NL
FilmThe study

Film

About the study

Study
Bachelor Design
Mode of study
Full-time
School
Media
Grade
Bachelor of Arts
Duration
4 years
ECTS
240
Type
Bachelor
Language
Dutch
CROHO-code
39111
Location(s)
Oudenoord
Email
sz@hku.nl
Phone
+31 (0)30-2091540

Note: from academic year 2025/2026 on, this study programme is named Film instead of Audiovisual Media.


When is Film the right programme for you?

The bachelor’s programme Film is the choice for you if you are passionate about film and loooking for a broad training with high-quality content. You want to tell stories that matter, experiment with visuals and content, and learn how you can express your ideas in a compelling way.

We educate film professionals who use their vision, persuasive power and integrity to create films that are innovative, relevant and pushing the envelope in terms of style and content. We strongly focus on the various forms of cooperation and respecting other’s boundaties and qualities.

Does the following description description apply to you?

  • You are passionate about telling stories through film, and you’re bursting with ideas.
  • You like to experiment with film techniques and narrative structures.
  • You have an open view and a broad interest in culture and society.
  • You have an explicit viewpoint on certain aspects of society.
  • You are a good team player, a strong communicator and are open to feedback.

If so, we would like to meet you!

This programme is in Dutch only!

Please only apply if you are able to read and write Dutch. To see all details, please see the Dutch language version of this page.

Go to Dutch page

Why choose Film at HKU?

When studying with us, you transform into a critical, independent filmmaker with a clear personal style and voice in four years time. You learn how to:
  • Develop your own vision and narrative style
  • View film as an art, a profession and cultural expression
  • Work together with the various disciplines within the film industry
  • Investigate, experiment and cooperate
You are introduced to both the history of film and the latest developments. This allows you to build a strong foundation for your productions that aligns with the contemporary film and media industry.

Your graduation can take any kind of form: from engaged experimental films to inventive, accessible genre movies. Our students graduate as directors, screenplay writers, production designers, or cinematographers – or a combination of these specialties, often with a clear personal signature. The graduation films of HKU Film are regularly screened on (inter)national festivals, or television and online – and regularly win awards.

Seminars and Medialabs

We find it important that you develop a broad perspective on the filmmaking profession. Therefore we offer Seminars en Medialabs in your first two years of study. Seminars are two-week workshops, in which you work together with students from other study programmes of HKU. Media labs are class hours in which you can learn additional skills. You get to know new disciplines and are encouraged to experiment. You can also choose to do a project of your own choice.

Film: short overview

  • Full-time, four-year Dutch-taught study programme
  • Preparing you for a future as a professional filmmaker
  • Broad programme for deeper knowledge of contents and technical and theorical aspects.
  • For documentaries, fiction, experimental films and hybrid variants.

Enthusiastic? You can enrol here!

FilmWhat will you learn?
Film

What will you learn here?


When you study Film study programme, you develop your own (visual) style and vision. You learn how to tell stories that make impact, and the role that images play in our society. You adopt professional and technical skills, discover your personal motivations, and investigate your role as a storytellor within the world around you.

You are learning from, and with, experienced teachers who are themselves working as makers and thought-leaders in the professional field, such as directors, producers, camera operators, writers, cinematographers, reviewers, coaches, and more. They share their contemporary knowledge of the film practice directly with you. Additionally, you also learn a lot from your fellow students and guest teachers, who are often inspiring professionals from the creative (film) industry.

Orientation

You take classes in filmmaking, filming skills, and film and media theory. You creat multiple short productions in eight-week periods. You also study aspects of filmmaking skills, such as storytelling, editing and sound.

Advancement

In year 2 you continue to take classes in filmmaking, film skills, and film and media theory. You learn how to conduct your own research and there is more room for advancing your skills. Per semester, you work on a larger film production.

Specialisation

You go out on an Expedition (internship) and can study for one semester at another educational institution, such as Psychology, Pfilosophy, European studies, writing for film or theatre, etc. You can also choose to set up your own media project.

Choose a position with your graduation work

In your graduation year, you show who you are as a maker with your personal project,. This can be a movie, a series of short films in which you are behind the camera, or an installation centred on a cinematographic story. Together with your fellow students and coaches, you bridge the gap from the academic to the professional field, and determine your position as a professional.

