Bachelor of Visual Effects
Degree Level Undergraduate
Year 2025
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- Australian or New Zealand Citizen
- Australian Permanent Resident (including Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders)
Entry Scores
2025 Guaranteed Entry
Year 12 (ATAR-based): 65.00
Year 12 (Grades-based): B,B,C
TAFE/RTO: DIP
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2024 Cut-Offs
Year 12 (ATAR-based):
- Internal: 65.00
TAFE/RTO: Dip
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Entry requirements
Admission criteria
The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.
Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.
Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they
fulfill any prerequisite requirements and essential requirements for admission:Recent secondary education
Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent
AND- Qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and achieved a competitive Selection Rank (ATAR), or
- Complete secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE, or
Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points
Applicants who have not achieved the Selection Rank required for automatic selection may be selected for any
remaining places based on the grades of their year 12 subjects.OR
Higher education study- Complete or partly complete a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education
institution, or - Complete at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at undergraduate level or above
OR
Vocational Education and Training (VET)- Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Certificate IV or above
OR
Work and life experience- Qualify for Special Entry, or
- Complete a 12-month UniSA Foundation Studies program or equivalent, or
- Hold completed secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE obtained more than 2 years in the past
Essential requirements for admission
Prerequisites
NoneAssumed Knowledge
None
Degree overview
- Study this degree if you want to work in the visual effects industry as a visual effects artist.
- Join the rapidly growing visual effects industry that’s worth over $714 million in Australia1.
- Study a degree designed in association with world-renowned visual effects studio Rising Sun Pictures (RSP).
- Learn from the World No. 17 Visual Effects School2 with UniSA and Rising Sun Pictures.
- Experience unparalleled industry-based learning opportunities when you spend 60% of your degree onsite at Rising Sun Pictures’ Adelaide studio.
- Learn from experienced visual effects (VFX) artists and supervisors in a simulated production environment.
- Gain specialist skills in compositing and tracking, dynamic effects and lighting, creature effects, 3D animation,3D modelling, and look development.
- Study at the only university in South Australia with a SideFX-certified curriculum and access the latest software and industry insights.
- Gain experience with current trends, technologies, and professional practices.
- Graduate industry ready with your own professional VFX showreel.
1Screen Australia, The Drama Report 2022/23
2 The Rookies Awards 2023
Snapshot
The visual effects industry is undergoing a remarkable expansion and reshaping the global screen sector. With the rise of popular streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+, there has been increasing demand for captivating and original content, powering the need for top-tier visual effects. The Post, Digital and Visual Effects industry in Australia is worth over $714 million, an increase of 21% from 2021-22 and 60% above the 5-year average1.
UniSA’s Bachelor of Visual Effects is an innovative, industry-focussed degree that puts you at the cutting edge of visual effects production. Combining theoretical knowledge, technical skills, and unparalleled industry-based learning, it will set you up for a career as a multi-disciplinary visual effects artist.
Developed with one of Australia’s largest and most awarded VFX studios, Rising Sun Pictures, you’ll spend 60% of your degree onsite at RSP in their purpose-built simulated studio. This industry-based learning starts in your first year of study, and you’ll learn from experienced VFX artists and have access to the latest technologies, while gaining first-hand experience of professional practices.
Throughout the degree you’ll gain an understanding of all stages of the professional production cycle, from conceptualisation right through to post-production. You’ll also develop your knowledge and practice of core VFX areas including compositing and tracking, dynamic effects and lighting, creature effects, 3D animation, 3D modelling and look development.
You can also choose to accelerate your studies and complete your degree in 2.5 years.
Graduate with your own VFX showreel, practical industry experience, and the latest skills and knowledge to enter the dynamic world of visual effects.
1 Screen Australia, The Drama Report 2022/23
What you'll learn
When you study this innovative and highly practical degree, you’ll learn the theoretical knowledge, technical skills and professional expertise needed to produce high quality visual effects for the global screen and media industry.
You’ll also experience firsthand how a world-class VFX studio operates, when you undertake over half of your degree onsite at Rising Sun Pictures, in their Adelaide VFX studio. This unparalleled, industry-based learning starts in first year and includes the entire final 1.5 years of your degree.
Throughout the degree, you’ll develop a comprehensive understanding of practices, processes, and techniques within these key VFX disciplines:
- dynamic effects and lighting
- compositing and tracking
- creature effects
- 3D animation
- 3D modelling, and
- look development.
