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National Film and Television School

Beaconsfield, United Kingdom · Public · Est. 1971

Updated 28 Oct 2026

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Established

1971

Type

Public

Location

Beaconsfield, United Kingdom

Ranking

Not ranked

Photo: Philippe Bontemps, Unsplash License

About the university

The National Film and Television School (NFTS) is a specialist film, television and games school based at Beaconsfield Studios in Buckinghamshire. It began in 1971 and teaches over 700 students a year. Its two-year MFA courses cover cinematography, directing, producing, screenwriting, editing, sound, composing and games design, and its one-year MAs cover areas such as animation, VFX, virtual production and the business of the creative industries. NFTS alumni have won Oscars, Emmys and BAFTAs.

International students can join the full-time MA and MFA courses on a Student visa, but not the Diploma courses. Entry is by portfolio and interview rather than marks, and a degree is not always required. NFTS says it currently has no funding for international students, so Indian applicants should plan to fund themselves or find external scholarships.

Founded
1971
Students
Over 700 a year
Main campus
Beaconsfield Studios, Buckinghamshire
Other bases
NFTS North, NFTS Cymru Wales and NFTS Scotland
Intake
January (MA and MFA courses)
Awards
BAFTA for Outstanding Contribution to British Cinema (2018); Queen's Anniversary Prize (2018)

Rankings

    Popular courses with Indian students

    View all 12 courses with filters

    Fees for international students

    Course fees
    CourseDurationFee / year (GBP)Approx. in rupees
    MFA Directing Fiction2 years full-time£27,600≈ ₹33.7 lakh
    MFA Cinematography2 years full-time£27,600≈ ₹33.7 lakh
    MFA Producing2 years full-time£27,600≈ ₹33.7 lakh
    MFA Games Design and Development2 years full-time£27,600≈ ₹33.7 lakh
    MFA Screenwriting2 years full-time£27,600≈ ₹33.7 lakh
    MFA Editing2 years full-time£27,600≈ ₹33.7 lakh
    MA Animation for Film and Games1 year full-time£22,450≈ ₹27.4 lakh
    MA VFX – Lighting and Compositing1 year full-time£22,450≈ ₹27.4 lakh

    Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.

    Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at National Film and Television School with similar universities in the UK.

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    Scholarships

      Admission requirements

      Undergraduate

      • NFTS teaches postgraduate MA and MFA courses, plus diplomas, certificates and short courses. It has no undergraduate degree for international students.

      Postgraduate

      • Applicants usually hold a degree, but NFTS considers those without one if they have an impressive portfolio, a creative track record or an alternative qualification.
      • Each course asks for its own portfolio, for example up to three short films for Directing Fiction or Vimeo links for Cinematography, followed by interview.
      • For the January 2027 intake, many MFA courses had closed by October 2026; several MAs listed a deadline of 26 November 2026.
      • International students can take full-time MA and MFA courses on a Student visa. Diploma courses are not open to Student visa applicants.

      Documents

      • Online application
      • Portfolio (films, showreel, scripts or work samples, depending on course)
      • Degree certificate, if you have one
      • IELTS Academic or approved SELT result
      • Passport

      Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.

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      English language requirements

      English requirements
      Test or routeTypical requirement
      IELTS Academic6.5 overall with 6.5 in each component, usually required for the Student visa
      Other testsOther UKVI-approved SELTs at CEFR B2 are accepted
      ExemptionSome applicants are exempt, for example those with a UK-taught degree

      Accommodation and living costs

      The NFTS pages we opened give no general accommodation or rent details. Nearly all master's courses are taught at Beaconsfield Studios in Buckinghamshire, so ask NFTS Registry (registry@nfts.co.uk) about housing nearby.

      Accommodation and living costs
      ItemIn GBPApprox. in rupees

      Campus and location

      NFTS is based at Beaconsfield Studios, Station Road, Beaconsfield, where nearly all master's courses are taught, with further bases in the north of England, Wales and Scotland.

      • Studio-based training in film, television and games.
      • Two-year MFA and one-year MA courses starting in January.
      • Diploma and short courses in London's Soho, Cardiff, Glasgow and Leeds (not open to Student visa holders for diplomas).
      • Student work has won awards such as the MPSE Golden Reel for student sound editing.

      Careers and graduate outcomes

      NFTS alumni have won Oscars, Emmys and BAFTAs, and the school received the BAFTA for Outstanding Contribution to British Cinema in 2018. See our UK guide for Graduate visa rules.

      Graduate outcomes
      WhatFigureSource

      Studying in the UK

      Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in the UK. Our country guide covers them in detail:

      Other universities in the UK

      Compare all universities in the UK

      FAQs

      How much does NFTS cost for Indian students?

      For the January 2027 intake, two-year MFA courses cost £27,600 a year for international students, and one-year MAs cost £22,450 for the full course.

      Does NFTS give scholarships to international students?

      No. NFTS says it does not currently have funding for international students. It publishes an International Guide to Funding with external options.

      Do I need a degree?

      Usually, but NFTS considers applicants without a degree who have an impressive portfolio, a creative track record or an alternative qualification.

      When do courses start?

      MA and MFA courses start in January. Many deadlines fall in the November before, and some courses close earlier.

      Sources

      1. NFTS: students abroad (opens in a new tab)
      2. NFTS: scholarships and funding (opens in a new tab)
      3. NFTS: courses (opens in a new tab)
      4. NFTS: MFA Directing Fiction (opens in a new tab)
      5. NFTS: MA Animation for Film and Games (opens in a new tab)
      6. NFTS: MFA Producing (opens in a new tab)
      7. NFTS: about (opens in a new tab)

      Official website: nfts.co.uk (opens in a new tab)

      Check the latest details

      We researched this page on 28 Oct 2026. Fees, entry requirements and scholarships change every year, so confirm them on the university's website before you apply. Listing a university doesn't mean Admission Mantra represents it.

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