Overview
The Guardian University Guide 2024 ranks Brunel design graduates top in the UK for career after 15 months, while government figures also show Brunel design graduates rank no.1 for graduate earnings in the UK.*
Get a visual overview of this exciting programme by watching our colourful short video.
Our Visual Effects and Motion Graphics BSc degree is a state-of-the-art, hands-on course that combines digital technology and creative design. It will give you the knowledge and practical skills required by the visual effects and motion graphics sector within the entertainment and creative industries. This course is fully accredited by ScreenSkills, the industry-led skills body for the UK’s screen-based industries. Brunel’s digital media courses are the only ScreenSkills-accredited degree programmes in London and the South East.
At Brunel, we combine a study of visual effects with motion graphics so you can learn a wide range of creative and technical skills required to produce high-quality visual assets and artefacts for film, TV, the web, games and other creative outlets. You’ll study VFX acquisition, motion design, CGI, digital graphic design, digital photography and video. You will then progress to producing more complex post-production assets and artefacts involving compositing, advanced CGI, 3D animation, media aesthetics, motion graphics and mixed reality. In your final year, you can choose from modules in advanced digital graphics and motion design and advanced 3D animation with additional options in digital experiences and creative technology design. Throughout the course you will develop the professional and transferable skills required by the creative digital industries.
Professional and transferable skills required for working in the creative digital industries are developed throughout each year of the course.
Our industry-standard digital media facilities include a green screen and post-production studio, motion capture, sound and photography studios, 4K digital cinema cameras, and a dedicated render farm. You'll have access to exclusive PC and Mac computing laboratories and benefit from the latest industry-standard specialist software for graphics and image/video editing, 3D animation, digital compositing and high-quality asset creation. There's also the opportunity for you to use our immersive virtual environment laboratory. This includes an immersive dome (planetarium) set up for Brunel by the National Space Centre in Leicester, one of only a few in the UK!
There are guest lectures covering a wide range different digital media topics and the visiting lecturers provide industry insight and advice on how to structure your portfolio and showreels. Speakers include creative and design directors, motion graphics professionals, 3D graphic supervisors, VFX specialists and generalists.
Visits are arranged to TV and photography studios, and post-production houses. There’s also the opportunity to go to conferences and this is your chance to build networks with key industry experts. In addition, you have the advantage of Brunel’s close location to London for trips to exhibitions celebrating the creative industries.
The course can be studied full-time over three years, or four years with a placement year. This time in industry helps you to further prepare for the world of work and you’ll have a year’s worth of invaluable professional experience when you graduate. If you decide to go on a digital media placement year, you will have the opportunity of working in the ever-growing creative industries.
The end-of-year highlight is the BrunelDigital degree show hosted on Brunel’s one London campus. Exhibiting your creative work at this event is a great way for you to connect with leading creative technologists and showcase your talent. To see some 2023 final year students discussing their end of degree projects, watch this short video.
An added benefit as a student on this ScreenSkills endorsed course, is that you're eligible to apply for a Royal Television Society (RTS) bursary.
* Longitudinal Employment Outcomes (LEO) 2022
You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour.
Course content
From day one, you will start building a strong portfolio of your creative work ready for industry. The course is focused primarily on interactive practical skills supported by subject knowledge, theory, and live project briefs provided by our industry collaborators. In your final year, you will work on your individual major visual effects and motion graphics project which could involve the creation of a short 3D animation or film.
Compulsory
- Introduction to Motion Design
An introduction into bringing your designs to life by making them move. Adding style and character to your graphic design and branding, to create engaging content for all your screen based media.
- Introduction to Professional Practice in the Creative Industries
Engages students with the different aspects of the creative industry landscape in the UK, covering, Digital Design 3D and VFX. Students will take part in independent research into an area of interest in the creative industry, as well as visit a creative industry agency or meet industry guest lecturers and start building a personal networking of design industry professionals.
- Foundations of Interactive Digital Media Development
Provides the fundamental JavaScript programming that covers foundation of interactive digital media development. It teaches important concepts, students will find in every coding language, such as variables, arrays, functions, objects, classes, control flow and events. In this module, the student will understand key programming technical in interactive media.
- Digital Photography and Video Production
Gives an opportunity to explore digital photography and video production and how they can be combined to create compelling visual content. Utilises professional studio-based practice using industry standard equipment and studio facilliites. In addition to production aspects, post production for video and photography is also introduced.
- 3D CGI and Acquisition for VFX
Features an introduction to the artistic and technical aspects of 3D asset creation using industry standard 3D applications, tools and techniques. In addition, students are introduced to taking 3D assets and compositing those with live action footage and how to capture relevant data to assist with this process. Typical 3D/VFX workflows are introduced.
