Overview
Ravensbourne University London is a specialist university focused on digital media, design, and technology, located on the Greenwich Peninsula in southeast London next to The O2 arena. The university offers film, broadcasting, and post-production programs alongside courses in animation, visual effects, game design, and interactive media. The campus was designed by architect Farshid Moussavi and won the RIBA award for best Higher Education Building in 2011.
The university has over 40 years of experience training broadcast professionals. Its Digital Television Production course has been a leading provider of high-end television training, and its post-production and editing programs are particularly strong. On October 16, 2025, Ravensbourne became the global hub for "On Air," the world's largest student-led broadcast, with over 500 students from 18 institutions across six continents producing a continuous 24-hour livestream. The event used cloud-based workflows from AWS, AI-driven translation tools, and the BBC R&D Time Addressable Media Store (TAMS), supported by CNN, ITV Studios, Vizrt, AWS, and NEP.
Ravensbourne's location on the Greenwich Peninsula places students within reach of central London's media industry. Soho's post-production houses, broadcasters, and production companies are accessible by public transit via the Jubilee Line. The surrounding area has attracted creative businesses and media organizations, building a local creative economy.
Programs Offered
- BA (Hons) in Digital Film Production - a three-year undergraduate degree covering directing, cinematography, editing, sound, screenwriting, and production management. Students explore mainstream, art-house, documentary, and commercial contexts.
- BA (Hons) in Digital Television Production - a three-year undergraduate degree focused on television broadcasting, live production, and multi-platform content creation. Students create TV shows using industry-standard facilities across drama, documentary, entertainment, and factual genres.
- BA (Hons) in Editing and Post Production - a three-year undergraduate degree dedicated to post-production craft and workflow.
- BA (Hons) in Animation - 2D and 3D animation.
- BA (Hons) in Music and Sound Production - audio production for film, TV, and music.
- BSc (Hons) in Broadcast Engineering - technical broadcast engineering and systems.
- MA in Film Production - graduate-level filmmaking.
- MA/MSc postgraduate degrees - various media and technology master's programs.
- MFA programs - include an additional semester compared to standard MA programs.
Entry requirements for undergraduate programs typically require three A Levels at grade CCC or above, BTEC Extended Diploma at MMM, or equivalent qualifications totaling 96 UCAS Tariff points, plus GCSE Grade 4 or above in English.
Tuition and Fees
For the 2026-2027 academic year:
- UK undergraduate students: 9,790 GBP per year (standard UK university fee, government loan available)
- International undergraduate students: 17,500 GBP per year
- UK postgraduate students (MA/MSc): 9,750 GBP per year
- UK MBA: 12,400 GBP per year
- UK MFA (includes additional semester): 13,000 GBP total
- International postgraduate (MA/MSc): 18,500 GBP per year
- International MBA: 19,950 GBP per year
- International MFA: 24,670 GBP total
UK students can cover undergraduate tuition through government loans, with repayment only required once earnings exceed 25,000 GBP per year. Part-time study options are available with pro-rated fees.
Equipment and Facilities
Ravensbourne's purpose-built campus includes industry-standard facilities:
- TV and sound studios equipped for professional broadcasting and audio production
- Editing and post-production suites with industry-standard software and hardware
- Digital labs for VR, AR, animation, and interactive media projects
- A podcasting suite
- A kit store with industry-standard equipment and technical team support
- Bookable PC and Mac suites, collaborative work areas, and a laptop loan scheme
- A library and materials hub with print, online, and audiovisual resources
The university's broadcast facilities include a master control room capable of supporting live multi-camera productions. Students regularly work with industry-leading broadcast technology through partnerships with companies like Sony and at venues like Pinewood Studios. The kit store provides access to professional cameras, lighting, and audio equipment for student productions.
What Students Should Know
Ravensbourne is smaller than major London institutions like University of the Arts London or King's College. This means more individualized attention, better access to facilities, and manageable class sizes. Students build close relationships with faculty who are industry practitioners.
The university's technology-forward approach means students work with current industry tools and workflows. The school invests in keeping its equipment and software up to date. The post-production and editing programs are particularly strong, reflecting demand for skilled editors, colorists, and post-production supervisors in the UK industry.
