Course contact details
Student Enquiries Team
Email:studentenquiries@gcu.ac.uk
Phone:0141 331 8630
Admissions Team
Email:studentenquiries@gcu.ac.uk
Phone:0141 331 8630
Glasgow Caledonian University
City Campus
Cowcaddens Road
Glasgow
G4 0BA
3D Animation and Visualisation
- Bachelor of Science (with Honours)
- 4 Years
- Full-Time
- 6 September 2027
- Undergraduate
- Main Site
Course summary
If you want to be an artist and animator for the next generation of games, apps, movies and streaming shows, this course is for you.
Bring ideas to life as you build immersive virtual worlds and compelling characters for 3D games and film.
We aim to develop your traditional art skills with the latest creative technologies for games, film and VFX industries.
You’ll learn using the latest industry software and hardware, working in open plan studio spaces. We also have a VR lab and green screen and audio facilities.
Develop skills and techniques in:
-
3D modelling
-
digital sculpting
-
surfacing and texturing
-
rigging
-
animation
-
lighting
-
rendering
-
VFX compositing
You’ll gain valuable advice from industry professionals, with a strong focus on practical, real-world outcomes and career-ready skills.
You'll be working on live briefs and hands-on projects that mirror professional practice. You’ll also have opportunities to take your experience further through internships and placements, helping you step confidently into the industry.
Why choose this course?
-
GCU is ranked 1st in Scotland and 6th in the UK for Computer Games and Animation (Daily Mail University Guide 2026), giving you confidence in the quality of your degree.
-
Work on live, team-based VFX and games projects, building real-world experience and a strong portfolio.
-
Learn in state-of-the-art facilities, including a VR lab, green screen and professional audio studios.
-
Gain a degree accredited by ScreenSkills, helping prepare you for careers in the creative industries.
Careers
You’ll leave with the creative and technical skills necessary for gaming, media and tech industries. We aim to teach you transferable skills for a variety of industry styles, including full-time employment and freelancing.
Graduates have gone on to work in the following roles: modeller, animator, rigger, texture artist, environment artist, lighting artist, VFX artist and prop artist.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- ScreenSkills
How to apply
Apply by
13 January 2027
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- 3DAV
- Institution code:
- G42
- Campus name:
- Main Site
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Year 3
Entry requirements
Typical qualification requirements
A levelCCC
to include Art & Design or Graphic Design
T LevelPass (C and above)
in relevant subject must include Art and Design
Scottish HNCPass
Year 2 Entry: 15 credit HNC 3D Computer Animation or equivalent with B in Graded Unit
Scottish HNDPass
HND 3D Computer Animation or equivalent with B in Graded Unit
Scottish HigherBBCC
to include Art & Design or Graphic Communication
Access to HE DiplomaMerit: 45
60 credits overall with 45 Level 3 credits at Merit in a relevant Art and Design subject
International Baccalaureate Diploma ProgrammeOffer: 26
26 points including HL Visual Arts at 4
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)MMM
in relevant Art & Design subject
Foundation Apprenticeship (SCQF Level 6)Pass
Accepted as equivalent to one Higher at grade B as part of the overall grade profile of Highers required for entry. Any essential subjects at Higher should still be achieved in addition to the Foundation Apprenticeship.
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017)H3H3H3H3
to include Art & Design
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Typical qualification requirements
Scottish Higher BCCC
to include Art & Design or Graphic Communication
Additional entry requirements
- Portfolio
- All applicants will be expected to submit a digital portfolio to gauge creative potential, motivation and suitability for the programme. Portfolios may be shortlisted to allow for an interview stage from a smaller pool of applications
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | Overall score of 6.0 with the minimum of 5.5 in each element |
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.
Not enough data available
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Per year tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands & Republic of Ireland | £9790* | |
| Scotland | £1820* | |
| EU & International | £15700* |
* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
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
Additional costs may apply to students on this programme. Please check the fees and funding section of the programme page on the GCU website for specific details.
Related courses
At Glasgow Caledonian University
Like this page