Animation Course - Study Degree in Animation & VFX

STUDY ANIMATION & VFX

AVAILABLE TO STUDY ON-CAMPUS, ONLINE, OR BLENDED

If you dream of a career as a Games Developer, 3D Modelling Artist, Video Game Artist, Producer, Animator, Texturing/Shader Artist, Generalist, FX Artist, Compositor, Creative Technologist, Digital Strategist, Art Director, 3D Animation Artist or Production Coordinator, the Animation & VFX course is for you.

The Animation and VFX course is perfect for students who want to establish a professional animation and visual effects career in the film, television, online entertainment or gaming industry. You will undertake fundamental units such as 3D art and computer graphics, modelling and animation skills, film production, game design theory, and business entrepreneurship.

Enjoy the flexibility of studying online or on-campus while being mentored by industry experts from CG Spectrum (an Australian College of the Arts collaboration) and learn the skills they've obtained working at studios such as Disney, ILM, Dreamworks, Weta Digital, Method, Blizzard and Rockstar.

Collarts offers students a variety of real-life industry experiences so that they are career-ready when they graduate. Through our industry partnerships, students have opportunities to partake in a variety of real-world business experiences, gaining access to industry connections.

Students will graduate with specialised training and experience in the animation industry, both in Australia and internationally.

OPPORTUNITIES & EXPERIENCES

→ Gain an in-depth understanding of digital animation and visual effects

→ Create a range of industry-ready modelling, animation and visual effects examples for your portfolio

→ Complete projects, from the conceptual stage to completion, to a professional level

→ Learn practical skills in software applications such as Nuke, Maya and Side Effects Houdini

→ Learn from industry experts and collaborate with students from other creative courses

→ Choose an area of specialisation to stand out and be studio-ready

→ Get real-life experience through our industry partnerships and placements

→ Study on-campus, online, or blended, with access to all of Collarts’ campus facilities

→ No ATAR requirement and no individual subject or score requirements

→ Complete your bachelor degree in two years instead of the standard three

→ FEE-HELP available to eligible students (no upfront fees)

DISCOVER MORE ABOUT ANIMATION & VFX

AUSTRALIA'S BOOMING ANIMATION AND VFX INDUSTRY

Australia's Animation and VFX industry is booming. Australian studios are helping build out-of-this-world effects and environments for studios like Marvel and DC, streaming giants Netflix, Stan, Amazon, and Disney are commissioning more original animated work than ever before.

LEARN MORE

SIMON ASHFORD IS PASSING ON THE CRAFT OF ANIMATION

From working with luminary Richard Williams for Warner Brothers on The Thief and The Cobbler to Steven Spielberg’s Balto, course leader Simon Ashford shares what inspires him to explore, challenge, and share the craft he's been entrusted with.

LEARN MORE

FIVE MUST-WATCH ANIMATED WORKS YOU CAN STREAM RIGHT NOW ON NETFLIX

Animation & VFX has a long and storied history, transforming ideas born from imagination into tangible pieces of art. The importance of animation has become a vital part of pop culture and the entertainment industry—from Disney to Studio Ghibli—with stories weathering franchise storms and cult followings.

Learn More

INDUSTRY PARTNERSHIPS

"There's never been a more exciting time to enter this industry. As media continues to diversify and evolve exponentially, the demand for film, TV, games, VR, and AR continues to explode."

SIMON ASHFORD

Head of Animation & VFX

"Animators, filmmakers, and game designers are the next generation of storytellers using technology to build their worlds."

SIMON ASHFORD

Head of Animation & VFX

BACHELOR

BACHELOR OF ANIMATION & VFX

The Bachelor of Animation & VFX will provide students with the skills to establish a professional animation and visual effects career in the film, television, online entertainment, or gaming industry.

The Bachelor degree can be completed in six trimesters (2 years) of full-time study or part-time (4 years) of online study.

THROUGHOUT THE DEGREE, YOU WILL

→ Gain an in-depth understanding of digital animation and visual effects

→ Create a range of industry-ready modelling, animation and visual effects examples for your portfolio

→ Learn practical skills in software applications such as Nuke, Maya and Side Effects Houdini

→ Work to and execute a professional creative client brief

→ Learn from industry experts and collaborate with students from other creative courses

→ The degree allows students to choose an area of specialisation to prepare them to help them stand out and be studio-ready

→ Study on-campus, online, or blended, with access to all of Collarts’ campus facilities

→ No ATAR requirement and no individual subject or score requirements

→ Complete your bachelor degree in two years instead of the standard three

→ FEE-HELP available to eligible students (no upfront fees), to learn more click here

The Diploma and Bachelor of Animation and VFX are delivered in collaboration with CG Spectrum and is recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework, accredited through CRICOS; CRICOS Code 0101949 & 0101950.

