University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)
Locations: Los Angeles, CA
Degrees: Bachelor's, Master's, Ph.D.
Programs: Film, Television, Animation, Production, Cinematography, Design and more
Tuition Range: 13,500 - 35,000 per Semester
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Located in west Los Angeles just south of Bel Air, UCLA is a large campus with a wide array of degree programs and a student body of nearly 40,000 students. Among its many programs, UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television is world-renowned, consistently listed as one of the finest in the world. Besides its theater programs and a general Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film, Television and Digital Media, the school is perhaps best known for its selection of graduate programs–including master’s programs in Production/Directing, Producing, Animation, and Cinematography, and even a PhD in Cinema Studies. UCLA lists some of the world’s most famous producers and directors among its alumni, including Rob Reiner, Francis Ford Coppola, Frank Marshall and Gore Verbinski.
As a full traditional university and a state-owned school, UCLA’s Bachelor’s programs take about four years to complete, and discounted tuition is offered to residents of California. Undergraduate residents can expect to pay a minimum of $13,500 per semester (tuition and fees), and graduate students pay upwards of $22,000 per semester. Non-resident tuition can be as high as $35,000 per semester.
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Student Reviews
Located in west Los Angeles just south of Bel Air, UCLA is a large campus with a wide array of degree programs and a student body of nearly 40,000 students. Among its many programs, UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television is world-renowned, consistently listed as one of the finest in the world. Besides its [...]
Review by Eliot H.
February 16, 2012 3I went to school as a Physics Major first, then changed to Music after two years as a Vocal Composition major. UCLA was not super supportive, and I found out that to do well, I’d have to figure out everything on my own. Most of the time, they said I couldn’t do whatever it was that I wanted to do, rather than tell me why they thought that, or how I could do better. They also accepted me strangely – as though they weren’t paying attention.
I ended up with a specialization in Music History and Ethnomusicology, which I tried to convert into a job at Rhino Records. They told me I was over-qualified. The truth was, I didn’t really have a passion for anything other than performance, which I didn’t realize until at least a decade after I graduated. But nobody told me that. I have, however, used my music training in my hobbies (karaoke, a band,and musical improv), and also in some of my video editing work.
If you don’t know what you want to do with your life, I would say a more general liberal arts education would be better. If you *do* know what you want, then be sure to go to a school that specifically trains in what you’re after. At the time, UCLA Music was really only about classical performance, which would have had no interest to me if I had known that. Probably my bad for not finding out, but it is a school -they could have asked me (I did have to audition, after all). There are other schools which focus on different genres, like Berklee and MI.
Found work after graduation? Yes
Review by Omo A.
January 15, 2012 2I thought the focus would be more on actually getting work in the real world, rather than how great our (ultimately useless) shorts were. I have managed to find work in the film industry but with really no help from having a UCLA degree. It’s kind of shocking how little people care about that.
All of the things I paid to learn in film school could be learned by working for a few years on sets. The exception I would make is for screenwriting, as that is an academic craft, unlike production.
Debt Accrued: Less than $5,000
Review by M. Curran
January 14, 2012 5I attended UCLA Film School as a transfer from a community college in Northern California into Film school. My concentration was in screenwriting.
Film school exceeded my expectations. I learned more than I thought I would learn and met a fantastic group of people.
I’m currently working in the film industry, renting cameras for aerial film work.
Do you need to go to film school? Absolutely not- the materials are out there for those determined and willing to give it their all on their own. Would I recommend film school? – In a heartbeat. I wouldn’t change a thing about my experience and I felt that I walked away with much more education, contacts, experience, and completed projects in two years than I would have otherwise.
Debt Accrued: $5,001 - $10,000
Found work after graduation? Yes
Review by Darius C.
November 22, 2011 4I graduated with top honors at both BM and MM at USC back in the early 80′s then I went to UCLA film scoring school about 5 years ago. The USC experience gave me all the basics I needed, except the business of music. UCLA filled in the gaps that I needed to score film.
After USC (actually during my masters) I started working as a violinist on film and records. I have played on over 1,300 films (many oscar winners) and 10,000 songs with every major artist from Sinatra, Streisand, Madonna, Jackson, Stefani, the Eagles, etc. As far as after UCLA scoring – this is more of a make it or break it field. Getting your first major film is the hard part. I am currently working on my first full feature film, not a major but a credit to give me that edge when I go for a major.
