit.
We accept a variety of qualifications, including the Access to HE Diploma and Open University credits. View our course pages to find out about entry requirements for each course. If you are a mature student and you have any questions about our entry requirements or your qualifications email [email protected].

Equal opportunities
The School is committed to the promotion of equal opportunities for all. We consider each application on the basis of the applicant’s suitability for the proposed programme of study, at the same time acknowledging the statutory and professional requirements of some programmes. We are keen to encourage applicants from a wide range of academic and social backgrounds to take up the opportunity of studying at the School. We aim to create an environment that respects the diversity of students and enables them to derive maximum benefit and enjoyment from their involvement in the life of the School. To do this we will be proactive about ensuring people are treated fairly regardless of age, disability, race, nationality, ethnicity, gender, religion or sexual orientation.

Application enquiries
The Admissions Office deals with enquiries and applications for all degree courses.
Telephone: +44 (0)117 9733535
Email : [email protected]
Post: Admissions Office, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, 1-2 Downside Road, Bristol BS8 2XF, UK

Application regulations
We will only accept one application per applicant, per year. You cannot apply for more than one course. If you need further advice about choosing a course, please contact the admissions team.

Bristol Old Vic Theatre School is an associate school of the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol), a Higher Education Provider registered with the Office for Students. On successful completion of this course, you will receive an award from UWE Bristol. Because of their vocational nature, BOVTS does not award degree classifications – all assessment is completed on a pass or fail basis.

Audio and film work is currently taught at the School’s centre for recorded media (Christchurch Studios), as well as on-location across the city of Bristol. Read more about the sale of Christchurch Studios.

This course has been written to provide students with the following educational aims:

• Vocational practice-based training in Film, Television and Short Form Production, equipping students with both foundational and advanced skills, blending hands-on experience with theoretical knowledge to ensure a well-rounded education in the craft of filmmaking.
• A personalised learning journey, with opportunity to explore multiple roles within the film and TV production process with a choice of specialisation, allowing them to tailor their education to their specific career goals.
• An industry-focused approach to learning, developing technical, interpersonal and professional skills to prepare students for the film, HETV, and media industries by offering practical experience through real-world projects, industry placements, and networking opportunities with professionals.
• Creative and technical mastery through diverse projects, students will develop both their creative storytelling abilities and technical expertise, ensuring they can effectively contribute to all stages of the production process.
• Support for career launch, providing resources and opportunities for students to begin successful professional careers through a series of workshops, mentor sessions, placements, studio tours, expos, and industry networking events.

This course has been written to provide students with the following learning outcomes:

• Communication: Develop clear communication with cast and crew using verbal & written forms, and digital tools. Practise active listening to ensure alignment and value. Enhance communication with patience and diplomacy to foster positive relationships and effective collaboration
• Creativity: Utilise creativity to tell engaging stories, solve production challenges, and enhance the artistic vision. Embrace creativity with bravery and vitality to overcome challenges and create compelling film, TV and digital productions.
• Problem-solving and Decision Making: Quickly develop well-considered solutions for issues across the filmmaking process from pre- to post-production. Use critical thinking and proactive planning to prevent problems and ensure smooth productions. Be resourceful and adaptable to overcome challenges, taking a proactive approach to everything you do.
• Teamwork and Leadership: Lead and inspire a diverse team, creating a positive work environment and cementing your learning by mentoring others. Collaborate effectively, contributing to team goals and valuing everyone’s input. Foster teamwork and leadership with patience, reliability and trust.
• Professionalism and Being an Inclusive Individual: Demonstrate professionalism with punctuality, reliability and ethics. Champion inclusivity and respect for diversity, ensuring fair treatment and opportunities. Understand industry standards, while honing a critical eye as both a maker and consumer of film, TV and media to challenge the status quo professionally.
• Technical and Production Skills: Gain a thorough understanding of the film, TV and digital industries, production roles and responsibilities, and the processes, techniques and technologies used to create high-quality productions.

