Bachelor in Film Studies (BFS)

Bachelor in Film Studies (BFS) at Oscar International College, Sukhedhara, Kathmandu

Bachelor in Film Studies (BFS) at Oscar International College (College of Film Studies), Sukhedhara, Kathmandu, is a dedicated undergraduate film course affiliated with Tribhuvan University. The college presents this program as the first academic film degree in Nepal to receive recognition from Tribhuvan University. 

The course sits at the meeting point of film art, humanities, and media practice. Students spend four academic years studying cinema as an academic subject while also learning the practical processes of film-making. The institutional focus rests on preparing future directors, scriptwriters, actors, cinematographers, editors, and sound professionals who understand both the creative and technical sides of the medium.

If you are a student thinking about a film career, this course gives you a structured path. You do not only learn how to handle a camera or write a script; you also learn to read films, think about culture and society, and reflect on how moving images affect audiences in Nepal and beyond.

Highlights

• Course title: Bachelor in Film Studies (BFS)

• College: Oscar International College (College of Film Studies), Sukhedhara, Kathmandu

• Affiliation: Tribhuvan University (Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences)

• Duration: 4 years, bachelor level

• Medium of instruction: English (majority of course codes and materials are in English)

• Intake: up to 88 students per year as permitted by Tribhuvan University

• Total students mentioned in profile: 124 current students and 443 alumni

• Specializations (five tracks):

  • Acting

  • Cinematography

  • Screenplay Writing & Direction

  • Editing

  • Sound Recording & Design

These points help you quickly see where this BFS course fits within film education in Nepal.

Curriculum Details

Core Academic Structure

The BFS curriculum at Oscar International College follows the official Tribhuvan University structure and is spread over four academic years. All listed subjects carry 100 marks unless the course structure mentions a different value.

Core subjects include:

• Compulsory English (C. Eng – 401, 403)

• Compulsory Nepali / Nepali Studies (C. Nep – 402, C. Nep. Std. 404)

• BFS 421 – Psychology and Film Studies

• BFS 422 – Basic Film History

• BFS 423 – Film as an Art Form

• BFS 424 – Film Making Fundamentals I

• BFS 425 – Introduction to Sociology and Visual Anthropology

• BFS 429 – Film Theory and Criticism

• BFS 433 – Research Methodology and Term Paper

These courses give students a base in language, social sciences, and film studies. You read about cinema, watch films critically, and connect film practice to psychology, history, sociology, art, and culture.

Specialization Framework

Alongside the common subjects, the curriculum includes a structured sequence of specialization papers for each track:

• BFS 426 (A, B, C, D, E) – Specialization I

• BFS 427 (A, B, C, D, E) – Specialization II

• BFS 428 (A, B, C, D, E) – Experimentation and Performance I or Film Making Fundamentals II

• BFS 430 (A, B, C, D, E) – Specialization III

• BFS 431 (A, B, C, D, E) – Specialization IV

• BFS 432 (A, B, C, D, E) – Experimentation and Performance II or Film Making Fundamentals III

• BFS 434 (A, B, C, D, E) – Specialization V (theory + internship)

• BFS 435 (A, B, C, D, E) – Specialization VI (final project workshop + dossier writing)

• BFS 436 (A, B, C, D, E) – Specialization VII (Final Film / Dissertation Film)

The letters A–E refer to the five specialization streams: Acting, Sound Recording & Design, Cinematography, Screenplay Writing & Direction, and Editing.

Yearly Progression (Conceptual View)

• Early phase (first part of the program):

  • Orientation to film language and history

  • Foundations in English, Nepali, psychology, sociology, and visual anthropology

  • Introduction to film as an art form and basic film-making practice

• Middle phase:

  • Entry into specialization courses (Acting / Sound / Cinematography / Direction & Screenplay / Editing)

  • Film Making Fundamentals II and III in practical labs

  • Deeper engagement with film theory, art of East and West, and contemporary film trends (as per TU curriculum) (Edusanjal)

• Final phase:

  • Research methodology and term paper

  • Internship within the chosen field

  • Final project workshop, dossier writing, and dissertation film

By the end of the fourth year, students have a clear record of written work, practical exercises, and at least one major graduation film linked to their specialization.

Objectives of the Course

Bachelor in Film Studies at Oscar International College serves several academic and professional objectives:

• To prepare students for roles such as directors, scriptwriters, actors, cinematographers, editors, and sound practitioners within the film industry.

• To introduce cinema as an academic subject that connects literature, psychology, sociology, anthropology, and aesthetics.

• To support students who wish to treat film as both creative work and a tool for cultural reflection and social commentary.

• To encourage students to see film-making as a long-term learning process, rather than only a technical skill or short-term training.

Scope

The scope of BFS from Oscar International College sits in three main areas:

• Film and media practice

• Academic and research work related to cinema

• Cultural and creative sectors where moving images play a central role

Alumni from the college are already working as directors, actors, cinematographers, and editors, and their projects have been screened in national and international film festivals.

For you as a future graduate, scope does not only mean jobs. It also covers how you can take part in shaping film culture in Nepal, contribute to new forms of storytelling, and, if you wish, continue into higher studies in film or related disciplines.

Learning Outcomes

By completing the BFS course at Oscar International College, students are expected to:

• Read and interpret films through concepts from film theory, psychology, history, and cultural studies.

