Welcome to your CGI and Visual Effects course

Welcome to University of Staffordshire

We know you're already passionate about your subject, which is why we're excited you've chosen University of Staffordshire as the place to turn possibility into reality.

To give you an insight into what life as a CGI and Visual Effects student is like, your course leaders have prepared introductions to the course and further activities.

Welcome to the CGI and Visual Effects award at Staffordshire University! 

I am truly delighted that you have decided to join our community – and very much look forward to the opportunity of working alongside you during your three-year programme of study. 

Visual Effects is a vibrant, exciting and fast evolving industry – and we foster a collaborative community where our students can thrive to be creative and professional, but most importantly of all – themselves. It is a course with character! 

It is important to remember that we have selected you because we believe you have real potential - and over the course of the next three years and beyond we aim to support and help you realise your creative potential and ambitions in your chosen area of expertise. 

Also remember; we’re all in this together so don’t be afraid to ask questions, no matter how basic they may appear, don’t assume that other students know more than you. We are here to help each other no matter what the problem is.

Course delivery

Typically, your lectures will be three-hour sessions – designed to develop and enhance your CGI and Visual Effects experience and skills through a series of lectures, demonstrations and practical workshops. You will often be given take-away tasks that are designed to push what you learnt further in your independent study time. 

Semester one activities

In the first few weeks of university, you will be engaging with a broad range of techniques, ideas and media. You might be doing photography, learning to model in 3d or getting stuck into research and discussion. 

Industry guest speakers also help to enhance the course. 

Before you start

A few good channels to look at:

Corridor Crew

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSpFnDQr88xCZ80N-X7t0nQ

Flipped Normals

https://www.youtube.com/c/FlippedNormals

And magazines such as;

VFXWorld Magazine | Animation World Network (awn.com)

Equipment and software

For your first day you won’t need anything apart from an open mind!

You will be fully inducted during Welcome Week – and given all the information you need to get you started on your Visual Effects adventure.

As a Visual Effects student you will have great studio resources available to you, and even though all the software and hardware is available to you on campus, you may choose to invest in certain pieces of kit at some stage in your student career.

However, we suggest that you hold-off making any decisions about further investments until you are settled into the course and know what is available to you and where your future pathway may lead.

Once enrolled, you will have access to to download a range of software free of charge from the University.

Download software

Trips and activities

Students will participate in a film shoot in Level 4 , as part of the Production Skills for Visual Effects Module, producing raw footage and plates to be used throughout the module.

Trips to Industry shows will also be available.

Clubs and societies

There are loads of Student clubs and societies for you to join whilst studying at Staffs, and you might also find the following interesting

www.staffsunion.com/getinvolved/clubsandsocieties/ to give you an idea of what else is on offer!

Meet the team

Jarrad Gittos

Senior Lecturer

Jarrad is an Australian born Lecturer who loves working in 3D, Games, VFX and emergent technologies. His main area of interest currently is working with Game Engines and Electronics, Photogrammetry, Virtual Production and custom Game Controllers.

Jarrad's profile

What to expect on Welcome Week

We're so excited for you to join us on campus and to welcome you to where you matter. During your welcome week you'll be able to meet our friendly student services teams, connect with new friends, join societies, explore on-campus venues attend club nights and much more.

We look forward to welcoming you to the campus in September. 

If you have any questions, please get in touch with the team.  
 
Kind regards, 

CGI and VFX Course Team  

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Social Inclusion

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021