You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge match the content of the modules on the course; including ongoing mentoring from internal staff, as well as structured teaching sessions. The team includes the Head of Course, and tutors specialising in screen and audio production.

You will also be supported by a range of visiting current industry professionals who will teach specialist masterclasses and workshops, supporting you in developing your professional network. You can find further information about all our core teaching staff on our staff pages.

Because of the vocational nature of the training, BOVTS does not award degree classifications – all assessment is completed on a pass or fail basis. There are no written exams, dissertations or essays. You’ll be assessed on your engagement in theoretical sessions, and practical work; assignments are based on industry-standard paperwork and processes.

Please refer to the module map below for further clarity on assessment of each module.

Each module is worth a specified number of credit points. All modules are compulsory, enabling you to cover key subject knowledge while developing your own interests.

Fundamentals of Film and Storytelling Techniques (40 Credits)

This module introduces you to the foundational concepts of film, with a focus on storytelling techniques. You will engage in class discussions to explore various narrative structures and film language, demonstrating your understanding through active participation and analysis. Assessment will include contributions to discussions and reflective exercises on different storytelling approaches.

Pre-Production and Safety in Film Production (40 Credits)

Focusing on the critical pre-production phase, this module equips you with the skills to plan and prepare for a film project while prioritising safety and equity. You will be assessed on your ability to complete health and safety certifications, conduct comprehensive risk assessments, and develop pre-production plans that ensure the safety and fairness of the crew and cast. The assessment will culminate in the submission of a pre-production portfolio for your short-form project.

Short-Form Portfolio Production I (40 Credits)

In this module, you will begin producing a professional short-form portfolio. Starting with the development of a treatment and pitch, students will be assessed on your ability to execute projects that include a commercial, animation, music video, or podcast/vodcast. The assessment will focus on the application of industry-standard processes from pre- to post-production, with the expectation of near-cinema quality final outputs. You will submit your portfolio for evaluation, which will include all stages of production.

Advanced Production Techniques and Roles (40 Credits)

This module advances your understanding of production techniques by exploring various production roles in greater depth. Through class discussions and practical engagement, you will refine your production skills. Assessment will be based on participation in discussions, as well as the demonstration of advanced production techniques in assigned roles during practical exercises and projects.

Short-Form Portfolio Production II (40 Credits)

Building on previous work, this module requires you to expand your short-form portfolio with new projects that emphasise expressionist and visual storytelling, narrative audio, and interactive media. Starting with a treatment and pitch, you will be assessed on your ability to manage and execute these projects from pre- to post-production, maintaining industry-standard quality. The final portfolio submission will be evaluated on the creativity and technical proficiency of the completed works.

Assistant Roles and Set Experience (40 Credits)

This practical module immerses you in realistic film production environments, where they will take on assistant roles in fully-fledged productions. The assessment will involve evaluating your performance in set etiquette, your ability to collaborate with peers across various departments, and the acquisition of skills pertinent to your chosen roles. You will also be assessed on your understanding of the overall production process, demonstrated through reflective reports or presentations.

Leadership in Film Production (60 Credits)

In this module, you are tasked with taking on leadership roles in key film projects, managing all phases from pre-production to final screening. The assessment will focus on your ability to oversee and execute a project, including the leadership of teams, problem-solving, and decision-making processes. Your final project management will be evaluated, with a particular emphasis on the quality of the final screening and the effectiveness of your leadership throughout the project.

Short-Form Portfolio Production III (40 Credits)

This module challenges students to complete your short-form portfolio with a significant project, such as a 5-minute short film produced in collaboration with MA Writers, MA Directors and MA Screen Actors. You will be assessed on your ability to bring this project from treatment and pitch to near-cinema quality completion, demonstrating your mastery of the production process. 

