3D Animation & VFX
for Film

Intake Dates

Fall 2025

Duration

4 Semesters

Fees

Domestic / International

Apply Now

Unleash your creativity in 3D Animation & VFX for Film

Visual effects artists, animators and compositors create the fantastic worlds, superhuman feats and spectacular imagery that you see on the big (and small) screen. AIE's 3D Animation and Visual Effects for Film program runs over two years, full-time and is designed to get you into these industries. It is a practical course designed to give the best technical training using the latest, state-of-the-art technology.

This course has been written in consultation with leading film and visual effects studios, enabling you to complete impressive film projects that showcase your skills and create a professional show-reel to impress potential employers.

Why study 3D Animation and VFX with AIE?

Practical Skills

Develop the skills demanded by industry
making you immediately employable.

Courses are made by industry practitioners and developed to teach you industry relevant skills and prepare you for immediate employment.

Industry Experts

Learn from experienced industry professionals
who have insights and connections.

AIE teachers are award winning instructors with industry experience and a passion for educating the next generation of learners.

Wacom Icon Green | AIE

Equipment

AIE provides state of the art,
cutting-edge, game technology.

studio environment

You will use the latest, industry standard, hardware and software to create your own unique entertainment experience.

Specialists

AIE delivers highly specialist education for games, visual effects and animation.

AIE was the first video game school in the world and developed the world’s first accredited game development qualification. AIE has been at the forefront of delivery through specialist education and achieving great graduate outcomes for over 27 years.

Not for Profit

AIE is the world's first non-profit
specialist games and visual effects educator. 

We support industry

We invest in our students, grow the industry and support graduate career opportunities.

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Graduate Placement

Follow in the footsteps of AIE graduates working
on the top games and films worldwide.

Get a Job!

Graduates can be found working in some of the worlds leading games studios, independent games studios and also creating their own digital content through the AIE incubator.

Other graduates are working in serious games/simulations for Defence and simulations for major mining companies.

Industry software you will learn

Your career in 3D Animation & VFX starts through the hands-on Advanced Diploma, closely developed with the film and VFX industries and leveraging the latest industry software including:

  • Maya Logo | AIE

    Maya

    3D Modelling, rigging, animating, lighting and rendering

  • ZBrush Logo White

    ZBrush

    High-detail sculpting and texturing

  • Adobe Photoshop Logo | AIE

    Adobe Photoshop

    Concept art and texture maps

  • Nuke Logo | AIE

    Nuke

    Compositing and match-moving

  • 3D Equalizer Logo | AIE

    3D Equalizer

    Compositing and match-moving

  • Renderman logo | AIE

    RenderMan

    Rendering

  • Thinkbox Logo | AIE

    Thinkbox

    Render farm management

  • Adobe Sunstance Painter Logo | AIE

    Substance Suite

    High detail materials and texturing

  • Houdini logo | AIE

    Houdini

    Visual effects and animation

  • DaVinci Resolve logo | AIE

    DaVinci Resolve

    Colour grading & video editing

Houdini Certified School | AIE

Advanced Diploma

Stage One

Students develop their skills in 3D modelling, texturing, UVW unwrapping, rigging, animation, lighting, using cameras, rendering and compositing. Students will concept, model and animate character, design game levels, create high-detail creatures, build realistic environments and craft a short animated movie.

Stage Two

In year two, you'll be set up to work in team-led structures much like real-world Industry workplaces. In addition to learning advanced high polygon modelling, realistic lighting, texturing and advanced realistic character animation, the course incorporates skills in organisation, time and project management.

The course trains you to articulate and present your ideas to peers. It will give you experience and tools for production, management, scriptwriting and essential skills for a number of career development and progression.

Stage One

  • 3D Art Pipeline
  • Health and Safety in the Office
  • Principles of Animation
  • Modelling and Texturing
  • Character Pipeline
  • Character Animation
  • Digital Lighting and Compositing
  • Storyboards
  • Production Planning
  • Production

Stage Two

  • Visual Effects
  • Specialisation
  • Story Development
  • Short Film Production
  • Online Portfolio

Advanced Diploma students work in industry-simulated studio environments and complete one subject at a time, building upon knowledge as the learning pathway progresses.

Students complete practical game design tasks and projects based on industry standards and briefs. Accompanying projects students record their process through development journals and other documentation.

Graduates can be found working in the film, advertising and TV sectors. Common positions secured by graduates include animator, technical director, surfacing artist and modeller.

Some graduates also move into other fields including medical visualisation and simulations.

  • Character Animator
  • Environment Modeler
  • Technical Director
  • Fur/Feathers FX Artist
  • Water FX Artist
  • Modeler
  • 3D Tracker/Match Mover
  • Digital/Matte Painter
  • Surfacing/Texture Painter
Program Name Advanced Diploma - 3D Animation and Visual Effects
CIP Code 10.0304

Entry for this course is based on an interview to assess your suitability for the course and understand your current skills and interests through looking at your portfolio of related work.

For more information, please see our interview and portfolio page.

Hear from our graduates

Casey Thomas Student and Alumni | AIE

I will never forget the amazing time and valuable experience AIE have given me, they really helped me shine to be more than who I thought I was, I am now a Game Designer creating fun innovating games for the future generations

CEO
Dark Shadow Studios

Casey Thomas
Damian Lam Student and Alumni | AIE

AIE gave me the opportunities to learn industry relevant skills that made it possible for me to get a job in the industry. The teachers were fantastic and incredibly motivated.

LEAD MODELLER
Scanline VFX (Oscar winning VFX studio)

Damien Lam
Kellie Lautier Student and Alumni | AIE

AIE was the best choice I made when deciding my career path, the course structure and the connections I made there is what put me in the position for most of the jobs I've gotten.The teachers go above and beyond for their students!

CHARACTER ARTIST
SMG studio (indie game studio & creators of death squared)

Kellie Lautier
Josh Van Zuylen Student and Alumni | AIE

What I enjoyed about AIE the most was being taught by people that actually have industry experience. My teachers at AIE really helped me figure out the necessary paths and helped me be the best that I could be when I graduated.

SENIOR ENVIRONMENT ARTIST
Cloud Imperium Games (Creators of Star Citizen)

Josh Van Zuylen
Beverly Crock Student and Alumni | AIE

AIE provided me with the building blocks to take my art career to the next level. I learned about the industry, made connections, mentors and friends, asked questions, and viewed my work as an evolution rather than a destination.

OUTPUT DESIGNER
Funko Inc (creators of funko pops)

Beverly Crock
Ben Davis Student and Alumni | AIE

AIE gave me the specific tools to learn what I needed to know to get into the games industry. AIE taught me a valuable skillset which I have been able to apply to my career.

LEAD CHARACTER ARTIST
Splash Damage

Ben Davis
Vinessa Mayer Student and Alumni | AIE

AIE has proved to be an invaluable catalyst for my career. The industry veteran teachers and staff went above and beyond. I would not be anywhere near where I am if it wasn't for my AIE family.

VISUAL EFFECTS ARTIST
Bungie

Vinessa Mayer
Tom Johnstone Student and Alumni | AIE

Game development for many graduates is just a dream. The AIE provided me with the skills and knowledge to realise that dream. With such close ties to industry, AIE is a foot in the door to network directly with game companies to help land that elusive job.

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
League of Geeks

Tom Johnstone

Meet the teachers

Meet The Teachers | 3D Animatiion and VFX for Film

Student Work

Student Work | 3D Animatiion and VFX for Film Course

Student Work

Student Work | 3D Animatiion and VFX for Film Course