Digital Art & Animation for Visual Effects and Virtual Production

This full-time, two-year programme provides students with the skills and technical expertise needed for careers in Visual Effects (VFX), Virtual Production, and Animation. Designed to meet industry demands, the course blends practical training with industry-standard tools and techniques, preparing graduates for roles in film, television, and interactive media.

Students will gain hands-on experience with virtual production workflows, pre-visualisation, 3D asset creation, animation, and cinematography, developing a strong foundation in real-time technologies and digital content creation. With access to state-of-the-art facilities and expert tuition, this course ensures graduates are ready to enter the industry with job-ready skills and a competitive portfolio.

Industry-Standard Facilities at E3 Studios, Belfast providing students with a real-world production environment, ensuring they gain practical experience in industry-standard workflows.
Students will have access to professional-grade facilities, including:
• 450sqft LED Virtual Production Stage
• Vicon Motion Capture Stage
• XR Technology
• Fully-equipped TV Studio
• High-end PC Workstations

Software & Tools
The course provides training in a range of industry-leading software, including:
• Unreal Engine – A key tool for real-time rendering, virtual production, and interactive media.
• Nuke – Professional compositing software for visual effects.
• Autodesk Maya – Industry-standard software for 3D modelling, rigging, and animation.
• Adobe Creative Suite – Tools for compositing, editing, and digital content creation.
• Substance Painter & ZBrush – Essential for texturing and digital sculpting.
• Shotgrid & Perforce – Workflow and version control software used in major studios.

Expert Teaching & Industry Connections
The course is delivered by industry-experienced lecturers, including specialists in VFX, cinematography, 3D modelling, and real-time production workflows. The teaching team ensures that students receive current, industry-relevant training in techniques used by major film, television, and animation studios.
Additionally, as an Epic Games Academic Partner, the course benefits from exclusive learning resources, industry insights, and access to cutting-edge developments in Unreal Engine and virtual production technologies. This partnership ensures that students are trained to meet the evolving demands of real-time VFX and interactive media industries.

Career Development & Industry Success
This course is designed to equip students with the skills and experience needed to enter careers in VFX, virtual production, animation, and digital content creation. Graduates will be well-prepared for roles in:
• Film and TV production studios
• VFX and post-production companies
• Animation and game development studios
The programme is built on a strong foundation of industry collaboration and practical learning, ensuring students develop job-ready portfolios and gain exposure to real-world production environments.
Belfast Met has a proven track record of training students who have progressed to work on major productions such as Captain Marvel, The Irishman, Game of Thrones and many more.

While this is the first iteration of this specific course, it is delivered by a highly experienced teaching team with deep industry connections. Students will benefit from:
• Careers and employability support
• Networking opportunities
• Portfolio development
• Guest lectures
For full course details, including entry requirements and deadlines, visit: https://www.belfastmet.ac.uk/about-us/corporate-information/public-documents/
Before applying, please review the full Terms and Conditions here https://www.belfastmet.ac.uk/media/5idjrsdi/belfast-met-terms-and-conditions-for-enrolment-and-application-202526.pdf

Key Skills & Modules
Throughout the course, students will develop expertise in:
• Virtual Production & Real-Time Workflows – Training in LED volume technology, camera tracking, and real-time rendering using Unreal Engine and other industry tools.
• Pre- and Post-Visualisation Techniques – Developing pre-vis and post-vis sequences with software such as Nuke and Unreal Engine.
• 3D Modelling, Rigging & Asset Creation – Building and refining digital assets using Autodesk Maya, ZBrush, and Substance Painter.
• Principles of Animation & Motion Capture – Understanding animation fundamentals and hands-on experience with motion capture systems.
• Cinematography & In-Camera VFX – Learning techniques for shot composition, visual storytelling, and merging real-world and digital elements.
• Tech-Visualisation & Scene Conceptualisation – Using digital tools to accurately pre-visualise and refine production designs.

Module

Level / Credits

Assessment

Assets 1

Level 4 / 40

Coursework

Assets 2

Level 4 / 40

Coursework

Pipelines 1

Level 4 / 20

Coursework

Pipelines 2

Level 4 / 20

Coursework

Whenever possible, we make our assessment methods as practical, with written components primarily being used to reinforce technical understanding and personally reflect on own performance. However, research is a core component to the development of any skillset, and so will be tested through written assessment alongside academic writing skills appropriate to the foundation degree level.

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

• Course does not award QTS