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Discipline info for Australian students
Interested in Film, Television and Visual Effects?
Combine your creativity and love of storytelling, with UniSA’s advanced technologies and industry partnerships, to enter the dynamic worlds of film, television, and visual effects (VFX). With the increasing popularity of platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+, there is a current surge in opportunities for filmmakers, visual effects artists, content creators and visual storytellers. In fact, the global streaming marketing is expected to be worth upwards of US$1.69 trillion by 20291.
Our undergraduate degrees are some of the most industry-engaged film, television and visual effects degrees in Australia. Our Film, Television and Visual Effects programs combine practical production, workplace experience and theory, and are created in close consultation with our leading creative industry partners. This combination means you’ll graduate with the relevant skills, knowledge, and connections to walk straight into your Screen career.
Through internships and industry placements you’ll gain collaborative, real-world experience and you’ll finish your studies with a professional standard portfolio of work. In our undergraduate degrees you’ll even have the unrivalled opportunity to undertake up to 60% of your degree onsite at world-renowned VFX studio Rising Sun Pictures (as part of the Bachelor of Visual Effects).
Our range of specialist VFX postgraduate certificates are also offered on location with the team at Rising Sun Pictures in their new CBD studios (with the Graduate Certificate in Dynamic Effects and Lighting offered in Adelaide and Brisbane).
If you're an experienced film producer and wanting to expand your knowledge and networks, studying with UniSA will have you in the room with prominent industry execs with our Graduate Certificate in Film and Television.
At UniSA you’ll learn in industry-standard facilities, including television, radio, production and sound studios. The relevancy of our Film, Television and Visual Effects qualifications means you will graduate career-ready and be a valuable asset in an industry that is constantly changing and adapting. You’ll be set to educate, entertain and inspire the world.
1Fortune Business Insights, Visual Streaming Marketing Size, Share and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, 2022
Key features
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Work on real-world projects with industry professionals.
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Graduate career-ready, with your own portfolio of work.
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Learn in industry-standard television, production and radio studios - UniSA is home to one of SA’s largest green screens with motion capture technology.
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Choose to study part of your degree overseas as part of our international exchange and in-country study programs.
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You will be industry ready and industry engaged with the opportunity to study up to 60% of your degree with Rising Sun Pictures*
- Learn from the World No. 17 Visual Effects School1 with UniSA and Rising Sun Pictures.
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Work with the latest software, hardware and technologies, including industry-standard cameras, and our new motion capture and VR studios.
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Study at SA's No.1 university for Graduate Careers2.
1The Rookies Awards 2023
2ComparED (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020-22 – Full-time Employment Indicator (Domestic Undergraduate). SA public universities.
* as part of the Bachelor of Visual Effects
UniSA is an unstoppable university for unstoppable people. As one of the World’s Top Young Universities1, 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.
Building your career is our business – and we are very good at it. We're number one in South Australia for graduate careers2. You will learn in our on-campus TV studio, radio studio, sound studio and editing suites, and our collaboration with Rising Sun Pictures and Matchbox Pictures means you will gain real-world experience and be in the room with industry executives and hirers.
You’ll be taught by professionals who lead the pack in their industry. Our academics and tutors have a very practical approach to learning, and you’ll work on real issues and get real experience. We’ve invested millions of dollars in new buildings and facilities, so you’ll use the latest technologies and learn in ultra-modern teaching spaces.
Our people are inspired by challenges and opportunities. We partner with local icons and international industry professionals to focus on real-world projects.
1UNSTOPPABLE® is a Kellogg Company trade mark used under licence. Ranked #43, 2024 THE Young University Rankings.
2ComparED (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020-22 – Full-time Employment Indicator (Domestic Undergraduate). SA public universities.
UniSA offers the following Film, Television and Visual Effects degrees
Choose your level of study
Picture perfect
One summer afternoon back in 1995, Wayne Lewis and a group of mates were drinking at the pub. Little did they know that this meeting would fundamentally change the trajectory of the South Australian film industry.
That day, Rising Sun Pictures was born, and this UniSA grad and UNSTOPPABLE force has been creating some of Hollywood’s most memorable moments ever since, including visual effects for Jungle Cruise, Black Widow, Mortal Kombat, X-Men: Dark Phoenix and the Harry Potter series.
Want to learn more? Read Wayne's full story.
Wayne Lewis
Co-founder of Rising Sun Pictures
Bachelor of Visual Arts
World-class partners
We are a globally connected university with over 2,500 industry and professional relationships that support student internships, research and community engagement.
Film and Television studies can lead to all kinds of exciting and diverse careers. Here are just a few:
- director / filmmaker: create, direct or produce feature or short films for cinema, television or online
- creative content producer: shoot and edit content for any industry including sports, real estate and advertising
- visual effects artist: work as a compositor, FX artist, modeller, lighting artist, VFX animator, editor, or production coordinator
- video editor: part of the post production process, video editing can also include working with visual effects
- screenwriter: develop ideas and scripts for film and television productions
- cinematographer / DOP: Coordinate and manage film crews and develop the ‘visual look’ of a production
- film or television producer / production manager: can be in charge of everything from scheduling and budgeting to creative control of a program.
Global networks
We are a globally connected university and our staff and students come from over 90 countries. We have more than 2,000 industry and professional relationships that support student internships, research and community engagement. Our students have had placements and internships with organisations like:
- Australian Broadcast Corporation
- Channel 44
- Matchbox Pictures
- Network Ten
- Nine Network
- Rising Sun Pictures
- Seven Network
Industry facts
UniSA's leading art museums and galleries
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.
What others are saying
I have always liked the problem-solving side of things like mathematics but was also constantly getting my hands dirty with creative things. VFX is where those things perfectly align.
I like UniSA’s hands-on approach to teaching the skills you need to start your career. The UniSA and RSP partnership provides incredible opportunities for students to not only learn from people who work in the industry, but also to form relationships and network in an organic way. It was because of this that I was able to walk right into a job after graduating.
Chantal van Rooyen
VFX Graduate
Junior Roto & Paint Artist | Rising Sun Pictures
I love that my degree has both theory and practical components. The teachers are fantastic – they are great at explaining things and are passionate about the topics we study. I was really impressed by the available film equipment UniSA has to offer, as well as the television and green-screen studios.
Grace Miles
Bachelor of Media Arts (now called the Bachelor of Film and Television)
Why study at UniSA?
As one of the most innovative universities in Australia and Asia, there are many reasons to study with us. Here are just three:
Accessible, helpful and flexible
We have six campuses, a 24/7 online learning environment, and we offer flexible study options like online and evening courses.
Graduate success
UniSA is South Australia's number one university for graduate careers.*
*ComparED (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019-21 – Full-time Employment Indicator (Undergraduate). SA public universities.
A five star university
Five stars for research, employability, teaching, facilities, internationalisation, inclusiveness and innovation*
*2023 QS Stars Ratings
