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Scholarships

Scholarships

We are committed to ensuring it is open to students of genuine ability, no matter what their background or financial circumstances.

And, as an institution that develops the next generation of creative talent, we feel a special responsibility to ensure our creative industries reflect the full diversity of our country.

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In the last year, 8 in 10 UK students received support, with more than £950,000 given out in total.

Don't let financial circumstances stop you from applying
If your application is successful, we'll let you know what help is available

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Eligibility

Candidates must have been permanently resident in the UK for the last three years and hold a British passport in order to be eligible.

Applying for a Scholarship

When you are offered a place on an MA course, and if you are eligible, you will be invited to apply for these scholarships. We will also provide advice about other potential sources of funding. 

You cannot apply for or request a specific donor when applying to the fund, however, If you match the criteria for a specific donor, you will be contacted.

Scholarships can provide some (and in certain cases, all) of tuition fee support. They are provided by a named individual or institution that has some connection with the Industry and School. They may have an interest in mentoring you. These awards carry considerable prestige.

Awards to UK MA students for the academic year commencing January 2023 have ranged from £1,000 to £10,000, depending on demonstrated individual need.

About our Scholarships

The NFTS Scholarship programme is made up of a multitude of donors and patrons. We are grateful for the generous assistance of its scholarship donors, such as BFI and BBC, who between them provide more than £400,000 of support for students to help with their fees. Both BFI and BBC monies are targeted at students from diverse backgrounds including those from the regions, nations and from ethnically diverse communities.

You can find out more about our BBC Scholarships and the courses supported and our partnership with the BFI, awarding funds from the National Lottery. 

The School also receives significant scholarship funding from a range of trusts and grant-giving organisations, such as the Leverhulme Trust who provide £150,000 in support to NFTS students.

Toledo Productions supports diverse new British voices and talent. The Toledo Scholarship was established in 2005 by one of the world’s most successful producers and NFTS governor Duncan Kenworthy (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill) to enable talented newcomers from underrepresented backgrounds in the UK to fast-track their ambitions and join the British film industry. Since its inception, over 30 scholars have benefitted from £300,000 of funding including writer/director Shola Amoo (The Last Tree) and producer Kurban Kassam (Ginger and Rosa). More information is available on our Toledo Scholarship page, where you can see how it has helped British Black and Ethnic Minority students successfully train at the NFTS.

In 2022, we announced our new Black British Woman Cinematographer Scholarship Award, in partnership with Netflix, with the first recipient joining the NFTS Cinematography MA in January 2023. For scholarship recipients, Netflix will entirely fund the two year NFTS Cinematography MA in addition to supporting annual living expenses. If you are offered a place on the Cinematography MA and are eligible, you will be invited to apply for the scholarship.

As part of their commitment to local communities, Pinewood and Shepperton Studios offers scholarships to those living in the local area to Pinewood Studios, UK (within a 5-mile radius) and the Borough of Spelthorne, local to Shepperton Studios, UK. 

For more information visit: pinewoodgroup.com/pinewood-today/futures-nfts

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