Course Admission Criteria

DIPLOMA

DIPLOMA OF ANIMATION & VFX

The Diploma of Animation & VFX will provide students with the skills to establish a professional animation and visual effects career assisting in the film, television, online entertainment, or gaming industry.

The diploma can be completed in three trimesters (12 months) of full-time study or part-time equivalent, where you will have the opportunity to progress into the Bachelor Degree (subject to academic performance).

THROUGHOUT THE DIPLOMA, YOU WILL

→ Gain a foundational understanding of digital animation and visual effects

→ Create a range of industry-ready modelling, animation and visual effects examples for your broad portfolio

→ Complete projects, from the conceptual stage to completion, to an industry entry level

→ Learn practical skills in software applications such as Nuke, Maya and Side Effects Houdini

→ Learn from industry experts and collaborate with students from other creative courses

→ Study on-campus, online, or blended, with access to all of Collarts’ campus facilities

→ No ATAR requirement and no individual subject or score requirements

→ Complete your bachelor degree in two years instead of the standard three

→ FEE-HELP available to eligible students (no upfront fees), to learn more click here

The Bachelor and Diploma of Animation and VFX are delivered in collaboration with CG Spectrum and is recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework, accredited through CRICOS; CRICOS Code 0101949 & 0101950.

Course Admission Criteria

ELIGIBILITY & ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

→ Applicants will need to submit a portfolio of 4 - 6 pieces of original creative work consisting of animations, drawings, sketches, or digital work

→ Applicants will need to attend an admissions interview. You will be asked questions about your experience, background, and interest in the course and/or industry

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

DIPLOMA APPLICANTS

→ Applicants are required to successfully complete VCAL, VCE, IB, or state/international Year 12 equivalent. If students have not completed the year 12 requirements, they must be at least 20 years of age

→ The Diploma can be used as a pathway into the Bachelor degree

→ There are no ATAR minimum or subject requirements

BACHELOR APPLICANTS

→ Applicants are required to successfully complete VCE, IB, or state/international Year 12 equivalent

→ VCAL students are not eligible for the Bachelor until they have successfully completed the diploma

→ If students have not completed the year 12 requirements, they must be at least 20 years of age

→ There are no ATAR minimum or subject requirements

WORK & LIFE EXPERIENCE APPLICANTS

→ If none of the above qualifications have successfully been completed, applicants must be 20 years of age or older with 2 years of work experience to apply

HOW TO APPLY

→ Non-Year 12 applicants may apply directly on the website, and a Future Student Advisor will be in touch to arrange an interview

→ Year 12 applicants must apply through VTAC. VTAC opens in August each year. Place the appropriate Collarts course into one of your preferences and a Future Student Advisor will be in touch to arrange an interview

KEY INFORMATION

Start Dates

February, May, and September

Number of Units

12 in Diploma

24 in Bachelor

Duration

Diploma 1 Year

Bachelor 2 Years

Or Part-Time Equivalent

Study Mode

On-Campus, Online, or Blended

Support Services

Free Access to Wellbeing & Academic Support

Stand Out

Choose an Area

of Specialisation

FEE-HELP

Available

Transparent Fees

$2,430 per unit

International Fees

Available

COURSE STRUCTURE

Delivery Mode - On-Campus, Online, Blended

FIRST YEAR	PRODUCTION 1: ANIMATION	PRODUCTION 2: VISUAL EFFECTS	THEORY	BUSINESS & INDUSTRY
Trimester 1	Animation Foundations	3D Modelling Foundations	Critical Thinking	Introduction to Industry: VFX Pipeline
Trimester 2	Physical Animation	Character & Environment Modelling	Film Animation: History & Theory	Production Design/Art Direction
Trimester 3	VFX Production Game	Production 01	Game Design History & Theory	Portfolio Building
SECOND YEAR	3D ANIMATION*	3D MODELLING*	FX SIMULATION*	LIGHTING & COMPOSITING*	THEORY	BUSINESS & INDUSTRY
Trimester 1	Acting for Animation 01 + Lighting 01	Digital Sculpting & Texturing 01 + Lighting 01	FX & Simulation 01 + Lighting 01	Compositing 01 + Lighting 01	Storyboarding & Cinematography	Production Management
Trimester 2	Acting for Animation 02 + Game Production 02	Digital Sculpting & Texturing 02 + Game Production 02	FX & Simulation 02 + Game Production 02	Compositing 02 + Lighting 02	Screenwriting	Creative Team Management
Trimester 3	Creature Animation + Portfolio & Presentation	Digital Sculpting & Texturing 03 + Portfolio & Presentation	FX & Simulation 03 + Portfolio & Presentation	Compositing 03 + Portfolio & Presentation	Creative Project	Freelance Business + Careers Development