If you’re interested in animation, how they create high quality effects in games or learning how to use unreal engines then our innovative games VFX and animation course is perfect for you.
Our course is validated by the world-renowned University of the Arts London (UAL) and other partners like Sumo Digital and INFINITY27, putting you in control of your own progress and allowing you to choose specialisms that suit you.
This will push your potential and give you the confidence you need to succeed in the industry.
This course aims to incorporate a range of skills focusing on integrating game engines like Unreal 5 alongside covering topics and skills like:
Alongside this, you’ll delve into the important aspects of virtual production.
This includes understanding virtual environments, real-time rendering, motion capture, virtual cameras, and integrating live action with digital elements.
You’ll learn how to manipulate digital assets in real-time.
We offer you the opportunity to:
Our investment of over £80,000 in the last few years means that we have industry-level kit, software and with PROTO across the road, you’ll be learning with the best possible resources and facilities.
Join our innovative visual effects and animation course and level up your skills to become the gaming guru you’ve always wanted to be.
Important: This course is designed as a 1 year +1 year course model, this means you will have two separate 1 year qualifications. The first year being a Diploma and the second year will top this up to an Extended Diploma.
Through the University Arts London (UAL) qualification you will build skills, abilities and confidence in the creative process.
You will learn how to reflect on your practice and unlock your creative potential. Assessments are designed to help you be the best you can.
Practical work, concept development, design and how you creatively problem solve will all be developed and you are only graded at the end of each year.
In your first year you will start to learn about the fundamentals of Games Production, building your skills in design, game engines, coding, concept art, AR/VR, sound and 3D modelling.
Where you excel will be highlighted in your Final Major Project.
Top-up onto the extended diploma in year two and you will advance your skill set and professional qualities building towards the extended final major project.
This will be your chance to show how far you have progressed on the course. Assessed on your professional portfolio of work, you will be ready to progress on to the next step in your exciting career.
Our highly experienced team have worked in this industry and they will help you to level up in 3D, digital and traditional graphics, game engines, code, VR, story and narrative,and audio production, allowing you to get an intimate understanding of the creative design process that powers the industry.
We are keenly aware that college is different to school and our team works hard to create a studio-like environment to prepare you for your budding career in the games and other creative sectors.
We believe that hard work wins, challenges are a good thing, diverse teams make great products and that people do their best when given the opportunities to take creative risks and do what they are passionate about.
We have great links just on our doorstep and we are always looking to bring in new industry partners for you to work with.
We work hard to make these fantastic partnerships with employers to give you valuable experience of the world of work.
You will undertake commissioned work for a range of companies both inside and outside of the games industry. Career development is central to our courses and we continually work to gain you relevant, real world experience.
Currently we work with leading technology companies such as:
We also take part, and are reigning champions, in a number of externally set Game Jams, they’re our favourite thing!
In addition we promote a ‘beyond entertainment” approach where your newly developed skills may be transferred into other fields such as games for education and the gamification of everything.
Our dedicated Games Department has seen over £80,000 in investment over the last few years to ensure our students are working with industry level kit.
Liquid cooled gaming rigs and Wacom Cintqs in our cutting edge Graphic Suite.
You’ll use industry standard software such as:
Not to mention our partner PROTO on our doorstep, who allow us access to their 3D image labs and motion capture studios.
It is safe to say you will be spoilt for choice.
Four GCSEs at 4 or above including English or a UAL or equivalent L2 Diploma in a related area at Merit or above.
A Digital or Art related subject and maths are also preferred but not essential.
Whatever support you need, we’re here for you and will make sure you get the most out of your time at college.
We have expert teams in place to look after every single one of our students.
Our specialist teams can help with:
See here for more information, pop into one of our enrolment events, call us on 0191 490 4627.
This course is free to those aged under 19 years old.
Most people aged 19 years and over can qualify for free or reduced price course fees and there are grants and bursaries you can apply for to help cover the costs of coming to college, depending on your circumstances.
If you already have a full level 3 qualification and are aged 19 years over, you can apply for an Advanced Learning Loan or pay the fee upfront in full and qualify for a 10% discount.
You can get more information at our enrolment events, by calling 0191 490 0300 or email us at [email protected]
Whatever support you need, we’re here for you and will make sure you get the most out of your time at college. We have expert teams in place to look after every single one of our students.
To contact our dedicated Learning Support team email [email protected] or head to Live Chat
Knowledge
Foreign Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Communications and Media: Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
Fine Arts: Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
Sales and Marketing: Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Median Salary
£29,430
Averge Qualifications
Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Telecommunications: Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
£25,740
Clerical: Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
Production and Processing: Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
£36,621
Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modelling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Design: Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
£43,525
£32,656
£23,875
Personnel and Human Resources: Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labour relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
£28,524
£27,664
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Using mathematics to solve problems.
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
JOIN OUR SPORTS ACADEMIES
Eight specialist sport academies, all offering first class training, coaching and playing opportunities for everyone, regardless of what you study.
Connect with our Academy socials:
Enrolment Event
Monday 16 March 2026
Say Hello to HE Music
Monday 23 March 2026
UPCOMING EVENTS.
Find out about all our upcoming events here. Simply sign up and come along.
View or download our course guide for 16-18 year olds.