University of South Australia

Film, Television and Visual Effects

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 the Bachelor of Film and Television you'll have the opportunity to undertake up to 40% of your degree at Rising Sun Pictures.

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

  • Work on real-world projects with industry professionals.
  • Graduate career-ready, with your own portfolio of work. 
  • Learn in industry-standard television, production and radio studios - UniSA is home to one of SA’s largest green screens with motion capture technology.
  • Choose to study part of your degree overseas as part of our international exchange and in-country study programs.  
  • 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.
  • Work with the latest software, hardware and technologies, including industry-standard cameras, and our new motion capture and VR studios.
  • 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

Why UniSA?

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 #52, 2023 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

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.

Start your unstoppable career in Film and Television

  • Wayne Lewis

    Wayne Lewis
    Co-founder of Rising Sun Pictures
    Bachelor of Visual Arts

Back to stories   Hear more from our unstoppable people

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.

Unreal Engine
Jam Factory
Adelaide Fringe
Matchbox Pictures
Rising Sun Pictures
Anifex
Communikate
KOJO
We Made A Thing Studios Logo
Channel 44
Solstice
Guildhouse
Writers SA
Adelaide Film Festival
Match Studio
Government SA - Department for Innovation and Skills
Helpmann Academy
MOD.
Samstag

Your career

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.
Your Career

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 
  • We Made a Thing Studios 

Industry facts

line-graph-growth

The rapidly growing visual effects industry is worth $550M+ in Australia1.

1Screen Australia, The Drama Report 2021/22

column-chart-growth

In 2021 – 22, Australia’s total drama production expenditure achieved a record high of $2.2bn. This was a 17% increase on the previous record of $1.9bn set in 2020-21.1

1SA Screen Industry Workforce Development Strategy’ SAFC 2023

UniSA's leading art museums and galleries

Ask UniSA

  • How do I apply? minus-thick plus-thick

    There are a number of ways to apply to study UniSA's undergraduate and postgraduate coursework degrees.

    You can access our online International Application System through our How to Apply page. The International Application System is an easy and secure online application and acceptance process. You will have visibility of your application through the secure online portal with the ability to download offer documents, submit your acceptance and make a payment.

    Alternatively you can submit an application through one of the University's registered Education Agents.

    If you are completing an Australian year 12 qualification in Australia or overseas, or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme in Australia, you must apply through SATAC http://www.satac.edu.au/.

    If you are applying for the UniSA Study Abroad or Study Abroad Plus program, you can submit your application online here.

    Postgraduate study by research
    For information on applying to do postgraduate study by research, including Masters by Research, PhDs or Doctorates, please visit http://unisa.edu.au/resdegrees.

  • Is there a closing date for applications? minus-thick plus-thick

    There is no closing date for submitting your application however the admissions process takes between one and three weeks from the date that we receive your application and all required supporting documentation.

    If you are completing an Australian year 12 qualification in Australia or overseas, or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme in Australia, you must apply through SATAC. Key dates for applications can be found here.

  • What credit can I receive for previous studies? minus-thick plus-thick

    You may be eligible to receive credit or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area at an equivalent or higher level. Receiving credit will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree.

    The amount of credit you may be eligible to receive is assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Admissions team.

    The best way to determine your eligibility to receive credit or advanced standing is to apply using our International Application System which can be found on our How to Apply page. You will need to supply detailed syllabus documents with your application.

  • Can I speak to someone regarding my study options? minus-thick plus-thick

    UniSA welcomes the opportunity to speak with you regarding your study options. Our staff are able to talk to you about degree information, career outcomes and pathways, entry requirements, applications, and student life, so that you are able to make the best study decision for your future.

    Click here to book a 1:1 appointment with one of our enquiries team.

    We also have many events throughout the year in Australia and overseas where you can speak with UniSA representatives about your area of interest. View our calendar of events in your home country by selecting the 'International' filter.

More FAQs

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

Chantal.jpg

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)

Grace Miles.jpg

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:

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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.

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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.

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A five star university

Five stars for research, employability, teaching, facilities, internationalisation, inclusiveness and innovation*
*2023 QS Stars Ratings