You will work with the latest production software and technologies such as Nuke, Houdini, Maya, Unreal Engine, Substance Painter and DaVinci Resolve to create complex visual effects sequences.
You’ll develop an in depth understanding of the professional production cycle, from conceptualisation right through to post-production, building your understanding of the various roles visual effects artists play in the creative production pipeline. The importance of active career management and ongoing professional development within the industry is also highlighted.
At UniSA you’ll have access to our specialist VFX lab, virtual production and motion capture studio, film and television studio, green screen, and VR facilities.
You’ll graduate career ready with your own industry-standard visual effects showreel.
You can gain an extra qualification and broaden your career prospects by completing a Diploma in Languages.
Study hours
For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects, as well as to contribute to online discussion forums (independent study). So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12–26 hours of study when at university and 14–28 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
Your studies will incorporate practical, industry focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. This will predominantly include creative practice project work, as well as occasional written reports and presentations. You will also produce industry standard VFX sequences within the following fields:
- Compositing and Tracking
- Dynamic Effects and Lighting
- Look Development
- Creature Effects
- 3D Animation
- 3D Modelling
Global opportunities
Enrich your studies and your life – make overseas study part of your qualification. You may have the option to undertake an exchange, short-term program or study tour overseas while you study. We have links with universities worldwide, as well as a range of travel grants available to make going overseas much more accessible.
You can choose short-term or semester-long study from a range of universities and countries depending on your area of study and cultural interests.
Take a look at the global opportunities available.
Why Bachelor of Visual Effects
Studying the Bachelor of Visual Effects at UniSA offers the unparalleled opportunity to spend 60% of your degree onsite at world-renowned VFX studio Rising Sun Pictures, who have crafted thousands of VFX shots for over 200 projects, including Indiana Jones, Star Wars, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Since 2015, our partnership with RSP has launched more than 220 careers in the visual effects industry. Our graduates work locally, nationally and internationally at companies including RSP, ILM, DNEG, MPC, Kojo, Framestore, Method Studios, Pixel Zoo, Luma Pictures, AltVFX, Animal Logic, Resin, Mighty Kingdom, Lola VFX, Important Looking Pirates, Cumulus, Pixomondo, and Lightstorm Entertainment.
When you study the Bachelor of Visual Effects you will:
- receive practical training in the core skills to become an entry-level VFX artist in a range of disciplines
- produce an industry-standard showreel of work, and
- establish valuable industry networks.
This degree also offers beyond the classroom opportunities, including attending RSP company staff meetings, networking and industry events, department work shadowing, dailies, and day in the life of presentations, providing you with the industry experience and connections to step seamlessly from study into the workplace.
Your career
Graduates of this program will have the advanced skills and capabilities to work effectively in a variety of VFX roles, including:
- 3D animator: develop photorealistic 3D animations of characters, digital doubles, and CG assets for films and episodic series
- FX artist: construct dynamic effects such as simulations, explosions and natural phenomena for films, episodic series and games
- lighting artist: place virtual lights in 3D scenes and adjust them to correspond with a live-action plate or CG environment for films and episodic series
- compositor: seamlessly integrate CG assets, matte paintings, and live-action footage to make a single moving image
- concept artist: develop the initial visual concepts (characters, props, vehicles, environments) from a script or creative brief
- paint and roto artist: digitally trace areas within live-action plates where CG characters, backgrounds, or effects will be integrated with the live-action footage
- matchmove artist: match camera movements in digital 3D environments with live action plates
- DMP artist: paint believable, photo-realistic, digital environments and backdrops (interiors and exteriors) that seamlessly replace live-action elements or improves existing live-action footage for films and episodic series
- 3D modeller: create digital 3D characters and assets for films, episodic series and games
- creature technical director: build, develop and program the software for artists to create believable fur, feathers and skin on their creatures, helping artists to be as efficient as possible
- layout artist: determine the position of the virtual camera and 'block' the characters for the CG shots of a VFX sequence
- production assistant/ production coordinator: ensure all aspects of a production run on time and to budget rigger create rigs for digital 3D characters and assets
- rigger: create rigs for digital 3D characters and assets
- VFX editor: collate and incorporate all VFX shots into the edit
- technical services operator: responsible for monitoring and controlling the rendering process within the production of VFX shots.
