Royal Holloway, University of London, founded in 1879 by Victorian entrepreneur and philanthropist Thomas Holloway and officially opened in 1886 by Queen Victoria, is a public research university and member institution of the federal University of London serving approximately 10,500 undergraduate and postgraduate students from more than 100 countries. Located west of Egham, Surrey, 19 miles from central London, the university operates from its iconic Grade I listed Founder’s Building (modelled on the Château de Chambord) and is listed by The Sutton Trust as one of the 30 “most highly selective” British universities. Through its comprehensive Film, Television and Digital Production programs, Royal Holloway combines critical theory with creative practice, offering students access to world-leading experts in European and World cinema, award- winning practitioners, 24/7 TV and sound studios, post-production and media labs, and professional location filming equipment.
Originally founded as an all-women college by Thomas Holloway with the mission to provide higher education for women, Royal Holloway became a constituent of the University of London in 1900 and merged with Bedford College (founded 1849) in 1985 to form Royal Holloway and Bedford New College. Achieving university status in its own right within the University of London in 2022, the institution operates under the motto “Esse quam videri” (To be, rather than to seem) and maintains its commitment to academic excellence through six schools and 21 academic departments. The university’s film programs include BA Film, Television and Digital Production, BA Film Studies, MA Producing Film and Television, and MA Film, Television and Digital Production by Research, all designed to provide an equal combination of critical theory and creative practice that makes the courses “uniquely compelling and rewarding.”
As one of the pioneering institutions for women’s higher education, Royal Holloway was originally established as an all-women college in 1886, with Queen Victoria granting the use of “Royal” in its name. The merger with Bedford College in 1985 brought together two historic women’s colleges, creating a powerful legacy of educational innovation and gender equality in higher education. This heritage continues to inform the university’s commitment to inclusive education and diverse perspectives in film and media studies, preparing students to address contemporary issues in creative industries.
Listed by The Sutton Trust as one of the 30 “most highly selective” British universities, Royal Holloway maintains exceptional academic standards that attract high-achieving students from around the world. The university’s film programs benefit from this selectivity, creating a competitive and intellectually stimulating environment where students work with world-leading experts in European and World cinema and award- winning practitioners from across the media industry. This academic rigor ensures graduates are well-prepared for leadership roles in the creative industries.
With approximately 10,500 students from more than 100 countries, Royal Holloway provides a truly international learning environment that enriches the film education experience. This global perspective is essential in contemporary filmmaking, where understanding diverse cultural contexts and international markets is crucial for success. The university’s international community ensures that film students gain exposure to different storytelling traditions, production methods, and industry practices from around the world.
As a research university and member institution of the federal University of London, Royal Holloway provides students with access to extensive academic resources, research opportunities, and the broader University of London network. The university’s annual income of £219.8 million, including £16.8 million from research grants, supports cutting- edge facilities including 24/7 TV and sound studios, post-production and media labs, and professional location filming equipment. This research focus ensures that film
education is informed by the latest developments in media theory, technology, and practice.
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