Visual Effects Production Technology FdSc
- Level(s) of Study: Foundation degree / Undergraduate
- Typical Offer: 64 UCAS tariff points
- UCAS Code(s): I700
- Start Date(s): September
- Duration: Two years, full-time
- Study Mode(s): Full-time
- Campus: Confetti Nottingham
Introduction:
Visual Effects (VFX) has become an integral part of the production process for film, television and advertising. This new course will give you the opportunity to explore the VFX industry for moving image products while developing the skills required of the VFX specialist. You'll explore the different areas through studio practice and academic research and study. By the end of the course you will have developed a strong portfolio tailored to your own career aspirations.
You'll have the chance to study the broadest range of disciplines including:
- asset production
- 3D and 2D animation
- compositing
- matte production
- rigging and rig removal
- digital sculpture
- creature effects.
This course is taught at Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies in Nottingham.
Key features
- Explore the disciplines and processes of different roles within VFX and provide a vehicle to frame the territory of VFX skills.
- Experience different roles and specialisms across the whole VFX industry.
- Develop your own specific areas of expertise.
- Develop your ability to work as part of a team in a creative and efficient way.
- Meet industry professionals and learn their craft.
- Work with relevant industry standard software and hardware.
- Work to industry briefs to develop your experience in working with clients and to deadlines.
- Take part in live projects and briefs.
- In your final year, exhibit your work at the Confetti Degree Show.
What you’ll study
Study this visual effects degree and you’ll explore the VFX industry for moving image products whilst developing the skills required of a VFX specialist.
The course will give you the professional, creative and technical skills you'll need to work successfully within the international Visual Effects (VFX) industry while offering a broad range of work-based learning opportunities.
Asset Production for Visual Effects (VFX) (20 credit points)
Learn about the range of assets available in VFX production; in particular you will develop an understanding of the relationship between photography and VFX.
Creating 3D Content for VFX (40 credit points)
An introduction to the main principles behind creating 3D content and how it integrates with other sources. The module also introduces the important notion of the virtual camera and how 3D software camera needs to match and replicate.
Foundation in VFX Compositing and Matte Production (40 credit points)
Developing your skills in 2D graphics while learning the basics of layering, masking, keying, notions of colour space, project set-ups and flexible, reusable templates.
Digital Environments for Visual Effects (20 credit points)
3D Computer-generated imagery (CGI) has changed the matte painters’ job. This module will explore matte-painting and the role of the ‘environment’ technical team.
3D Matchmoving and Rig Removal (20 credit points)
Explore the application of camera movement within an image and the difference between object-tracking and camera-tracking. Develop skills in the creation of realistic and professional VFX sequences and learn the important process of rig-removal.
Rigging, Digital Sculpture and Creature Effects (40 credit points)
Broaden your modelling skills and learn how animators and modellers meet the technical needs of the project.
Effects Animation (40 credit points)
Learn how particle systems, structures, cloth, fluids and crowds move under the forces of physics and how VFX software is used to simulate complex behaviours and phenomena such as fires, breaking glass and fluids.
Industry Practice (20 credit points)
You will undertake appropriate self-directed projects, working collaboratively on creative work, allowing you to directly apply the knowledge and skills learnt throughout the course in the context of the workplace. This module aims to develop your overall professionalism and provide you with the knowledge and resources to begin a career in the creative industries.
How you’re taught
At Confetti our classrooms are unique. As part of their course, our students get the chance to go out into industry and Do It For Real at locations across the UK!
Teaching and learning experiences will include:
- lectures
- seminars
- group tutorials
- academic tutorials
- workshops
- presentations and pitches
- visiting Industry professionals
- teamwork
- independent study.
Assessment
Depending on the module, you may be assessed through:
- 3D development work
- video sequence production
- design and research tasks
- case studies
- portfolio work
- reports and evaluations
- lab reports
- essays
- visual and verbal presentations.
To progress through the course you must achieve 120 credit points each year. Your final degree mark will be based on your final year work.
Industry Week
You'll also take part in Confetti’s annual Industry Week where you’ll be able to meet a range of professionals within your field of interest as well as other areas of the creative industries. Past guests have included the likes of Framestore, Industrial Light and Magic, The Mill, Access VFX and Aardman Animations.
