MetFilm School London (UK)
For students interested in studying film in the UK, London is the first place that usually comes to mind.
And on the west side of the city, the principal campus of the MetFilm School just happens to be located at the oldest continuously working film studio in the world, Ealing Studios.
This famous site is also the home of renowned Ealing Comedies like The Ladykillers and Passport to Pimlico, as well as recent films such as The Theory of Everything, Last Night in Soho and Downton Abbey.
Here are some of the highlights from my visit!
London
First things first -- let's talk about what it means to be a student in London.
Sure, it's the most expensive city in the UK, but you get what you pay for -- and that is a vibrant experience surrounded by 400,000 other university students, where there is never nothing to do.
It's also the hub of the creative industries in the country, hosting more than 50 film festivals annually.
And for the average American, there is more history on one corner of London than there is in many parts of the U.S.; in some ways it's like stepping back in time.
The other thing about studying in London is that on-campus housing is rare, so MetFilm students should be prepared to find private, off-campus housing (there's one nearby call The Studio that is popular).
MetFilm London campus
Part of the BIMM University group of colleges, the MetFilm School has three campuses -- London, Leeds and Berlin.
Located near the Ealing Broadway tube station, the MetFilm London campus dates back nearly 120 years.
If you visit campus anytime soon, one of the first things you'll notice is the construction work going on for a very large new structure.
This is a part of the development to add more than 50,000 square feet of facilities, including a water stage, which should be ready to go by mid-2025.
Currently, there are about 500 students studying undergraduate and graduate degrees in acting, film production, filmmaking, the film and screen business and more.
The school operates alongside its in-house production company, MetFilm Productions.
It's also the first film school in the UK to have an employment support team, MetFilm Futures, which connects students to opportunities within the screen industries.
The small campus has really lovely study spaces, a cafe and all the equipment you might need.
And it's in a great spot; Ealing is actually one of London's greenest suburbs.
The Royal Botanic Gardens, London’s largest UNESCO World Heritage Site, is only a short bus ride away.
Summary: MetFilm School London
Although I didn't get a chance to see any of the studios, what I did see was how industry-relevant the courses and other facilities at the MetFilm School London campus were.
This is a great option for students looking for a practical, hands-on degree in a small-scale setting.
I look forward to coming back when the new stages are open soon!
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