London's cost of living is the biggest financial challenge for Ravensbourne students. The Greenwich Peninsula area is somewhat more affordable than central London neighborhoods, but students should budget for accommodation costs that are among the highest in the UK. Estimated living costs in London range from 1,200 to 1,800 GBP per month including accommodation.
The university has strong industry links and guest speakers from the creative industries. Students gain real-world experience through projects, partnerships, and industry-led teaching. Graduate employment outcomes are described as excellent, particularly in broadcast and post-production sectors.
Notable Alumni and What They've Made
Ravensbourne alumni work across the UK's film, television, and digital media industries, with particular strength in post-production, broadcast, and emerging media sectors:
- Gareth Unwin - film producer, won the Academy Award for Best Picture for The King's Speech (2010), starring Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush. The film grossed over $414 million worldwide and won four Oscars total.
- David Bowie - attended Ravensbourne (then Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication) in the 1960s before his music career. While not a film alumnus, his time at the college is part of its cultural history.
- Stella McCartney - fashion designer, attended Ravensbourne before establishing her own label. While known for fashion, she has worked on film costume design.
- Tim Pope - film director, known for his music videos for The Cure and feature film work.
- Phil Mulloy - filmmaker and animator, known for his provocative animated films including the Cowboys series and The Christening.
- Andrew Kötting - artist filmmaker, known for works including This Filthy Earth (2001) and Swandown (2012).
- Peter James - writer and film producer, whose novels have been adapted for film and television including the Roy Grace series.
- Andi Osho - comedian and actress, has appeared in Line of Duty, I May Destroy You, and Shetland.
- Joshua "Zerkaa" Bradley - YouTuber and member of the Sidemen group, with over 4 million subscribers on his main channel.
- Will "Wilbur Soot" Gold - YouTuber and musician, part of the Minecraft content creation community.
Recent BA Digital Film Production graduates:
- Claudia Orriols - nominated in the Best Early Career Filmmaker category at the Oxford Shorts 2023 awards for her final major project, the short film Sola. Her lead actress Teresa Del Olmo won Best Actress at the same awards. Orriols is now based between Barcelona and London, working as a film director.
- Henry Oliver - directed the music video for BiG Heath's "BiGGY" as his final major project, which has amassed over 3.6 million views on YouTube and was shortlisted for a Royal Television Society (RTS) Student Television Award.
- Tony Longe - freelance creative producer specializing in film and promos.
- Jameisha Prescod - built a following of over 29,000 on Instagram with her page 'You Look Okay to Me' and a growing YouTube presence focused on disability and chronic illness storytelling.
- Daniel Maslen - had his short film exploring masculinity through the biblical story of David and Goliath shortlisted by The Pitch.
Acceptance Rate
Ravensbourne University London does not publicly publish its overall acceptance rate. The university's entry requirements for undergraduate programs typically require three A Levels at grade CCC or above, BTEC Extended Diploma at MMM, or equivalent qualifications totaling 96 UCAS Tariff points, plus GCSE Grade 4 or above in English.
These requirements place Ravensbourne in the moderate selectivity range among UK university film programs. The university is smaller than major London institutions like University of the Arts London (UAL) or King's College London, which means more individualized attention and better access to facilities, but also a smaller intake. The Digital Film Production and Digital Television Production programs are the most competitive due to industry demand for broadcast and post-production skills.
Prospective students should note that Ravensbourne evaluates applicants on creative potential alongside academic qualifications. A portfolio or showreel is typically required for film and broadcast programs, and the university looks for evidence of practical engagement with media production, not just academic achievement.
Standout Faculty
Ravensbourne's film and broadcast faculty includes industry practitioners:
- Orson Nava (BA, PGDip, PGCert, MA, PhD) - lecturer on the BA Digital Film Production program. Nava is a filmmaker and academic whose research and practice explore documentary, diaspora, and representation in British cinema.
- Iram Kamran Qureshi (PhD, MSc, BA, FHEA) - lecturer with expertise in film theory and production.
