Study the Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Effects and Entertainment Design)

Study Visual Effects and Entertainment Design at Flinders

Bring your art to life.

Game of Thrones fans, Fortnite addicts and Pixar lovers: turn your passion into a successful career in the exciting world of film, television, gaming, animation and digital design.

Flinders and CDW Studios combine forces to offer this hands-on degree, giving you exclusive access to industry leaders throughout your studies. You’ll be taught by instructors who have unparalleled experience in VFX, attend masterclasses by international experts, and receive input from professionals who have worked across major film and game projects like The Avengers, World of Warcraft, Disney and The Lego Movie.

You’ll also experience The Void, a cutting-edge experimentation space where you can transform your idea into digital reality. With a range of specialised streams, small class sizes and hands-on experiences, you will graduate with a world-class portfolio under your arm and a bright future. Get ready to acquire the skills, mindset and contacts needed to reach the top of your game in your dream career.

This course is also available as hybrid learning to NSW and Vic applicants.

Fast facts

Course facts at a glance.

Domestic

I am an
International Student

I am not a citizen of
Australia or New Zealand.

Switch to International

I am a
Domestic Student

I am an Australian or New Zealand Citizen.

I'm an Australian Permanent Resident
(including Humanitarian Visa holders).

Switch to Domestic

Prerequisites

Portfolio, CV and written statement.

Assumed knowledge

None

2023 selection rank

60.00

Guaranteed selection rank

N/A

Adjustment factors available

Yes

SATAC code

224131 (Bedford Park) 284181 (City)

Delivery mode

In person:

– Bedford Park
– City

Online: No

Duration

3 years full-time
(or part-time equivalent)

Annual indicative fee

2024: $10,900

How are these fees calculated?

Start dates

– March
– July

Additional entry requirements

Student and ATAR profile

Save course

Additional entry requirements

Student and ATAR profile

Save course

Apply via SATAC

224131 (Bedford Park)

284181 (City)

This course is available as hybrid learning to NSW and Vic applicants. Find out more.

Why study Visual Effects and Entertainment Design at Flinders

Practice-based courses linked directly to industry skills
Expert tutors with ongoing industry experience on major projects
Opportunity to take part in 'The Rookies' global competition
Growing demand internationally and locally
Study 2D, 3D, Animation, VFX
Graduates are sought after all over the world. Alumni are working both in Australia and overseas on major feature films and projects
We have strong connections to industry and long experience in preparing graduates for rewarding, meaningful careers.

World #7
2D Animation School

^{The Rookies Awards 2023}

Australia's #2
3D Animation School

^{The Rookies Awards 2023}

World #17
Concept Art & Illustration School

^{The Rookies Awards 2023}

Your career

Flinders graduates include 2D concept artist and 3D modellers, animators, matte painters, cinematographers, editors, illustrators, producers VFX artists. Your diverse range of skills and portfolio of creative achievements will make you attractive to a wide range of employers in the arts and communication industries internationally.

Potential occupations include:

concept artist
animator (2D or 3D)
digital designer
production artist
game developer
illustrator.

Potential employers include:

Film and television
Digital media and design companies
VFX companies
Video game developers
other media production companies including:
- Monkeystack
- Gameloft
- Blizzard
- Disney
- Pixar
- Technicolor

Choose from 4 streams

The Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Effects and Entertainment Design) offers four streams of study, akin to majors, providing you with the unique opportunity to shape your degree according to your passions and career aspirations.

Study 2D

Tailored for imaginative and creative individuals, the 2D stream is an ideal pathway for those aspiring to excel in digital art, entertainment design, or illustration.

It encompasses core topics such as the 2D Bootcamp, a comprehensive course focusing on design and illustration fundamentals, and a range of electives you can select based on your specific area of interest, such as Character Design, Digital Painting, and Concept Art.

Study 3D

The 3D stream is perfect for technical and creative people working toward a career in 3D modelling or design.

It includes core topics like the 3D Bootcamp (focusing on 3D fundamentals) and 3D Modelling and electives based on your key area of interest, like Creature Design and 3D Modelling for Games.

Study Animation

The Animation Stream focuses on Animation fundamentals, weight, balance, timing, and Character Interaction.

It includes core topics like Animation boot camp and Animation Pipeline and electives in Storyboarding and 3D Animation Principles.

Study VFX

If you are an artist who loves technical challenges and wants to work at the final point of the production process, then the BCA-VEED VFX Stream is perfect for you.

The VFX stream includes core topics like VFX Bootcamp and Matte Painting, with electives in Digital Compositing, CGI Fundamentals, and Motion Capture.

What you will study

First year	First year topics enable you to develop skills in 2D, 3D and production work in digital media with CDW Studios. Alongside developing skills in digital media, additional topics are available in areas such as screen and media culture, visual arts and IT. Academic skills are developed through the core first year topic in academic and professional communication.
Second year	In second year, you are able to develop skills in a range of areas suitable to your interests and skills, such as 2D and 3D animation, game art, and entertainment design with CDW Studios. Elective topics contribute to a second area of specialisation in digital media production, screen production, screen and media culture, visual arts, information technology, or business studies.
Third year	Third year includes a significant practicum or project in which you can put your skills and creative intelligence into industry practices and pipelines. A range of other electives exist, including opportunities to work with a number of our partners in game art, animation and visual effects.

