The glamour and captivation of filmmaking entice several young aspirants to pursue a career in this field. However, intuition and talent aren’t enough these days. A certain professionalism must be inculcated. This is where filmmaking degrees come into the picture. They introduce students to the fundamentals and basics of producing a film in any capacity. Like all other courses, where you get your degree counts a lot. And Canada is one such country that offers excellent education in this field. Film schools in Canada provide students with the principles and exposure necessary to learn more about filmmaking. Our guide here compiles all the essential data required to apply to one of these universities. Continue reading to find out!
Why Study In Canada?
Filmmaking is a dynamic, colourful course that would introduce students to techniques and principles not known otherwise. While it is certainly a clear choice if you’re interested in this field, why should you explore film schools in Canada? What advantage does it offer? Here’s why –
- Whether it is a high-level STEM course or a filmmaking course in Canada, this country provides academic excellence on every level.
- All the courses are highly affordable when education loans, scholarships, and financial aid are considered.
- The facilities for career growth and prospects are ample. Students can explore many opportunities to gain more knowledge, experience, and skills required to hone their careers.
- Canada is home to international students of many backgrounds and cultures, which makes it an all-inclusive, comfortable environment for migrating students.
- Students can work part-time to earn extra income and secure their monthly finances instead of depending on student loans.
- Canada offers a vibrant, unforgettable student experience to all, through which students can explore the diversity of other traditions and cultures.
Top 10 Film Schools In Canada
The range of film production courses in Canada for international students isn’t scarce. Right from a one-year diploma or certificate to four-year undergraduate courses and master’s programmes, Canadian universities have it all. Here are some of the best film schools in Canada that maximum students might find worth exploring.
| Film Schools in Canada | Popular Courses | QS University Rankings |
| University of British Columbia | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 34 |
| Toronto Metropolitan University | Bachelor in Image Arts – Film Studies | 801 – 1000 |
| York University | Bachelor’s in Cinema and Media Arts | 16 |
| Humber College | Bachelor of Film and Media Production programme | 1423 |
| George Brown College | Sound Design and Production Programme | 1301 |
| Fanshawe College | Graduate Certificate in Professional Financial Services | 1337 |
| Concordia University | Bachelor of Fine Arts Film Production Programme | 551 – 600 |
| Toronto Film School | Film Production Diploma | 462 |
| Vancouver Film School | Diploma in Film Production | 1 (Global Animation School) |
| Simon Fraser University | Master of Science in Finance | 298 |
Although there are incredible film colleges in Canada, spread all over the country, international students prefer lively, vibrant cities like Vancouver and Toronto to experience a dynamic and exciting life. Thus, some of the best film schools in Vancouver are InFocus Film School, Capilano University, and UBC Department of Theatre and Film. On the other hand, the best film schools in Toronto are EVN Film Studios, U Create Studio, and Ethereum Films.
Eligibility Criteria & Admission Requirements
Verifying the eligibility before you advance in the admission process is crucial since it could save you a lot of time. While every college has different criteria for eligibility, the basic requirements remain the same. Check them out in the list below.
- A minimum of 50% or equivalent in 12th grade from an accredited recognised university.
- Study gaps are usually discouraged.
- All official academic transcripts
- CV/Resume
- Letter of Recommendation (recommended)
- Statement of purpose
- Scores of English language proficiency tests
IELTS – 6.0
TOEFL – 80 to 100 - Financial documents
- Details of work experience in a relevant field (if applicable)
Application Process
The application process for each college varies according to their terms and screening criteria. It is certainly wise to research the individual application process to your shortlisted colleges to get a clear idea of how to begin. However, if you’re still confused, here’s how you can start.
- The first step is always research. Explore the different film colleges in Canada and determine which institute can offer the facilities to achieve your professional goals.
- Next, choose a programme. Film schools in Canada offer a range of various courses like diplomas, certifications, undergraduate, postgraduate, or specialised courses. Read about these and select which one suits you best.
- Crosscheck the admission requirements. Once your institute and course are finalised, you can verify the eligibility criteria specific to that course.
- Next, collect the required documents. Compiling the documents file can take time and unnecessarily delay your application process. Thus, it’s best to get it done soon and keep these documents ready.
- Focus on your portfolio. Dynamic new-age programmes like cinematography courses in Canada for international students demand unquestionable dedication and calibre from the applicant. A strong portfolio and a compelling personal essay will help you create a lasting impression.
- Finally, submit the application forms through the institutes’ official websites. You may be required to pay a nominal application fee.
- Additional steps, like an interview, may be involved depending on the institute’s admission process. Once done, you’ll receive an acceptance letter from the institute. Complete their requirements and confirm your seat.
