National Film and Television School

What National Film and Television School does

The National Film and Television School (NFTS) is a UK-registered higher education institution and charity (company limited by guarantee, charity number 313429) founded in 1971 in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, providing postgraduate training for the screen industries. It delivers a structured qualification ladder — two-year MFAs, one-year MAs, Diplomas, Certificates, and short courses — across 17 creative departments (Animation, Camera, Directing, Documentary, Editing, Games, Post Production, Production, Sound, TV and New Media, VFX, Writing, etc.), serving 800+ full-time postgraduate students and 2,000+ short-course participants annually with a staff of 159. Its core technical asset is the Beaconsfield campus, the only UK film school with industry-rivalling in-house film and television studios and post-production facilities, including 24/7-access Games Design labs (Alienware Aurora workstations, VR headsets), animation and VFX suites, and editing/colour grading rooms running Adobe Creative Cloud, Avid Media Composer, DaVinci Resolve, Maya, ZBrush, Unity, Unreal Engine, Final Draft and Celtx.

Revenue is generated primarily through subscription-style annual tuition fees (January 2027 intake priced at £15,950 for UK students and £27,600 for international students, plus a £3,975 Certificate in Indie Games Development), with secondary income from one-time short course fees (CPD for working professionals) and donations/grants from industry and government partners — including a £1m Netflix donation, £10m UK government investment for the Cubby Broccoli Building expansion, and BFI National Lottery funding for diversity programmes. The go-to-market motion is direct-to-consumer: prospective students apply via the nfts.co.uk portal, supported by regional hubs in Leeds, Scotland (Glasgow/Edinburgh) and Cardiff that extend geographic reach and access into under-represented groups, with disabled MA entrants rising from 15% (2021) to 26% (2025) and 1 in 4 recent graduates from BAME backgrounds. Strategic distribution is anchored by partnerships with every major UK commissioner — BBC, Netflix, Disney, YouTube, Channel 4, Sky, ITV, and Prime Video — which both fund initiatives (Disney NFTS Academy, Create x Connect, Netflix Lounge) and act as graduate pipelines, with 90%+ graduate employment and alumni credited on 25% of UK high-end TV and two-thirds of Netflix productions.

Name

National Film and Television School

Legal name

National Film and Television School

Website

https://nfts.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The National Film and Television School (NFTS), founded 1971 in Beaconsfield, UK, is a postgraduate institution and registered charity offering MFAs, MAs, Diplomas, Certificates and short courses across film, television, games, animation and VFX for aspiring and working screen-industry professionals, generating £25m in FY2024/25 from tuition, short-course fees and major industry donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Film and Television Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Film, Television & Media Arts Colleges (EDAHAJAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Subject-Specific Short Courses & Academies (e.g., STEM, Business, Arts) (EDAIAIAC), Professional & Executive Short Courses (Non-Degree, International) (EDAIAIAH)

Keywords

• Film school education
• Television production training
• Games design courses
• Postgraduate film programmes
• Screen industry training

Headquarters

HQ city

Beaconsfield

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Tuition Fees: Full-time MA, Diploma, and Certificate programmes charged at annual tuition rates. UK/EU students pay lower rates than international students. Additional non-refundable deposits required on course confirmation.
2. Short Course Fees: Part-time and short course offerings generating revenue from working professionals and industry participants seeking continuing professional development.
3. Donations and Grants: Major donations from industry partners (Netflix £1m), government funding (£10m government investment for expansion), and lottery funding through BFI partnership for diversity programmes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The National Film and Television School delivers postgraduate film, television, and games education through MFA, MA, Diploma, Certificate, short-course, and workshop programmes across 17 specialised departments, anchored by industry-rivalling studios and post-production facilities at the Beaconsfield campus and regional hubs across the UK. It also provides professional-development short courses for working professionals and outreach programmes for underrepresented groups in partnership with the BFI, Netflix, Disney, BBC, and other broadcasters.

