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Key facts

Entry requirements

104 or DMM

Full entry requirements

UCAS code

W614

Institution code

D26

Duration

Three years full-time, four years with placement

Fees

2025/26 UK tuition fees:
£9,535*

2025/26 international tuition:
£16,750

Entry requirements

UCAS code

W614

Duration

Three years full-time, four years with placement

You will learn key creative and technical skills to thrive in the dynamic world of VFX, preparing you for an exciting career in film, television, and beyond.

We offer more than a degree — every course is designed with employability and real-world experience at its core.

Âéw¶¹´«Ã½ is one of the few universities where you’ll benefit from a unique block teaching approach.

Enhance your studies and broaden your horizons, and develop new skills with our international experience programme, Âéw¶¹´«Ã½ Global.

The Visual Effects course has been designed in close collaboration with industry professionals to ensure you gain the skills required for the production of visual effects (VFX) across a variety of contemporary media. VFX is widely used in broadcast productions, film, animation, video games, and advertising. Reflecting this, the course draws from multiple disciplines, including film, special effects, animation, and 3D, to embrace the interdisciplinary nature of the subject.

You will be encouraged to develop your creative flair and technical expertise using industry-standard software to produce your own 3D content for film and television projects.

As a crucial element of the multibillion-pound film and television industry, acquiring both creative and technical VFX skills can lead to extensive career opportunities. Our graduates have pursued roles such as compositors and matte painters, as well as broader media-based positions including colourists and finishers.

Throughout the course, you will explore a range of topics, including VFX and compositing fundamentals, 3D modelling and animation, match-moving and motion capture (MOCAP), as well as tracking, rigging, and compositing.

What you will study

Block 1: Film and Photography Capture

Introduces the basics of image capture using stills and video production technologies. You will learn filmmaking and photographic techniques, from recording initial assets to editing, digitisation, compression and storage.

Block 2: Introduction to VFX

This module provides a broad introductory experience across several different disciplines that contribute to visual effects and combines theory and practice in the creation, and evaluation, of your first projects. The module is intended to prepare students for the development of academic writing and presentation for documentation at a level suitable for Higher Education.

Block 3: 3D Modelling and Animation

This module examines the basics of 3D workflow and introduces students to platforms such as Autodesk Maya. This module introduces a range of 3D modelling and animation techniques, and introduces the principles of 3D and the 3D technology used in the VFX industry to create artefacts for film, television, video production, and computer games. You will study topics including: the creation of 3D graphics using different editing techniques, the use of materials, shaders, bump maps and textures; lighting and illuminating your scenes; renderers and rendering; and basic principles of animation.

Block 4: Commercial Content Production

Introduces the practices of the media industry by presenting you with a practical creative brief to which you must respond with a commercial content idea. By looking at processes such as industry research, consumer insight and the work of media agencies, you will gain an understanding of industry practice and see how ideas are taking from initial responses through to campaign design, content production and/or creative execution.

Block 1: Character Animation and MoCap

This module develops the skills, knowledge and understanding acquired during the 3D Modelling and Animation module and advances the application of these areas through the introduction of Character Development, Rigging, Animation and Motion Capture. Animation Methods will include key-frame animation, walk cycle development, Motion Capture and Animation editing, and this will be supported through advancement in camera, lighting, rendering and sound for Animation and VFX.

Block 2: Film and Photography Techniques

Introduction to studio techniques, post-production and after effects, as well as advanced techniques in narrative for the still and moving image. Designed to provide you with the opportunity to further develop skills and learn new techniques and practices associated with lens-based media and motion graphics.

Block 3: Compositing and Matte Painting

During this module you will explore the use of studio environments and cameras to produce content for use during post production. You will script, plan, shoot and post produce visual effects sequences and breakdowns. A range of key post production and compositing theories and practices will be introduced and techniques such as the use of mattes, colour channels, rotoscopes, keying and software used in the industry will be explored.

Block 4: Creative Enterprise

Learn how to develop your own creative business from how to pitch for funding to how to produce mock-ups and sizzle reels for clients. You will have the opportunity to develop business and management skills and learn how to be entrepreneurial in the working world, the changing media economies, and its impact on the job market.

As part of this course, you will have the option to complete a paid placement year which offers invaluable professional experience.

Our award-winning Careers Team can help you secure a placement through activities such as mock interviews and practice aptitude tests, and you will be assigned a personal tutor to support you throughout your placement.

Block 1: 3D for Film and Animation

This module follows directly on from Character Animation and MoCap and consolidates these skills whilst developing advanced 3D modelling and animation techniques for set design, architecture, environments and introducing advanced systems for simulation and the creation of Visual Effects. You will undertake projects that involve the design and development of Architectural models and digital sets for sophisticated animation, and advanced lighting and simulation in the creation of Animation and Visual Effects Sequences. The module also examines Lighting and Photorealism, Photogrammetry, Procedural Techniques, Simulation and Fluid Dynamics, and advanced rendering and assembly of 3D render passes for compositing in the VFX industry.