FilmWhat will you make?
Film

What will you make?

Get to work!

After completing this programme, you will have a thorough understanding of the film creation process and know exactly which role you can play in it. You have knowledge about narrative structures, film direction, working with actors, and you master the technical and productional skills. That means you are ready to start working in film, television or audiovisual sector. Are you a good director? Would you rather be behind the camera as an operator, or perhaps you enjoy setbuilding?

Professions

The Audiovisual Media course opens up a world of possibilities for you. We see our former students appear in the professional field (both independent or employed) in the following professions:

  • Audiovisual programme maker
  • Director
  • Producer
  • Camera operator / Director of Photography
  • Sound designer / sound manager on a set
  • Production leader
  • Production assistant
  • Editor/researcher
  • Screenwriter
  • Set dresser / art director / production designer
  • Editor / post-producer
  • Colorist
  • Film festival programmer / curator
  • Teacher / trainer in film and media

Workspaces

FilmLatest news
Film

What's happening

FilmApplication and admission
Film

Application and admission

Language requirement

The programme is only taught in Dutch. To be enrolled you must meet the Dutch language requirement. Find more information here.

Detailed information about requirements, application and admission, can only be found on the Dutch language version of this page.

Go to Dutch page

Note: per academic year 2025/2026, this study programme is named Film instead of Audiovisual Media.

Admission dates

Multiple admission dates are scheduled. After you register, you receive the admission assignment. This assignment must be completed within 4 weeks after your registration date (or sooner in case of the last admission round). After submitting the admission assignment, you are scheduled for the next available admission date.

Still available?

Registration for the academic year 2025-2026 is no longer possible. Registration for next academic year 2026-2027 opens on 1 October 2025.

Prior education requirements

You can take the course if you have one of the following diplomas:

  • Havo or vwo (or international equivalent)
  • Level 4 (mbo) or equivalent.
  • If you do not have the proper degrees, you can perhaps take a so-called 18/21 test. Read more about the 18+/21+ toets

Assessment criteria

  • Conceptual skills
  • Individuality and diversity
  • General visual skills
  • Appropriate skills and technical expertise
  • Communication and reflection skills
  • Affinity with the field
  • Interest in culture and society

Studielink

Apply through Studielink.

Entrance assignments

You are given assignments to do at home. Put together a digital portfolio of your work, such as films, photography, scenarios and drawings.

Interview

On the admission day,you have a 15-minute interview with two teachers and a student. You’ll be asked about your work, the home assignments, your reasons for wanting to do the programme, your background and expectations. You can also ask your own questions to see if HKU is the right place for you.

Results

You will be notified per email within two weeks after the admission day. You might be admitted to the programme, or we might see no match between what you showed us and the nature of the programme and decide not to select you. It could also be that we advise you to first do the Broad Preparatory Course or the Media Preparatory Course.

Study costs

HKU has different rates for tuition fees. Depending on your situation, you pay either statutory or institutional tuition fees.

Calculate your tuition fee
  • HKU has equipment that you can borrow for making your assignments. If you decide to get your own equipment for your studies, we recommend that you do not buy them before the start of your studies, because the teachers can advise you about your purchase.
    You are expected that you personally finance the productions that you create during your studies. In year 2, there is a compensation for renting cpecific equipment for your final procution. In year 4, you are tuaght in how to find funding for your graduation project by means of crowdfunding.

    In year 1, there is a one-time expense of 75 euros for participation in the talent programme of the Dutch Film Festival.
    We try to offer an annual study trip to 2nd year studies with a maximum personal contribution of 275 euros. This study trip is not mandatory.

    The computer is important for your studies. Due to the set-up of the programme, we advise you to purchase a dedicated laptop, at a cost of between €1000 and €2000, depending on the type. Next to a laptop, we recommend that you buyt at least two harddisk for storing all your digital materials.

    HKU uses Adobe Premiere. As HKU student, you can use this software package at a discount. There are many tutorials on YouTube. Other useful products are: FCP X and AVid Express.

Find out more?

First, read the frequently asked questions. Haven't found your answer yet? Get in contact with the Student Affairs Service Desk. They will help you with questions about (almost) everything that has to do with studying at HKU.

Contact