Visual Effects
Develop your skills for roles in the visual effects and video game industries, including technical artist, procedural content creator and technical director.
Become an artist skilled in the latest procedural 3D techniques, able to work alongside programmers, developers and other artists.
As well as exploring key areas of working with VFX and computer graphics, you'll keep up to date with the latest techniques and trends. We'll also help you identify the supporting skills and knowledge you’ll need to succeed in the creative industries.
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Prepare for a career in technical art in the VFX and video games industry, with our degree course in Chelmsford.
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Become skilled in the latest procedural 3D techniques, able to work alongside programmers, developers and other artists.
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Study in the heart of Essex, with its 25 games companies including Midas Interactive, Ghostlight and Elephant Games (source: ukie.org.uk).
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Attend industry events including games jams, talks, conferences and festivals like our annual Gamebridge.
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Work in a development studio environment collaborating with others to prepare for professional life.
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Build a portfolio to showcase your skills to future employers and clients.
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Find placements and solve live briefs through our links with tech giants like Sony, Jagex and Frontier.
Study at an award-winning university
We were named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.
Course options
Key facts
Modules are subject to change and availability, and may vary by location. If you have the choice of optional modules, these are indicated with a *.
- Introduction to 3D Art
- Introduction to Procedural Content Creation
- Introduction to Realtime Procedural Content Creation
- Materials and Texturing Techniques
- Into ARU
- Advanced Procedural Content Creation
- Digital Practice for Technical Art
- Realtime VFX Techniques
- Major Project
To prepare you for university study, you can take a foundation year at the start of this course. Find out more about foundation years.
- Interactive Learning Skills and Communication
- Information and Communication Technology
- Creative Workshops 1
- Approach to Design
- Critical and Contextual Studies
- Creative Workshops 2
- Specialist Project
- Composition and Style
You can choose to take an optional placement year as part of this course. Placements typically happen in Year 3, and your course will take four years overall. Find out more about placement years.
- Work Placement - Cambridge School of Creative Industries
Read profiles of teaching and research staff on this course.
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Dr Barış IşıkgünerAssociate Professor
Facilities
As a Visual Effects students you’ll work in a computer lab with state-of-the-art workstation PCs, using software and tools such as SideFX Houdini, Blender, Autodesk Maya, Unreal Engine 4, Pixologic ZBrush and Substance.
You'll also have opportunities to work with equipment including Wacom creative pen tablets to assist with digital painting and texturing; VR headsets; and a 16-camera motion capture system.
Our students have access to all our creative facilities, which include a TV studio, theatre, and recording studios. Full training is provided.
Careers
82% of the UK computer games industry is educated to at least undergraduate level, according to UKIE’s 2022 census.
Throughout our BA (Hons) Visual Effects, you’ll develop the latest skills and knowledge for a career in 3D content creation. You'll also get the support you need to grow into a confident and creative graduate with a willingness for lifelong learning.
As a graduate, you will have tackled a variety of live VFX briefs, finding creative ways to use your knowledge and skillset and working with our industry partners. Recently, ARM, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, Frontier and Just Flight have offered internships and work opportunities to our students.
You'll also have a strong portfolio of work to showcase your skills and specialisms.
Graduation doesn’t need to be the end of your time with us, of course. You might decide to stay at ARU and study for a Masters degree, such as our MA Computer Games Development (Art). Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.
Employability and personal career development
Informed by employers, our courses support an integrated approach to employability. You’ll have opportunities to develop the skills and abilities they are looking for and gain a deeper understanding of how your academic learning relates to the world of work through Live Briefs and Ruskin Modules.
You will need to dedicate time outside of your course to develop your employability, through placements, internships or volunteering or through our partner scheme Students at the Heart of Knowledge Exchange (SHoKE). You can evidence this experience on your CV and talk about it in interviews to give you that all important edge.
Our Employability and Careers Service offers a range of expert advice and support to build your unique professional profile, including tailored career appointments, advice on writing your CV, and help to complete job applications. You’ll have 24/7 access to the Careers Centre, our comprehensive online digital resource, which empowers you to start building a Personal Career Development Plan from the very start. Design your future at ARU.
Entry requirements
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