Cost Of Studying
The expenditure involved is an extremely crucial aspect, especially for international students. The cost of studying in any college involves two major components – the tuition fees and the cost of living. The average annual tuition fees of some of the popular courses in the top film schools in Canada can give us an extensive idea of how much expenses are involved. The following table contains this data according to the respective colleges.
| University | Average Annual Fees (CAD) |
| The University of British Columbia | $9,500 |
| Toronto Metropolitan University | $33,423 to $38,584 |
| York University | $6,275 |
| Humber College | $14,992 to $17,420 |
| George Brown College | $13,520 |
| Fanshawe College | $2,135 to $12,450 |
| Concordia University | $23,004 to $27,123 |
| Toronto Film School | $22,980 to $35,154 |
| Vancouver Film School | $24,440 |
| Simon Fraser University | $5,400 to $5,614 |
You might wonder why tuition costs are so highly variable in these colleges. This is because the fees differ depending on the duration, background and foundation of the course. For instance, studying a film direction course in Canada might cost you more than other general filmmaking programmes.
Other than the cost of attendance, living expenses contribute heavily to the total expenses. The average annual cost of living in Canada is approximately CAD 21,684. Accommodation, transportation, food, groceries and utilities are some factors that make up this figure. A detailed breakdown of these costs is given in the following table.
| Item | Cost of living in Canada (per month) |
| Off-Campus Accommodation | CAD 550 |
| On-Campus Accommodation | CAD 1,611 |
| Transportation | CAD 100 |
| Food | CAD 720 |
| Utilities | CAD 180 |
| Groceries | CAD 64 |
| Clothes | CAD 133 |
| Entertainment | CAD 60 |
| Total Cost Of Living With Off-Campus Accommodation | CAD 1,807 |
| Total Cost Of Living With On-Campus Accommodation | CAD 2,868 |
| Annual Cost Of Living | CAD 21,684 |
Scholarships
The above section on the cost of studying makes it clear that abroad education is quite expensive. One way is to explore some of the cheap film schools in Canada for international students. Most migrants prefer to opt for scholarships, grants and other forms of financial aid. Some of the most valuable scholarships are listed below.
| Scholarships | Amount Awarded |
| Jeunes Mécènes Pour les Arts Grants | $15,000 |
| Leo J. Krysa Family Undergraduate Scholarship | $3,500 |
| The Canada Council for the Arts Grants | Flexible amount |
| Film and Video Arts Scholarship | $5,000 |
| Inspire Post-Secondary Education Scholarship | Flexible amount |
Future Scope
Pursuing the best film programmes in Canada offers promising future prospects to international students. Since it’s a rapidly growing industry, more jobs are created in major hubs like Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal. Additionally, students can look for jobs in different sectors of the same industry, like television, documentaries, animation, visual effects, etc. Film schools in Canada offer students the opportunity to create strong networks and connections in the field so they can work on their portfolios.
One of the most prominent advantages is that Canada routinely holds multiple film festivals and events which bring filmmakers and artists from all over the globe. Toronto International Film Festival, Vancouver International Film Festival and Montreal World Film Festival are some such events. Students can visit these or participate in them to gain the necessary exposure.
Some of the popular job profiles for graduates of film courses from Canadian institutes are mentioned in the following table, along with their average annual salaries.
| Job Profiles | Average Starting Salaries (per year) |
| Film Director | CAD 50,000 to CAD 1,20,000 |
| Producer | CAD 50,000 to CAD 1,50,000 |
| Screenwriter | CAD 30,000 to CAD 1,00,000 |
| Cinematographer | CAD 40,000 to CAD 1,20,000 |
| Film Editor | CAD 40,000 to CAD 90,000 |
| Art Director | CAD 45,000 to CAD 85,000 |
| Sound Designer | CAD 35,000 to CAD 90,000 |
| Location Manager | CAD 40,000 to CAD 80,000 |
The abovementioned salaries are average estimates of what film school graduates can expect. However, these figures may vary depending on the extent of their experience, project, location, producers, and associate companies.
FAQs
1. Which are the best film schools in Canada?
The University of British Columbia, Toronto Metropolitan University, York University, Humber College and George Brown College are some of the best film colleges in Canada.
2. Can international students pursue film courses in Canada?
Yes, international students can pursue film courses in Canada. There are plenty of facilities and opportunities for migrants to advance their careers.
3. Are there scholarships available for studying at film colleges in Canada?
Leo J. Krysa Family Undergraduate Scholarship, the Canada Council for the Arts Grants, and the Film and Video Arts Scholarship are some of the most helpful scholarships for students.
4. What cities in Canada are known for having strong film school options?
Ans: Montreal, Vancouver and Toronto are some Canadian cities known to have incredible filmmaking courses.
5. Are there film festivals or events associated with Canadian film schools?
Ans: The Toronto International Film Festival, Vancouver International Film Festival and Montreal World Film Festival are globally popular film festivals and events that can help international students gain more exposure and learn about this field.
6. How much does film school cost in Canada?
Ans: Film schools in Canada cost an average of CAD 19,816 per year for different courses. Besides this, the average annual cost of living in Canada is approximately CAD 21,684.
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