Visual Effects
Glyndwr University, Wrexham
UCAS Code: VEMD | Master of Design - MDes
Entry requirements
A level
Accepted alongside A-Levels as part of overall 120 UCAS Tariff requirement.
120 UCAS Tariff points
120 UCAS Tariff points
Accepted as part of overall 120 UCAS Tariff requirement.
120 UCAS Tariff points from International Baccalaureate Certificates
120 UCAS Tariff points
Accepted alongside Irish Leaving Certificate Higher Level as part of overall 120 UCAS Tariff requirement.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
120 UCAS Tariff points
120 UCAS Tariff points
UCAS Tariff
Accepted as part of overall 120 UCAS Tariff point requirement.
You may also need to…
Attend an interview
Present a portfolio
About this course
The MDes VFX programme provides an opportunity for you to extend your studies beyond undergraduate level and acquire further knowledge and expertise at master’s level.
Our degree will enable you to become part of a dynamic industry worth several billion pounds every year, giving you the opportunity to work on live projects for real clients and be part of an exciting, fast-paced industry.
This course is about everything from compositing, rig removal to bringing movies/games to life in a variety of formats, from initial ideas to creating the believable.
This idea-driven course, enables multi-creative exploration and experience in all areas of VFX, with the opportunity to collaborate with others across the creative arts.
VFX has a large market in the UK with the highest number of VFX studios in Europe. With innovation and creativity at its core, this course will allow you to express your design ideas through all areas of VFX techniques.
This programme provides an opportunity for you to extend your studies beyond undergraduate level and acquire further knowledge and expertise at master’s level that is focused around deeper practice-based skills and analytical/research skills, alongside furthering their experience of working on professional pieces of work, such as industry-led projects and commissions. The programme also challenges the way in which you think about your practice and how you might embrace and adapt to different ways of working that are ‘outside the box’.
Our external and industrial links enable you to liaise with industry and gain professional experience. Learning is driven by ‘events’ where you are able to work on real projects. These provide opportunities to work in your specialism, as well as collaboratively across other subject areas in the creative industries.
Modules
This degree is primarily designed for those who want to pursue a career in the VFX and associated media industries. It explores all key aspects of VFX production processes, drawing upon your imagination and using a variety of techniques from 3D modelling, animation, particle simulation, 3D sculpting and rendering. Emphasis is placed on your personal and professional development, communication and entrepreneurial skills so that you are well equipped to enter a diverse and rapidly changing industry.
Additionally, you will experience compositing operations like keying, working with render passes and rig removal. You will become familiar with and competent in apply the principal processes used in the industry. You will be encouraged to think creatively and analytically to develop a critical eye and gain an understanding of the core logic underpinning the software.
YEAR 1 (LEVEL 4)
MODULES
• Contextual Studies 1: History & Context - VFX (20 Credits)
• Creative Futures 1: Professional Studio Practice (20 Credits)
• Compositing Fundamentals (20 Credits)
• Game Asset Development (20 Credits)
• Sketch to Sculpt (20 Credits)
• Animation for VFX (20 Credits)
YEAR 2 (LEVEL 5)
MODULES
• Contextual Studies 2: Critical Thinking (20 Credits)
• Creative Futures 2: Making a living (20 Credits)
• Matte Painting and Environments for VFX (20 Credits)
• Environment Modelling (20 Credits)
• CGI Animation for VFX (20 Credits)
• VFX for Video Games (20 Credits)
YEAR 3 (LEVEL 6)
MODULES
• Dissertation (20 Credits)
• Creative Futures 3: Professional Practice (20 Credits)
• Negotiated Practice (40 Credits)
• VFX Degree Project (40 Credits)
YEAR 4 (LEVEL 7)
MODULES
• Locating Practice
• Practice & Application (VFX)
• Advanced Professional Practice
Assessment methods
There are no set exams. Assessment is continuous and relates to all aspects of the programme, providing more carefully defined emphasis on formative assessment and feedback on your coursework throughout the academic year. We will advise you on your level of attainment and direct you towards a strategy for further progression as you complete assignments and modules.
There are varied formats of assessment to encourage your learning through group seminars, critiques and tutorials. This can be through group interaction with critical analysis where you will submit a range of work including design sheets, finished artwork, 3D work, screen based work, technical/ production files, journals, essays and audio-visual presentations. There are reviews of work at key points before Christmas and before Easter and this provides time for you to reflect on your progress prior to a final or summative year end assessment.
TEACHING AND LEARNING
Wrexham Glynd?r University is committed to supporting our students to maximise their academic potential.
On this course teaching and learning is designed to support students from a variety of backgrounds with diverse needs and to promote the supportive learning environment and pastoral care the School of Art and Design provides. Timetabling is developed to help learning teaching and assessment methodologies and provide clear and effective feedback to students. Contact hours are 16 per week in year 1, 14 per week in year 2 and 12 per week in year 3.
There is strong support for students with learning differences and who can also receive additional help from support assistants through Student Support Services.
The programme is structured to enable you to work in a multidisciplinary manner, to be flexible and enable you to develop individually. This is supported by a personal tutor / tutorials system that provides you with guidance throughout all aspects of the programme
We offer workshops and support sessions in areas such as academic writing, effective note-making and preparing for assignments. Students can book appointments with academic skills tutors dedicated to helping deal with the practicalities of university work. Our student support section has more information on the help available.
Tuition fees
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The Uni
Wrexham
School of the Creative Arts
What students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.
How do students rate their degree experience?
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Computer games and animation
Teaching and learning
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Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
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What are graduates doing after six months?
This is what graduates told us they were doing (and earning), shortly after completing their course. We've crunched the numbers to show you if these immediate prospects are high, medium or low, compared to those studying this subject/s at other universities.
Top job areas of graduates
This is a newly-classified subject area for this kind of data, so we don’t currently have very much information to display or analyse yet. Over time we can expect more students to study them — there could be opportunities that open up for graduates in these subjects as the economy develops over the next few years. But at the moment this looks to be a good degree if you want to work on the technical side of film and TV and this is the most common industry for new graduates.
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Computing
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£17k
£19k
£24k
Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree.
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