London Film School

One of seven film schools accredited by Skillset as a centre of excellence in film education. Great location - in Covent Garden (middle of the West End), occupying a 19th-century fruit warehouse. Near Covent Garden, Leicester Square and Tottenham Court Road tube stations, so access easy. An exciting, international mix of students from Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas as well as a number of UK students. 2-year filmmaking course, divided into 6 terms; students arrange themselves into groups that make a film each term. Everyone takes courses in various areas of filmmaking, so gain a broad base of skills. Some students try to specialise by taking on the same role in their group films, while others prefer to try different jobs to broaden their experience − it's up to the individual. Theory lectures involve watching and discussing films; as the course progresses, students spend more time actually making their group's films or working on other students' films. This is a great strength of the school − many students leave having worked on 15-20 short films in the space of 2 years − and it has a high reputation for technical expertise. Qualification recognised by BECTU (automatic membership for graduates who find work). Graduates have achieved leading positions in the film industry worldwide. There are irregular visits by guest speakers (eg Mike Leigh, Simon Channing-Williams); guests from the film and television industry are invited to the end-of-term screenings. A number of school documentaries have been screened on television, and films are shown at film festivals all over the world including the London Film Festival. Students also participate in various student film competitions such as the Fuji Film Scholarship Awards and the Kodak Student Commercial Awards. Facilities are not plush − spartan but functional.

Housing: An expensive school in an expensive area. Look on the noticeboard, in Loot and in the housing list provided by the school. Eats: LFS coffee shop cheapest (but not worst). Covent Garden and Soho full of places (meal for £5+). Drink: Two Brewers, Seven Dials, Café Boheme, Freuds; various places around Covent Garden. Nightlife: Film society evening screenings; numerous cinemas and theatres around London; Covent Garden is full of fun. Informal name: LFS. Financial help: Some bursaries available from Skillset and Channel 4. Jobs: Limited work within school. Best features: Very practical. And worst: Expensive. 

Arnold Wesker (playwright); Mark Forstater (film and documentary producer); Mike Leigh, Horace Ove (directors, screenwriters); George Cosmatos, John Irvin, Franc Roddam, Les Blair, Michael Mann, Mark Kasdan, Don Boyd, Bill Douglas, Simon Lourish, Tak Fujomoto (directors).