Product overview

The National Film and Television School (NFTS) is a globally renowned production powerhouse offering a comprehensive portfolio of postgraduate education programmes in film, television, and games. The institution provides a structured hierarchy of qualifications including two-year MFAs, one-year MAs, Diplomas, and Certificates, alongside an extensive roster of short courses and workshops. The School is organized across 17 specialized creative departments (Animation, Art and Design, Audience Engagement, Camera, Composing, Creative Business, Directing, Documentary, Editing, Fiction/Drama, Games, Post Production, Production, Sound, TV and New Media, Visual Effects, Writing) providing intensive practical training from concept through delivery. Recent expansions include new courses in Virtual Production, AI for film/TV, Costume Design, and Hair & Makeup. The School operates from its main Beaconsfield campus with industry-rivalling production facilities, plus regional hubs in Scotland, Wales, and Northern England. Strategic partnerships with Netflix, BBC, YouTube, Disney, and BFI support specialized initiatives including the Create x Connect skills programme, Netflix Lounge creativity hub, and Sean Connery Talent Lab. The institution serves over 800 full-time postgraduate students annually, with additional thousands participating in short courses and outreach programmes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MFA (Master of Fine Arts) Programmes Two-year full-time postgraduate degrees providing intensive, practical training in specialised film, television, and games disciplines, designed to develop professional-level skills for the entertainment industry. Students apply through the central NFTS portal with portfolio-based entry.
• MA (Master of Arts) Programmes One-year full-time postgraduate degrees offering specialised training in specific creative disciplines within film, television, and games production. Annual tuition £15,950 (UK/settled) or £27,600 (international) for the January 2027 intake.
• Diploma Courses Professional diploma programmes providing practical, hands-on training in various aspects of film and television production, including the Diploma in Production Accounting for Film & Television.
• Certificate Courses Shorter-term certificate programmes offering targeted skills development and foundational training in specific creative disciplines.
• Short Courses Professional development courses ranging from single sessions to multi-day workshops, taught by industry professionals and NFTS tutors at Beaconsfield, regional hubs, and online. Designed for working industry professionals seeking continuing professional development.
• Workshops Intensive workshop-based training sessions focusing on specific craft skills and techniques in film, television, and games production.
• Certificate in Indie Games Development Six-month part-time online certificate teaching game design, creative business, technical development, and marketing for independent video game creation. Total course fee £3,975 with non-refundable £500 deposit (January 2027 intake).
• Certificate in Filmmaking Six-month blended learning certificate providing comprehensive overview of narrative filmmaking process including screenwriting, directing, cinematography, editing, sound, and distribution.
• NFTS Academy (Disney Partnership) Residential pre-university programme for 54 UK filmmakers aged 16-19, featuring short film production, masterclasses, craft specialisation in directing, screenwriting, sound or editing, and behind-the-scenes Pinewood Studios tours. Free for successful applicants with Disney funding.
• Early Stage Access and Diversity Accelerator Programme BFI National Lottery-funded diversity programme including Backstories masterclasses, expanded outreach, access to short courses UK-wide, online training support, Inside Pictures leadership programme, and bursaries for underrepresented groups including BAME, disabled, and lower socioeconomic applicants.
• Virtual Production Course Course using real-time technologies for film and television production, part of the school's pioneering emerging-technology curriculum supported by the in-house virtual production studio.
• Games Design and Development MFA MFA enabling students to design, develop, and deliver high-quality games from inception to delivery, with cross-department collaboration across composing, sound design, and marketing disciplines.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90%+ graduate employment rate in film, television and games industry
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, regional and minor.

• YouTubecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 May 2026Three-way partnership (Create x Connect) with BBC and NFTS delivering skills and training programme for TV producers, digital creators, and journalists across UK. Programme launched in Birmingham addressing skills deficit where only 17% of creators have access to proper training. Creator economy contributes £2.2 billion annually to UK GDP.
• BBCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 May 2026Three-way partnership (Create x Connect) with YouTube and NFTS delivering skills and training programme. BBC and YouTube also announced strategic partnership for digital-first programming, new factual channel Deepwatch, and seven children's channels. NFTS supporting 150 media professionals through skills initiative.
• DisneycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 September 2024Partnership for NFTS Academy residential programme for 16-19 year olds. Disney provides funding making places free for successful applicants; only travel costs covered by participants. 54 young filmmakers selected annually. Includes Pinewood Studios tours and masterclasses with leading filmmakers.
• BFI (British Film Institute)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 February 2021Early Stage Access and Diversity Accelerator Programme supported by BFI through National Lottery funding. Biggest development of NFTS participation programme ever delivered. Includes Backstories masterclasses (featuring Russell T Davies), expanded outreach, short course access UK-wide, Certificate in Filmmaking support, Inside Pictures programme, and bursaries for underrepresented groups.
• BBC Cymru WalesregionalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 November 2020Partnership to establish NFTS national hub in Wales (NFTS Cymru Wales) with Creative Wales. Expanding access to film and television training across Wales.
• Creative WalesregionalStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 November 2020Partnership with BBC Cymru Wales and Creative Wales for NFTS Cymru Wales hub. Supporting Welsh talent development in screen industries.
• BBC DramacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with BBC Drama for screenwriting course. NFTS Screenwriting course delivered in partnership with BBC Drama, providing students with industry exposure and literary agent/commissioner meetings.
• BBC ComedycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with BBC Comedy and BBC Studios for Writing and Producing Comedy 18-month part-time course covering sitcoms, sketch shows, and panel shows for television and radio.
• Channel 4coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChannel 4 logo displayed on NFTS homepage as partner. Partnership includes NFTS & 4Skills courses, Factual Editing Course, and various skills pathways programmes.
• SkycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSky logo displayed on NFTS homepage as partner. CEO Cécile Frot-Coutaz serves on NFTS Board of Governors.
• ITVcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorITV logo displayed on NFTS homepage as partner. Managing Director Julian Bellamy serves on NFTS Board of Governors.
• Prime VideocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorManaging Director Chris Bird serves on NFTS Board of Governors. Partnership includes Prime Video Directors Workshop.
• Walt Disney CompanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDisney logo displayed on NFTS homepage as partner.
• Screen ScotlandregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for NFTS & 4Skills Shooting For The Edit and Story Producing courses in Scotland.
• Inside PicturesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIntensive film business training and leadership skills development programme run by NFTS, supported by BFI partnership for access by underrepresented groups.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Met Film School: UK-based film school offering practical, industry-led training across directing, producing, cinematography and post-production. Competes directly with NFTS on London-based short courses and undergraduate-adjacent programmes.
• London Film School: UK-based postgraduate film school offering MA programmes in filmmaking disciplines. Closest domestic peer to NFTS, competing for the same international film student applicant pool in the UK market.
• Vancouver Film School: Canada-based film school offering intensive, production-focused programmes across film, TV, animation and games. Comparable in vocational training orientation and emphasis on industry-standard facilities.
• Gobelins, l'école de l'image: Paris-based school recognised globally for animation, film and games design with intensive production-led curricula. Comparable in animation/games curriculum and industry recognition via BAFTA-equivalent awards.
• USC School of Cinematic Arts: One of the world's oldest and largest film schools, offering MFA degrees in film and television production, animation, and interactive media. Comparable in industry integration and alumni penetration of the US film industry.
• NYU Tisch School of the Arts: Major US film school offering MFA programmes across film, television, animation, game design and emerging media. Comparable in breadth of disciplines covered and in placement strength into the global entertainment industry.
• La Fémis: France's national film school under the Ministry of Culture — a publicly funded analogue to NFTS offering postgraduate training across film disciplines. Closest European parallel in institutional model and selective admissions.
• American Film Institute: US-based conservatory for advanced filmmaking education offering MFA programmes across the same disciplines as NFTS (cinematography, directing, editing). Closest international analog in mission and curriculum structure.
• FAMU (Prague): One of the oldest film schools in Europe, training film, TV and game-design professionals at postgraduate level with strong international intake. Comparable European public-institution model and curriculum breadth.

Broad incumbents

• Royal College of Art: UK-based postgraduate university with School of Communication offering film, animation and design programmes. Overlaps with NFTS on design and screen craft but offers a broader arts/design portfolio rather than a film-specialist focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nftsfilmtv
• Facebookfacebook.com/nftsfilmtv
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/national-film-&-television-school
• Instagraminstagram.com/nftsfilmtv

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about National Film and Television School