While I recommend both schools, the business has changed and I would only recommend if the focus was geared to succeeding in the music biz future and not from past expectations.
Review by Gus V.
November 18, 2011 5UCLA is a word-class University. The academics are incredibly rigorous, the professors are all among the best in their fields, and the technology and information being created is absolutely groundbreaking. This University warrants the most applications in the United States, and is extremely selective.
Review by Ronald B.
November 1, 2011 5At UCLA, each academic term, or quarter, lasts for only ten weeks. With that said, you’ll definitely learn what you’re made of when attending this school. Each quarter will pass by very quickly, so you’ll be forced to learn how to juggle classwork with extracurricular activities. Furthermore, you’ll be brought into a special community of talented people and will learn how to be humble because you’ll be surrounded by students that are just as intelligent and hard-working as you are. I definitely learned to be more modest in my first year, and I’m grateful for the experience.
In addition, I participated in research at this school and became familiarized with the scientific process. You can get started by contacting professors who are looking to work with undergraduates (many professors are willing to do this). Once a professor expresses interest in your participation, you will begin your journey of enlightenment. Research will show a hands-on side of science that textbooks can never teach. In addition, research projects can be completed on subjects such as History, Asian American Studies, and World Literature. Almost every department has openings for student research; all one needs to do is look for the opportunities. I certainly did, and I have learned many things concerning the scientific process, different research methods, and state of the art innovations.
I have also learned the importance of talking with TAs (Teaching Assistants). More likely than not, the coursework in undergraduate classes will be graded by TAs and not by Professors. By making the effort to stay on the same page with my TAs, I was able to find out exactly what they looked for on essays and exams. I am learning more and more that communication with Teaching Assistants is absolutely essential for success.
Review by Robert D.
August 18, 2011 4.8In UCLA the major focal point for activities is on the famous Bruin Walk built for the Olympics. Here is were the University is booming with clubs recruiting, people performing, food being sold, farmers markets being hosted, and the student store madness sales taking place. As you walk by student great you trying to get you to come out to their events to support their causes, there is always something interesting to do on Bruin walk. The centrality of all the student on Bruin Walk makes it fun and welcoming to go to the gym, eat on campus and, simply hand out. UCLA is its on little city with everything needed to be found on campus of in Westwood about a 5 minute walk. UCLA is great but what makes it so is Bruin Walk.
The Academic Advancement Program within UCLA is great. The offer a plethora of internships, work study, research programs, lectures, and special guest. The help underrepresented students make the most of their college experience and create a place where one can feel comfortable.
The political views and opinions at the campus are refreshingly diverse. Many discussions have been had regarding the past, current and future state of politics, and it is always fascinating and thought provoking.
Athletic centers…could be better, but everything else is really nice!! Some of the classrooms are a bit dated/not amazing, but they are fine and work for their purpose! Libraries, activity areas, and general campus appearance are all wonderful
Review by Helen J.
August 11, 2011 5This university offers a rigorous but amazing education! Here I was able to take courses on computer science and learn about the significance of graphic and web design. When I started my own website, I was a little discouraged by the little traffic that I got. But with the knowledge I learned from my technical courses and tools I discovered on majon.net, I was able to learn how to optimize results to boost my traffic that ultimately benefitted my business. UCLA has the best professors that pushed me to be successful and the help from majon.net has enabled me to build my website to where I want it to be.
Review by Sue B.
July 27, 2011 1I actually went to one of the Film Schools with a legit reputation (UCLA), but I got NO applicable skills training. The equipment was age-old, and there was not enough for everyone to create their projects at once. There was only one professor per subject. The main professor in my area of concentration had never worked in that field outside of academia. Many full-time faculty at film programs are the guys who could not get jobs in the industry, and they really don’t know how to prepare someone to play a position on a production. There was too much focus on “one man; one project” instead of teaching students how they can be employable. We confronted the teachers about this, and their response was that Film School is not a crafts program but a place to make individual projects to compete in festivals (so the school can look good). Of course, when you come out in debt, the first thing you DON’T want to do is make another indie zero-budget film.
