Course summary
Push the limits of your creative boundaries on this dynamic prosthetics and special effects degree. With a hands-on approach to design for a range of contexts, you’ll be supported to develop the skills and experience to enter a range of careers in the creative industries after graduation. You will be encouraged to take an explorative and technical approach to prosthetics application, use of materials and creative development processes to produce innovative and contemporary special effects design work. This will include sculpting, moulding and casting for character and creature effects, refined application of make-up and hair effects and designing with 2D and 3D modelling. While the emphasis is on problem solving and critical thinking, you will be encouraged to embrace the breadth of the potential within and beyond the discipline of special effects for TV, theatrical performance and film. You will be taught by an academic team with excellent reputations as practicing professional designers or researchers, as well as an extensive range of visiting lecturers and international visits to gain vital industry insight. You will study in our well-equipped studios and workshops, ranging from make-up, hair and special effects studios to photography studios, IT suites and a comprehensive Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) to support your learning. Situated within the Department of Art and Music, the course also provides you with the opportunity for cross-programme collaborations to help you contextualise your place within the prosthetics and special effects industry, offering you a rich and stimulating education and preparing you for future employment. In your final year there is the opportunity to work with our professional SFX team at the Prosthetics Event, across a range of national theatre productions or at IMATS in London. Critical debate surrounding design is central to the teaching programme, which involves all students in wider debates about making and thinking about design practice for the creative industries. What does this course lead to? This course will transform your understanding of prosthetics and special effects practice within the TV, theatrical performance and film industries. It will provide you with a wide range of career options after graduation, such as special effects make-up designer, prosthetics artist, prosthetics sculptor, mould maker, creature concept and character designer, casualty simulator, project management, event management, digital sculpting designer, special effects technician and multi-media artist. Who is this course for? Solent’s prosthetic and special effects programme is ideally suited to students who want to explore and design conceptual ideas through a wide-ranging and hands-on approach to drawing, digital conceptualisation and research. Applicants should have previously studied a creative subject and will be required to present a portfolio of design work at interview. Previous experience in prosthetics and special effects is not required.
Modules
YEAR 1 - CORE MODULES Design Practice Professional Application Image Construction Character Design Visual Narrative Culture and Context YEAR 2 - CORE MODULES Extending the Body Visual Cultures Horror, Film and Media Deviant Narratives Professional Practice for the Creative Economy YEAR 2 - OPTIONS (please note that not all options are guaranteed to run each academic year) Digital Bodies The SFX Morgue YEAR 3 - CORE MODULES Creative Research Project – Proposal Work Based Learning Dissertation Creative Research Project - Development and Realisation YEAR 3 - OPTIONS (please note that not all options are guaranteed to run each academic year) Speculative Design Creature and Concept Design
Assessment method
This course is assessed via design projects, sketchbook research, formal timed assessment, trade tests, presentations, pitching of ideas, collaborative work, design development portfolios and written assignments. Students are also required to participate in graduate level work based learning in their final year of study.
How to apply
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- PSE1
- Institution code:
- S30
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
For information about applying to Solent as an International applicant, please visit https://www.solent.ac.uk/how-to-apply/entry-requirements/help-for-international-students
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 104 - 120 points
A level
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DMM
Access to HE Diploma - M: 45 credits
AS
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - D*D
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF) - DMM
Pearson BTEC Diploma (QCF) - D*D
Pearson BTEC 90-Credit Diploma (QCF)
Pearson BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (QCF)
Pearson BTEC Certificate (QCF)
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 28 - 31 points
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
Extended Project
HNC (BTEC) - P - D
HND (BTEC) - P - M
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - DMM
OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma - D*D
OCR Cambridge Technical Subsidiary Diploma
OCR Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma
OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate
OCR Cambridge Technical Certificate
T Level - M
• Direct entry to years 2 (Level 5) or 3 (Level 6) We welcome applications from students currently studying a Foundation Degree, DipHE, HNC, HND or modules of an undergraduate degree course at another university, who wish to enter directly into Years 2 or 3 of one of our undergraduate degree courses. • Level 5 (year 2) entry To directly enter the second year of this course you will need to show appropriate knowledge and experience. For example, you are an ideal candidate if you have 120 undergraduate credits at Level 4 or a CertHE in a related subject area. • Level 6 (year 3) entry To directly enter the third year of this course you need to show appropriate knowledge and experience. For example, you are an ideal candidate if you have 240 undergraduate credits (at Levels 4 and 5), a DipHE, Foundation Degree or HND in a related subject area.
Additional entry requirements
Portfolio
Electronic portfolio submission required.
English language requirements
Test | Grade | Additional details |
---|---|---|
IELTS (Academic) | 6 | with 5.5 in each individual component. |
TOEFL (iBT) | 80 | with a minimum of 20 in each individual compoenent. |
Solent University can also accept the following English Language Test: Duolingo English Language Test 115 overall with a minimum of 95 in each component. All international applicants need to be aware that the English language requirements to attend Solent University, and the English language requirements to obtain a visa from the Home Office, may be different. This means that if you meet the Solent University language requirement to gain a place on the course, you may still have to meet additional requirements to be granted with a visa by the Home Office. We strongly advise all applicants to visit the Home Office website which outlines all the requirements for a successful visa application and to take a look at this PDF document which outlines both Solent University and Home Office requirements for a number of language tests.
Student Outcomes
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
England | £9250 | Year 1 |
Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Scotland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
Channel Islands | £9250 | Year 1 |
Republic of Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
EU | £16125 | Year 1 |
International | £16125 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Sponsorship information
Solent University offers a number of bursaries, grants and scholarships. For more information, please visit https://www.solent.ac.uk/finance/grants-bursaries-scholarships/bursaries
Provider information
Solent University (Southampton)
East Park Terrace
Southampton
SO14 0YN