NFTS Scotland courses launched

Bursaries available for students from underrepresented groups

by Jennie Kermode

The BBC Scotland building at Pacific Quay, where courses will be held
The BBC Scotland building at Pacific Quay, where courses will be held Photo: Batchelor

The new Scottish branch of the National Film and Television School (NFTS), whose launch was announced last August, began recruiting for its first courses today. They include How Stories Work In Documentary, Directing The Short Film, 16mm/35mm Familiarisation and Directing The Comedy Film. Studies will be based at BBC Scotland on Glasgow's Pacific Quay.

The BBC and the Scottish Government are jointly contributing to a diversity fund which will provide bursaries for disabled people, people with care responsibilities, black and minority ethnic people, women studying on technical courses and people who live in regions of Scotland where they struggle to access training. The aim is to ensure that at least a third of students are receiving these bursaries over the first two years.

"The Scottish Government supported this project from the start and we were delighted that we were able to help secure this prestigious asset for Scotland," said Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop. "As the industry here grows, it’s crucial we have people ready to fill employers’ needs across very specific roles. It is exciting to see the first courses from NFTS Scotland open up a new route to give people from all backgrounds an opportunity to learn essential specialist skills in film and television."

The first students are expected to start work at the end of April.

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