Visual Effects

Entry requirements

The course covers such a diverse range of subjects that there is no typical candidate. An ideal candidate should have a mixture of creative and technical skills. Your background may be in the arts or other media. A background in Mathematics and Physics is always of interest.

Although not strictly necessary, you are likely to have some industry experience or training in your chosen field and you must already understand the basic technical and operational use of computers. Communication, people and management skills are also desirable.

While many applicants will have a degree from a British or overseas university, we will consider applicants who do not have a degree if they have an impressive portfolio, a creative track record or an alternative qualification.

Months of entry

January

Course content

This course has a proven track record of providing the next generation of VFX professionals, the majority of which go straight into key roles on major productions. If you are determined to succeed in this thriving industry - this is the course for you.

Visual Effects (VFX) are everywhere – from independent films to blockbuster productions, from commercials to games and immersive content. This course gives you extensive, practical training on real sets, in a VFX and animation studio, and in cutting-edge grading and finishing suites.

You'll learn essential 2D and 3D VFX techniques, using the latest available software and camera technology and be taught by current industry artists, technicians and supervisors. In your second year, you will go on to specialise in Compositing or CG 3D.

Collaboration is a key part of the course - you'll work alongside those in other specialisms at the NFTS including colour graders to make film, TV, games and other practical projects, putting into practice the skills you've learnt throughout the course.

Course Facilities

Our Visual Effects Labs are cutting-edge, with workstations for each student. Each machine has the latest 3D and compositing software, including Maya, Nuke and Houdini.

What You Will Study

During this practical course, you will spend time learning vital techniques on set and on location, as well as classroom-based learning.

You learn by ‘doing’, as well as understanding theory, developing a variety of practical and creative skills from planning, through filming, emulation, CGI creation, VFX creation and finally post production, finishing and delivery.

Much of the first year is dedicated to shared modules teaching across Compositing and CG 3D – after which you will begin to specialise in the area of your choice.

The second year is dedicated to learning and practicing your chosen craft. You will learn from on-set acquisition through to delivery. Learn to design, create, manage and deliver VFX taught by industry expert tutors using the latest 3D software, including Maya and Houdini, and the latest compositing software, Nuke.

VFX students are responsible for supervising VFX for all the major NFTS film and TV productions, across the genres of fiction, science and natural history, television entertainment and animation, plus the opportunity to collaborate with games students. VFX students leave the NFTS having studied the full VFX pipeline, armed with an industry standard showreel.

Information for international students

This course is open to UK/EU/International students.

Fees and funding

Please visit our website for fees information. All production costs are included in the course fees, including the use of School facilities and equipment.

The NFTS is committed to ensuring it is open to students of genuine ability, no matter what their background or financial circumstances, which is why we award more scholarships and bursaries to British students, relative to the size of our student body, than almost any other educational institution in the UK.

Assessment