Summer can be a great time to explore filmmaking beyond the classroom, especially if you want to understand both the creative and technical sides of cinema. Film studies summer programs in the UK for high school students can help you study advanced ideas, learn from experts and industry professionals, and build new creative connections.

If your interests lie in filmmaking, these programs can be a solid starting point for exploring film theory and gaining hands-on experience. You can build skills in screenwriting, cinematography, and editing using professional tools, while also examining the cultural and historical impact of cinema through instruction, discussions, and case studies.

What kind of summer film studies programs are available in the UK for high school students?

In the UK, several universities and arts organizations offer short courses, workshops, and pre-college programs where you can learn the basics of filmmaking, including scriptwriting, directing, camera work, and editing. Organizations like the BFI (British Film Institute) run youth programs that focus on both making films and understanding cinema critically. Additionally, the overall experience can differ quite a bit depending on the provider, so it’s worth assessing all options carefully to find what suits your interests and budget. 

Beyond technical ability, these programs encourage creative confidence, collaboration, and critical thinking. Just as importantly, these programs provide a glimpse into university-style learning, allowing you to experience academic life, work on projects with peers, and learn from industry-experienced instructors in a dynamic environment. As a high school student interested in film, the UK has several summer programs worth looking into.

To help you with your search, here we have narrowed down 15 film studies summer programs in the UK for high school students.

For adjacent opportunities, also check out the film and animation program.

15 Film Studies Summer Programs in the UK for High School Students

1. Arts University Bournemouth’s Filmmaking and Production Course

Location: Arts University Bournemouth, Poole, UK
Cost: £1,799 (course only) | £2,635 (with accommodation)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application deadline: Not specified
Dates: August 3-14
Eligibility: Students, ages 15-17; international students are eligible.

The Filmmaking and Production course offered by Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) is one of the more production-focused film studies summer programs in the UK for high school students, guiding you through complete short film creation from initial ideas to post-production screening. You will work in small groups to develop screenplays with shooting scripts and storyboards while also handling casting, rehearsals, and narrative refinement.

Live shoots will let you direct actors, light scenes, set camera angles, and select shots using professional equipment. You will also gain exposure to post-production work, including editing, sound design, and final assembly in digital suites. Group critiques will follow all screenings of completed films, helping you learn how to refine your work. You will also participate in pre-application portfolio reviews, where you will receive feedback on your work and potentially secure an offer to study at AUB.

Why it stands out: It offers end-to-end short film production exposure, opportunities to work with live actors, and portfolio feedback for university applications.

2. Immerse Education’s London Film Studies Summer School

Location: University College London, London, UK
Cost: Varies; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; an average of 7 participants per class
Application deadline: Multiple summer cohorts with rolling admissions
Dates: Two weeks during the summer
Eligibility: High school students from around the globe, ages 13-18 

This two-week program, designed for students who are passionate about visual arts and storytelling, provides an introduction to the world of film production. The curriculum combines both the theoretical and practical aspects of filmmaking. That said, you will be introduced to the history of filmmaking, and you will cover various topics, including film theory, narrative structure, visual languages, and more.

Simultaneously, the program will engage you in hands-on projects that teach you the different techniques filmmakers use to turn a script into a captivating scene. You will also gain practice in critically analyzing a film.Learning is often done through discussions, research projects, and hands-on workshops. Ultimately, this program helps you understand filmmaking and cinema better. 

Why it stands out: You will study under expert academics, work closely with a university student mentor, explore a UK university campus, and complete a project you can show in future applications.

3. UAL International Summer School in Acting and Performance

Location: Wimbledon College of Arts at University of the Arts London (UAL), London, UK
Cost: Starts at £3,670
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application deadline: Not specified
Dates: July 6-24
Eligibility: Students, ages 16-18; international students can apply

This three-week summer school gives you a broad introduction to performance making, covering a range of disciplines rather than focusing on one single skill. You will experiment with movement practices, writing exercises, sound-based performance, costume and set design, and digital tools, including AR and VR, with the goal of finding your own artistic direction.

You’ll work collaboratively with other students from different cultural backgrounds to create a short performance in a professional theatre space. The course is taught by an interdisciplinary artist. You will leave with a UAL digital badge, a certificate of attendance, and exposure to London as a cultural city.

