University of Portsmouth has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework.These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Course summary
This is a Connected Degree Portsmouth is the only University in the UK with the flexibility to choose when to do an optional paid placement or self-employed year. Either take a placement in your third year, or finish your studies first and complete a placement in your fourth year. You can decide if and when to take a placement after you've started your course. Overview Ready to make your mark on the computer animation and visual effects industry and get stuck into a career packed with creative potential? On this professionally accredited BSc (Hons) Computer Animation and Visual Effects degree course, you'll use our fantastic animation and VFX facilities to unleash your ideas. You’ll build a portfolio of work to showcase your abilities and learn how to get it in front of potential employers. The course sets you up for an exciting career in areas such as 3D animation, visual effects (VFX) for film and TV, and the computer games industry. Accreditations This course is professionally accredited by JAMES (Joint Audio Media Education Support). JAMES is a group of industry professionals and employers. The JAMES accreditation lets potential employers know that this course gives you the relevant skills and abilities you need to work in the industry when you graduate. JAMES reviews our accreditation every 3 years to make sure the course content remains up-to-date with industry trends and developments. So you’ll always be learning the most relevant skills. We also work with VFX studios, game developers and professional bodies such as TIGA to make sure the course stays up-to-date with industry trends. What you'll experience On this Computer Animation and Visual Effects degree course you’ll:
- Learn from professionals who are currently working in the animation and visual effects (VFX) industry
- Build your skills in key areas such as concept drawing, 3D animation, physics-based simulation and compositing
- Get your hands on professional software that’s used in the industry, including NUKEX, Maya, 3DS Max, ZBrush, Houdini, Katana and Mari
- Put our motion capture facilities to use and learn in our virtual reality lab
- Get the chance to be involved with the University’s computer-generated imagery (CGI) film, Stina and the Wolf
- Develop games and get involved in Gamejams with fellow students
- Make the most of our industry links, including guest speakers, work placements and sponsored prizes for your final year project
- Tailor your studies to match your interests and ambitions
Modules
Year 1 Core modules in this year include:
- Computer Animation and Vfx Research
- Introduction to Compositing
- Introduction to Real-Time 3D
- Modelling for Animation & Vfx
- Skills and Principles for Animation
- Visual Communication
- CGI Lighting and Look Development
- Project Initiation and Career Management
- Real-Time Animation and VFX Project
- Commercial Asset Production for Real Time
- Creative Technologies Study Exchange
- Design and Visual Research for Cinema and Game
- Designing for Animation
- Engaged Citizenship Through Interdisciplinary Practice
- Modern Foreign Language
- Professional Experience
- Sculpting and Rigging for Film
- Student Enterprise
- Visual Effects
- Creative Group Project
- Creative Professional Development
- Final Year Project
- Advanced Creature Fx and Rigging
- Advanced Programming for Animation and Vfx
- Advanced Visual Effects
- Animation and Setup for Computer Animation
- Create Worlds
- Intermediate Visual Effects
- Motion Capture Applications
- Real-Time Interactive Group Project: Stage One
- Real-Time Interactive Group Project: Stage Two
Assessment method
You’ll be assessed through practical projects, work portfolios, academic and evaluative essays, multiple choice tests, oral presentations, examinations and case studies. You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark. You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- The Joint Audio Media Education Services
How to apply
31Jan
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:
- II15
- Institution code:
- P80
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Year 3
Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)
We welcome applications for advanced entry. If you’d like to apply for advanced entry, you need to select the required year when you complete your UCAS application.
This course may be available at alternative locations, please check if other course options are available
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 112 - 120 points
A level - BBB - BBC
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDM - DMM
Access to HE Diploma
Scottish Higher
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
Scottish Advanced Higher
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 25 points
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H3, H3, H3, H3, H4 - H3, H3, H3, H3, H3
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
GCSE/National 4/National 5
T Level - M
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5. |
| PTE Academic | 54 | An overall score of 54 with a minimum of 51 in each skill. |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 79 | 79 with a minimum of 18 in Reading, 17 in Listening, 20 in Speaking and 17 in Writing. |
| Cambridge English Advanced | Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) taken after January 2015. An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162. | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) taken after January 2015. An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162. | |
| Trinity ISE | Pass | Trinity College Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III with a Pass in all 4 components |
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
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
| EU | £9250 | Year 1 |
| 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 |
| International | £17900 | Year 1 |
Additional fee information
Students who are resident in EU countries: please note that the net fee is inclusive of the Transition Scholarship
Placement Year and Year abroad:
UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £1,385
EU – £1,385 (including Transition Scholarship)|
International (Non-EU) – £2,875.
Fees are accurate at the time of publishing and are subject to change at any time without notice.
Fees may also go up in later years, in line with inflation.
For more information about fees, go to port.ac.uk/ug-tuition-fees
Provider information
University of Portsmouth
University House
Winston Churchill Avenue
Portsmouth
PO1 2UP