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CGI and Digital Effects
BSc(Hons)
UCAS code: WP90
Key features
A specialist course aimed at producing graduates for the visual effects industry
Technical and creative teaching from experienced and passionate VFX staff
Strong Industry links with many top Soho post production companies including Envy Post, Framestore and Cinesite have enabled recent students to undertake work experience and gain graduate jobs
Highly practical and challenging course in digital cinematography and photography, 2D and 3D animation, motion graphics, compositing, matte painting, 3D tracking and shooting for Visual Effects
Study industry standard software and hardware with full HD cameras, green screen studio, Avid MC and Final Cut Studio, Maya, 3D Max, Z-Brush, PF Track and Adobe Creative Suite.
Graduate Success Stories
Visionary Graduate call the shots on second feature film.
Sahara documentary ventures out onto the international circuit
Downloadable course guide
Read BSc(Hons) CGI and Digital Effects course information (PDF, file size: 330.93KB)
What it’s about
CGI and Digital Effects is an exciting award aimed at students who have a passion for the digital effects and the amalgamation of the film and TV production skill set, merging into the world of visual effects (VFX).
The costs of producing top quality effects have dropped significantly in the past 5 years which has lead to an exceedingly high quality output. This course will develop the students' self confidence to understand the visual effects process from production to post and the integration of effects and live action.
This CGI & Digital Effects award aims to produce graduates with a unique set of skills, both creative and technical, as required by the CGI industry. That will allow them to stand out when they graduate, Leading to jobs including compositors, rotoscoping artists, 3D animators, 3D riggers, visual effects producers, and visual effects supervisors
What you do
Teaching and Assessment Information
Where possible the assessment for one module is linked with the assessment on another, to ensure students can understand the relevance of the curriculum and how it interrelates. The students will be challenged with creative challenges to develop creative and technical abilities through being presented with problem based learning tasks which will be supported by tutorials and lectures. Students will also regularly take part in seminars which aim to study how VFX shots have been completed for films, TV and commercials. This will also be supported by guest lecturers from the VFX industry attending the university to showcase their skills to the students.
All of the modules are highly practical with around 50% of the module assessment being of a practical nature. The other elements will be assessed through analysis/reflective activities proving student understanding of the practical. Below is a brief description of the module content including the hardware and software to be used.
Level 4 provides a basic foundation across a range of subjects which go on to specialise further in levels 5 and 6.
Modules
Level 4 (Year 1)
Digital photography for visual effects, basic still compositing, animation fundamentals, filmmaking and intro to 3D modelling and animation in Maya.
Level 5 (Year 2)
Compositing and rotoscoping, motion graphics, matchmoving, shooting with green screens, more Maya, introduction to Mel scripting (& python) and rendering for photo finish
Level 6 (Year 3)
Advanced 3D lighting, more Mel script, shooting for VFX, final year project and advanced compositing.
Where next
When you graduate you will be able to approach film/video production houses with a broad knowledge and skills-set competing for jobs in animation, visual effects and integrated 3D technology. If you are interested in other approaches to animation, including 2D drawing, claymation, experimental animation as well as digital, also consider our BA(Hons) 3D Character Animation and Special Effects.
Have you also considered?
- Film Production Technology
- Digital Film and Post Production Technology
- Computer Games Design
- Digital Film and 3D Animation Technology
Fact File
| Qualification: | BSc(Hons) |
| Faculty/School: | Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Technology |
| Location: | Stafford Campus |
| Course Start: | September |
| Course Length: | Normally three years or four years with a placement. |
| Entry Requirements: | All applicants are individually assessed on their qualifications, skills and experience. However, a typical three A level or BTEC National Diploma offer will be 280 UCAS tariff points.
For further information |
| Application: | Application for this course is through UCAS. For guidance on the application process click here |
| UCAS Code: | WP90 |
| Fees and Bursaries: | Standard undergraduate tuition fees and burseries. |
Contact
For more information about CGI and Digital Effects (WP90) please contact:
The Recruitment CentreFaculty of Computing, Engineering and Technology
Staffordshire University
Beaconside
Stafford
Staffordshire
ST18 0AD
t: +44 (0)1782 294400
e: enquiries@staffs.ac.uk