Why it stands out: It combines acting, design, sound, and digital technologies like AR and VR all within a single performance-focused program, preparing you for creative careers.

4. BFI Film Academy Specialist Courses

Location: Various locations across the UK
Cost: Typically, free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by course; typically, small cohorts
Application deadline: Varies by course
Dates: Varies by course; multiple opportunities each year, including sessions in the summer
Eligibility: Students, ages 16 to 19, based in the UK. International student eligibility is not specified

The BFI Film Academy Specialist Courses give you the chance to focus on a specific area of filmmaking rather than covering everything at once. The courses are delivered in partnership with institutions, studios, and art organizations across the UK. Depending on the course you choose, you may study topics like camera and lighting, editing and post-production, set decoration, hair and makeup, production management, film programming, or curation and archiving.

Each course is delivered either as an intensive week or across a series of weekends, and is designed to let you work with industry professionals using industry-standard equipment. The curriculum may also cover broader topics like sustainability in filmmaking and how to find work in the industry. 

Why it stands out: It lets you go deep into one specific filmmaking role, offering a more focused, practical experience in the area you actually want to pursue.

5. MetFilm School Young Filmmakers Academy (Non-Residential)

Location: MetFilm School sites in London, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Brighton, UK
Cost: £995; 10% early bird discount available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; typically, first-come, first-served
Application deadline: Open enrolment; early bird discount available for registering three months before the start date
Dates: July 27th – August 7th | August 10-21
Eligibility: Students worldwide, ages 14-17; applicants must be under 18 years of age throughout the course

The Young Filmmakers Academy is a two-week, full-time course for students interested in exploring various aspects of filmmaking. As a participant, you will learn about storytelling, screenwriting, directing, camera and sound, and editing using Adobe Premiere Pro. You will also get to work with actors and learn how to prepare for a shoot using storyboards and floor plans.

In the process, you will gain insights into the director-actor relationship and different performance styles. The course uses industry-standard equipment provided through MetFilm School’s partnership with Procam Take 2. As it’s non-residential, you will attend sessions and return home each evening.

Why it stands out: It offers an introduction to core filmmaking tasks and industry tools and runs across five cities in England, making it an accessible option to explore.

6. University of the Arts London Film-Making Short Course

Location: Central Saint Martins, London, UK
Cost: Starts at £660
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application deadline: Not specified; open enrolment
Dates: July 20-24 | August 10-14; other sessions also available
Eligibility: Students, ages 16-18; international students can apply

This one-week course covers the filmmaking process from concept through to a finished, shareable piece, with a focus on practical skills you can apply right away. You will learn about and work on filming, editing, storytelling, critical thinking, and presentation through tutorials, creative exercises, and discussions drawing on a range of media and art forms. Rather than working entirely from scratch, you will be encouraged to bring any footage you’ve already shot.

The goal is to build or strengthen a film portfolio that includes at least one edited sizzle reel ready to upload. The course is taught by an award-winning documentary filmmaker with a Ph.D. in documentary practice who has also taught film at Goldsmiths for over a decade. You will leave with a UAL digital badge and certificate of attendance.

Why it stands out: Instead of targeting complete beginners, this course is designed to help students who already have some footage and want to compile, edit, and present their existing work more professionally.

7. UCA International Summer School: Multimedia Film Production

Location: University for the Creative Arts (UCA), Farnham, UK
Cost: £2,690; early bird discount available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application deadline: March 31st (early bird); June 1st (final application and payment deadline)
Dates: Program 1: July 13-24 | Program 2: August 3-14
Eligibility: Students around the world, ages 16-25; Program 2 requires students under 18 to attend as part of a group with an appointed chaperone

The UCA International Summer School is a two-week residential program where you choose one creative track to focus on from options in film, design, photography, and fashion. The film-focused track offers a two-week introduction to the full process of making a short film, from concept and pre-production all the way through to editing and post-production. You will get hands-on experience with lighting, sound, framing, and operating film and sound equipment yourself, using industry-standard technology throughout.

Working within a small group, you will produce a short film that tells a story through the visual techniques you pick up during the course. The tutors are experienced academics and technical specialists who will guide you through both the creative and technical sides of filmmaking. By the end of the two weeks, you will have a short film to add to your portfolio, along with an official UCA International Summer School attendance certificate.

