THE director of Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead and Baby Driver was back in Bournemouth to speak at the institution where he twice failed to get onto the film course.

Poole-born Edgar Wright was at Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) to speak to film production students and share anecdotes about his time there.

He studied a two-year national diploma in audio visual design at what was then the Arts Institute from 1994-95, but did not make it onto the film course.

After the visit, he tweeted: that he “had a great time” in Bournemouth “talking to the students of the great film & TV course that I was rejected from twice. (I did Audio Visual Design instead.) So great to be back in Dorset, on the old campus and talking to all the up and comers.”

The 44-year-old film director mainly grew up in Wells, Somerset, where he made short films.

He became known for the TV series Spaced, starring Simon Pegg, before directing the films Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Scott Pilgrim vs the World, The World’sEnd and Baby Driver, as well as contributing to the scripts of The Adventures of Tintin and Ant-Man.

In 2013, he said of his time at the future AUB: “When I applied to the film school, they said no. So applied to the art school foundation course, got in, went, then applied to the film school again and got turned down again. So I am a film school reject. Twice!”

AUB vice-chancellor Stuart Bartholomew said: "We were delighted to welcome Edgar Wright to Arts University Bournemouth. A former student at AUB, he is now one of the leading British film directors, screenwriters and producers. His recent film Baby Driver received critical acclaim and has had worldwide commercial success.

"In an address to students, he described the journey from a childhood passion for film to his current work as a prominent director. He is one of many past students of the Arts University providing support and links to creative industries for our students.

"The reputation we hold for professional progression and accounting for 98 per cent of our graduates, illustrates the impact of AUB nationally and in the international setting."