Course summary
Sound design is the emotional heartbeat of a film, TV show or game. The soundtrack has the ability to make you feel scared, to be uplifted, to bring you to tears, to build tension and release joy. At the NFTS we marry together training in the technical skills of sound design with a passion for telling stories through sound. "I wouldn't have the confidence of doing what I do today if not for the NFTS. The narrative emphasis in its sound design curriculum was exactly what I needed. Undoubtedly, anyone who wants a career in sound design should go to the NFTS as soon as they can.” Graduate Ting li Lim, Director of Sound at Mocha Chai Laboratories, Singapore's first Dolby Atmos mixing studio. Students work in professional-standard facilities and learn all aspects of audio post-production, developing the techniques and creative awareness required to work as professional sound editors, sound designers and dubbing mixers. And they also have the opportunity to use their skills to tell real stories, collaborating with students across a range of disciplines to make films and practical projects, including live action, animation, TV, and video games. All production costs are met by the School. NFTS sound design graduates have regularly won BAFTAs and other prestigious awards. Our students have won the student section of the Los Angeles based Golden Reel Awards for best sound editing 15 times since 1996. All NFTS students can attend Masterclasses. Recent guests include David Fincher (Fight Club), Greta Gerwig (Little Women), Steve McQueen (12 Years A Slave), Edgar Wright (Hot Fuzz), Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag), Ben Wheatley (Free Fire), Rapman (Blue Story), Louis Theroux, Debra Granik (Winter’s Bone), Denis Villeneuve (Bladerunner 2049), Lynne Ramsay (You Were Never Really Here), Sam Mendes (1917), Asif Kapadia (Senna), Joanna Hogg (The Souvenir), Russell T Davies (Doctor Who) and Walter Murch (Apocalypse Now). This course is industry recognised by ScreenSkills, the industry-led skills body for the UK's screen-based industries, and carries the ScreenSkills Select quality-mark which indicates courses best suited to prepare students for a career in the screen industries.
Modules
The components of the soundtrack – dialogue, atmospheres, Foleys, ADR, designed FX and music – are explored in detail in our professional standard post-production facilities. With a firm emphasis on storytelling, students develop an aesthetic awareness integrated with technical expertise, encouraging them to be collaborators from an early stage in all productions and throughout the whole post-production process. The course represents a steady progression beginning with the basic technology and skills that underpin and support the creative process and ending with the responsibility for sound design on a range of graduation projects, including fiction, documentary, animation, science and natural history, TV, and video games. At each stage skills are added through workshops, to provide a comprehensive education that is of great value in understanding and communicating with other industry professionals.
Assessment method
Assessment is based on a dissertation.
Entry requirements
In the Post Production department, we are looking to assemble a group of students with diverse and varied backgrounds. There is no 'typical' student or perfect candidate who conforms to a mandatory list of qualifications. Applicants are likely to have some industry experience, or training in their chosen field. Your background may be in the arts or other media, you might be looking for a further professional qualification or wish to broaden your knowledge of sound post-production, taking you to a higher level of work. While many applicants will have a degree from a British or overseas university, we will consider applicants who do not have a degree if they have an impressive portfolio, a creative track record or an alternative qualification. As a part of our admissions selection process, following a successful interview applicants are required to attend a selection workshop for five days, which has a fee of £150. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £14800 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £14800 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £14800 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £14800 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £14800 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £14800 | Year 1 |
| EU | £26000 | Year 1 |
| International | £26000 | Year 1 |
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Sponsorship information
NFTS Scholarships available for UK Students.
Provider information
National Film and Television School
Beaconsfield Studios
Station Road
Beaconsfield
HP9 1LG