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MA Visual Effects and Photorealistic Computer Graphics*
- Mode of study: Full-time
- Study location: ARTFX UK London Hub
- How to apply: Apply directly to us
MA Visual Effects and Photorealistic Computer Graphics course information
This course is for ambitious individuals who want to bridge the gap between strong technical skills and professional industry practice. The curriculum is built directly from industry pipelines, ensuring graduates possess not only the technical skills, but also the soft skills (team management, budgeting, scheduling) required by top studios.
You’ll produce multiple high-quality, professional-level projects that serve as a robust portfolio for your careers. While studying, you’ll work with and be mentored by active industry professionals, creating invaluable connections for future employment.
This Master's course is taught by ARTFX, a top creative school renowned in the industry for its production excellence within VFX. Designed as an advanced finishing school, MA Visual Effects and Photorealistic Computer Graphics bridges the gap between academic study and professional practice, enabling you to learn visual effects using the same workflows and tools employed by major studios. This approach mirrors the philosophy that has made ARTFX one of the best VFX schools globally.
The curriculum integrates project-based learning with industry mentorship. You'll develop a polished, professional demo reel, a network of industry contacts and the confidence to launch a career in VFX. If you're wondering how to study VFX in the UK or how to become a VFX artist, this course offers a clear route.
The course is tailored for graduates of related disciplines (fine art, film, photography, computer science) who seek to master VFX at an advanced level. You'll train on industry-standard tools (Maya, Houdini, Nuke, DaVinci Resolve) using high-performance workstations – the same hardware and software used by top studios.
ARTFX's location in Shoreditch connects you to leading VFX houses. As such, they facilitate mentorships, masterclasses and internships, giving you exposure to professional networks and real-world projects.
MA Visual Effects and Photorealistic Computer Graphics is an intensive one-year program that provides specialised, hands-on training in VFX.
Designed for students seeking to develop industry-standard skills in VFX, this course offers a comprehensive journey through the entire production pipeline, from pre-production to final post-production, facilitating timely subject awareness and distinct professional and employment possibilities.
The course begins at the ‘Swimming Pool’ introductory level, designed to create an engaging environment that comprehends and supports your aspirations. As the course develops, you'll have the opportunity to demonstrate your technical and creative abilities and practise the taught professional working methods.
Throughout the course, across three units, you'll work on six real-world projects, building the project management, creative supervision and technical abilities required to create visually stunning and industry-standard effects for national or international projects. It facilitates a comprehensive exploration of foundational skills and methodology (digital enhancement and simulation, AI) through in-depth study, with a focus on critical areas such as shooting, environment, lighting, compositing and leadership. These core activities can be augmented by cross-campus projects and exchanges with ARTFX's three other campuses, in Lille, Paris, and Montpellier, and an optional year work placement. This is complemented by masterclasses with key industry professionals and external visits, all of which further connects students with potential employers.
In addition to technical training, the course is based around key industry skills, such as mastering VFX workflows and project management, aspects that are integrated into the curriculum. This ethos enhances the ability to work efficiently and flexibly, enabling the management of complex projects, in a fast-paced and collaborative environment.
The course culminates in a final project that allows you to demonstrate your developing skills and creativity. This aspect will be guided by leading industry professionals, many of them already committed to participating in the course inception, such as Julien Ducenne, Head of Compositing at ILM; Guillaume Julien, Head of CG at Automatic VFX; Benoit Moranne, Animation Supervisor at MPC; Jean-Francois Leroux, DFX supervisor at Dneg Animation; and Arpita Venugopal, Head of FX at One of Us. This experience serves as a bridge to industry roles, enabling you to build strong portfolios and networks and enhancing your readiness for a professional career in VFX.
The course enables you to develop professional competencies and awareness, becoming proficient in the technical aspects of VFX and a strategic understanding of how to navigate and thrive in a competitive, rewarding and expanding industry. With access to industry-standard facilities and software, with tuition and mentorship from a professionally active and experienced faculty, you'll be well-prepared to enter a dynamic and evolving field after graduating, ready to make impactful contributions to the international field of visual effects and computer graphics.