So I got my skills on the side taking classes at non-accredited places where the pros teach at night. Meanwhile, I was paying tuition at UCLA on HUGE student loans (still owe about $60,000). I never got to finish my MFA, either, because I had to stop and get paid work (eventually got into the industry, but only because of classes I took elsewhere, not at UCLA). There is way too much cheerleading and way too little skills training; too many nights swilling beer and hearing interesting stories with the teachers; too few nights getting pertinent critiques. Those loans have ruined my life. And now I am considered unemployable because the skills they are looking for are the newest digital skills that are only taught on the job to the people who are there when the switch happens.
Film School is a pyramid scam – the people who can’t get work in the biz get jobs teaching, and they keep their job by making it sound like there are jobs to be had, so it just gets worse all the time.
Review by Omo A.
June 30, 2011 2I thought the focus would be more on actually getting work in the real world, rather than how great our (ultimately useless) shorts were.
I have found employment in the film industry, but with really no help from having a UCLA degree. It’s kind of shocking how little people care about that.
All of the things I paid to learn in film school could be learned by working for a few years on sets. The exception I would make is for screenwriting, as that is an academic craft, unlike production.
I’ve recently paid off my loans which were about $5000
Review by Jenny H.
June 24, 2011 3.3Evening classes here were a great solution for me, as I wanted to learn more about creative writing. I took an evening class with other adults and it was enriching. We all came from different professional backgrounds so the sharing was all the more rich. I particularly appreciated the teacher, who did a great job of putting us on the right track when we had writer’s block by suggesting ideas and sources of inspiration in our everyday lives.
I would definitely return if I were interested in something else. UCLA extension is a really convenient way to learn more in a non-threatening environment.
I would say the con is perhaps a *slight* lack of structure. I really enjoyed the class but did find that more structure in terms of reading and assignments might have helped us with future writing projects however this was a creative writing class and the approach did foster creativity. I also think many people come here to enjoy themselves and not necessarily to take a hard core class so you end up with something in between.
Review by Edward O.
January 8, 2011 4Why review UCLA? Really no reason except to say I’m a Cal Bear on a Bruin campus. OK, don’t stone me. I’ve been to the UCLA campus once before about five years ago when I came to see a David Daniels concert in Royce Hall. But it was dark, and I wasn’t the one driving there. This time, my visit was for professional reasons. I came to the career center in Strathmore Hall to interview the best and brightest for my company. I actually wasn’t looking forward to the assignment because first, I was just in LA a month earlier, and second, I was in LA a month earlier. Gee, can you tell I’m from San Francisco? But to my pleasant surprise, the students I interviewed were great and really gave me a hope that they don’t represent the Lost Generation.
I had time for a quick stroll around the campus and was frankly amazed at how crowded it was, a constant torrent of foot traffic, especially around the student union filled with Bruin-ware. My one frustration, I must admit, was figuring out the parking situation. It’s as clear as mud for a new visitor since all you see is a small sign that says parking costs $10. I only realized after being honked at in front of one of their parking garages that I had to drive to the booth in the middle of Westwood Plaza and buy a ticket to enter into one of the lots. Good thing I padded a half-hour to my commute time from the hotel because I hate being late for interviews. But it’s still a nice expansive campus. Just not the best one in the UC system. Go Bears!
Review by Jeff S.
July 6, 2009 3UCLA is indeed situated in a great location. Close to the beach, great climate, close to Hollywood etc, but to call it a world class center of Academia is farcical. The educational system of the US is a joke compared to other developed nations such as those in Western Europe, Japan etc. Having studied in France and recently at UCLA I would classify a US Bachelors degree as little, if any, better than what you would get at a French High School. We are that far behind. What is the attraction with the Basketball and Football program ? I still can’t understand how this adds anything to the educational prestige of anywhere. None of this is unique to or a direct criticism of UCLA – in fact UCLA is one of the best places around. If we look at the other Universities we’re lagging even further. The rest of the world laughs at us.
Review by Sandra H.
March 14, 2009 5Alright, so I went to UCLA and couldn’t resist the opportunity to say Go Bruins! If you’re considering colleges UCLA can’t be beat. The students, instructors, campus, and entire atmosphere make this UC campus tops. The cost of tuition, especially for California residents, is reasonable and the education is superior. This is a huge school in the midst of an even huger city that somehow still feels like a close-knit community.