This course is available in Clearing. If you have submitted an application, you can add this course. If you haven’t sent us an application yet, you can do this until 24th September 2025.
Futureworks has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.
Course summary
Our Art of Visual Effects (VFX) degree is a practical skills-based course tailored directly to the needs of the visual effects, games, and other digital media industries. All our staff are active within the industry and teach you the skills that you’ll need to gain employment after graduating. The course utilises a mix of lectures, hands-on workshops, tutorial classes, studio sessions and practical exercises such as 3D Modelling, Digital Sculpting, 2D & 3D Compositing, Motion Graphics, Motion Performance, Asset integration, Simulation, Dynamics & Technical FX and onset VFX supervision. The course fuses cutting-edge industry-standard software skills with lessons learned from over a hundred years of filmmaking and visual effects. We teach everything from the ground up; in short, you do not have to have any prior knowledge or tradition artistic skill before joining the course. Our highly skilled team will support you in developing the knowledge and skills you need to thrive in industry. WHY STUDY VISUAL EFFECTS AT FUTUREWORKS? Whether your ambition is to apply visual effects to blockbuster films, commercials, TV shows, or industries like architecture, medicine, or automobiles, this program has been developed in collaboration with professional VFX artists to ensure its relevance and currency. We combine high quality teaching led by professionals who are active within industry with industry facing software and facilities to ensure that graduates are industry ready upon graduation. We are an Epic Unreal partner institution and ensure that we provide a professional learning experience. You will develop your skills using professional, industry software such as Maya, Nuke, Unreal and Houdini in combination with industry facing facilities. By enrolling, you will acquiring the technical and creative skills sought after by the industry. Additionally, you'll have the opportunity to develop your soft skills, build valuable industry connections, and graduate with an impressive showreel which will pave the way to a successful career.
Modules
YEAR 1 Compositing for VFX (20 credits) Asset Integration & Invisible VFX (20 credits) 3D for VFX (20 credits) Creative Development (20 credits) Creative Practice (40 credits) YEAR 2 Studio Project (40 credits) Digital Sculpting (20 credits) Motion Graphics (20 credits) Performance Capture (20 credits) Dynamics & Technical FX (20 credits) YEAR 3 Professional Studio Project (40 credits) Major Project (40 credits) Professional Futures (40 credits) WHAT ARE CREDITS? As a guide, 20 credits typically represents around 52 hours of tutor contact time (e.g. lectures/workshops/feedback) and 148 hours of self-study time (usually over the course of a semester). These numbers may increase or decrease depending on the nature, length and level of the module, especially towards the end of the course.
Assessment method
We don’t believe in exams. All assessment takes the form of coursework, portfolios, presentations, and a limited number of essays. If you are being taught visual effects, you will submit a portfolio of industry facing work with a focus on quality over quantity. If you are being taught how to present your work or research, you will do a presentation your relevant to your project. In other words, all assessment is directly related to the skills being taught and directly applicable to life within industry. You will be offered feedback along the way, via formative submission points, with official summative submissions falling at the end of first and second semesters.
How to apply
29Jan
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:
- W614
- Institution code:
- F98
- Campus name:
- Futureworks (Manchester)
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Year 3
International applicants
We are able to accept applications from students requiring a Student visa.
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 104 - 120 points
A level - BCC
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DMM
If you’re unsure how many points you have you can use the UCAS tariff calculator. Remember that qualifications such as Graded Examinations in Music Performance and Arts Award (Gold) can also count towards your UCAS points – check the tariff calculator. Applicants who do not have the required qualifications, but do have the industry experience and/or proven interest in the subject will also be considered. All applicants are expected to have at least a grade 4 in GCSEs Maths and English Language. Non-UK applicants will need to have an English Language qualification at International Level B2 or higher, such as an IELTS of 6.0 or better (with no component below 5.5). Students with equivalent qualifications will also be accepted. Applications from individuals with non-standard qualifications, relevant work or life experience will be equally considered. If your application is successful, you will be invited to an interview. During this, you will have the opportunity to talk about your work, influences and interests. Ideal applicants will have a keen interest in visual effects, film, TV or digital media. You will not be asked to provide a portfolio of your work as part of the application process . However, if during your interview you would like to share with us examples of any work you may have produced, we would welcome any opportunity to gain insight into your interests
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
Additional entry requirements
Interview
Interviewer: Jamie Scott (Programme Leader) If your application is successful, you will be invited to an interview where you will have the opportunity to talk about your work, influences and interests. Ideal applicants will have a keen interest in film, television, and visual effects. You are welcome to bring any relevant examples of work with you, if you have them.
English language requirements
GCSE level 4 & above or equivalent
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
| Republic of Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| England | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9535 | Year 1 |
| EU | £17000 | Year 1 |
| International | £17000 | 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
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Provider information
Futureworks
Riverside
New Bailey Street
Manchester
M3 5FS
Clearing contact details
Enquiry formAdmissions
0161 214 4602
Additional information
If our Admissions team are not available please email [email protected].