Vancouver Film School Pathway

Laurier has an innovative partnership through which Laurier students can complete the Honours BA Film Studies at Laurier and a Diploma from the Vancouver Film School (VFS) in just 4 years. Laurier students attend Year 1 and Year 2 at Laurier, Year 3 at VFS, and Year 4 at Laurier.

Your VFS Year

The VFS-Laurier Pathway offers an opportunity for students interested in combining their comprehensive education in Film Studies and/or English with direct experience training in film production, writing, acting, animation, or digital design.

5 Diploma Options

1. Film Production
2. Writing for Film, Television, and Games
3.  Acting for Film and Television
4. 3D Animation & Visual Effects
5. Digital Design

Admissions

Students attending VFS in Year 3 must have maintained a minimum overall GPA of 5.0 as well as a minimum GPA of 5.0 in Film Studies.

Students attending VFS in Year 3 must have completed a minimum of 9.25 credits overall, with a minimum of 4.0 credits in Film Studies.

Tuition and Scholarships

Vancouver Film School offers all Laurier students in the Pathway a substantial Tuition Discount (valued between $5,000 and $13,000 for domestic students depending on the VFS program).

VFS also provides up to 24 “Excellence in Media” Scholarships for Laurier students in the Pathway. Students with the highest GPA (in their major and overall) are invited to participate in the Pitch Competition, the winners of which receive scholarships valued between $7,000 and $27,000 (depending on the VFS program and if students are Canadian or international).

The tuition a Canadian student can expect to pay for their year at VFS ranges from $20,950 to $36,950 depending on the VFS program (before scholarships or tuition discounts). Tuition for international students ranges from $29,000 to $54,000 depending on the VFS program.

About the Vancouver Film School

VFS is a renowned arts school of international recognition, located in Vancouver—‘Hollywood North’—a mecca for the entertainment arts, from film/TV production to visual effects studios, game developers to cutting-edge design agencies. VFS’s Film Production program is the leading program of its kind in Canada and one of the top programs in North America. Like a major studio, VFS hosts multiple production facilities essential for creating content for film, TV, games, animation, design, and digital applications. The industry-focused, fast-paced curriculum at VFS means building a strong foundation: learn by doing, in a creation-based environment while being taught by award-winning entertainment and design pros. VFS’s faculty and professional mentors work closely with you to help you understand the industry and craft a killer portfolio, resumé, and reel.

Click here to learn more: https://vfs.edu

Pathways to Film Studies (BA) at Laurier 

Throughout your Film Studies degree, you will take courses in topics such as film history, film theory, gender in film and film melodrama.

Once you have accepted your offer, please consult Academic Advising and our Course Registration Guide to determine where you are with your program requirements, the specific courses you'll need to complete and the length of your academic journey at Laurier.

Film-Related Diplomas (Vancouver Film School)

Students who have successfully completed a one-year diploma program in Acting for Film and Televison, Film Production, 3D Animation and Visual Effects, or Writing for Film, Television, and Games from the Vancouver Film School, may be eligible for admission into the Film Studies (BA) program at Laurier's Waterloo campus via this articulation agreement.

• Required final average from one of the diploma programs: 75%+ 
• Other admission requirements: 60%+ in a 4U English (or equivalent) and proof of graduation
• Number of transfer credits granted: 5.0
• Number of Laurier credits required to graduate: 15.0  

Anticipated Transfer Credits 

These are the transfer credits you will receive if you are successful with this partnership:

Writing for Film, Television and Games Diploma (Vancouver Film School) 

Students who have successfully completed a one-year diploma program in Writing for Film, Television and Games from the Vancouver Film School, may be eligible for admission into the Combined Honours BA English and Film Studies within the Faculty of Arts on Laurier’s Waterloo campus via this articulation agreement. 

Throughout your combined BA in English and Film Studies program, you will take courses in topics such as history of the english language, diversity in the middle ages, postmodern narratives, film history and film theory.

