Post Production & Visual Effects, BA (Hons), with industry placement

This program equips aspiring professionals to excel in post-production and visual effects (VFX) for film, TV, and animation. It transforms raw footage into cohesive, compelling narratives through hands-on training in picture editing, colour grading, compositing, VFX, rotoscoping, digital imaging, sound design, and audio mixing. Students gain practical experience in industry-standard facilities using software like Avid and Nuke, alongside opportunities for recognised certifications, live client briefs, and collaborations via the Sound/Image Cinema Lab. Industry connections with companies such as Adobe, Framestore, and ILM, plus guest speakers, enhance networking and skills development. The course is accredited by CILECT, Albert, Avid, and ARRI.The curriculum spans four years, building from foundational modules in audio, video, and VFX fundamentals to advanced proficiency and specialisation. Year one focuses on core skills, year two on refining interests, year three offers optional professional placement for real-world experience, and year four culminates in major projects and portfolio development. Assessment includes portfolios of work and presentations, with ongoing feedback to ensure progress.

You'll develop a strong skills base and a working knowledge of industry practice by responding to an exciting and diverse range of post production and visual effects challenges. With access to professional-standard facilities and software including Avid Media Composer, Pro Tools, Houdini, Maya and Nuke, the chance to collaborate with multi-skilled teams and opportunities to learn from industry leaders, you'll graduate with a diverse portfolio, invaluable connections and the entrepreneurial skills to start making an impact. Year One: In your first year, you’ll strengthen your foundational skills and develop crucial knowledge of industry practice including workflows and current technologies. This will give you the essentials to learn across all three strands: audio, video and VFX, at an equal level. You’ll work in professional-standard facilities and collaborate with your peers on post production and visual effects projects, building your portfolio and developing your technical and creative skills. Modules: Audio Post-Production Fundamentals Video Post-Production Fundamentals VFX Fundamentals Audio Post-Production Competency Video Post-Production Competency VFX Competency Year Two: Your second year is designed to give you greater confidence in your skills and a clearer understanding of your own interests. You'll continue your development on the three core areas of audio, picture and VFX, but also be given that crucial space to refine your own specialist interests. This may be as a specialist editor, sound mixer, VFX supervisor, colourist, sound designer or compositor, among the many other roles open to you. By exploring and collaborating on challenging projects you’ll get to connect with peers from the School of Film & Television, across the wider University and beyond. Modules Audio Post-Production Proficiency Motion Graphics & Colour Proficiency VFX Proficiency Collaboration Intermediate Post-Production & VFX Project Year Three: You’ll be responsible for finding your own placement, with support from the employability team. Choosing this option will enhance your industry experience and skills while studying. How you’ll study during your professional placement You’ll spend time working in a professional context, as part of a business or organisation. This can be in one role, or up to three, and must be for a minimum of 24 weeks. You’ll develop in-demand workplace skills, deepen your insight into industry and grow your network of contacts, all of which could help you get ahead in your career after graduation. Throughout this year, you’ll develop a portfolio of work that includes critical self-reflection on what has been learned from the experience. You’ll be required to evidence your experiences, the skills you’ve learned and your professional growth. Year Four: Your final year of the degree will be dedicated to refining and mastering your skills as you prepare for a career in industry. You'll cement your learning across your chosen pathway of audio post-production, video post-production or visual effects. You'll have the opportunity to take on a collaborative or entrepreneurial project with peers from across the University, especially in animation, film, television, prosthetic effects, games or on one of the School of Film & Television's funded micro-budget films. You'll also work on an advanced post-production or visual effects project. Modules Pre-Production & Development Extended Research Project Futures Final Major Project As part of our process of continuous improvement, we routinely review course content to ensure that all our students benefit from a high-quality and rewarding academic experience. As such, there may be some changes made to your course which are not immediately reflected in the content displayed on our website. Any students affected will be informed of any changes made directly.