Course description
MA Visual Effects Production (3D)
Master the art of illusion and take your VFX skills to the highest level.
Technology innovation and the increase in digital entertainment consumption have made the visual effects industry one of the fastest growing, with the UK’s sector generating an impressive £1.6bn in 2021 (source BFI).
In your first 18 weeks, common with Advanced 3D for VFX short course students, our industry-active tutors will teach you 3D skills through hands-on intensive training, exploring techniques such as particle movement, hair and fluids. You’ll then work on two large projects, one collaborative to get you used to working in a studio team, the other individual to allow you to add to your portfolio and master your skills. You’ll get feedback on your work from industry pros and regular support from your tutors. They’ve worked on the likes of Fantastic Beasts, Gladiator, Kingsman and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2.
Based in London, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to start building your network. Regular talks from guest speakers, our Talent Development Team and Aftercare programme will get you on track to land your dream job.
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Upcoming start dates
Suitability - Who should attend?
Entry requirements
Minimum requirements
An undergraduate honours degree in art and design, architecture, computing or engineering-related subjects.
Applicants without a degree who have significant industry experience in VFX or related creative subjects will be considered.
Suitable applicants will be asked to submit a postgraduate portfolio.
International students
We welcome applications from qualified candidates all over the world.
Postgraduate applicants will need a good undergraduate degree in a relevant subject (or significant professional experience) and a postgraduate portfolio.
Please contact us for individual country requirements.
English language requirements
All our courses are taught in English. If your first language is not English, you may need to complete an English language test, such as a Pearson English language test (PTE Academic) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test, to demonstrate you have the language skills needed to complete your degree.
Qualification and score required
IELTS: 6.0 IELTS (with a minimum of 6.0 in Reading and Writing and 5.5 in Speaking and Listening)
PTE: 62 including 60 in each subtest
Cambridge English: Advanced & Proficiency:176 (with a minimum of 169 in Reading and Writing and 162 in Speaking and Listening)Internet-based TOEFL90 Overall including at least 22 in Reading, 21 in Writing, 17 in Listening and 20 in Speaking
International students will be required to hold a Secure English Language Test (SELT) at B2 in order to be able to apply for a visa to study at Escape Studios on a student visa. Contact us for qualifications that are accepted by UKVI.
You may be exempt from proving your English level if you are from an English-speaking country listed as recognised for visa purposes or have a degree level qualification obtained in one of these countries. The latest list is available on the UK Government website.
For students who have a SELT at B2 but who do not meet our requirements, we can also consider alternative qualifications. Please contact our Admissions Team more information.
If you’d like to discuss your circumstances before applying, please contact us.
Training Course Content
Module 1 - 3D foundation
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Introduction to Maya
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The user interface
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Introduction to modelling
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Introduction to textures
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Introduction to lighting, shading and rendering
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Modelling
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NURBS curves and surfaces
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NURBS surfaces to polygons
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Polygonal modelling
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Topological rules
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Modelling continued
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Polygonal modelling continued
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Organic modelling
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Non-linear modelling
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UV mapping techniques (organic and hard surface)
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Colour and lighting
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Lighting, traditional cinematographic and photographic techniques
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Colour theory, three-point lighting
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Natural lighting
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Indirect lighting techniques
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Image-based lighting
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Matching lighting
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Advanced lighting
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Basic texturing
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Hypershade
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Texturing masterclass
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Image manipulation with Photoshop
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Texture distressing with Photoshop
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Non-destructive texturing workflows
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Camera projection mapping
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Shading and rendering
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Displacement mapping
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Maya nodes
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Ray tracing (reflections, refractions and shadows)
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Shaders
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Material properties and case studies (MIA shaders)
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Module 2 - Visual effects
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Tracking and integration
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Introduction to cameras
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Camera tracking with 3DEqualizer
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Manual tracking techniques
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Advanced matchmoving techniques
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Lens distortion
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Camera lineup
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Digital sculpting and 3D painting
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Texturing
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Sculpting and detailing
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Import and export workflow
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Advanced shading and lighting
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Ai standard surface material
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Advanced Arnold nodes
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Advanced lighting theory
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Lighting effects
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Render layers and compositing
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Render layers and passes
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Introduction to compositing
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Compositing with Nuke (CG layers)
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Rotoscoping and keying with Nuke
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Animation and rigging
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Keyframe animation
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Path animation
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Constraints and rigging
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Project week
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Presentation
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Module 3 - Advanced 3D for visual effects
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Particles and expressions
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Maya rigid bodies
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Constraints
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Introduction to particles
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Rendering particles
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Emitters
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Emission properties
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Fields
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Bullet dynamics
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Expressions and particle expressions
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Basic MEL scripting
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Houdini fundamentals
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Introduction
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Procedural modelling
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Digital assets
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Mantra
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Dynamics
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Shading
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Fur and hair
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Fur basics, grooming, lighting and rendering
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Hair basics, simulation and styling
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Different uses of hair
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Dynamic fur
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Fluids
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2D and 3D containers
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Fluid contents and simulations
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Texturing and rendering fluids
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Fluid caches
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Bifröst
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Cloth
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Overview of Nucleus
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Introduction to NCloth
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NCloth solving and collisions
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NParticle overview
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Constraints
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Caching Nucleus solvers
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Project week
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Presentation
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Module 4 - Collaborative studio project
Module 5 - Production project
Why choose Escape Studios
Top 6% of Institutions for Graduate Employability -- by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)
First Unreal Authorised Training Center in the UK
Expenses
Fees and funding
Fees for 2024 entry
London campus:
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UK students: £18,995
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International students: £19,995
Live online: £15,995
Our postgraduate fees are payable within the first 18 weeks of the course, with a deposit to be paid before the start of the course. Please note, we review our fees every year.
Fees include:
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Escapee Aftercare and career support, including help and advice on your CV, showreel and job applications for 12 months after the end of your course.
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Free Autodesk student registration allowing access to educational versions of software such as Maya and Arnold.
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18 weeks of classroom study followed by 12 weeks of remotely directed learning and a 12 to 15-week remotely directed final project. All with feedback from your lead tutor and from an industry professional.
Funding for UK students
To be eligible for funding from Student Finance England, you must be studying on an eligible course at a provider registered with the Office for Students (OfS). Escape Studios is registered with the Office for Students and our Master’s programmes are eligible for funding.
Payment plans
We offer a range of payment plan options for all courses. Following an initial deposit at registration stage, your chosen payment plan will break down your remaining fees into up to six equal instalments, to be paid over the course length.
Contact our Admissions Team or visit our website for any questions about fees, funding, payment plans and scholarships.
Continuing Studies
You’ll graduate with a postgraduate qualification and a killer portfolio put together with advice from tutors and industry professionals. Ready to apply to start your career in the industry!
Some of the opportunities you can consider once you’ve finished your studies include:
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Runner
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Texture/Modelling/CFX Artist
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Previs Artist
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Roto/Prep Artist
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Layout Artist
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Production Assistant
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Production Coordinator
3D Artists often start out in junior roles to then rise to mid-level and senior roles such as 3D Generalists and Technical Directors, opening the path to becoming a VFX Supervisor.
Our students have gone to work as both specialist and generalist artists in creative studios, across TV shows, films and commercials, at companies including Framestore, DNEG, MPC and Jellyfish Pictures.