Industry facts
Applying to study with us:
- go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply
- you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application
Alternative Pathways
Australian
There are other pathways you can follow to study this degree, including:
- UniSA College Undergraduate Certificate in University Studies (Creative Studies)
- UniSA College Diploma in Creative Studies (Screen)
- SAIBT Diploma of Arts
International
There are other pathways you can follow to study this degree, including:
Deferment
This degree is available for deferment. This option is made available by responding to your offer during the application process via the SATAC website. Applicants who receive an offer into a midyear degree are eligible to defer for six months.
Scholarships
Every year, over 2,500 UniSA students are supported in their studies through scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. Check out the scholarships below. One of them may be perfect for you. Visit our scholarships page for more.
UniSA Excellence Scholarships
$5,000 scholarship for South Australian students with an ATAR of 99 who enrol to study a UniSA undergraduate degree.
UniSA Outstanding Achievement Scholarship
Up to $10,000 per annum (full time) for South Australian students who obtain an ATAR of 99.95 or IB equivalent and enrol to study at UniSA.
Your study experience and support
Our campuses are home to fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops and laboratories, as well as spaces that simulate real work environments. But you’ll also discover that your journey at UniSA is about social experiences, healthy living and getting involved. You’ll find student sports and fitness facilities, community clinics, tech zones and chill-out spaces. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and loads more.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation and private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages, or explore our student accommodation by Scape on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.
Student services
Our student services provide you with all the support you need at university. We want you to succeed, and if you need help, we're here to assist. You can access a full range of support services, including:
- academic counselling
- personal counselling
- social support services, including family support and nearby childcare
- common rooms
- prayer rooms
- security officers
- career services and mentoring
- Wirringka Student Services, offering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students a supportive place to study
- as well as services offered through our student association, USASA.
When you become a UniSA student, you can also contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and more.
24/7 digital environment
Our learnonline facilities include a personal learning environment with virtual classrooms, lecture recordings, emails, learning support, administration, library access and results. The environment is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can tailor your learning to your life. We are continually investing in innovative digital technologies for a high-quality student learning experience.
Your program director
Ask UniSA
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How do I apply?
The way you apply for UniSA will depend on the undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree you're interested in studying.
The majority of applications are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Check out more information on the SATAC website and follow the appropriate process for your degree of interest.
There are a small number of degrees that you need to apply for through direct application processes. The process you need to follow will be listed on the 'How to Apply' section of the degree homepage, but you'll also be taken to where you need to go if you hit the 'apply' button.
If you are interested in studying one of our 100% online degrees you'll need to apply directly to UniSA Online.
You can find more information about the application processes for UniSA on our How to Apply webpage.
If you're more interested in applying for a postgraduate degree by research, check out and follow the information in our step by step guide to applying. -
Is there a closing date for applications?
Applications for all degrees will close ahead of study commencing, but the timelines may vary for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
Undergraduate
The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be guaranteed equal consideration is generally in very late November or early December. While you may be able to apply after this date, you are not guaranteed to be considered equally with other applicants and your application may not be assessed in time for the main round of offers. More competitive degrees may not make any offers after the main offer round. Find more information on the Key Dates section of the SATAC website, but you can also call the Future Student Enquiries team for more information on 08 8302 376.
Postgraduate
Many postgraduate by coursework degrees do not have set closing dates. The exceptions are highly competitive degrees, so it is best to check – either on the degree homepage on the SATAC website or by checking with our Future Student Enquiries team.
As most postgraduate applications are assessed as they are submitted and offers are continuous, there are no set closing dates for applications. Degrees can be filled and closed with little notice so it is best to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on a place. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquires team on (08) 8302 2376 or submit an enquiry.
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What credit can I receive for previous studies?
You may be eligible for credit or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area and completed within a certain timeframe. Receiving credit or RPL will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree. You can read more about our pre-existing credit agreements through our online Credit Assessor. If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning (RPL) for this experience. Credit and RPL is assessed by the Program Director once you've received an offer, and you apply through UniSA's current student experts, Campus Central.
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Can I speak to someone regarding my study options?
Future Student Enquiries welcomes the opportunity to meet with you to discuss your study options at UniSA. We can discuss degree information, entry requirements and pathways, applications, general career outcomes and student life, so you have the information to make the best study decision for your future. Head to our Book an Appointment webpage to find a date and time to speak with us, and take your next steps on journey to university study.
