Computer Animation and Visual Effects

From flight simulators and animated e-learning to VR experiences and blockbuster films, computer animation and visual effects have reinvented our modern society. This innovative course gives you the latest creative, design and technical skills to produce digital content in the form of computer-generated animation or visual effects for entertainment, education or promotional purposes. You gain hands-on experience using industry-standard tools and software while exploring emerging applications such as virtual reality and mixed reality.

Facilities and specialist equipment

• Specialist games, animation and graphics labs with VR technology, high-spec computers.

• Motion-capture and green-screen studios.

• Cutting-edge software including Autodesk 3ds Max, Maya, Unreal Engine and Blender.

• Modern computing labs, group study hubs and bespoke teaching spaces in our STEM building.

Your student experience

Share teaching with students from our game development course and benefit from the exchange of ideas and understanding.

Our staff’s real-world expertise feeds directly into their teaching, keeping you up to date within this rapidly progressing industry.

Learn to tackle complex problems through practical projects designed to meet the needs of customers, businesses and society.

Cutting-edge software means you become familiar with the tools used in industry right from the start.

Benefit from regular supervisor meetings that support continuous learner-teacher interaction and help you reflect on your progress.

Thrive under the guidance of our dedicated academic success tutors, there to support you through your studies.

Course modules

Year 1
Fundamentals of creative technologies - Build essential digital creative skills and understand industry standards and professional expectations. Games and digital asset design - How digital images, audio and animations are created, stored and edited, with experience producing artwork, animations and audio. 2D graphics and digital art – Experiment with 2D graphics platforms used for creating drawings and paintings for games and animation. Digital video and animation - Try out video production equipment and techniques, and use them to create a digital video product.

Year 2
Compositing for visual effects - Learn digital compositing using industry-standard software to create professional visual sequences and effects. 3D graphics and animation – Put computer animation and graphic techniques into practice using current software and programming languages. Professional industry portfolio - Create your own portfolio based on research into job roles and practices in your chosen area of creative technologies. Studio development project - Design, plan and produce a professional, interactive piece of work related to your chosen area of career interest.

Year 3
Advanced animation and visual effects - Produce a significant computer animation that fits your chosen career pathway and could become part of your portfolio. Disruptive technologies - Explore cutting-edge practices and research in disruptive creative technologies like VR, AR, XR and networked gaming. Research methodologies and emerging technologies – Plan our Honours project around current or emerging technologies, using research to back up your proposal. Undergraduate project – Work independently to develop and complete a major project on a topic of your choice.

We make every effort to ensure the information here is accurate; however, for the most up-to-date information, visit our website.