Well done to all those students who have received their GCSE grades today and we hope you have gained the results you wanted - even more so given the disruption over the past few years.
For those still deciding what to do next, studying at a college, a specialist academy, or, starting an apprenticeship will help you take the first steps to a rewarding career in the UK’s exciting and growing screen industries: film, TV, animation, VFX (visual effects) and games.
The skills shortages in these industries mean that there are lots of opportunities for you to aim for straight after college or after further study in higher education. A wide range of different jobs are required in everything from post-production, costume and hair and make-up - right through to film and TV set design, game design and animation character design. This is only a small selection, there are many more.
Studying at a college or an academy is a popular place to start for you to get the qualifications and skills needed and they are still currently offering courses places to start this autumn. ScreenSkills Select endorses courses that provide training specifically for roles in the screen industries, but also other wider subjects that prepare students well for future work in this exciting sector.
More information about the wide range of opportunities jobs alongside the qualifications and courses you can take to prepare for these roles can be found in our job profiles.
How to find high quality degree courses in screen
ScreenSkills Select-endorsed vocational courses have been identified as offering a strong preparation for a career in film, TV, animation, VFX or games by people working directly in the screen industries. These could be either straight after you have left college or after further study such as at a university.
To be endorsed, the courses must prove they have both high quality teaching and are also plugged into the world of screen industries by having great links with employers. As well as knowing that you are on an industry-approved course, there are also a number of exclusive benefits that only students on endorsed courses have access to. These will help you get a head start on your career.
You can find out more by checking out the courses listed in our ScreenSkills Select course directory.
Apprenticeship opportunities
There are also an increasing number of great apprenticeships available in the screen industries. An apprenticeship is a job with training and the schemes are organised by employers. You can read more about them on our apprenticeships section including how best to find these opportunities.
Tim Weiss, Director of Vocational Skills, ScreenSkills, said: “Studying on a college or academy course, or, taking up an apprenticeship are all great routes to take your first steps towards a rewarding career in film, TV, animation, VFX or games.
“These industries are exciting, growing and the UK is world leader. All are looking to recruit talented young people who have developed skills, knowledge and experience through the education and training they have received. They are particularly focused on key skill shortage areas and there are plenty of these course opportunities available to help bring you closer to starting your first job.
“Now your GCSE results have arrived, the information we provide at ScreenSkills about endorsed college and academy courses, as well as apprenticeship routes, can help you decide with confidence what vocational qualifications you want to take.”
Quotes from ScreenSkills Select endorsed courses
David Gordon, Head of School for Performance, Music & Media at West Herts College, said “Hertfordshire is an exciting place to be when it comes to the film and TV industry. We’re surrounded by film studios, production companies, prop houses and more. West Herts College delivers a recognised educational experience that comprises of industry standard equipment, facilities and staff, who are all current or former industry professionals. Being an AVID training centre and Screen Skills Select endorsed, West Herts College is a great launch pad into the industry or higher education.”
Liam Butler, Curriculum Leader for Broadcast at the BOA Academy, said: "If you live in the Midlands and would like to kick-start your film and TV careers by studying Broadcast in Years 12 and 13, then apply now to BOA Academy Stage and Screen Production course. The results speak for themselves as everyone who studied on the course, received a Triple Distinction (equivalent to A-levels: A*A*A*). All of them are now are continuing their journey of pursuing a career in the film and television industries, having already successfully obtained places across apprenticeships, higher education and straight into work including the BBC and National Film & Television School."
Jamie Taylor, Curriculum Area Manager, Digital Technologies, Media, Music & Performing Arts at Hertford Regional College, said:
“The film production, broadcast media and content creation industries are growing fast, and nowhere more than in our local area of Broxbourne near North London, where the construction of Sunset Studios - a 900 million-pound Hollywood studio complex - is well underway.
“When considering your next steps towards a career, there couldn’t be a more exciting time or place to study Media and Filmmaking than on one of our Select-endorsed courses, where you will be surrounded by passionate creators, expert teachers, industry standard facilities and high quality work placements. With the support and endorsement of ScreenSkills, our courses prepare students to grab the opportunity to join a thriving industry.”
Getting into the screen industries
Take our dedicated series of e-learning modules