View study program

View study program (City)

Practical experience

The degree provides you with practical experience that prepares you for the workforce.

Gain hands-on practical experience and produce short films, animations, graphic novels and games for a professional portfolio.
Undertake a range of industry placements and learn directly from the best.

Visual Effects and Entertainment Design now available in NSW and Victoria!

We are introducing hybrid-learning offerings in New South Wales and Victoria. This means, you can study this award-winning, top-ranked Visual Effects and Entertainment Design degree from your own state.

You’ll have access to all of the same classes and world-renowned instructors that students in SA do, through innovative learning both online and in person. Simply apply through SATAC (City course code: 284181) to begin your journey.

International masterclasses

CDW Studios regularly hold master class events throughout the year. International master classes see us bring out some of the best name’s in the industry out to Australia, exclusively to teach the event.

Each master class is a 3-day intensive workshop which is taught by an artist at the top of their industry.

ATAR and Student Profile Information

ATAR and Selection Rank profile

The table below shows ATAR and Selection Rank data for students offered a place wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR commencing in Semester 1, 2024. It is limited to applicants that have recently completed secondary education (within the last two years). Data may reflect multiple courses available within a suite of courses.

Notes:
<5 – less than 5 ATAR based offers made
N/A – This course uses additional selection criteria and therefore Selection Rank is not published

ATAR-based offers only across all offer rounds	ATAR - Excluding adjustment factors	Selection Rank - ATAR plus any adjustment factors
Highest rank to receive an offer	98.10	99.95
Median rank to receive an offer	77.63	82.13
Lowest rank to receive an offer	51.20	60.05

Student Profile

The table below gives an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students in this course. It provides data on students who commenced study in this course in Semester 1, 2024 including those admitted through all offer rounds and international students studying in Australia. Applicant background groupings are based on educational background, not basis of admission. Data may reflect multiple courses available within a suite of courses.

Notes:
<5 – the number of students is less than 5
N/P – Not published: the number is hidden to prevent calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students

Applicant background (Semester 1, 2024)	Number of students	Percentage of all students
Higher education study (includes a bridging or enabling course)	58	23%
Vocational education and training (VET) study	28	11%
Work and life experience	23	9%
Recent secondary education - Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points)	94	38%
Recent secondary education - Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test)	<5	<5
Recent secondary education - Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor (e.g. special consideration pathways)	36	15%
International Students	<5	<5
All students	247	100%

Straight out of uni into a hollywood blockbuster, Flinders’ graduate Anthony Robinson stepped out into Mortal Kombat.

Learn more

“I chose Flinders because it was connected to CDW Studios and I was very familiar with them from several classes I had taken with them. I started when I was 13 years old. I knew their high quality of teaching and that I was going to get a great education out of it.”

Bradley
Bachelor of Creative Arts

How to apply

Choose your preferred course.

Check the entry requirements and admission pathways available to you.

Choose other courses to include in your preferences.

Visit SATAC and submit your application online.

Apply via SATAC

224131 (Bedford Park)

284181 (City)

Apply to transfer internally

Flinders students can apply to transfer to this course internally. Visit: www.flinders.edu.au/internaltransfer for more information.

Additional entry requirements

Applicants must also submit:

a supporting statement - responding to why they wish to study the course
a portfolio - examples of original work in film, video production, creative written work, photography, art work, graphic design and/or production management materials.

Students who have completed 18 units or more within the Bachelor of Information Technology (Digital Media) or the Bachelor of Creative Industries (Interactive Design) will not be required to submit a supporting statement or portfolio when applying for a transfer into this course.

Download additional application requirements

Admission pathways

Applicants can apply for this course using Year 12 qualifications, previous Higher Education study, TAFE/VET qualifications, or through Adult Entry (STAT/Foundation Studies/tertiary preparation course).

For applicants using their SACE (Year 12) results (or equivalent), entry is subject to achieving a minimum selection rank of 60.

Explore our pathways

Choosing your preferences

When choosing your preferences through SATAC, other Flinders degrees you might want to include in your list are:

How to apply

Select your course.

Check entry requirements.

Check your eligibility for credit.

Apply online

Obtain certified documents.

Submit your application and documents.

View further details

Additional entry requirements

Applicants must demonstrate their creative abilities through the submission of a portfolio, written statement, curriculum vitae and referee details.

Download additional application requirements

English language pathways

If you don’t meet our English language entry requirements and need to improve your English language proficiency, you can do so through Flinders University Academy – or our approved English Language Instruction Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) providers.

This means that you can attend the required English language tuition at approved ELICOS providers and gain direct entry into university without an IELTS or TOEFL test.

Find out more

Academic pathway programs

If you don’t meet our academic entry requirements, you can still gain entry to Flinders University through Flinders University Academy. With a range of diplomas, foundation and English language courses, students can find a direct pathway into the destination degree of their choice.

Find out more

Developing your portfolio for the Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Effects and Entertainment Design).

Find out how to put together your portfolio for the Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Effects and Entertainment Design) as well as which options you have should you not make it into the degree the first time around.

Course enquiries

Want more information about studying at Flinders University? Contact us to find out more – we’d love to help you decide if Flinders University is the right choice for you.

Course enquiries

For all course enquiries phone or email us or complete the course enquiry form.

1300 354 633

askflinders@flinders.edu.au

Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Effects and Entertainment Design)

Study Visual Effects and Entertainment Design at Flinders