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University of New South Wales (UNSW)

  • 34% international / 66% domestic

Graduate Diploma in Animation and Visual Effects

  • Graduate Diploma

The Graduate Diploma in Animation and Visual Effects is designed for graduates and professionals both within and outside of the animation and visual effects industry who aim to enter or upskill in this growing and evolving field.

This shortened and customisable program...

Key details

Degree Type
Graduate Diploma
Duration
1 - 1 years full-time
Study Mode
In person
Domestic Fees
$33,500 per year / $45,000 total

About this course

Overview

The Graduate Diploma in Animation and Visual Effects is designed for graduates and professionals both within and outside of the animation and visual effects industry who aim to enter or upskill in this growing and evolving field.

This shortened and customisable program combines technical, conceptual, creative and professional skills to enable you explore your interests and develop as a technical professional. You'll have the opportunity to explore and develop your artistic vision in the company of a diverse community of artists and designers.

Diversify your existing knowledge and skills or develop the capabilities to move into this new and exciting sector with access to world-class facilities and guidance from academics with a wealth of industry experience.

Key features

Holistic artistic development

Informed by the latest industry developments, you'll learn a variety of technical processes and approaches as well as creative and conceptual skills that prepare you to work in a variety of roles across and beyond the creative pipeline. From pre-visualisation to output, you'll combine hands on skills with a deep understanding of screen aesthetics and attention to broader social, cultural and technological contexts. This dynamic combination of practical and contextual learning is designed to build your ability to think laterally, adapt across disciplines, and solve creative, conceptual and technical problems as an artist.

Agility and leadership for an evolving future

You'll gain in-demand capabilities across teamwork, resilience and communication, helping you become a sought-after professional in the animation and visual effects sector and beyond. This complementary skillset will set you up to be agile, adaptable, future-oriented and ready to drive and lead change in a rapidly evolving animation and VFX industry into the future, as well as in new and emerging sectors using digital visualisation technologies.

Inclusive and flexible learning environment

Immersed in a supportive and inclusive community at UNSW Art & Design, you'll develop your practice alongside fellow artists and designers of the future. As part of this dynamic and diverse community, you'll grow creatively, share experiences and expand your peer network. Our flexible study options and pathways mean that you can learn at your own pace and develop a portfolio or showreel that aligns with your creative vision and career ambitions.

Why study at UNSW?
  • Join a global top 50 university (QS World University Rankings, 2023).
  • Develop as an artist on campus at UNSW Art & Design, a campus dedicated to creativity at the centre of Sydney's creative sector.
  • Gain a prestigious Go8 education at a university dedicated to shaping a generation of socially conscious change-makers and leaders across art and design.
  • Access flexible study options. Our timetables are designed to allow you to work while studying, with the added opportunity to gain industry feedback and real-world work experience through internship options. Depending on your experience, you can also fast-track your degree and graduate in one year.
  • Our research in digital media has been rated well above world standard four times since 2010 by the Australian Research Council (ERA ranking 5).
  • Tap into a diverse array of creative expertise with lectures from world-class companies featured at venues, festivals, museums and galleries in Australia and across the world, including Weta Digital, Animal Logic, DreamWorks Animation, Rising Sun Pictures, Cutting Edge and more.
  • Be inspired by UNSW Art & Design's extensive alumni network of digital media trailblazers and innovators, including Duncan Ramson (CEO at The Endless Co.), Lynette Wallworth (Emmy award-winning filmmaker and artist), Jack Condon (Evangelist at Epic Games), Patrick Younis (3D interaction and VFX artist) and more.
Program Code
5319
CRICOS Code
113671K
Campus
Paddington
Total Units of Credit (UOC)
48
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Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Admission to the Graduate Diploma in Animation and Visual Effects requires a Bachelor's degree in any field. Applicants who apply without a Bachelor's degree or with a Bachelor's degree completed more than 10 years ago can be admitted to the Graduate Certificate on a case-by-case basis by the Program Director, on the basis of professional experience.

English language requirements

You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.

If you're completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.

If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • English language tests and university English courses
  • Prior study in the medium of English
  • Other qualifications

If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College's Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.

Admission to the Graduate Diploma in Animation and Visual Effects requires a Bachelor's degree in any field. Applicants who apply without a Bachelor's degree or with a Bachelor's degree completed more than 10 years ago can be admitted to the Graduate Diploma on a case-by-case basis by the Program Director, on the basis of professional experience.

English language requirements


You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.

If English is not your first language, you'll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • English language tests and university English courses
  • Prior study in the medium of English
  • Other qualifications

If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College's Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.

Check the specific English language requirements for this program
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Study locations

Paddington

Career pathways

Future careers

The Graduate Diploma in Animation and Visual Effects will help you upskill, build your portfolio and develop the creative and technical skills to enter a rapidly growing Australian and global creative industry. Gain the qualifications you need to kick start your creative career in a vibrant industry with roles and career opportunities across the creative pipeline.

Visualise the future

Hear from alum, Pat Younis and Scientia Associate Professor, John McGhee on the dynamic and growing animation and VFX industry.

Learn more
Potential careers
  • Animator
  • 3D animator
  • 3D generalist
  • CG effects artist
  • Creature effects artist
  • Concept artist
  • Storyboard artist
  • Texture artist
  • Visual effects artist
  • Visual effects compositor
  • VFX supervisor
  • Matte painter
  • Media arts practitioner
  • Motion designer
  • Art director
  • Post-production artist
  • Virtual production artist
  • Game developer
  • Game designer
  • Layout artist

Graduate outcomes

Graduate satisfaction and employment outcomes for Computing & Information Systems courses at University of New South Wales (UNSW).
70.6%
Overall satisfaction
73.7%
Skill scale
50.3%
Teaching scale
90.5%
Employed full-time
$110k
Average salary