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Associate Degree of VFX and Virtual Production

  • Associate Degree

SAE's Associate Degree of VFX and Virtual Production is designed to develop creativity and technical skills in areas like real-time engines, cinematography, and compositing. Students can specialise in Virtual Production, VFX, or Technical Art, and gain hands-on experience with industry-standard equipment.

Key details

Degree Type
Associate Degree
Duration
15 - 24 trimesters full-time
Course Code
VP6V5, 116352A
Study Mode
In person, Online
Intake Months
Feb, May, Sep
Domestic Fees
$23,992 per year
International Fees
$27,960 per year

About this course

Overview

Specially designed in consultation with industry experts from Technicolor and Ubisoft, SAE's Associate Degree of VFX and Virtual Production will nurture your creativity, empower you to experiment, and enhance your technical skill set.

Comprising two of the three stages included in our bachelor's program, our Associate Degree of VFX and Virtual Production explores core concepts, techniques and technologies including real-time engines, cinematography, compositing, world building, and 2D and 3D asset production.

In addition to your core units, you'll explore dedicated electives to position yourself as an expert in your field. You can choose to specialise in one of three areas: Virtual Production, VFX, and Technical Art.

Guided by our industry experts, you'll learn to apply theoretical knowledge and current best practices while utilising cutting-edge equipment such as virtual production studios, motion capture suits, high-end digital film cameras and green screens.

We'll also equip you with critical employability skills including strategies for problem-solving, communication and self-promotion.

Upon completion, you will be eligible for up to 160 credit points towards the Bachelor of VFX and Virtual Production, providing a structured pathway to future study opportunities.

Start your journey towards an exciting career in VFX and Virtual Production today - enrol to study at SAE University College!

Entry requirements

Entry Requirements

Domestic Entry Requirements

Domestic students must meet one of the following criteria:

  • Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (QCE, WACE, HSC or SACE) or equivalent; OR
  • Completion of a higher education diploma-level qualification or higher issued under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF); OR
  • Completion of a Vocational Education and Training (VET) Certificate IV-level qualification or higher issued under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF); OR
  • For applicants who do not meet the requirements of the above entry criteria, refer to SAE's Experience Based Entry scheme at the 'More info' link.

International Entry Requirements

International students must be 18 years or above when they arrive in Australia to commence studies.

Academic requirements
  • Completion of a qualification deemed equivalent to an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (SSCE): OR
  • Other formal education or training qualification equivalent to an Australian VET Certificate IV or above.
English language requirements
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS): Academic IELTS minimum overall band of 6.0 with no individual band below 5.5 completed in the last two years (or equivalent), OR
  • Completion of Year 12 English in an Australian secondary school or college or equivalent with a minimum result of "Satisfactory" or equivalent.
  • Successful completion of an Academic English program with an SAE-approved Australian-based English partner. Please refer to our SAE International Study Pathways for more information.

Study locations

Online

What you will learn

What You Will Learn

Specially designed in consultation with industry experts from Technicolor and Ubisoft, SAE's Associate Degree of VFX and Virtual Production will nurture your creativity, empower you to experiment, and enhance your technical skill set. Comprising two of the three stages included in our bachelor's program, our Associate Degree of VFX and Virtual Production explores core concepts, techniques and technologies including real-time engines, cinematography, compositing, world building, and 2D and 3D asset production. In addition to your core units, you'll explore dedicated electives to position yourself as an expert in your field. You can choose to specialise in one of three areas: Virtual Production, VFX, and Technical Art. Guided by our industry experts, you'll learn to apply theoretical knowledge and current best practices while utilising cutting-edge equipment such as virtual production studios, motion capture suits, high-end digital film cameras and green screens. We'll also equip you with critical employability skills including strategies for problem-solving, communication and self-promotion.

Career pathways

CAREER OUTCOMES

What jobs will this course lead to?

  • Virtual Set Builder/Environment Artist
  • Virtual Camera Operator (VCO)
  • 2D or 3D Modeler
  • Texture Artist
  • Graphics Programmer
  • Storyboard Artist
  • Virtual Production Supervisor
  • VFX Assistant

Course structure

Course Structure

The Associate Degree of VFX and Virtual Production is broken up into two distinct stages, each designed to develop different skills. This course allows you to choose from a pool of electives throughout your studies and will see you develop a specialisation in one of three areas: Virtual Production, VFX and Technical Art.

  • Stage 1: Foundations
    • Understanding Digital Production
    • Introduction to Real-Time Engines
    • 3D Asset Production
    • Image Acquisition and Compositing
    • Entrepreneurship and Innovation
    • Programming Fundamentals
    • Worldbuilding for Virtual Environments
    • Lighting and Camerawork
  • Stage 2: Refine & Expand
    • Interdisciplinary Collaboration
    • Procedural and Generative Systems
    • Real-World Problem Solving
    • Virtual Production Pipelines
    • Motion Capture
    • Specialisation Electives (Virtual Production, VFX, Technical Art)

Credit for prior study or work

CREDIT AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

SAE may recognise your prior learning and may grant credit towards satisfying the requirements for a higher-level program. This is applied where previous learning is considered equivalent to the content and learning outcomes prescribed for units within the program. For full details, please refer to SAE's policy on recognition of prior learning and credit transfers.

How to apply

How to apply

Launch your creative career with confidence. Apply now