BA (Hons) Modelmaking and Creature Effects
Course Overview
The University of Bolton's BA (Hons) Modelmaking and Creature Effects course is ideal if you aspire to master the craft of creating breathtaking models and lifelike creature effects for film and television. Our expert team offers a unique blend of traditional creature effects and modelmaking techniques and modern technology, including digital design, 3D printing, and animatronics.Throughout the course, we emphasise practical skills development. You'll learn to sculpt, mould, and fabricate models and creature designs using both hands-on and digital methods. You'll gain experience in workshop environments that replicate professional industry settings.
Our engaging tutors will also support you in building critical skills in design, animation, and digital fabrication, and guide you as you undertake contextual studies of film and television. Regular interaction with seasoned professionals and industry legends nurtures creativity and helps build an invaluable professional network.
Our priority is to ensure you are well-prepared for the evolving demands of the special effects industry. As part of this commitment, we'll encourage you to develop lifelong learning skills so you can take ownership of your professional development for the future and maximise your potential for success.
By studying for your degree at the University of Bolton, you can develop high-level practical skills and essential knowledge of modelmaking and creature effects techniques and practices, all while experiencing life at our supportive, student-focused, multicultural campus. You'll also benefit from our close proximity to two of the most vibrant cities in England: Manchester and Liverpool.
Highlights
- The curriculum and practice-based assessments reflect the latest industry trends, ensuring your skills are current.
- You’ll engage with world-renowned, multi-award-winning industry leaders, gaining invaluable insights and expertise.
- You’ll undertake practical hands-on projects that simulate real-world challenges, enhancing your practical experience in the special effects industry.
- Your learning is supported by advanced workshops and digital labs equipped with the latest technology in the field.
- You don’t have to worry about the cost of the materials needed to complete your studies. We'll provide the necessary materials and resources for you to complete the course modules.
- We'll support you in developing your portfolio to showcase your diverse range of creative and technical abilities.
Key Features
- The course is designed in collaboration with renowned professional special effects artists and studio directors. This ensures that the content is industry-relevant and includes the latest techniques, materials and innovations.
- Course assignments and projects mimic industry pipelines and standards so your experience is a realistic preparation for a career in modelmaking and creature effects.
- You’ll experience a dynamic curriculum integrating digital technologies and traditional practices with the latest industry trends, mirroring the fast-paced evolution of the special effects industry.
- Our dedicated team has a wide range of professional experience, industry knowledge, technical expertise, and academic credentials.
- You’ll have opportunities for real-world project work and industry collaborations in a multidisciplinary environment, which will enhance your practical skills and expand your professional network.
- We’re based in Greater Manchester, a major cultural and creative hub, exposing you to a wide range of inspirations and potential professional connections.
Entry Requirements
- 104 UCAS points
- Any subjects are acceptable at Level 3. Relevant creative/design subjects are preferred.
- You should also have five GCSEs at grade C or above or grade 4 to 9 (or equivalent), including English and Mathematics.
- You'll be required to attend an interview and provide a portfolio of appropriate work. We'll expect you to present your work and demonstrate your experience. This will usually take the form of a portfolio of recent effects-related (or project-based) work. The quality of your portfolio will be judged alongside traditional UCAS point-bearing qualifications to determine the success of your application. Special consideration is given to applicants without the above qualifications who have a strong portfolio.
- If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.
Career Opportunities
Television shows, films, digital content, live events and theatre productions all rely on the magic of modelmaking and creature effects to enhance their storytelling. Our BA (Hons) Modelmaking and Creature Effects course is ideal if you wish to combine design creativity, physical model-making skills, cutting-edge digital technology, and prototyping to create models and creature effects for any of these platforms.
This programme also develops transferable skills such as communication, project and time management, teamwork, and entrepreneurship, which are all needed for success in any profession. We aim to support you in developing these attributes alongside the imagination, flair, and curiosity that will enable you to help make the unbelievable believable.
What can I do with this qualification?
This qualification opens up a broad spectrum of career opportunities in film and television and the wider creative industries. For instance, you could find opportunities to create exhibits or displays for museums, effects-based products like prosthetics, costumes, or props, or engage in various careers that require a blend of creativity and technical proficiency.
In addition to film and television companies, other clients who employ modelmakers include engineers, designers, architects, advertising companies and museums.
Alternative career options
You can also use this qualification as a stepping-stone into various other careers. Some of these roles may require relevant experience and/or further study. Some possibilities include the following:
- Theatre and live events
- Advertising and marketing, including retail
- Animation
- Product design
- Teaching
- Manufacturing
- Games design and production
- Museums and galleries
- Medical prosthetics and manufacture
- Architectural modelmaking
Fees & Funding
Home/EU Fees
No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Bolton’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@bolton.ac.uk for more information.
International Fees
No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Bolton’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@bolton.ac.uk for more information.
Bursaries
Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2025-26 academic year: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.
The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.
How to apply
Home Applicants
Course application details are unavailable at present
International Applicants
Course application details are unavailable at present
Partner Organisation Applicants
Option currently unavailable.
Teaching & Assessment
In this innovative BA (Hons) Modelmaking and Creature Effects programme, you can expect a blended teaching style that includes a mix of practical workshops, lectures, seminars, tutorials, self-directed learning, e-learning, and studio sessions. Our approach focuses on both the theoretical and practical aspects of the design and creation of models and creatures. We'll encourage you to experiment with materials and tools, and practice contemporary and long-established techniques and processes. We'll support you as you learn to apply key principles and how theoretical underpinning improves your practice.
The programme is practice-based, encouraging active learning with a focus on practical, project-based work. You'll collaborate with peers on group and multidisciplinary projects, simulating professional work environments. Workshop inductions, demonstrations, activity-based assignments, and specialist technical support will help you gain hands-on practical skills and techniques. Regular guest lectures and industry events provide opportunities to engage with and learn from respected professionals in the modelmaking and special/creature effects fields, giving you insights into real-world applications of your learning.
The course is designed to prepare you for work in an industry where drive and self-determination are key, so we place a significant emphasis on personal and independent study. Activities such as project work, background reading, research, and creative thinking are essential.
When it comes to assessment, the programme uses various methods to evaluate your understanding and skills. These include practical assignments, projects, case studies, written assessments, interviews, and presentations. Most importantly, the coursework aims to simulate the professional situations you'll encounter in the industry alongside more academic studies.
Modules
The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.
- Film and Television Contexts
- Workshop Skills
- Sculptural Design Practice
- Digital Processes
- Movement, Mechanisms and Structures
- Screen Industry Careers
- Construction for Performance
- Digital Manufacture
- Production Design
- Storytelling through Design
- Research and Planning
- Industry Project
- Major Project
- Professional Practice
Assessment methods
| Level | Assessment method |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Coursework 38% Practical exams 62% |
| Level 2 | Coursework 48% Practical exams 52% |
| Level 3 | Coursework 50% Practical exams 50% |
Learning Activities
| Level | Activity |
|---|---|
| Level 1 | Guided independent study 59% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 41% |
| Level 2 | Guided independent study 59% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 41% |
| Level 3 | Guided independent study 68% Scheduled learning and teaching activities 32% |
The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.
