Masters (Coursework)
The Master of Animation and Visual Effects is a two-year (full-time equivalent) postgraduate program designed for graduates and professionals who aim to thrive in the rapidly growing and evolving field of animation and visual effects production and beyond.
The Master of Animation and Visual Effects is a two-year (full-time equivalent) postgraduate program designed for graduates and professionals who aim to thrive in the rapidly growing and evolving field of animation and visual effects production and beyond.
The program combines technical, conceptual, creative and professional skills to enable you to work independently and collaboratively to realise your artistic vision. With access to world-class facilities and a diverse community of artists and designers, you'll be guided by academics with a wealth of industry experience. Creative experimentation and skills development are at the core of the program, giving you the freedom and support to explore your interests and refine your techniques for the creative production pipelines of today and tomorrow.
Working from concept art and pre-visualisation to production and output, you'll develop animation and visual effects projects that will build your experience and profile in the field. As your technical skills grow, you'll also develop key attributes in digital aesthetics, communication, collaboration, and agility, preparing you to thrive within and shape the future of a quickly evolving and dynamic field of practice.
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 also 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 that aligns with your creative vision and career ambitions.
Admission pathways into the Master of Animation and Visual Effects degree can include:
2-year program (96 UOC)
A Bachelor's degree (AQF level 7) in any field with a weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 65 or equivalent. This provides admission into the full two-year program, requiring completion of 96 UOC (2 years full-time equivalent).
1.7-year program (72 UOC)
A Bachelor's degree (AQF level 7) in a related field with a weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 65 or equivalent. This allows students to receive credit for 24 UOC (4 courses) upon commencement, meaning students can complete the program in 72 UOC (1.7 years full-time equivalent).
OR
1-year program (48 UOC)
An Honours Degree (AQF level 8) in a related field. This allows students to receive credit for the first year of the program (48 UOC or 8 courses) upon commencement, meaning students can complete the program in 48 UOC (1 year full-time equivalent).
Related fields: the Creative Arts (FOE 10, such as Visual Arts and Crafts, Performing Arts, Graphic and Design Studies, Communication and Media Studies)
Graduate Certificate in Animation and Visual Effects
Students in the Graduate Certificate program can request to transfer into the Graduate Diploma program provided the student has achieved a Pass in all courses and a credit average overall. The 24 UOC completed in the Graduate Certificate should be carried forward as credit in the Graduate Diploma.
Graduate Diploma in Animation and Visual Effects
Students in the Graduate Diploma program can request to transfer into the Master's program provided the student has achieved a Pass in all courses and a credit average overall. The 48 UOC completed in the Graduate Diploma should be carried forward as credit in the Masters.
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:
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 pathways into the Master of Animation and Visual Effects degree can include:
2-year program (96 UOC)
A Bachelor's degree (AQF level 7) in any field with a weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 65 or equivalent. This provides admission into the full two-year program, requiring completion of 96 UOC (2 years full-time equivalent).
1.7-year program (72 UOC)
A Bachelor's degree (AQF level 7) in a related field with a weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 65 or equivalent. This allows students to receive credit for 24 UOC (4 courses) upon commencement, meaning students can complete the program in 72 UOC (1.7 years full-time equivalent).
OR
1-year program (48 UOC)
An Honours Degree (AQF level 8) in a related field. This allows students to receive credit for the first year of the program (48 UOC or 8 courses) upon commencement, meaning students can complete the program in 48 UOC (1 year full-time equivalent).
Related fields: the Creative Arts (FOE 10, such as Visual Arts and Crafts, Performing Arts, Graphic and Design Studies, Communication and Media Studies)
Graduate Certificate in Animation and Visual Effects
Students in the Graduate Certificate program can request to transfer into the Graduate Diploma program provided the student has achieved a Pass in all courses and a credit average overall. The 24 UOC completed in the Graduate Certificate should be carried forward as credit in the Graduate Diploma.
Graduate Diploma in Animation and Visual Effects
Students in the Graduate Diploma program can request to transfer into the Master's program provided the student has achieved a Pass in all courses and a credit average overall. The 48 UOC completed in the Graduate Diploma should be carried forward as credit in the Masters.
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:
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.
As a UNSW Master of Animation and Visual Effects graduate, you'll be highly sought after across the rapidly growing animation and visual effects industry in Australia and globally.
You'll also graduate from this master's degree with the creative and technical skills that will make you adaptable and able to drive and lead change in a broad range of fields that draw on new visualisation technologies used in a breadth of fields including:
Hear from alum, Pat Younis and Scientia Associate Professor, John McGhee on the dynamic and growing animation and VFX industry.