BSc in Visual Effects

So you want to work in the Film or Games industry? Do you imagine yourself as a creative artist or a technical director? Our BSc (Hons) degree in Visual Effects is where creativity meets technology. It will give you the skills to unleash your true mix of creative and technical abilities. You could go on to work on top-level productions for a range of industries, including TV, film, games, advertising, architecture, education and more.

Visual Effects is an ever-expanding multi-billion-pound industry in the UK and globally, with job opportunities in high demand. As demand grows for visual effects in Film, TV and Games, the demand also grows for skilled professionals who can bring these to life.

In this course, you will develop technical, creative and production skills to prepare you for a range of careers. You will learn a variety of disciplines from modelling, rigging, animation, and dynamics to lighting, rendering and compositing, there is so much for you to explore. You will learn using state-of-the-art facilities and software including a Vicon Motion Capture studio, high-specification computers, industry-standard software such as Maya, Nuke and Houdini and one of the largest fixed green screen studios in the UK.

You will be taught by a range of experienced staff, with a breadth of knowledge across both visual effects and the larger area of computer graphics. This includes staff with industry experience and staff who work and innovate alongside the industry in a variety of ways.

What's covered in this course?

This course has been developed alongside the visual effects industry to meet the needs of employers so that you leave with the skills needed to secure a great career.

You will learn all aspects of visual effects production including shooting video, computer modelling, animation, match moving, motion capture and compositing. You will use these skills to produce digital elements such as creatures and environments, then combine them with live-action videos to produce convincing visual effects shots. Along with the visual elements you produce, you will develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills while building your unique fusion of creative and technical abilities that are desired by the industry.

As a Bachelor of Science (BSc) course, there is an emphasis on Technical Director (TD) roles such as Matchmoving, Rigging, Dynamic Simulations, Motion Capture and Python Development, which are in particular demand within the visual effects industry. You will learn technical skills underpinned by knowledge of fundamental concepts while using industry tools and best practices.

During the course, you will do a mixture of ‘hands-on’ productions and technical investigations, which will teach you the practice, process, craft and technology of visual effects. These activities will help you become a proactive learner able to explore knowledge, implement best practices and critically evaluate the results of your work.

Aligning with the industry practice of collaboration, you will get the opportunity to work with students from related disciplines such as games and film. This will allow you to broaden your horizons and help you understand how your visual effects and computer graphics skills can fit into other existing and emerging industries.

Professional placement year

This course offers a professional placement year. This allows you to spend a whole year with an employer, between the second and third years of your degree and is a great way to find out more about your chosen career. Some students even return to the same employers after completing their studies.

The University will draw on its extensive network of local, regional and national employers to support you in finding a suitable placement to complement your chosen area of study. If you do not find a suitable placement, you will be automatically transferred back to the standard, non-placement version of the course.

Please note that fees are payable during your placement year, equivalent to 20% of the total full-time course fee for that year (£1,850 for UK students).

Why choose us?

1. Top 5 for Animation and Game Design (Guardian League Tables 2023)
2. Learn from our experts - Our course staff have a wealth of experience to share with you. Course Leader, Lianne Forbes has worked on movies such as Harry Potter, Bladerunner 2049, Star Trek Into the Darkness, Hugo and Game of Thrones – to name a few!
3. You do not need existing experience to apply - You do not need to have studied any related subject or have any pre-existing experience to apply for this course. We teach you the basics and skills to become a VFX professional no matter what your background, just a passion and interest for the subject is all you need.
4. Industry-standard software - You’ll learn how to use industry-standard software such as Autodesk Maya, SideFX Houdini, and Foundry Nuke along with many others so that you graduate prepared to step straight into an exciting role. We will also provide you with a personal license to access these softwares too!
5. State-of-the-art facilities - You’ll have access to our Vicon, 8 camera, motion capture studio and our high spec computer labs running, with access to all the industry software you need. You’ll also have access to our cutting-edge facilities across Millennium Point and the £65 million Parkside campus, both located in City Centre.
6. Highly employable graduates - The unique combination of technical and artistic knowledge and skills you gain will enable you to move into roles within various exciting industries.