A major declared after arrival
Columbia says students apply to Columbia College or Columbia Engineering. The pages read describe no separate admission to Film and Media Studies.
Undergraduate · Columbia College
Columbia Film and Media Studies: a scholarly major with a lab course inside
Columbia College does not admit students to Film and Media Studies. Applicants apply to the College or Columbia Engineering and declare a major toward the end of the second year. The Bulletin describes the undergraduate major as scholarly, international and writing-intensive, with a laboratory course in criticism, filmmaking or screenwriting as one requirement among many, not the core. This guide concerns the undergraduate major, not any graduate film programme.
Official information · read 1 November 2026, no entry-year label
What Columbia says about Columbia Film and Media Studies
Taken from the Columbia Bulletin entry for Film and Media Studies in Columbia College and Columbia Undergraduate Admissions' Academics, Testing and International Applicants pages, read on 1 November 2026. The pages carry no entry-year label, so for a 2028-entry application every statement below is evidence for the previous cycle and may change; check Columbia's pages for the 2028-entry details.
Thirty-six points
The Bulletin gives a minimum of 36 points for the major.
History, theory and one lab
Students take cinema history courses, film and media theory and one laboratory course.
Seven electives
Students choose seven electives, after three introductory courses and two intermediate or advanced ones.
The SAT or ACT is required from August 2027
Columbia says it will require first-year students to submit ACT or SAT results; it accepts A levels and the IB.
Official sources
- Columbia Undergraduate Admissions: Academicsundergrad.admissions.columbia.edu
- Columbia Bulletin: Film and Media Studiesbulletin.columbia.edu
- Columbia Undergraduate Admissions: Testingundergrad.admissions.columbia.edu
Read on 1 November 2026 on the Columbia Bulletin entry for Film and Media Studies in Columbia College and Columbia Undergraduate Admissions' Academics, Testing and International Applicants pages, which describes 2027 entry. The pages carry no entry-year label. Columbia's department website, the full course lists and descriptions, deadlines and financial aid were not read, and the department's own undergraduate page (arts.columbia.edu), which answered with 403, was not read and are not stated.
The major
How the Bulletin describes the Film and Media Studies major
The Bulletin calls the major scholarly, international in scope and writing-intensive, rooted in film history, theory and culture even though majors take workshops in screenwriting and filmmaking. It needs a minimum of 36 points: the introductory course and Film and Media Theory, two cinema history courses, one laboratory and seven electives. Students usually declare toward the end of the second year. A senior thesis is not required, but students who want departmental honours take the Senior Seminar in Film Studies.
Is it the right major?
Film and Media Studies beside Art History and English
Columbia describes these separately, so the major is chosen after arrival. Avandy's comparison is general.
Film and Media Studies fits if
you want film history and theory with some hands-on laboratory work, in a writing-intensive major.
Art History fits if
you want art-historical periods and regions with a studio course. Avandy's Columbia Art History guide covers it.
English fits if
you want literary traditions as the core. Avandy's Columbia English guide covers it.
Admission and testing
Columbia College, an SAT or ACT and A levels or the IB
Columbia says students apply to either Columbia College or Columbia Engineering. It accepts all secondary school curricula, including the IB and Cambridge A Levels, and reviews applications within the context of the curriculum. It says that starting in August 2027 it will require first-year students to submit ACT or SAT results. The major is not a separate application. This guide states no score.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not Columbia's.
Do you want to analyse film or mainly make it?
The Bulletin describes the course of study as rooted in history, theory and culture, with workshops as part of it.
Which laboratory would you choose?
The options span film criticism, fiction filmmaking, screenwriting and nonfiction filmmaking.
Can you plan the SAT or ACT alongside your A levels or IB?
Columbia says it will require ACT or SAT results from August 2027.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
Columbia's pages carry no entry-year label, so nothing on them is confirmed for 2028 entry. Use them to understand the structure of the application, then check Columbia's own pages for the 2028-entry details.
The requirements and descriptions on the pages read on 1 November 2026, which carry no entry-year label
These are the best guide to what to prepare. Columbia has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
Deadlines, fees, financial aid and any department prerequisites not quoted here: not stated
This guide has not read them. Check Columbia for the values that apply to your application year.
What to do now
Read the Film and Media Studies entry in the Columbia Bulletin and plan the SAT or ACT alongside your A levels or IB.
Support
Independent support with planning your own application
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with Columbia College or any of its colleges or departments. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the actual requirements of each course. Support here is limited to understanding the requirements and planning the applicant's own work; Avandy does not write or edit essays, does not submit any materials and has no partnership with Columbia College. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
Can I apply directly to Columbia Film and Media Studies?
The pages read describe applying to Columbia College or Columbia Engineering. Majors are declared after arrival.
Is Film and Media Studies mostly practical filmmaking?
The Bulletin calls the major scholarly and writing-intensive, rooted in film history, theory and culture, with workshops in screenwriting and filmmaking.
Do I need a thesis?
No. The Bulletin says a senior thesis is not required, though the Senior Seminar leads to honours consideration.
Do I need the SAT or ACT?
Columbia says that starting in August 2027 it will require first-year students to submit ACT or SAT results.
Does Columbia accept A levels and the IB?
Columbia says it accepts all secondary school curricula, including the IB and Cambridge A Levels, and reviews applications within the context of the curriculum.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are Columbia's wording with no entry-year label. Check Columbia's pages again when Columbia publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about Columbia Film and Media Studies
Tell us about the student's curriculum, whether they want a scholarly or a practical emphasis, how workshops appeal and their SAT or ACT plan, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.