Why it stands out: The program allows you to explore the entire filmmaking pipeline, from concept to post-production, giving you a finished short film for your portfolio within just two weeks.

8. London Film Academy Young Filmmakers’ Academy

Location: London Film Academy, London, UK
Cost: £595 (one week) | £995 (two weeks); early bird discount
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 12 students
Application deadline: Not specified
Dates: August 3-14 | August 17-28
Eligibility: Students, ages 13-17; international students are eligible but must have an English proficiency of at least B2 (CEFR), an adult contact based in the UK for emergencies, and a Standard Tourist Visa if traveling from outside the EU

The Young Filmmakers’ Academy is a one- or two-week non-residential course that gives you hands-on experience of the filmmaking process from start to finish. During the one-week program, you will shoot using iPhone camera kits and cover lighting, sound, directing, editing, and screenwriting in a condensed format. The two-week course uses industry-standard digital camera equipment and offers deeper insights into cinematography, directing actors, sound recording, and two full shoot days, where you will make a short film.

All editing is done on Adobe Premiere Pro. On the final day, your completed film will be screened in LFA’s in-house cinema for family and friends to watch. You will connect with tutors who will be film and TV professionals, and you will also work with professional actors during the shoot days. The course also awards a film credit.

Why it stands out: It allows you to explore film shooting and editing and connect with professionals in an intensive, small-group format.

9. Central Film School Future Filmmakers Summer Camp

Location: Central Film School, London, UK
Cost: £1,395 (day) | £3,295 (residential); 10% early bird discount available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application deadline: Not specified
Dates: July 20-31 | August 3-14
Eligibility: Students, ages 14-17, from the UK and around the world

The Future Filmmakers Summer Camp offers hands-on workshops covering the full production workflow from script conception to final edit. You will engage in training exercises that introduce technical filmmaking craft alongside visual storytelling principles. Throughout the camp, you will have access to mentorship from industry filmmakers.

You will transform creative ideas into short films through collaborative production stages. In the process, you will explore pre-production planning, shooting techniques, and post-production refinement. Such exposure can help you build foundational skills to work on independent cinematic projects in the future.

Why it stands out: It offers mentorship from working industry filmmakers and end-to-end production exposure designed for beginners.

10. University of the Arts London Costume and Set Design Short Course

Location: Chelsea College of Arts at University of the Arts London (UAL), London, UK
Cost: Starts at £520
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application deadline: Not specified; open enrolment
Dates: July 27-31 | August 10-14 + other sessions throughout the year
Eligibility: Students, ages 16-18; international students can apply

This five-day UAL course gives you an introduction to costume and set design for film and theatre, working across sketching, illustration, 3D model-making, and costume design. You will work on a project called “Doorways,” using it as a framework to develop characters, storyboards, mood boards, and small-scale set models.

At the end of the course, you will leave with a small body of work including costume and set designs, and receive a UAL digital badge and certificate of attendance.  The course is taught by a freelance set and costume designer who works across theatre, opera, contemporary dance, and community projects.

Why it stands out: It is offered by a leading art and design university, ensuring you get to experience professional art school facilities and academics before college.

11. University of the Arts London Acting Workshop

Location: Central Saint Martins, Kings Cross, London, UK
Cost: Starts at £710
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application deadline: Not specified
Dates: July 13-17
Eligibility: Students, ages 16-18; international students can apply

This short UAL Acting Workshop course introduces high school students to the Method acting approach through textual analysis, movement, and voice exercises drawn from basic Method questions. You will explore improvisation rooted in storytelling without using scripts, and in the process, you will learn about techniques for identifying and releasing impulses for authentic performance.

You will perform rehearsed scenes, applying learning to texts spanning Shakespeare, Miller, Odets, and Osborne. Tutors with credits in theatre and screen will guide all practical scene work. At the end, you will receive a digital badge and certificate of attendance.

Why it stands out: It offers an opportunity to build a foundation in Method acting and explore art school teaching to prepare you for drama and film school studies.