Career Kick-Off (20 Credits)

Across the three years, you will go through a mentoring and professional development scheme, attend industry networking events and complete further industry accredited certificates. Alongside this, you will compile a professional credits list/CV and supporting materials, which will be assessed as part of your readiness for industry entry.

Applicants are normally expected to meet UWE Bristol’s minimum entry requirements. However, BOVTS welcomes interest from applicants who may not have the standard entry requirements. We will consider evidence of personal, professional and educational experience which shows an ability to meet the demands of the course. Please see “selection process” for further information, or contact our admissions team for further advice.

If English is not your first language, you will need to demonstrate English language proficiency through a relevant qualification, such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). For this course, an overall score of 7.0 is normally required, with a minimum of 7.0 in each component of reading, writing, listening and speaking. Please contact our admissions team for further advice.

Your application should demonstrate a passion for and an understanding of film and television production.

Everyone who applies for this course will be interviewed, where you will be asked to demonstrate your experience, motivations, passions and aspirations with our panel. Please bring and talk through your existing portfolio of work, however big or small, and be prepared to discuss a filmmaking topic which excites you.

As part of the selection process, we may also invite you to take part in a comprehensive workshop day which will be communicated with you by our admissions team.

Home students (UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man) £9,250 per year
International students (including EU) £22,050 per year

Fees are subject to further increase in subsequent years in line with government policy.

We regret that we are unable to consider applications from students requiring a visa to study in the UK during the 2025–26 academic year. For further information, please see the drop down “Students requiring a visa to study in the UK.”

Accommodation and living costs are not included in your tuition fees.

Further information about financial support from the government, and bursaries and scholarships that you may be eligible to apply for is available from our fees and funding page.

There are some additional costs associated with this course that are not covered by your tuition fee. Costs given in brackets are to help with budgeting and are indicative only. These are likely to include:

• recommended books – before buying your own copy, you may wish to see if you can borrow through the School’s library or view through the Drama Online portal (available to current students) (up to £100)
• stationery, photocopying and printing costs (estimated £50 for duration of the course).

For students interested in pursuing film & TV production we recommend the following IT equipment:
• Absolute Minimum of 8GB RAM
• In-built video/graphics cards – these can be low spec, but will speed up video work!
• We recommend Mac computers due to our working systems and Mac being the industry choice, but we recognise that prices are a lot higher than PC (“Gaming” PCs/Laptops are usually good spec for video!)
• DaVinci Resolve (free) pre-installed
• A 1-2TB USB3.0 or better HDD (eg Lacie or Seagate) or an SSD (eg Samsung, Crucial, Sandisk) to keep personal film/sound projects on. This can be purchased during your time at BOVTS on recommendation from the team.

If you are facing financial hardship, then the School may be able to loan you equipment or help you meet these costs with a bursary. New students should contact admissions for further advice.

Due to a recent change in the Theatre School’s governance, our Higher Education provider UWE Bristol is unable to issue Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) documentation for BOVTS courses. Regrettably we are therefore unable to consider applications from students requiring a visa to study in the UK for 2025 entry.

The Theatre School is able to consider applications from international students who do not require a visa to study in the UK. If you are unsure of your tuition fee status, please consult the UK Council for International Student Affairs guidelines or contact our admissions office for further guidance. Prospective international students for future years of entry are encouraged to join our mailing list to learn more about training at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.

In the meantime, there are several ways that prospective international students can undertake training with BOVTS:

• We run a series of online masterclasses throughout the year, which are accessible wherever you are in the world. Find out more about what’s coming up on our short courses webpages.
  
• We offer intensive, in-person short courses for adults throughout the year in acting, creative and production disciplines. These currently range from day-long masterclasses to a ten-week acting foundation course. International students for these courses can normally visit the UK on a standard (holiday) visa, where required. Find out more about what’s coming up on our short courses webpage.
• We run acting international masterclasses in selected destinations throughout the year. Sign up to our prospective student mailing list or follow us on social media to be the first to know when new dates are set.