Ba (Hons) Visual Effects And Animation Degree

Learn the visual fundamentals that bring to life the creative industries with a 2-year BA (Hons) VFX & Animation degree. What you can expect from your ANimation degree.

• Make your mark on the world of visual effects and animation with SAE’s innovative degree in animation. Unlike other animation degree courses, our accelerated programme ensures you’re ready to embark on your exciting new career path in only 2 years rather than the 3 of a traditional university.
• Immerse yourself in our unique blend of vocational and academic education as you learn motion design, 2D and 3D animation and advanced compositing. Master shot development, rendering pipelines and sophisticated simulation workflows, blending theoretical knowledge and real-world application from day one.
• Have your fingers firmly on the pulse of industry trends while studying this forward-thinking motion graphics degree and bring your creative visions to life. You’ll develop advanced skills using a diverse toolkit of industry-standard software packages like Autodesk Maya, Substance Painter, Unreal Engine , SideFX Houdini, Foundry NukeX, Pixologic ZBrush, DaVinci Resolve, RayFire and Adobe Creative Cloud. 

VFX like a pro

• The interdisciplinary nature of our animation and visual effects course encourages collaboration across film, gaming and audio projects, offering a rich and multidimensional learning experience. SAE’s signature collaborative approach is designed to enrich your understanding of the industry and help you cultivate the skills needed to work across different creative mediums.
• As you work towards your streamlined degree in animation and visual effects, you’ll gain skills and experience relevant to a range of career opportunities. Whether you’re looking to become a character animator, concept artist, illustrator, motion designer or anything in between, your career will have the best start at SAE.
• As an SAE student you’ll have access to our team of Experts who will offer support during your accelerated animation degree and guide you towards a fulfilling career in the industry. Our practical approach to learning will see you graduate with a brilliant portfolio, highly relevant work experience and an invaluable network of fellow creatives.

What you'll learn
At the end of your 2-year VFX & Animation degree you will:

• Explore theoretical and practical concepts relevant to the VFX industry.
• Develop technical skills across 2D and 3D animation and visual effects, then conceptualise your own projects and bring them to life.
• Gain advanced skills in industry-standard software such as Autodesk Maya, Autodesk 3ds Max, Substance Painter, Unreal Engine 4, Unity, SideFX Houdini, Foundry NukeX, Pixologic ZBrush, DaVinci Resolve, RayFire and Adobe Creative Cloud.
• Understand and navigate professional workflows for environment creation and real-time animation.
• Collaborate on projects with fellow SAE students from other disciplines, such as film, gaming and audio.
• Improve your problem-solving and teamwork skills.
• Develop a significant portfolio of work to present to industry.
• Establish a network of peer and professional connections across a range of creative industries.
• Graduate career-ready with a visual effects and animation degree from a recognised creative institute.
• Animation and visual effects courses begin in January and September.

Course structure

The BA/BSc (Hons) Visual Effects and Animation degree is a fast-tracked course taught across 6 trimesters. Its structure follows 3 distinct stages – each designed to help you develop specific skills. Dividing it this way ensures you graduate as a well-rounded VFX and animation professional with a universal understanding of the entire production process.

• Stage 1 (T1 and T2) provides a foundation of core technical knowledge.
• Stage 2 (T3 and T4) broadens your skills, exploring new areas of video effects and animation.
• Stage 3 (T5 and T6) is all-encompassing, covering every aspect of VFX and animation from conception to completion, including managerial aspects like project management, finance and promotion.

Trimester 1

• To begin your degree, you’ll develop essential technical skills across visual effects and animation, plus the knowledge required to collaborate with other creative media students and professionals.

VFX (T1) - VFX Fundamentals

• In this module, you’ll learn introductory theoretical and practical concepts, such as production techniques and pipelines, film and cinematography, basic image manipulation techniques and core transferable skills in communication and project management. You’ll also develop research and analysis skills and learn to understand and follow briefs to an industry standard.

Topics include:

• VFX industry/pipeline overview
• Working with references and concepts
• Understanding file formats (pixel / vector / lossless etc.)
• Aesthetics in cinema
• Film analysis
• Live shot visual properties
• Digital image editing
• Layer-based compositing
• Time management

VFX (T1) - 3D Fundamentals (VFX)

• Across this module, you’ll explore the essential theoretical and practical principles of creating and using 3D content in visual effects. You’ll also delve into basic workflows and pipelines, with a focus on modelling and texturing, and learn presentation techniques, including how to pitch ideas and present outcomes.

Topics include:

• Principles of 3D
• Low-poly modelling
• High-poly modelling
• Topology
• UV mapping
• Texturing basics and shading
• Render to texture
• Presentation techniques

Trimester 2

This trimester, you’ll work on complex multidisciplinary projects using industry-standard practices.

• VFX (T2) - 3D Rendering and Compositing
• VFX (T2) - Animation

Trimester 3

In Trimester 3, you’ll be introduced to the professional working environment through a series of real-world project briefs. Our practical Creative Studio approach allows you to engage in authentic assessment activities that reflect current industry practices.

• VFX (T3) Creative Studio 1: Overview

Trimester 4

Your focus this trimester will be on developing an understanding of professional workflows for environment creation and real-time animation.

• VFX (T4) Creative Studio 2: Overview

Trimester 5

As you approach the end of your visual effects and animation degree, you’ll start to specialise within your preferred area of the motion design industry, advancing your skills by selecting from one of 3 optional modules.

• VFX (T5) Creative Studio 3: Overview
• VFX (T5) Advanced Specialised Production
• VFX (T5) Research and Professional Development in Creative Media

Trimester 6

The final module of this animation degree lets you demonstrate the practical and academic skills you’ve developed across your 2 years at SAE via a large-scale advanced-level project.

• VFX (T6) – BA/BSc Visual Effects and Animation Major Project

Career Outcomes
What Jobs will this course lead to?

• Character Artist
• Environment Artist
• Technical Artist
• Production Coordinator
• Quality Assurance
• Motion Designer
• Lighting Artist
• Lighting Technical Director
• Animator
• Character Animator
• Illustrator
• Layout Artist
• 3D Generalist
• Concept Artist
• Graphic Designer
• 2D Artist
• Rigging Technical Director
• Compositor
• Freelance Artist
• FX Artist
• Roto Artist
• Previs Artist
• Matchmove Artist
• Texture Artist
• Look Development Artist
• Pipeline Technical Director
• 3D Modeller
• Visualisation Artist
• Matte Painter
• VFX Supervisor
• Art Director