The Academy was launched in 2006 as the Bournemouth Screen Academy, with Skillset giving official recognition to an outstanding reputation for film education and training at the Arts University College at Bournemouth (previously the Arts Institute at Bournemouth). In 2008 Bournemouth was also awarded Media Academy status by Skillset, reflecting the excellence of the Media School at Bournemouth University. This makes Bournemouth one of the very few UK establishments with dual Academy status.

During the last three years the Academy has –

• awarded personal bursaries in total worth £260,000 to students who otherwise would have struggled to afford to attend their chosen course
• given production bursaries to film, animation and other courses to enhance the professionalism and production values of students’ work
• given 90 young people an opportunity to learn about film making through Summer Schools
• enabled and supported master-classes, guest speakers and mentors across a wide range of screen disciplines
• jointly organised the Europe-wide feature film training and development programme, Four Corners
• brought an additional £974,000 into Bournemouth to add value to the existing wide range of learning activity

Looking forward, the Bournemouth Academy will soon benefit from substantial capital investment.  At BU, the National Centre for Computer Animation has a rolling investment plan for software and equipment.  Meanwhile, the AUCB is developing brand new buildings which will include a production hub, three additional edit suites, student production offices, screening facilities, a production design area and two new sound suites.  Phase 2 of the development will include extension of the existing film sound stage.