• Required final average from this diploma program: 75%+ 
• Other admission requirements: 60%+ in a 4U English (or equivalent) and proof of graduation
• Number of transfer credits granted: 5.0
• Number of Laurier credits required to graduate: 15.0  

Anticipated Transfer Credits 

These are the transfer credits you will receive if you are successful with this partnership:

• FS374: Screenwriting and Directing
• 1.0 credit: Film Studies (100 level)
• 1.0 credit: English (100 level)
• 2.5 credits: Interdisciplinary (200 level)

Academic Partnership Pathway (Vancouver Film School)

In only four years, students in the Vancouver Film School academic partnership pathway complete a Bachelor of Arts (BA) from Laurier and a graduate certificate from Vancouver Film School. To enrol in courses at Vancouver Film School, you must obtain a Letter of Permission by submitting the online request form.

Admissions Requirements 

• Students attending VFS in Year 3 must have maintained a minimum overall GPA of 5.0 as well as a minimum GPA of 5.0 in Film Studies.
• Students attending VFS in Year 3 must have completed a minimum of 10.0 credits overall, with a minimum of 4.0 credits in Film Studies.
• At the end of Year 1, you will declare your intent to apply for the Vancouver Film School academic partnership pathway and work with your academic advisor to meet the requirements outlined in the academic calendar.
• You must be in good standing in your program, and you must have completed the minimum credits.
• To enrol in courses at Vancouver Film School, you must obtain a Letter of Permission by submitting the online request form.

Approved Diploma Options 

You can choose to complete one of the following programs at Vancouver Film School to count towards this Academic Partnerships

• Writing for Film, Television, and Game
• Acting for Film and Television
• Film Production 
• 3D Animation and Visual Effects

Standard Academic Schedule 

The standard academic schedule as part of this academic partnership will look like: 

• Year 1: Attend Laurier 
• Year 2: Attend Laurier 
• Year 3: Attend VFS 
• Year 4: Attend Laurier 

Please note: the timelime in which you attend Laurier may look different than what is listed above. Connect with your academic advisor to learn more about your optiminal registration schedule if you participate in this academic partnership. 

Anticipated Transfer Credits 

These are the transfer credits you will receive (outlined in your offer letter) if you are successful with this partnership:

Combined English and Film Studies (Laurier) to Writing for Film, Television and Games Diploma (Vancouver Film School)

In only four years, students can complete a combined English (BA) and Film Studies (BA) degree from Laurier and may be eligible for admissions into the Writing for Film, Television and Games diploma from Vancouver Film School via this academic partnership. 

Admissions Requirements 

• Students attending VFS in Year 3 must have maintained a minimum overall GPA of 5.0 as well as a minimum GPA of 5.0 in Film Studies.
• Students attending VFS in Year 3 must have completed a minimum of 10.0 credits overall, with a minimum of 4.0 credits in Film Studies.
• At the end of Year 1, you will declare your intent to apply for the Vancouver Film School academic partnership pathway and work with your academic advisor to meet the requirements outlined in the academic calendar.
• You must be in good standing in your program, and you must have completed the minimum credits.
• To enrol in courses at Vancouver Film School, you must obtain a Letter of Permission by submitting the online request form.

Standard Academic Schedule 

The standard academic schedule as part of this academic partnership will look like: 

• Year 1: Attend Laurier (at the end of year 1, declare your intent to apply for the Vancouver Film School academic partnership pathway and work with your academic advisor to meet the requirements outlined in the academic calendar)
• Year 2: Attend Laurier 
• Year 3: Attend VFS 
• Year 4: Attend Laurier 

Please note: the timelime in which you attend Laurier may look different than what is listed above. Connect with your academic advisor to learn more about your optiminal registration schedule if you participate in this academic partnership. 

Anticipated Transfer Credits 

These are the transfer credits you will receive if you are successful with this partnership:

• 0.5 credit: English (200 level)
• 0.5 credit: English (300 level)
• 0.5 credit: Film (200 or 300 level)
• FS374: Screenwriting & Directing
• 3.0 credits: Interdisciplinary (200 or 300 level)

Learn More About Transferring to Laurier

If you have additional questions about your transition to Laurier, financial aid for transfer students or transfer credit evaluation, visit our transfer students website. If you are interested in transferring into this program with an academic history different than what is outlined above, apply using the undergraduate application form and your transfer credits will be assessed on an individual basis and reported to you, along with your offer letter, upon admission to Laurier.

Note: Not all program requirements are reflected in these pathway descriptions. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that all academic program and course requirements have been met. Refer to regulations in the academic calendar and connect with an academic advisor once you have accepted your offer.