• Plan, shoot, and complete short films and other visual projects in team settings.

• Handle basic and advanced camera work, lighting, and sound according to the chosen specialization.

• Use editing software and sound tools to construct narrative rhythm, mood, and meaning.

• Prepare research papers, project dossiers, and final reports that link practice with critical reflection.

• Develop personal discipline, teamwork habits, and ethical awareness in the context of film practice.

These outcomes matter when you think about how this degree will support your growth over four years, both as a learner and as a future professional.

Skill Development Modules

Several courses in the BFS structure focus directly on skill building:

• Film Making Fundamentals I, II, and III (BFS 424, BFS 428, BFS 432) – stepwise training in planning, shooting, and post-production work.

• Acting modules such as Actors’ Preparation, Acting on Film and Theatre, Building a Character, and Different Approaches of Acting Techniques (BFS 426–A, 427–A, 430–A, 431–A).

• Sound modules such as Fundamentals of Sound and Electromagnetism, Acoustic Technology, Basics of Sound Production, Audio Post Production, and Sense of Cinema Sound (BFS 426–B, 427–B, 430–B, 431–B, 434–B).

• Editing modules including Fundamentals of Film Editing, Techniques of Film Editing, Practice of Editing, Color Grading and Mastering, and Art of Film Editing (BFS 426–E, 427–E, 430–E, 431–E, 434–E).

• Direction and Screenplay modules such as Introduction to Film Direction, Basics of Screenplay Writing, Advanced Screenwriting and Direction, and Documentary-related subjects under BFS 426–D, 427–D, 430–D, 434–D.

These modules help you move from basic exercises to more complex projects, including internship work and a dissertation film.

Teaching Methodology

Teaching and learning at Oscar International College combine classroom study, screenings, workshops, and guided production work.

The college profile and course materials mention:

• Regular practical exercises in film-making fundamentals and specialization subjects

• Guidance from mentors and workshop leaders who are active in different parts of the film industry

• Film appreciation sessions where students watch and discuss Nepali and international films

• Class and lab sessions for camera work, editing, and sound practice

For you as a student, this means regular contact with both theory and hands-on practice. You read, write, watch, and then test your ideas on set or in the lab.

Admission Requirements

Admission to Bachelor in Film Studies (BFS) under Tribhuvan University generally follows these criteria:

• Completion of 10+2, PCL, or an equivalent examination in any discipline from a recognized board or university

• Minimum aggregate of 40% or a minimum grade of D+ in all subjects (as referenced in BFS information sources under TU)

• Success in the BFS entrance process, which usually includes a written test and an interview conducted by the college

Oscar International College screens applications based on academic records and entrance performance. The college receives more than 500 applications for around 88 available seats, which means students face competition for admission.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of BFS at Oscar International College move into different fields of film and media. The college’s own records mention many alumni who now work as directors, actors, cinematographers, and editors, with award-winning projects in national and international festivals.

Common career directions include:

• Film direction and assistant direction

• Screenwriting for film, television, and digital platforms

• Acting for cinema, theatre, and television

• Cinematography for fiction, documentary, advertising, and music videos

• Editing and post-production for film and media

• Sound recording and sound design

• Film criticism, programming, and festival coordination

• Media teaching and academic work in film and related subjects

Scholarships and Financial Aid

The college profile links BFS study at Oscar International College to scholarship opportunities from the Film Development Board (FDB) and other partners.

Key points include:

• Film Development Board scholarships for students studying film-related subjects:

  • Secondary-level film students: around NPR 15,000 per year

  • Undergraduate film students: around NPR 50,000 per year

  • Postgraduate film researchers: around NPR 25,000 per year

Why Choose Bachelor in Film Studies at Oscar International College?

From a student’s point of view, this BFS course at Oscar International College offers several concrete academic advantages:

• Formal four-year BFS degree under Tribhuvan University, focused fully on film studies

• Clear specialization tracks in Acting, Cinematography, Screenplay Writing & Direction, Editing, and Sound Recording & Design

• Structured curriculum with theory, practical work, internship, and a final dissertation film

• Exposure to mentors and workshop leaders who are active in the film field

• Documented record of more than 200 award-winning academic projects and a growing alumni network with 443 graduates in different film specializations

• Connection to national scholarship programs supported by the Film Development Board for film students

Conclusion

Bachelor in Film Studies (BFS) at Oscar International College, Sukhedhara, Kathmandu, stands as a specialized film degree within Nepal’s Tribhuvan University system. The program covers film theory, history, and criticism, alongside stepwise practical work in directing, acting, cinematography, editing, and sound.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How long is the Bachelor in Film Studies (BFS) at Oscar International College?

The BFS course runs for four academic years under Tribhuvan University.

How many students are admitted each year?

The college mentions an intake of up to 88 students per year, selected from more than 500 applications.

Which specializations are available?

Students may choose from five specializations: Acting, Cinematography, Screenplay Writing & Direction, Editing, and Sound Recording & Design.

What basic qualification do I need to apply?

Applicants need 10+2, PCL, or an equivalent qualification in any discipline with at least D+ in each subject or a 40% aggregate, followed by an entrance process set by the college and Tribhuvan University. 

Are scholarships available for BFS students?

Yes. Film Development Board scholarships and college-linked schemes (such as OIC and partner scholarships) are available for eligible students studying film subjects.