Check out our talks OnDemand here.
Degree Show
In your final year you will exhibit your work as part of Confetti's Degree Show. This event includes all final year students across Confetti's courses and is a great platform for you to showcase your work to key influencers across the creative industries.
Contact hours
- Year 1 lectures/seminars/workshops (30%), independent study (70%).
- Year 2 lectures/seminars/workshops (27%), independent study (73%).
How you’re assessed
- Year 1 coursework (100%).
- Year 2 coursework (100%).
Careers and employability
After completing your foundation degree, you’ll have the chance to top up to BSc (Hons) Visual Effects Technical Direction at NTU, or go straight into industry.
Employability is a key focus of this course, with modules including initiatives such as live projects and the opportunity to exhibit your work, to help enhance your future career.
This course will prepare you to work in creative industries in specialist technical roles, in areas such as feature films, television, and advertising.
You’ll also develop transferable skills for alternative careers in teaching, media, and freelance visual effects design.
Connecting with industry
Industry professionals will visit the course to guest lecture and share their experiences. Live projects will help you to gain real experience of the industry, make contacts, and build your portfolio and CV.
Through the Confetti Media Group Head of Talent Development you will be offered a range of opportunities within the industry.
Work placement and internship opportunities
You will be actively encouraged and supported to undertake informal work experience and professional practice in addition to your studies.
Our teaching staff, including part-time lecturers who are professionally active, help and support students in directing them towards work placement and professional practice opportunities.
Campus and facilities
On this course, you'll study in Confetti's digital media hub - Confetti HQ - and have access to:
- Industry Spec Workstation PCs
- Industry-standard digital film cameras and lights
- Green Screen studio space
- Professional Studio facilities
Specialist software, including:
- Nuke
- Mari
- Autodesk Suite (Maya, Mudbox)
- Houdini
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Zbrush,
- Unreal Engine
- Quixel Mixer
- Wacom Cintiq graphics tablets
- Motion capture facility
Entry requirements
- 64 UCAS Tariff points; and
- GCSE - English and Maths Grade C / 4
To find out what qualifications have tariff points, please use our tariff calculator.
Other qualifications and experience
We may also consider credits achieved at other universities and your work/life experience through an assessment of prior learning. This may be for year one entry, or beyond the beginning of a course where applicable, for example, into year 2. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form
Meeting our entry requirements
Hundreds of qualifications in the UK have UCAS tariff points attached to specific grades, including A levels, BTECs, T Levels and many more. You can use your grades and points from up to four different qualifications to meet our criteria. Enter your predicted or achieved grades into our tariff calculator to find out how many points your qualifications are worth.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form
This course is not suitable for International applicants.
Fees and funding
Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there's no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our fees and funding pages will answer all your questions.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494
This course is not suitable for International applicants.
How to apply
Application for this course is through the UCAS application form.
Ready to join us? Then apply as soon as you can. Just click the Apply button at the top of the page and follow the instructions for applying. Make sure you check the entry requirements above carefully before you do.
Selection for this course takes place through UCAS application form.
Application deadline
This course starts in September and applications should be submitted by the UCAS deadline.
Applications received after this date will only be considered if places are still available, after all applications received by the deadline have been assessed.
Mature students
We welcome applications from mature students (over the age of 21) for this course. We will assess applicants of this nature on an individual basis.
If you are a mature student, you will still need to apply to us by UCAS form, but you don't necessarily need to meet our minimum entry requirements.
Writing your application and personal statement
Be honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. So include all of your qualifications and grades, including resits or predicted grades,
Your personal statement is a really important part of your application. It's your chance to convince us why we should offer you a place! You've got 4,000 characters to impress us. Make sure you use them to show how your skills and qualities are relevant to the course(s) you're applying for. For more hints and tips, take a look at our page on how to write a good personal statement.
Keeping up to date
After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process - so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU on our Your Application page.
Getting in touch
If you need any more help or information, please email our Admissions Team or call on +44 (0)115 848 4200.
This course is not suitable for International applicants.