…sharing new cultures is part of the camp experience. Our alumni includes students from over 50 countries and counting. We understand that coming to our Residential Summer Camp from overseas can come with a few extra questions, so we’ve laid out the answers below.
WHERE IS SUMMER CAMP?
Young Film Academy’s Filmmaking and Screen Acting Summer Camp is held at the picturesque Culford School, a leading UK independent boarding school in Suffolk, England. The school is set in 480 acres of magnificent grounds and is just 95 minutes outside London and 45 minutes from Cambridge.
The school’s extensive grounds and facilities include:
Traditional shared boarding accommodation is separated according to age and gender. Our staff sleep in rooms adjacent to the students’ accommodation. Separate common rooms and areas for relaxing are provided. Wi-fi and internet access are available throughout the site. Great food is a priority and three daily meals will be served in the nuts-free dining hall. Food allergies or intolerances will be catered for.
HOW DO I TRAVEL TO SUMMER CAMP?
The closest train station to Culford School is Bury St. Edmunds railway station, which is approximately ten minutes by car from the school. Bury St. Edmunds is accessible from all major London airports, although London Stansted is the easiest airport to travel from. Journey times to Bury St. Edmunds are typically around 1 hour 45 minutes from London King’s Cross station or Liverpool Street station.
We recommend booking a taxi from the railway station to get to the school.
You can book a taxi from the airport or from Bury St. Edmunds railway station to Summer Camp. YFA have a trusted local taxi service we can recommend, and you will send us your driver and journey details for reference. Please note that YFA cannot book taxis or arrange independent travel on your behalf.
YFA can arrange for students to be met by one of our staff members at London Stansted or Heathrow airports and bring them to Culford School, provided the flight arrival time is within our designated window. The transfer charge is £180 each way per student from London Stansted or £230 each way per student from London Heathrow. To arrange, just select the option for airport transfer when completing your application or contact us once you’ve made your application.
WHAT ARE THE LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS?
For overseas students whose first language is not English, we require a minimum English level of C1 (Advanced) according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). However, we still strongly encourage students to apply even if they do not hold a C1 certification, as many of our students come from bilingual households or attend schools where lessons are taught in a different language from the one spoken at home. We have accepted many students with lower-level certificates — or no formal certification — when they have demonstrated strong English skills through their video application. If needed, we may invite students to a short Zoom interview to further assess their English level before making a final admissions decision.
WHAT VISA SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE?
YFA can provide a signed letter confirming your place at Summer Camp to support your visa application. However, we are not an accredited visa sponsor organisation.
If delays in your visa process affect your ability to confirm your Summer Camp place, please contact manager@youngfilmacademy.co.uk to discuss holding your place.
Please note that we are unable to provide specific visa advice or immigration support.
HOW CAN STUDENTS CONTACT FAMILY WHILE AT CAMP?
Students are allowed to keep their phones with them throughout the camp, so they can stay in contact with their families directly. However, phones should not be used during classes or scheduled activities. The best time for FaceTime, phone calls or messaging is between 6:30pm and 7:15pm each day.
WHAT IS THE WELLBEING & SAFETY LIKE AT SUMMER CAMP?
The safety and well-being of our students are our prime concern at all times. YFA Summer Camp boasts a high staff-student ratio, and all our experienced filmmaking and social staff are Enhanced DBS-checked. We have a nurse onsite, our staff are trained in current safeguarding requirements and we have a team of trained first-aiders. At all times, we aim to look after your child as if they were our own. There is 24-hour supervision of students and our staff are there to monitor each student’s well-being and ensure that any concerns they may have are heard and resolved swiftly, where possible.
Students are able to see a doctor at a local surgery just a few minutes away from campus, though they may make a charge for each consultation for non-UK citizens. Students travelling from overseas must have travel insurance in place to cover any healthcare emergencies that occur while in the UK.
Any other questions? Email us at info@youngfilmacademy.co.uk or call us 10-6 weekdays on 020 7387 4341.
August 2nd – 9th 2026
August 9th – 16th 2026
August 2nd- 16th 2026
