Diploma of VFX

What You Will Learn

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

As a student of VFX at SAE University College, you'll learn in small classes with one-on-one mentoring opportunities not often found in larger universities.

Guided by industry experts, you'll learn the fundamental technical aspects digital production, compositing, real-time engines, 2D and 3D modelling, and virtual environments. Explore our professional studio environment and become familiar with industry-standard tech & tools like Blender, Houdini, Maya, RV and Shotgun.

Your growth and development will be assessed through the completion of industry-based projects that will allow you to showcase your technical skills. You'll engage in collaborative learning - both on-campus and online - producing work in response to client briefs just as you would in the industry.

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 80 credit points towards the Bachelor of VFX and Virtual Production, providing a structured pathway to future study opportunities.

Complete your Diploma of VFX faster by studying the 8 required units in as little as 7 months (2 trimesters).

• Credit points: 10 Welcome to Understanding Digital Production which will introduce you to fundamental digital theory and scholarship. Here, you will explore the fundamental technical aspects of digital media files, colour theory, lighting theory, image types, resolution, aspect ratios, bit depth, frame rates, compression in addition to developing skills in Photoshop and digital matte painting. Additionally, you will explore foundational concepts of scholarship and theory through practical application. The subject adopts a praxis learning approach, where theory meets practice. You will actively engage with digital media file concepts, colour theory, lighting theory and scholarship through targeted projects.
• Credit points: 10 Introduction to Real-Time Engines will establish foundational knowledge for students. This unit includes the fundamental principles and workflows in real-time engines, in addition to the technical considerations. Students will explore a range of technical and theoretical concepts through a practical learning approach. In addition to developing their skills in using real-time engine software, students will develop their skills and knowledge from iterative development and reflection in order to embed foundational knowledge and skills. Additionally, students will build collaborative teamwork skills to establish professional practices and communication methods.
• Credit points: 10 3D Asset Production introduces students to the planning, design and construction of 3D models using industry standard software and techniques. This unit introduces students to concepts of workflows and pipelines in order to develop 3D assets for a number of purposes for games, animation, VFX and real-time applications. Students will develop their understanding of theoretical concepts and the practical application of 3D modelling through a hands-on approach. By planning and creating a number of 3D assets, students will develop their skills in using industry standard 3D modelling software including Maya in addition to being introduced to Substance Painter.
• Credit points: 10 This unit will cover a range of topics related to the acquisition and manipulation of images for use in film and visual effects, including colour management, image and asset acquisition, on-set and editorial theory, and the theory behind rendered and generated images, which are typically created using computer-generated imagery (CGI) software. Additionally, we will explore the technical aspects of project setup in Nuke, a powerful compositing software widely used in the industry. Other topics that will be covered include matchmove, mattes and masks, common compositing tasks in Nuke, and project management. By the end of this class, students will have a solid understanding of the technical and theoretical aspects of image acquisition and compositing, as well as the skills needed to work with images in a professional setting.
• Credit points: 10 This unit explores the concepts of entrepreneurship, innovation and project design. You will develop approaches to identify promising opportunities and actionable strategies to transform them into tangible successes. Through exposure to developing new ideas, processes and ways of working - both individually and in entrepreneurial teams - you will hone skills to put creative ideas into practice and achieve real-world impact. As Alan Kay explained, "The best way to predict the future is to create it", so let's get at it!
• Credit points: 10 This unit introduces you to the fundamental concepts and techniques of programming using a high- level programming language. You will learn to write, debug, and execute basic programs while developing problem- solving skills essential for computer science. The unit covers variables, data types, control structures, functions, data structures, file input/output (I/O), modules, error handling, and an introduction to object-oriented programming. By the end of the unit, you will be able to develop simple programs and understand core programming principles.
• Credit points: 10 Worldbuilding for Virtual Environments is a practical unit focused on creating immersive digital worlds. Through hands-on projects, students learn to conceptualise, design, and implement virtual environments in a real-time engine. This unit provides essential skills for aspiring environment artists, virtual production artists, game artists and game designers.
• Credit points: 10 Explore how lighting and camerawork are used to enhance storytelling across a range of digital production environments. You will be looking at how traditional filmmaking has influenced Game Cinematics and Virtual Production, and how Digital Cinematography is used to create innovative approaches to visual storytelling.