Block 2: Compositing for Film and Broadcast

This module builds upon the skills, knowledge and understanding gained on the Compositing and Matte Painting module and develops compositing abilities to meet industry requirements. You will be introduced to the use of 3D environments in compositing, extracting camera moves from live action plates and applying these to composites, and the incorporation of live action and still 2D, 3D and library assets following an industry-based production pipeline, to create a realistic environment and perspective.

Block 3: Choice of modules

Virtual Production and Immersive Technology

This module builds upon previously developed skills in areas such as 3D, video post-production, compositing and interactive design and explores areas of opportunity for creative development employing combinations of emergent and convergent technology. Students will explore theories, concept and working practices involving emerging areas such as: virtual production with 3D applications, motion capture and real-time games engines, 3D scanning and photogrammetry, volumetric capture, 360 filming, immersive technology and VR, innovations in narrative, and engage in innovative practice working in transdisciplinary teams to explore experimental practice.

Post-production and Editing

Post-production forms an increasingly large part of modern video and film production. This module will examine a range of techniques and issues associated with post-production including digital compositing, special effects, motion graphics and titling. The module will also focus on finishing skills used in post-production such as colourisation, lighting, and grading. Practical work will typically be based on video production assignments, supported by a series of laboratory workshops, and technical lectures and demonstrations.

Block 4: Portfolio Project

As well as freelancing and portfolio working skills, this final project includes building your portfolio and how to develop a final practice-based major project that will appeal to external partners balancing contemporary industry research with creative media production.

Note: All modules are indicative and based on the current academic session. Course information is correct at the time of publication and is subject to review. Exact modules may, therefore, vary for your intake in order to keep content current. If there are changes to your course we will, where reasonable, take steps to inform you as appropriate.

Student work

Our facilities

Digital Technology Learning Hub - Visual Effects

As part of the Digital Technology learning hub, we have invested heavily in our facilities. You will benefit from industry-standard TV and broadcasting equipment, ensuring you gain hands-on experience in a professional setting. All workshops, labs, and studios are supported by expert technicians and academics, providing guidance to help refine your skills and prepare you for the industry.

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What makes us special

Student in a radio broadcast environment

Demon Media

Demon Media is an award-winning media group whose graduates have gone on to work for some of the UK's leading media organisations, including the BBC, commercial radio, and national newspapers. The group consists of three key strands: Demon FM, a radio station; a dedicated YouTube channel; and The Demon, a brand-new monthly magazine. These platforms provide students with invaluable hands-on experience in broadcasting, digital content creation, and print journalism, helping them to develop the skills necessary for a successful career in the media industry.

Students in New York

Âéw¶¹´«Ã½ Global

Our innovative international experience programme, Âéw¶¹´«Ã½ Global, aims to enrich studies, broaden cultural horizons and develop key skills valued by employers.

Through Âéw¶¹´«Ã½ Global, we offer an exciting mix of overseas, on-campus and online international experiences, including the opportunity to study or work abroad for up to a year.

During a trip to Berlin, VFX students explored the historical, social and cultural context of animated content, visual effects and film. Students have also visited Hungary, where they learned about historical techniques and approaches to media production, as well as state-run media production during the Cold War era of Eastern Europe.

Where we could take you

Students on a TV set

Placements

Work placements are offered as part of this course and can boost your skills and experience while studying, as well as improving your chances of gaining a graduate level job.

We have links with organisations both in the UK and internationally, and the placements team can help you find a placement to suit your interests and aspirations.

Students at the Careers Hub

Graduate careers

VFX graduates are equipped to pursue roles such as compositors and matte painters, as well as wider media-based careers such as colourists and finishers.

You can specialise in the field that interests them most, from motion capture or set design, to lighting and grading. Graduates of this course will also have the opportunity to apply for one of our specialist postgraduate courses if they wish to continue studying.

Course specifications

Course title

Visual Effects

Award

BSc (Hons)

UCAS code

W614

Institution code

D26

Study level

Undergraduate

Study mode

Full-time

Start date

September

Duration

Three years full-time, four years with placement

Fees

2025/26 UK tuition fees:
£9,535*

2025/26 international tuition:
£16,750

*subject to the government, as is expected, passing legislation to formalise the increase.

Entry requirements

  • 104 points from at least 2 A Levels
  • BTEC Extended Diploma DMM
  • International Baccalaureate: 24+ Points or
  • T Levels Merit

Plus five GCSEs grades 9-4 including English Language or Literature at grade 4 or above.

  • Pass Access with 30 Level 3 credits at Merit (or equivalent) and GCSE English (Language or Literature) at grade 4 or above.

We will normally require students have had a break from full-time education before undertaking the Access course.

  • We also accept the BTEC First Diploma plus two GCSEs including English Language or Literature at grade 4 or above

Note: Applicants with non-standard qualifications may be asked to complete a piece of work to support their application.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, an IELTS score of 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each band (or equivalent) when you start the course is essential.

English language tuition, delivered by our British Council-accredited Centre for English Language Learning, is available both before and throughout the course if you need it.

UCAS tariff information

Students applying for courses starting in September will be made offers based on the latest UCAS Tariff.

Contextual offer

To make sure you get fair and equal access to higher education, when looking at your application, we consider more than just your grades. So if you are eligible, you may receive a contextual offer. Find out more about contextual offers.