ESCAC (Film and Audiovisual School of Catalonia)

Overview

ESCAC (Escola Superior de Cinema i Audiovisuals de Catalunya) is a private film school in Terrassa, approximately 20 miles north of Barcelona. Founded in 1994, it is affiliated with the University of Barcelona as a private centre, meaning students who complete the Grado Oficial en Cinematografia receive an official university degree recognised across the European Higher Education Area. The school combines production training with a theoretical foundation in film history and analysis.

The Bachelor's Degree in Filmmaking (Grado Oficial en Cinematografia) costs approximately EUR 13,500 per academic year, totalling 240 ECTS credits over 4 years. The per-credit rate for 2025-2026 is EUR 17.69. The Foundation Course, taught in English, costs EUR 9,700 (or EUR 8,700 with early-bird pricing until April 10). The Master in Film and Screen Studies costs EUR 5,200 for one academic year (60 ECTS credits). The Personal Aptitude Test (PAP) required for admission costs approximately EUR 110.

If you are a filmmaker who wants an official European university degree in filmmaking with access to a professional production company that distributes student work, ESCAC is built for you. The school teaches primarily in Catalan and Spanish, with an English-language Foundation Course available for international students. Review the official degree page for current admission requirements and deadlines.

Programs Offered

Bachelor's Degree in Filmmaking (Grado Oficial en Cinematografia)

A 4-year, 240-ECTS official university degree from the University of Barcelona. The first two years cover general filmmaking fundamentals. From the third year onward, students specialise through elective subjects in one of 8 disciplines:

• Producing (Produccion) - Development, financing, and production management.
• Directing (Direccion) - Narrative fiction filmmaking and creative vision.
• Cinematography (Direccion de Fotografia) - Camera, lighting, and visual design.
• Art Direction (Direccion de Arte) - Production design, set construction, and visual styling.
• Screenwriting (Guion) - Feature and television script development.
• Editing (Montaje) - Post-production workflow and assembly.
• Sound (Sonido) - Production sound, sound design, and mixing.
• Documentary (Documental) - Nonfiction production.

In the fourth year, students develop their specialisation through their Trabajo de Fin de Grado (TFG, final degree project).

Foundation Course (Taught in English)

A one-year, 60-credit introductory program designed for pre-university students and international applicants preparing for entry to the degree program. Taught in English with 50 spots available in Spanish and 50 spots in English. No previous university entrance qualifications are required. Admission requires a videopitch and CV, with a possible online interview. The course starts September 14, 2026, and costs EUR 9,700 (early-bird EUR 8,700 until April 10). Completing the Foundation Course can substitute for passing the PAP aptitude test for degree admission.

Master's Programs

• Master in Film and Screen Studies - An official University of Barcelona master's degree. 60 ECTS credits over one academic year, or 120 ECTS over two years. EUR 5,200. Starts September 2026. Admission requires a videopitch, CV, academic transcript, and degree. Evaluation weights: academic CV 35%, letter of presentation 25%, research/project proposal 40%.
• Master Universitario en Estudios de Cine y Culturas Visuales - A new official master's in film and visual cultures, 60 ECTS over one year, EUR 5,200, taught in Spanish at the Barcelona campus. Starts September 28, 2026.

Facilities and Equipment

ESCAC's campus in Terrassa includes studios, editing suites, screening rooms, and production equipment. The school's in-house production company, ESCAC Films, produces and markets student work, providing professional distribution support and festival representation. This structure bridges education and industry: student thesis films and advanced projects receive professional production support, including festival submission strategy and distribution guidance.

ESCAC student films regularly appear at international festivals including Berlin, San Sebastian, and Malaga. The school maintains partnerships with major Spanish and international industry players, including Warner Bros. Spain, Pedro Almodovar's El Deseo, and Telecinco Cinema. These relationships provide internship opportunities, mentorship, and employment pathways for graduates.

What Students Should Know

Admission to the Bachelor's Degree: Access requires two things: (1) passing the PAP (Prueba de Aptitud Personal), ESCAC's aptitude test, and (2) completing university pre-registration through the Catalan university access system. The PAP evaluates artistic sensitivity, creativity, analytical capacity, and interest in film and audiovisual work. It consists of a portfolio submission, an audiovisual exercise, and a videopitch.

PAP calendar for 2026 admission:

• April PAP: Registration and payment April 6-11, 2026. Audiovisual exercise instructions released April 11 at 10:00. Submission due April 12 at 23:59. Results announced May 9, 2026. Pre-reservation payment for accepted candidates: May 10-18, 2026.
• June PAP: University pre-registration June 3-10, 2026. PAP registration and payment June 3-10, 2026. Audiovisual exercise June 14 at 10:00. Submission due June 15 at 23:59. Results June 25, 2026.

Applicants can only take the PAP once per year (April or June, not both). If you took the April PAP, you cannot register for the June PAP.

Language: The primary programs are taught in Catalan and Spanish. The Foundation Course is taught in English, designed for international students who want an intensive introduction to filmmaking in a European context. Students in the English program have access to the same facilities and some collaborative opportunities with degree program students.

International students: International applicants must meet Spanish university access requirements, which depend on country of origin and previous studies. Foreign degrees may need translation and legalisation through diplomatic channels. ESCAC recommends that visa-requiring students request an appointment at the Spanish embassy or consulate as soon as they are accepted, as the procedure can take 2 to 4 months.

Cost of living: Barcelona and the surrounding Catalan region have a moderate cost of living by European standards. Terrassa, where the campus is located, is less expensive than central Barcelona. A student can expect to spend approximately EUR 700 to EUR 1,000 per month on rent, food, and transportation.

ESCAC Films: The in-house production company is a distinctive feature. Student thesis films and advanced projects receive professional production support, including festival submission strategy and distribution guidance. This support has resulted in ESCAC student films winning prizes at major festivals and receiving professional distribution.

Notable Alumni

ESCAC alumni include Juan Antonio Bayona (J.A. Bayona), director of The Impossible (2012), A Monster Calls (2016), Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018), and Society of the Snow (La Sociedad de la Nieve, 2023), which was nominated for 12 Goya Awards and won 11, including Best Film and Best Director. Bayona also directed the first two episodes of Amazon's The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.

Other graduates work across Spanish and international film and television, with alumni in directing, writing, producing, cinematography, editing, sound, and art direction roles. The school's partnerships with Warner Bros. Spain, El Deseo, and Telecinco Cinema have created employment pathways into some of Spain's largest productions.

See Also

For understanding the Spanish and European film industries, see International Film Markets. To explore post-production workflows, use the Post-Production Timeline Calculator. To plan a student film production in Catalonia, use the Production Budget Calculator.