Graduate Certificate in Creature Effects
Degree Level Postgraduate
Year 2025
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- Australian or New Zealand Citizen
- Australian Permanent Resident (including Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders)
Mode
On-campus
Fees
$AU 13,900 per 0.5 EFTSL for students enrolled in 2025
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Entry requirements
Applicants seeking entry to the program will have:
a) a completed three year Bachelor degree from a recognised higher education institution in visual effects, film and television, creative arts or related discipline OR
b) a completed Advanced Diploma in visual effects, film and television, creative arts or related discipline or equivalent from an accredited Registered Training Organisation OR
c) a Graduate Certificate in visual effects, film and television, creative arts or related discipline OR
d) Three years relevant work experienceAlternatively, applications will be considered from applicants holding a completed academic qualification from a recognised higher education institution in an unrelated field who are able to demonstrate substantial experience in media arts or visual effects, demonstrable in the showreel and curriculum vitae submissions.
All applicants are required to submit a showreel of their own work and a resume outlining their relevant experience.
Applicants must submit a copy of their current resume, and a link to their online showreel through the SATAC application.
Your Showreel must be uploaded to either Vimeo or YouTube and must be no longer than 90 seconds; must demonstrate an understanding of the film-making process; and demonstrate an ability to work with either 3D or compositing software. It is desirable that it demonstrates a proficiency in Maya in a live-action context.
Your resume should be no longer than two pages and must be a current professional resume detailing education and work history; and must contain at least two referees.
Classes are delivered at the Rising Sun Pictures Studios in Adelaide.
Degree overview
- The visual effects (VFX) industry is rapidly growing and worth over $550 million in Australia1.
- Learn from the World No. 17 Visual Effects School2 with UniSA and Rising Sun Pictures.
- Study on location at Adelaide-based world-renowned visual effects studio, Rising Sun Pictures (RSP).
- Learn the tools and techniques needed to create creature effects for the global screen and media industry.
- Benefit from networking opportunities and mentoring when you study alongside skilled visual effects artists and industry professionals.
- Graduate career ready with your own VFX showreel.
- UniSA is an unstoppable university for unstoppable people. As one of the World’s Top Young Universities3, we’ll ensure you get the experience your future profession demands so it’ll feel like you’re studying one minute and, in a career, the next.
1Screen Australia, The Drama Report 2021/22
2The Rookies Awards 2023
3UNSTOPPABLE® is a Kellogg Company trade mark used under licence. Ranked #43, 2024 THE Young University Rankings.
Snapshot
This unique qualification will set you apart from the crowd, provide you with the skills and techniques needed to produce industry standard creature effects for feature film and episodic series. You will also be provided with opportunities to learn first-hand from artists and supervisors on site at Rising Sun Pictures.
In this immersive, 12-week qualification you’ll learn the specialised techniques and knowledge essential to crafting creature effects, alongside the career management skills and professional practice standards needed to work in a professional VFX studio.
Working alongside qualified visual effects artists, at world-renowned VFX studio Rising Sun Pictures, you will:
- gain invaluable experience in a simulated studio environment
- build industry-standard expertise in creature effects
- be mentored by visual effects artists and supervisors
- work with Rising Sun Pictures’ recruitment team to professionalise your resume and showreel
- graduate with a showreel of industry-standard work.
You’ll graduate career-ready with experience of current trends, technologies and professional practices, along with industry contacts and first-hand experience of how a world-class VFX studio operates.
What you'll learn
This intensive, 12-week graduate certificate, will immerse you in a simulated studio environment at Rising Sun Pictures who have crafted thousands of VFX shots for over 200 projects, including Indiana Jones, Star Wars, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Elvis, Mortal Kombat, Harry Potter, Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings.
In this simulated studio environment, you will learn to:
- create complex creature effects
- realistically simulate hair, fur, cloth and other garments
- simulate a diverse range of digital props and assets such as flags, sails, ships, cables, chains, and more.
There is also a career focus to this program and you’ll produce your own industry-standard showreel and resume to present to VFX recruiters at the end of program industry night.
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. 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, professionally focused, and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:
- creative VFX projects
- a VFX showreel
- supervisor evaluations.
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 Graduate Certificate in Creature Effects
This graduate certificate offers students a highly regarded opportunity to fine-tune their skills and gain experience studying at world-renowned visual effects studio, Rising Sun Pictures.
Under the guidance of experienced visual effects artists and supervisors, you will work on original VFX sequences and develop your own showreel. You will also gain expertise in industry standard software and build important industry relationships and connections.
Your career
This unique offering prepares students for an exciting career in the visual effects industry. Careers to consider include:
- 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
- fX artist: construct dynamic effects such as simulations, explosions and natural phenomena for films, episodic series and games
- production coordinator: ensures all aspects of a production run on time and to budget
- technical Services Operator: responsible for monitoring and controlling the rendering process within the production of VFX shots.
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.
Scholarship for student leadership
Available for students who are interested in undertaking specified activities with the aim of enhancing the overall student experience at UniSA.
International travel grants
Travel Grants are available to participate in our Study Overseas Programs. UniSA has agreement with over 80 institutions globally.
Your study experience and support
Our campuses have fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, tech zones, and spaces that simulate real work environments. You’ll also find student gyms and campus sport activities to keep you active. We also offer flexible study options, with online resources available for accessing lecture recordings, virtual classrooms, library resources and learning support.
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. You can access a full range of support services including academic and personal counselling, career advice, social support services, as well as those 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.
