The Art of Visual Effects (VFX) (Integrated Masters)

The UK is a creative centre for TV and film, with UK workers making up 60% of the global Visual Effects (VFX) workforce (source: Animation UK). Whether you want to work on big films, commercials or TV series, or in other industries, VFX skills are the key to bringing innovative projects to life.

On this degree, developed with experts from DNEG and Framestore, you’ll gain knowledge of 3D VFX and 2D compositing, providing you with the technical and creative skills that the industry is looking for. You’ll also start building your experience, industry network and graduate with a shiny showreel to open the path to a successful career.

You’ll be taught in our London studios by experienced tutors who’ve worked on the likes of Thor: Love and Thunder, Mission Impossible and Gladiator.

Why choose this course

• Ranked 2nd in the UK (15th in the world) for Visual Effects by The Rookies (2024).

• Based in London - home to some of the best post-production studios in the world

• Work on industry-standard briefs and experience real-life scenarios, just like in a professional studio.

• We’re a Houdini certified school - learn from the experts and benefit from exclusive access to Houdini webinars and presentations.

• Successful alumni - you’ll join our community of thousands of Escapees, many of whom have gone on to work at some of the world’s top studios including Rare, Rockstar, Ubisoft, DNEG and Framestore.

• Work in a studio environment that mirrors current industry practice, using professional software such as Maya, Nuke and ZBrush.

• Professional input - our advisory board of experts help develop and keep this degree up to date. You will also receive feedback on some of your work from industry professionals.

• Specialisms: 2D vs 3D - you’ll be introduced to both 2D compositing for VFX and 3D for VFX, so you can decide which you enjoy most and best lends itself to your skillset.

Course Modules

First year (Level 4 - 120 credits)

An introduction to the disciplines, pipelines and creative industries, giving you the all-round skills you’ll need on your journey.

• Creative Foundations - Craft (30 credits)

• Creative Foundations - Project (30 credits)

• Computer Animation - Core (15 credits)

• Video Game Art - Core (15 credits)

• Compositing for VFX - Core (15 credits)

• 3D for VFX - Core (15 credits)

Second year (Level 5 - 120 credits)

You’ll start to specialise in VFX and work in teams on industry-style projects and be introduced to both 2D compositing for VFX and 3D for VFX. You’ll have the opportunity to try each specialism in your first term, so you can decide which you enjoy most, and which best lends itself to your skillset. Our tutors and industry professionals will help guide your decision. In professional visual effects studios, collaboration between 2D Compositors and 3D Artists is essential. This is exactly how we run our projects, so you’ll work closely with those who’ve chosen a different pathway – a real taste of life in industry.

• 3D for VFX - Pro (30 credits)

• Compositing for VFX - Pro (30 credits)

• Specialism (15 credits)Industry Studio Project (45 credits)

Third year (Level 6 - 120 credits)

You’ll hone your skills and begin to demonstrate the level of knowledge to be a professional artist.

• Advanced Specialism (30 credits)

• Professional Practice (30 credits)

• Professional Studio Project (60 credits)

Fourth year - Integrated Masters students only (Level 7 - 120 credits)

Keen to further refine your skillset, considering working freelance, or one day dream of starting your own studio? You’ll learn about business, entrepreneurship and the know-how for an impressive portfolio career.

• Creative Research & Development (30 credits)

• Commercial Studio Project (60 credits)

• Business of Innovation (30 credits)

Formative assessment

The majority of modules contain at least one piece of practice or ‘formative’ assessment for which you receive feedback. Formative assessments are developmental and do not count towards your overall module mark.

Summative assessment breakdown

Level 4 and 5:
For Level 4 and 5 modules, your assessment will be split into two parts:
• 75% product - you will be required to create a product (short computer animation, rendered image of a 3D object composited shot, etc) to a specified brief, then present it in front of a panel and demonstrate how you have met the learning outcomes in your work
• 25% retrospective - you will be required to write a reflective analysis and present it for moderation and assessment.

Level 6:
The professional studio project module will be assessed just like level 4 and 5 modules; for the two other modules (advanced specialism, professional practice), 100% of your mark will be based on a self-evaluative portfolio.

Level 7:
If you’re doing the four-year MArt programme, you will be required to complete level 7 modules. The assessment of these modules will be split into four parts corresponding to four stages of the project - explore, ideate, accelerate, and incubate. Each stage will be equal to 25% of your final mark.

Progression:
In order to progress to the next stage (from first to second year, and from second to third year), you will have to achieve 120 credits at the end of the academic year.

For further information, please see Escape Studios' website escapestudios.ac.uk.