Super offer: Study Film Distribution and Marketing in USA 💥

Higher Education in USA

Higher education is the USA is worldly renowned. Although tuition fees may be expensive, there are many financial aid plans, including loans, grants, and scholarships that are available. People often travel to the USA in search of various higher education options.

Studying in the USA provides a rich cultural and social experience, as well as a full, well-rounded approach to education that you cannot find as easily elsewhere. The USA offers a full higher education menu that prepares students for life after college so they can choose to either stay in the USA or return to their native country after completing.

Some of the most prestigious universities in the USA include Harvard, Yale, and Stanford but there are many other universities within each state which offer a broad curriculum and specified course study in a chosen field. For instance, UCLA in Los Angeles is known for their excellent film program, but Stephen Spielberg and George Lucas attended California State University. It is a very good example of how you do not have to attend an Ivy League school to get a good education.

The Academic Year

The academic year in USA normally begins in the fall, typically in late August, but some terms may begin sooner. Some academic years are divided into two semesters, some into four quarters, and some into three quarters. It is important for international students to have everything in place before coming to the USA. Make sure you check with your university the application and the start dates.

Tuition Fees and Length of Study

Tuition fees vary from different universities, so check with the school you plan to attend for exact costs. The duration of the degree also varies, depending upon which degree you plan to pursue. For example, the CNA license only takes about a year and a half, while Pre-Law takes about three to four years in most cases.

Study Possibilities for International Students

International students can choose from a wide-range of courses and career paths to enhance their learning and provide opportunities to advance their career upon return to their native country. There are also many international student groups available on campus at US schools.

A Higher Education Degree from USA enables students to continue their quest for knowledge beyond their mandatory studies and allows them to seek an advanced career outside the domestic education system and be able to work in research or development.

Student Visas

Student visas are required and these must be up-to-date at the time of arrival. Find out whether you are required to have an F-1 or an M-1 visa - this depends on the specific course of study. The US embassy is the best point of contact to find out this information. There is usually also information on the school website explaining the particulars about visas for that school. You can also contact the admission office or the international students office to obtain more information.

About the course

Shoot into the film industry with the world's first Master’s degree in film distribution and marketing. Available as a one-year intensive full-time course, our MA Film Distribution and Marketing has been designed with industry to reflect the growing need for entrepreneurial producers, marketers and distribution experts.

Graduates from this course have secured roles with companies such as Koch Media (Germany), Kaleidoscope Films (UK), GFM Films (UK) and Red Arrow Media (Europe). You will have an opportunity to experience work placements during the course with previous placements including major industry players such as FilmNation (US) and Sony Picture Classics (US).

MA Film Distribution and Marketing is open to applicants who are enterprising, agile thinkers who can demonstrate an interest in film and developing marketing and distribution strategy.

You must be a graduate. If you do not have a degree, you may be accepted if you can demonstrate equivalent experience and / or qualifications.

Ready, set, action! Is studying film-making your passion? Do you enjoy shooting tear-jerking documentaries or is animation more your style? Do you like to play around with old Super 8 cameras or would you rather take on a comedic independent script? Film making is a diverse field and you can take it in many different directions. Many of the best film schools in the world are located in the United States. Having trouble deciding where to study film? Knowing your budget and direction can help you filter out the numerous options when deciding on the right school to study film in the US.

Location, location, location

Where to study film in the United States is not an easy question to answer. There are hundreds of film and art schools, along with hundreds of majors at colleges and universities around the nation that are tied to film making. The principal locations to study film are in Los Angeles (LA), and New York City, although they are not the only options.

When many people think of blockbuster movies, they think of the bright lights of Hollywood. LA is the land of bumper-to-bumper commutes on the 405, where everyone is an aspiring actor or has a script you just need to see. It might seem hard for an international student to find a way to stand out amongst all the talent, but don’t get disheartened. Many of the top-rated film schools in the world are situated in the United States and they can help you stand out from the crowd.

So, where do you go? The University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts is a top contender. Their programs include critical studies, animation and digital arts, interactive media, film and TV productions, producing, and writing. The University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) also has the benefit of being close to the major production companies and big shots of the film world. At UCLA’s School of Theatre, Film and Television, students can study a wide range of arts, including acting, playwriting, producing, screenwriting and directing. Recently voted the number one film school by the Hollywood Reporter, the American Film Institute’s Center for Advanced Film and Television Studies, a training program for filmmakers, is highly competitive. This film school is attended mostly by people who have already worked in the industry and are fine tuning their skills. An impressive alumni list for all three of these film schools also allows students to network with award-winning professionals in the industry.

New York City (NYC) also offers courses at several world-renowned institutions for Film and Media providing a great opportunity for international students, the city where 36 percent of its inhabitants come from another country and 170 different languages are spoken. New York is home to New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. Not only can students study the art of dance, acting and stage design, but also dramatic writing, film and television, and photography, which students can master while studying film. Also located in New York City is the School of Visual Arts (SVA). If you are looking for a smaller student body with all the benefits of a big college or university, SVA can fit that need. SVA has a student body of around 4,000 representing 51 different countries, strongly reflecting the diverse city surrounding it. Not only can students study film and video related subjects at SVA, but also have courses available in graphic design, interior design and advertising.If you want to study in a more traditional institution and have an application that shines you can apply to an Ivy League institution where you will receive a world-class education in your chosen subject. Colombia University in New York City, for example, offers great media degrees at one of the US’s most reputable universities. Columbia’s School of the Arts offers international students degrees in film studies, producing and screenwriting/directing.

Away from the Crowd

LA and New York City might seem like the obvious options for budding film students, but there are a plethora of courses at institutions across the US.

Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida is an excellent option for those who don't wish to study in a large city. Although Winter Park is a small city, it's located in close proximity to one of Florida's largest cities, Orlando. It's not uncommon for Full Sail graduates to seek work in Orlando as it's home to some big employers in film such as Universal Studios and Disney World. Full Sail offers five undergraduate degree programs and one certificate program: Digital Cinematography Bachelor's, Film Bachelor's, Computer Animation Bachelor's, Creative Writing BFA, Show Production Bachelor's and Film & Video Undergraduate Certificate. In addition, if you already have an undergraduate degree, Full Sail offers a Film Production MFA program. And, we would be remiss to not mention all of the great things that Full Sail graduates have done post-graduation. At last year's 92nd annual Academy Awards, 148 Full Sail graduates were credited on 24 Oscar®-nominated projects.

The University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia is another great option to consider as it has a historic cinema studies program dating back to 1886, when students participated in Eadweard Muybridge's Animal Locomotion studies. According to Penn's website, "the Penn Cinema Studies major and minor are traditional humanities programs involving the critical study of film history, theory and aesthetics, rather than film or video production." Penn’s courses provide a great base of knowledge for entering the film industry and give students the opportunity to distinguish themselves in an esteemed institution outside of the traditional locations film students pursue.

Alternatively, check out the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) for its first-class media degrees. You can study Film, Animation and Video while learning about how to use and incorporate new technology and techniques into production. Moreover, you will learn critical thinking skills, necessary when assessing media content such as screenplays and scripts. RISD is diverse, with nearly 90% of its students coming from out of state or abroad. Most classes at RISD are small, with around 10 students per tutor, to ensure that the Media courses are delivered at a world-class standard.

The film schools mentioned above are just the tip of the iceberg. There are hundreds of film schools in the United States with a variety of programs to study at a variety of locations and sizes.