Film Composer Production Facility

Welcome to your new home, the Film Scoring Academy of Europe headquarters in Sofia, Bulgaria, where you will have 24/7 key fob access to our training facility. Our building is equipped with a high tech classroom that contains your own composer workstation, a student lounge that doubles as a score and parts printing facility, a kitchen with free coffee and an ambience that inspires your creativity. Plants, custom lighting, fresh air and an atmosphere tailored to the needs and vibes of the modern composer.

Welcome to the Academy

The Film Scoring Academy of Europe has been outfitted to be a fully functional composer production facility. We've paid close attention to everything having to do with atmosphere: green plants, comfortable seating, smart lighting, welcoming fragrances and inspiration from your favourite films hanging on the walls.

The Classroom

The main classroom at the Film Scoring Academy of Europe simultaneously serves as a fully-functional screening facility, complete with blackout curtains, as well as a composer training lab with 22 composer stations and Mac Studio lecturer station.

The room is equipped with 2 Neumann KH 310 studio monitors, a Neumann KH 750 subwoofer, plus centre and satellite speakers to support 5.1 listening. 2 Ultra HD 4K cinema displays mirror the lecturer’s on-screen content, supported by a projector in the centre of the room so composers can read a score while simultaneously watching a film. The classroom has been acoustically treated by professionals, outfitted with dimmable lighting and an integrated HD streaming rig with 3 Blackmagic 4k Pocket Cinema Cameras. 

Composer Workstations

You have 24/7 access to the composer workstations in the classroom, which are fully equipped with everything you need to create your next masterpiece. Each workstation includes:

  • A Nektar LX 61-key MIDI Keyboard with sustain pedal, mounted on a pull-out tray
  • A Focusrite Scarlett Solo Audio Interface
  • A 24” Curved Samsung Display
  • A USB hub
  • Power hub and ethernet connectivity 

The workstations are self-assigned, so you can choose the location in the room that's right for you. We also have a shared mixing desk with 2 Yamaha HS 7's, a 24” Curved Samsung Display, a Focusrite Scarlett Solo and a Behringer Neutron synth. Dorico Pro 5 also comes included with our MFA composer tuition and is used throughout the year.

Student Lounge

The Film Scoring Academy of Europe has a student lounge that also doubles as a screening room equipped with streaming services and a sound system, a shared mixing desk for double checking mixes, comfortable lounge furniture, plants, dimmable lighting, and 24/7 free coffee access via our house espresso machine.

The student lounge also has a fully functional A4/A3 printer, long tables and plenty of tape and office supplies, so you print and prepare all of your scores to be recorded by the European Recording Orchestra (ERO) right there at the Academy.

Have questions about this programme?

Speak with our Admissions Department. Submit our enquiry form to receive personalised answers to your questions.

Additional Information: Master of Fine Arts

Tuition and Fees

2024-2025 MFA Program Tuition: €36,950

Tuition Schedule

Program Deposit: €2,000 (Due Immediately to Enroll)
Tuition Downpayment: €5,000 (Due June 1, 2024)
Payment 1: €11,950 (Due September 1, 2024)
Payment 2: €9,000 (Due December 1, 2024)
Payment 3: €9,000 (Due March 1, 2025)

The MFA program at the Film Scoring Academy of Europe is the most affordable full-time Masters program in film & game scoring available today, while simultaneously offering more recording sessions than any other program in the world, thanks to our partnership with the European Recording Orchestra (ERO).

Be sure to check out the "Costs of Living in Sofia" dropdown to see how much more affordable Sofia is compared to other major European and American cities.

 

Financial Aid

Students from the United States can take advantage of the FAFSA Federal Student Aid program. For more information, visit https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

More Financial Aid Programs:

All students searching for scholarships should search this website: https://www.wemakescholars.com
Norway: Lanekassen - https://www.lanekassen.no/
Colombia: Colfuturo - https://www.colfuturo.org/
South Africa: National Film and Television Foundation (NFVF) - https://www.nfvf.co.za/home/
South Africa: Oppenheimer Trust - https://www.omt.org.za/

 

2024-2025 Academic Calendar

Two semesters of course work with a third semester dedicated to the Major Project.

2024-2025 Academic Calendar

Semester 1 - Full-time, presence in Sofia required
Sept. 16, 2024 - Semester 1 commences
Nov. 28 - Thanksgiving Holiday
Dec. 20 - Final day of classes
Dec. 23 - Winter break

Semester 2 - Full-time, presence in Sofia required
Jan. 6, 2025 - Semester 2 commences
May 30 - Final day of classes
May 31 - Semester 2 ends

Semester 3 - Presence in Sofia Optional
June 1, 2025 - Semester 3 commences
Aug. 31 - Semester 3 ends

 

Costs of living in Sofia

Costs of living in Sofia are extremely low in comparison to other major European and American cities. Exponentially cheaper than LA, NYC, London, Valencia, or Boston, while maintaining a comfortable standard of living.

Sofia, Bulgaria compared to other cities that are home to Film Scoring Masters degrees:
73% lower than New York City
65% lower than London
64% lower than Los Angeles
66% lower than Boston
30% lower than Valencia

For more information on comparing prices between cities, visit www.numbeo.com

The Film Scoring Academy of Europe has real estate agents in Sofia that work to help MFA students find accommodation that fits their needs and budget.

MFA Students who wish to live together will be able to find shared accommodation for as low as €150 - €200 per month.

MFA Students who wish to live alone will be able to find accommodation for as low as €350 - €400 per month.

 

Technology Requirements

Technology Requirements:

  • Avid Pro Tools 12
  • DAW (Logic Pro X, Cubase, Digital Performer, etc.)
  • NI Kontakt Full
  • Serum by Xfer Records
  • High Quality Reference Headphones
  • Industry Standard Orchestral Sample Libraries

Technology Recommendations:

  • Apple Macbook Pro (minimum quad-core, 16GB ram, internal SSD)
  • Cinematic Studio Series samples (CS Strings, CS Brass, CS Woodwinds)
  • NotePerformer Playback Engine
  • Spectrasonics Omnisphere
  • Soundtoys, Slate Digital, or Waves Mixing Suite
  • Minimum 1TB External SSD for Sound Libraries
  • MIDI Keyboard (for home use)

All students will receive a copy of Steinberg's revolutionary notation and scoring software, Dorico Pro. Students will also have access to a hardware station in the Film Scoring Academy of Europe headquarters that is equipped with a Nektar 61-key MIDI keyboard (with sustain pedal), a 24" curved external display, a Scarlett Solo Audio Interface, ethernet and power connectivity and a powered USB hub.

 

Visa Requirements

Accepted students from the EU do not need a Visa. They will simply need to establish residency upon arrival in Sofia, which our team will assist with.

Accepted students from outside the EU will require a Type-D Student Visa. Assistance on this process will be provided by our Visa Officer after a student officially enrolls. It is advisable that accepted students from outside the EU begin preparing the Student Visa requirements listed on the Bulgarian Embassy website in their country as soon as possible, as this process can take a substantial amount of time.