Course contact details
Computing, Engineering and Digital Technologies
Email:scedtadmissions@tees.ac.uk
Teesside University
Middlesbrough
Tees Valley
TS1 3BX
Visual Effects and Motion Graphics
- 2 Study options
- Undergraduate
- Teesside University Middlesbrough Campus
Course summary
Course overview
If you have a passion for visual effects and motion graphics, then this is the course for you. Combine your technical and creative skills to produce live-action and digital 2D and 3D content into sequences for film and TV. Explore the full visual effects pipeline from previsualisation, motion design and technical animation, to effects, look development and compositing. Develop a deep understanding of how to create cinematic environments, dynamic simulations, and complex visual sequences using industry-standard tools and workflows.
Engage with motion graphics through a creative lens, combining design skills with VFX techniques to produce compelling graphics for commercials, TV and immersive experiences. Access cutting-edge facilities including a new digital sound stage, LED wall, immersive experience space and dedicated VFX studios equipped with industry-standard software and hardware. Focus on a chosen specialism and build a portfolio that reflects your creative direction and professional goals.
Top reasons to study this course
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£2,000 Accommodation Award: you may be eligible for £2,000 towards your accommodation fees if you live outside the TS postcode and are in your first year of study. Visit tees.ac.uk for more information.
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International acclaim: ranked 20th in the world in the Animation Career Review International Animation School Rankings 2025. (Top 50 International Animation Colleges – formal degree. 207 colleges considered). Find out more at tees.ac.uk/source.
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SideFX recognition: this course has been officially certified by SideFX and the school is a member of the SideFX Certified Partner Programme in recognition of our knowledgeable instructors, the high quality of student work, and our efforts devoted to connecting students to industry.
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ScreenSkills recognition: this course is industry recognised by ScreenSkills, the industry-led skills body for the UK’s screen-based industries, and carries the ScreenSkills Select quality-mark which indicates courses best suited to prepare students for a career in the screen industries.
Employability
You have many opportunities to develop your professional skills, links with industry and meet with recruiters through our Expo Series, Animex Festival and Student Futures activities. Graduates from this course have gone on to enjoy successful careers in studios around the world working on visual effects for film, television, animation and games.
Graduates have gone on to work in a range of areas including previs, modelling, rigging, production, effects animation, matte painting, tracking and matchmove, lighting, look development and compositing. They are working for companies including Industrial Light and Magic, Weta Digital, Double Negative, Moving Picture Company, Cinesite, The Third Floor, The Mill, Pixar, Digital Domain, Framestore and many more.
Modules
Course Modules
Access course information through Teesside University’s website using the course page link provided (or visit www.tees.ac.uk).
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- ScreenSkills
Ways to study this course
Campuses
- Teesside University Middlesbrough Campus
Study options
- Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) • Full-Time • 3 Years
- Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) • Full-Time • Placement (mandatory) • 4 Years
Start dates
Application codes
- Institution code:
- T20
Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF)
Teesside University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?
How to apply
Application codes
- Institution code:
- T20
This course may be available at alternative locations, please check if other course options are available.
Course optionsEntry requirements
Typical qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff96-112
GCSE/National 4/National 5
Acceptable qualifications in maths and English include:
• GCSE grade 4 or C (or higher)
• Level 2 Key Skills (Communication and Application of Number)
• Level 2 Functional Skills.
Additional entry requirements
- Portfolio
- A portfolio is required if your level 3 qualifications do not include a creative subject such as art, design, drawing, animation or games art/design. Your portfolio should demonstrate fundamental drawing skills, such as life drawing and observational drawing, alongside showing us your creativity. Visit the course page on our website for more information.
Historical entry grades data
This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).
It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.
Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
This course may have Historical entry grades data available, please select a course option to view.
Course optionsHistorical entry grades report
This report uses your grades to show how students with similar results have done when applying to this course in the past. Sometimes, there isn’t data for every possible set of grades. When that happens, universities and colleges occasionally fill in the gaps for sets of grades that are typically accepted.
Subject Spotlights
Subject Spotlights give you the chance to try a higher education course before you apply. Delivered by the lecturers themselves you will gain insight into what it's like to study the course and give your personal statement a boost.
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Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Per year tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland | £9790 | |
| EU & International | £17000 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
Details of fees, scholarships and awards are available from our course pages. Additional information is provided on fees and funding if you are from the UK or Ireland here: tees.ac.uk/fees, or if you are an international student here: tees.ac.uk/international/fees. If you live in the Channel Islands or Isle of Man contact your education authority: gov.uk/student-finance.
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