We provide practical experience in directing, sound and editing to explore how every aspect of film can be a means of creative expression. We encourage individual approaches through directing work in documentary, drama or experimental film. You will benefit from workshops and masterclasses from internal and visiting staff, who all work and exhibit internationally in film and television, and from sessions provided by Edinburgh College of Art's Scottish Documentary Institute. Film is the all-powerful medium today and directing is the root of the medium's greatness. The magical gift of the shot is the creative synergy between what is in front of the camera and the subjectivity of its maker. This captivating dualism is at the heart of the moving image.
We work very much as a film community across years and encourage cross-fertilisation between different technologies and conventions. We believe that you will learn the creativity necessary to enter the film and television industries with a freshness of approach to both changing technologies and the cinematic ideas that they embrace. Our students graduate primarily as directors, having made several films during their time at ECA, but we also encourage all to have a secondary practical skill to help gain work in the industry. |
These courses are intended as guidelines. Speak to your guidance counsellor to see what courses are offered at your school.
The typical offer is likely to be:
• SQA Highers: BBBB.
• A Levels: BBB.
• IB: 34 points (grades 555 at HL).
Minimum entry requirements
• SQA Highers: BBBB by the end of S5 or BBBBB/ABBB from S4-S6. National 5: English at Grade C.
• A Levels: BBB. GCSEs: English at Grade C.
• IB: Award of Diploma with 34 points overall and grades 555 in HL subjects. SL: English at 4.
Additional requirements
Mini-portfolio
Applicants will be asked to submit a digital mini-portfolio. Assessment of the mini-portfolio will form part of the selection process. Applicants applying to enter Year 2 of our programmes, who pass the first stage of selection, will be invited to bring a full portfolio to an Applicant Day.
BTECs
Applicants studying the Pearson BTEC Diploma in Art and Design will be considered for entry with the following:
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art and Design with Merit.
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Art and Design with Merit plus one A Level at Grade B.
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Art and Design with Merit plus two A Levels at Grade B.
Applicants studying the University of the Arts London Level 3 Extended Diploma in Arts and Design will be considered with Merit.
If you are an international student and your school qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to the University you may be eligible for admission to this degree programme through our International Foundation Programme. |
| Additional Admission Requirements: | You must provide evidence that your written and spoken English is at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies.
If English is not your first language, you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your spoken and written English:
• IELTS Academic module overall 6.5 with 5.5 in each component
• TOEFL-iBT 92 or above with 20 in each section
• Cambridge English: Advanced & Proficiency overall 176 with 162 in each component
• Pearson Test of English (Academic): Total 61 with at least 51 in each "Communicative Skills" section *Trinity ISE: ISE II with a distinction in all four components
SQA and GCSE
For SQA and GCSE students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:
• SQA National 5 Grade C
• SQA Standard Grade 3
• SQA Intermediate 1 Grade A
• SQA Intermediate 2 Grade C
• GCSE Grade C
• IB Standard Level Grade 4 |
* We make every attempt to provide accurate information on prerequisites, programs, and tuition. However, this information is subject to change without notice and we highly recommend that you contact the school to confirm important information before applying.