12. National Film and Television School Access Summer Sessions

Location: NFTS sites, UK
Cost: Not specified; free events available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application deadline: TBA
Dates: August 1-30 (tentative)
Eligibility: Students from all nationalities, ages 11-19 +; age requirements vary by track, with the Engage track open to 11-15 year olds, and the Inform track open to 16-19 year olds

Access NFTS Summer Sessions offer workshops led by NFTS students across film, TV, and games careers. Sessions will help you explore behind-the-camera roles through activities that highlight the skills and responsibilities required for a career in filmmaking. The Engage track covers introductory creative tasks, and the Inform track offers deeper industry role insights.

Every week, you will explore different production areas to get broad exposure to the film industry. For instance, you will learn about animation and visual effects, product design, directing fiction, screenwriting, assistant directing, and sound. The program is designed to demonstrate real workflows in creative sectors, helping you prepare for advanced study or job opportunities in film.

Why it stands out: It offers exposure to multiple aspects of filmmaking, helping you explore your interests while learning from and connecting with film school students.

13. London Film School Beginner’s Film School

Location: London Film School, London, UK
Cost: £3,750
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 16 participants
Application deadline: Not specified
Dates: August 9-22
Eligibility: Beginners with an interest in film (age not specified); international students are welcome to apply

The Beginner’s Film School offers students and adults new to filmmaking practical exposure through three progressive short film exercises. You will join a small group and explore aspects like directing actors, camera operation, and even acting to learn about composition and drama fundamentals. Workshops cover screenwriting, cinematography, editing, and sound design with professional guidance.

Exercises focus on a wide range of elements, from scripted excerpts to location shoots, and culminate in a final film with a professional cast and crew. You will work with industry-standard cameras and dollies to explore cinematic techniques. A rising filmmaker Q&A is part of the experience, where you can learn about film festivals and short films. You will also learn how to refine your work through critique. 

Why it stands out: Its progression from beginner exercises to professionally supported final films can help you rapidly build portfolio-ready skills.

14. UAL’s Introduction to TV and Film Set Design Short Course

Location: Central Saint Martins at University of the Arts London (UAL), London, UK
Cost: Starts from £610
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application deadline: Not specified; open enrolment
Dates: July 27-31; other sessions available during the year
Eligibility: Students, ages 16-18; international students can apply

This one-week course offers you a practical introduction to set design for TV and film, taught at Central Saint Martins. You will learn about the roles within a film and TV art department, study the work of well-known set designers and directors, and explore how single and multi-camera techniques shape the design process. Your main project involves working on a TV show design brief, where you will develop mood boards and build a scale model of a set.

You will also practice breaking down a short film script or scene into a sketch of a potential set, which is a core skill used by working designers. The course is led by a TV and film set designer with over 25 years of industry experience. You will leave with a small body of work and a UAL digital badge and certificate of attendance.

Why it stands out: The course is taught by a working industry professional in TV and film set design, offering you direct insight into what the job actually involves day to day.

15. Young Film Academy (YFA) UK Residential Summer Camp

Location: Culford School, Suffolk, UK
Cost: £1,790 (one week) | £3,490 (two weeks)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application deadline: Rolling
Dates: August 2-9 | August 9-16 | August 2-16
Eligibility: Students, ages 13-17; international students can apply

YFA’s Residential Filmmaking and Screen Acting Summer Camp splits students into specialized Filmmaking and Acting crews for targeted skill development. In the Filmmaking crew, you will learn about storytelling, screenwriting, camera operation, sound recording, editing, special effects, and post-production, and complete films from concept to premiere.

The acting crew focuses on screen-specific techniques, including stage-to-screen differences, character physicalization, audition preparation, set etiquette, and fight choreography. Crews will merge for collaborative movie productions across genres like action, drama, horror, sci-fi, and period pieces. Masterclasses with industry professionals will guide the camp exercises. Culminating premieres will feature completed films with behind-the-scenes features and bloopers in an on-site cinema.

Why it stands out: It offers two distinct tracks culminating in joint productions, letting you collaborate with peers, explore different roles, and leave with finished, premiered films.

From Creative Practice To Career Clarity

A short film course can reveal what excites you most, whether it is shaping a script, framing a shot, or directing a scene from scratch.

The 15 film studies summer programs in the UK for high school students featured here show routes into production, performance, editing, costume, and set design.

Rather than treating film as one career path, these options reveal the many roles behind a finished project, from camera work to post-production planning too.

Ready to see where those skills could lead? Explore our Career Exploration blogs for pathways, industry insights, study routes, and next steps across creative fields.