- Sarah Mursal (BA Hons) - lecturer on the Digital Film Production program.
- Ken McGill (MA) - lecturer with industry experience in broadcast and post-production.
- Sasha Djurkovic (MA, BA, FHEA, PGCert) - lecturer focused on editing and post-production craft.
- Panos Raptis (MSc, PGDip, PGCertEd) - lecturer specializing in broadcast engineering and technical production.
- Ross Clarke - lecturer on the Digital Film Production program.
The faculty's strength is in post-production and broadcast technology, reflecting the university's 40+ years of experience training broadcast professionals and the UK industry's demand for skilled editors, colorists, and post-production supervisors.
Tuition and Aid Reality
For the 2026-2027 academic year:
- UK undergraduate students: 9,790 GBP per year (standard UK university fee, government loan available)
- International undergraduate students: 17,500 GBP per year
- UK postgraduate students (MA/MSc): 9,750 GBP per year
- UK MBA: 12,400 GBP per year
- UK MFA (includes additional semester): 13,000 GBP total
- International postgraduate (MA/MSc): 18,500 GBP per year
- International MBA: 19,950 GBP per year
- International MFA: 24,670 GBP total
What aid actually looks like:
UK students can cover undergraduate tuition through government loans, with repayment only required once earnings exceed 25,000 GBP per year. This is the standard UK student finance system, not a Ravensbourne-specific scholarship. Maintenance loans are also available to help with living costs, with the amount depending on household income and whether the student lives at home or away from home in London.
Ravensbourne offers a limited number of scholarships and bursaries, but these are not widely publicized and the university does not publish a comprehensive scholarship directory. Prospective students should contact the university's financial aid office directly for current scholarship opportunities. International students are not eligible for UK government loans and must fund their studies through personal resources, scholarships from their home country, or international student loans.
The biggest financial challenge for Ravensbourne students is London's cost of living. Estimated living costs in London range from 1,200 to 1,800 GBP per month including accommodation. The Greenwich Peninsula area is somewhat more affordable than central London neighborhoods, but students should budget for accommodation costs that are among the highest in the UK. Part-time study options are available with pro-rated fees for students who need to work while studying.
Student Film Examples
Ravensbourne student films have achieved recognition at national and international levels:
- BiGGY (music video for BiG Heath) - directed by Henry Oliver, produced by Jordi Estapé Montserrat, with Liam Morgan as Director of Photography. Final major project for BA Digital Film Production. Shortlisted for an RTS Student Television Award. Over 3.6 million views on YouTube.
- Sola (short film) - directed by Claudia Orriols as her final major project for BA Digital Film Production. Nominated for Best Early Career Filmmaker at the Oxford Shorts 2023 awards. Lead actress Teresa Del Olmo won Best Actress at the same awards. The film is inspired by a personal family story about loneliness.
- On Air (24-hour livestream) - on October 16, 2025, Ravensbourne became the global hub for the world's largest student-led broadcast, with over 500 students from 18 institutions across six continents producing a continuous 24-hour livestream. The event used cloud-based workflows from AWS, AI-driven translation tools, and the BBC R&D Time Addressable Media Store (TAMS), supported by CNN, ITV Studios, Vizrt, AWS, and NEP.
The university hosts an annual Curzon Soho student premiere screening where final major projects are showcased to industry audiences. This event provides graduating students with direct exposure to potential employers in London's film and broadcast industries.
Watch
Ravensbourne Digital Film Production students have produced award-winning work as part of their final major projects. The music video for BiG Heath's "BiGGY" was directed by BA Digital Film Production graduate Henry Oliver, produced by Jordi Estapé Montserrat, with Liam Morgan as Director of Photography. The video was shortlisted for a Royal Television Society award and has amassed over 3.6 million views on YouTube. It won the Music Video Award at Ravensbourne's annual Curzon Soho student premiere screening.
See Also
For understanding post-production career paths, see Post-Production Timeline. To estimate your post-production schedule, use the Post Production Timeline Estimator. For planning student film budgets in London, use the Budget Breakdown Allocator. To estimate storage needs for your productions, use the Storage and Footage Calculator.
