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Quick answer
The essentials at a glance
You can study a bachelor's in film studies in Canada after +2 at universities such as York in Toronto, and you can study film production at York or Capilano in North Vancouver. This page explains the difference between studying films and making them, when a portfolio or supplementary evaluation is needed, what Capilano's four-year fees look like, and which jobs and work permits follow.
Key takeaways
Main points from this page
- Film studies is about history, theory and criticism, while film production is about making films, and the entry steps differ.
- York offers a BA in Film Studies and Creative Media Industries and a BFA in Film Production.
- York's Film Production BFA needs a supplementary evaluation after you apply, and its final average must stay at 75 percent.
- Capilano's Bachelor of Motion Picture Arts runs four years, and moving to third year depends on your diploma-year results and available spaces.
- A Canadian degree does not give permanent residence automatically, but it can give you a post-graduation work permit.
Can You Study Film Studies in Canada from Nepal After +2?
Yes, you can start a bachelor’s degree in film in Canada after +2, either in film studies or in film production.
Film studies means studying films. You watch them, read about them and write about them. Film production means making films, with cameras, sound and editing.
Students who want to work on sound as well as picture can also read our guide to a bachelor of music in Canada.
This guide is part of our study in Canada from Nepal series. It covers bachelor’s degrees. If you are still choosing a level, read our bachelors in Canada guide first.
Students from management, science and humanities can all apply to film studies. Your English marks matter most. Production courses may also ask for samples of your work.
- Film studies: history, theory and criticism of film, television and digital media.
- Film production: directing, cinematography, editing and sound, learned by making projects.
- Entry: production programs usually ask for extra work from you, such as a portfolio or an evaluation.
- Careers: media, production crews, writing, festivals, archives and further study.
Do You Need a Portfolio or Audition for Film in Canada?
For film production you usually do, and for film studies at York the program page lists no extra step.
York says a supplementary evaluation is required after you apply to its Film Production BFA. York sets a deadline for the online part, so check the date on the page. The page also says applicants with averages in the mid-70s or higher may be considered. You must keep a final average of 75 percent.
York’s Film Studies and Creative Media Industries BA lists no supplementary evaluation. Applicants with averages in the mid-70s or higher may be considered. The final average needed to keep the offer is 70 percent.
Capilano’s program page tells applicants that some programs need extra documents or steps. Ask the School of Motion Picture Arts what yours needs before you apply.
Use our NEB GPA calculator to check your grade first. For documents, see the Canada student visa requirements.
Which Canadian Universities Can You Look At for Film?
Look at York in Toronto and Capilano in North Vancouver first.
York University
It is in Toronto. It offers a BA in film studies and a BFA in film production. Its film production students work at the York U Motion Media Studio at Cinespace Studios. Entry steps differ for the two programs.
Capilano University
It is in North Vancouver. The Bachelor of Motion Picture Arts takes four years. Read our Capilano University profile for the college side.
What English Score Do You Need for Film in Canada?
Each university sets its own English score, so check the English page of your chosen university before you book a test.
Film studies is heavy on reading and essays, so a good score helps you in class too. Production students also write scripts and reports.
For a wider view of scores across Canada, read our minimum IELTS and PTE for Canada guide.
How Much Does a Film Degree Cost in Canada?
Capilano publishes a four-year total of CAD 142,823 for international students in its motion picture degree, which is about Rs 152 lakh.
All amounts here are in Canadian dollars. Use our CAD to Rs forex converter to see them in rupees.
| Year | Tuition and fees, CAD | About in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 36,307 | about Rs 39 lakh |
| Year 2 | 36,938 | about Rs 39 lakh |
| Year 3 | 35,818 | about Rs 38 lakh |
| Year 4 | 33,760 | about Rs 36 lakh |
| Four years | 142,823 | about Rs 152 lakh |
These figures come from the Capilano program page. Production courses can also have equipment costs, so ask the school.
York publishes its fees on its own Tuition and Fees page, so check it before you compare. Living costs and the money you must show for the visa come on top. Our cost of studying in Canada guide and the proof of funds page explain both. For help with fees, read about scholarships to study in Canada.
What Do You Study in a Film Degree?
You study how films are made and understood, through screenings, writing and, in production, hands-on projects.
In film studies you look at film, television, gaming and social media. You study their history, technology and business. York also lists courses in producing, marketing and media curation.
In production you learn directing, cinematography, editing and sound design. You work in crews on original films. Capilano’s course list includes screenwriting, cinematography, directing and producing.
If you want to make films, choose production. If you prefer writing about films and ideas, choose film studies.
Is a Film Degree a Good Choice After +2 from Nepal?
It can be, if you enjoy stories and are ready for long project work and a high fee.
Film degrees ask for steady creative work, not only exams. You must finish projects with a team and meet deadlines.
Production programs are also the most costly of the film routes, and some limit places. Capilano, for example, offers third-year places by diploma GPA and available spaces.
If you want a lower-cost start, ask whether a film studies or media degree fits. Also see our music in Canada and graphic design in Canada guides for nearby creative routes.
What Jobs Can a Film Degree Lead To?
A film degree can lead to jobs in production crews, media, writing, festivals and archives.
Common job types are production assistant, editor, camera assistant, script reader, programmer and researcher. Film is not a licensed field, so you do not need a licence to start. Many jobs begin as short projects, so your portfolio matters.
If you enjoy visual work but not filmmaking, read our guide to graphic design in Canada.
Some graduates continue to a master’s degree. Our masters in Canada guide explains that route.
Can You Work and Stay in Canada After a Film Degree?
You can work part time while you study and apply for a post-graduation work permit after you graduate, but permanent residence is not automatic.
During term, international students can generally work up to 24 hours a week off campus, as the IRCC off-campus work page explains. Our guide on working over 24 hours in Canada covers the details.
After graduation, the Post-Graduation Work Permit can last up to three years, depending on the length of your program. A degree program has no field of study rule. Read our PGWP guide for the steps.
No course leads to permanent residence on its own. Read PR pathways through education in Canada to see how people plan this honestly. For start dates, see the Canada intakes guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be, if you enjoy films, reading and writing. It prepares you for media, research and creative roles, and it supports a later master’s degree.
Film studies is about history, theory and criticism of film. Film production is about making films with cameras, sound and editing. Their entry steps are different.
For production, usually yes or a similar evaluation. York requires a supplementary evaluation for its Film Production BFA and lists none for its film studies BA. Confirm on each program page.
For film studies, yes. For production, your portfolio or evaluation matters more than your stream.
At Capilano, the four-year total for international students is CAD 142,823 including fees. Other universities differ, so check each fee page.
International students can generally work up to 24 hours a week off campus during term, if their study permit allows it.
No. A degree can make you eligible for a post-graduation work permit, but permanent residence is a separate application with its own rules.
How Can Goreto Help You Apply?
Goreto counselors help you pick a university, check your marks and prepare your papers.
You can meet a counselor at our Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Chitwan, Itahari or Pokhara branch. Visit get in touch to find the nearest office.
Sources
Reference links
Disclaimer
Important guidance note
Program rules, portfolio steps and fees change, so confirm each detail on the official university page before you apply.
