Boston University Film and Television

Overview

Boston University's Film and Television program operates within the College of Communication (COM), one of the largest and most established communication schools in the country. The program combines production-focused coursework with the broader media literacy and critical analysis that COM provides, producing graduates who understand filmmaking in the context of the wider media landscape.

BU's campus stretches along Commonwealth Avenue in central Boston, with production facilities including HD studios, editing suites, and a screening room. The school's location gives students access to Boston's cultural institutions, its growing production scene, and a large population of university students who serve as collaborators and cast members for student films.

The program benefits from BU's scale as a major research university. Students can take courses across departments, access resources from the School of Visual Arts, and participate in interdisciplinary projects that combine film with journalism, advertising, and public relations.

Programs Offered

• BFA in Film and Television -- production-focused undergraduate program
• BS in Film and Television -- a broader track within COM that combines production with media studies
• MFA in Film Production -- graduate-level directing, cinematography, and editing
• MFA in Screenwriting -- graduate screenplay development

What Students Should Know

BU's film program sits within a communications school, which means students study alongside future journalists, PR professionals, and media executives. This interdisciplinary environment can be an advantage for students interested in documentary, news-adjacent filmmaking, or media industry careers beyond theatrical film.

The program is not a conservatory. Students take general education requirements alongside their film coursework, and the production facilities, while adequate, are smaller than those at dedicated film schools like Chapman or Full Sail. Students who want the most intensive production-focused experience should weigh this against the broader educational benefits BU offers.

Tuition at BU is approximately $62,000 per year. The university offers merit and need-based financial aid. Boston's cost of living is high, though lower than New York City.

BU has a strong and active alumni network across media industries, with particular strength in television, documentary, and broadcast journalism.

Notable Alumni

BU COM alumni include Howard Stern (broadcaster), Bill O'Reilly (television host), Julianne Moore (actress, attended briefly), and numerous working professionals in television production, documentary filmmaking, and media management.

See Also

For understanding how communication schools differ from dedicated film programs, see Choosing a Film School. To plan your student film timeline, use the Post-Production Timeline Calculator.