What is Visual Effects and Animation?

Visual Effects (VFX) and Animation is a key component to creating amazing real-life imagery for film and TV. Nearly everything you watch these days has an element of VFX and animation; whether it’s a movie on Netflix or Prime, a music video, or the commercials in between.

VFX describes the process by which images are digitally created or manipulated, and then incorporated into a live action shot. It’s an industry that’s thriving and the largest concentration of VFX studios in the world is right here in the UK.

About the course

The BSc Visual Effects and Animation degree at the University of Bolton is an industry-focused course that will develop your skills ready for work.

Whether you’re artistic or more technical, have experience in being creative digitally or not, our course will introduce you to the different areas of the VFX and hone your particular interests and skills during the three-year course.

We’re heavily linked to industry and are proud to boast a high employment rate of graduates into VFX studios, many of which are multiple Oscar-winning. We also have a teaching team that’s very active in the sector, with most lecturers working on projects, as well as teaching; making your learning current and meaningful.

What skills do I need?

Our Visual Effects and Animation course is ideal if you wish to combine design creativity with cutting-edge 2D and 3D computer-generated imagery, as well as animation to create visual effects. We offer hands-on experience covering the whole workflow of a digital VFX pipeline; from concept design, pre-production and visualisation, to the production of photorealistic 3D models and environments, as well as computer-generated and composited images.

Our dedicated and experienced team will lead you in an exploration of 3D computer modelling, texturing, lighting, rendering, rigging and animation, as well as the established areas of compositing, matte paintings and environments.

What can I do with my degree?

An exciting and competitive area, studying VFX and Animation at the University of Bolton will develop your technical skills, as well as build your portfolio and industry connections.

You’ll develop lots of transferable skills, including communication, project and time management, team-working and entrepreneurship.

You’ll also gain professional recognition, as the University of Bolton’s Visual Effects and Animation degree is accredited by Screen Skills, the industry-led skills body for the UK's screen-based creative industries, including animation, film, games and television.

Find out more about a Visual Effects and Animation degree at the University of Bolton, which is ranked in the Top 50 best UK universities in The Guardian 2021 league table. We’re proud to be known for our teaching quality, supportive learning environment and award-winning student services; welcome to #UniAsItShouldBe in Greater Manchester.

Not only have we been No.1 for Student Satisfaction for the past three years*, but we’re also in the Top 5 in the UK for Teaching Quality**.

For questions related to accommodation, finance, funding, health and wellbeing, disability support or anything else you’d like to chat about, our Student Services team is here to help. Contact +44(0)1204 900 600 or email enquiries@bolton.ac.uk.

*Complete University Guide in 2021, 2020 and 2019, North West
**The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide in 2021 and 2020