- Design Communication
Aim: To enable students to have an appreciation of visual literacy in the context of design and visual expression, appreciating the context of visual thinking and to develop visual thinking techniques and processes through a variety of media. To help students develop foundation skills in visual communication, graphic communication, visualisation, design and the use of computer-generated media methods.
Compulsory
- Applied Media Aesthetics
This module explores asthethics and design associated with a range of final visual and audio outputs, for example branding, web, video, motion, sound, mobile, social media and direct marketing. Students work with external companies and engage with research and design work through milestones to help them produce a final output for the company in a group project.
- Immersive Mixed Reality DesignThis module aims to extend knowledge and skills in the theory and practice of Immersive Mixed Reality using media production tools and scripting, particularly for producing interactive Augmented and Virtual Reality content.
- Motion Graphics Designthis module aims to develop the students applied design skills and understanding of motion graphics in professional contexts deepening understanding of design theory as applied to motion graphics design and film title sequences.
- Programming for the Moving Image
This module provides the fundamental python programming that covers foundation of software process automation in creative 3D modelling tools. It teaches important concepts of python plugin development for Maya, students is introduced to main python codding syntax such as variables, data type arrays, functions, objects, classes, control flow and events. In this module, the student will understand key programming techniques in process automation for a better creative skillset.
- Advanced 3D CGI and Compositing
This module explores advanced 3D and Compositing. Students will learn cinematic techniques e.g., lighting for mood, camera animation and lens effects. Use of alternative 3D creation such as photogrammetry. They will learn filming for compositing on location and in a green screen, including moving camera shots. Students will learn which compositing techniques are applicable for various types of shot.
- 3D Animation and Motion Graphics
This module aims to teach students how to create engaging animation. Use of cinematography concepts such as camera angles and lighting to enhance the visual impact and mood of their work. Use animation principles such as timing, spacing, easing, and squash and stretch to create expressive animation. Use motion capture and rigging techniques to animate 3D characters.
Compulsory
- Major Visual Effects and Motion Graphics ProjectThis module aims to provide the opportunity for the student to plan, research, design, implement, evaluate, exhibit and report on a substantial individual project in Visual Effects and Motion Graphics in a professional manner.
- Working in the Digital Creative IndustriesThis module aims to provide the opportunity for students to critically explore key issues affecting the work of the professional practitioner in the Creative Industries and critically examine the ethical positions and principles that underpin accepted working practice.
- Virtual Production
This module will explore technologies for Virtual production e.g., real-time rendering, motion capture, LED Walls, Green screen. Alternative technologies for VP including full VP and Hybrid Green Screen. They will learn the process for VP, and how they differ from traditional 3D/VFX. Students will learn cinematography creative and technical roles associated with Virtual Production.
Optional
- Advanced 3D Animation Project
The module ustilizes a range of industry standard tools for advanced animation using motion capture. From simulation and FX such as particle dynamics, physical dynamics, cloth simulation, fluid simulation, fire and smoke to crowd simulations. Students will learn motion capture pipeline. Character rigging and integrating motion capture with a digital character. Post-processing of motion capture and enhancing animation
- Artificial Intelligence and Games Project
The module aims to help students further develop their creative design and prototyping knowledge and skills with the key creative technologies of Artificial Intelligence and Games. A practical component will involve designing and prototyping a digital artefact using one or both creative technologies of Artificial Intelligence and Games. The module explores the use of AI techniques in games and the use of games technology within the digital media context.
- Advanced Graphics and Motion Design Project
This module is an opportunity to explore some specific topics and disciplines for digital designers. Each week we take a different subject related to the various areas and fields of specialism within digital design. Using a mixture of lectures and workshops, both individually and within groups, students can explore and practise a particular skill set, paying particular attention to their own work and development as a designer.
This course can be studied 3 years full-time or 4 years full-time with placement, starting in September.
This course has a placement option. Find out more about work placements available.
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Read more about the structure of undergraduate degrees at Brunel.
Careers and your future
A visual effects and motion graphics degree from Brunel will prepare you for creative roles in the rapidly expanding digital media industry.
Brunel’s location close to the large concentration of creative and entertainment industries in and around London means that there are a variety of job opportunities available.
Our graduates take up posts as motion graphics designers, compositors, animators, 3D graphic artists and designers, digital video editors and producers, directors of photography, games designers/developers, and post-production engineers. Many become self-employed, either as freelancers or by setting up their own companies.
UK entry requirements
2024/25 entry
- GCE A-level AAB-BBB. (General Studies not accepted).
- BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma DDM in any subject.
- BTEC Level 3 Diploma DM in any subject, AND an A-Level at grade B.
- BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma D in any subject with A-Levels grade BC.
- International Baccalaureate Diploma 30 points.
- Obtain a minimum of 120 UCAS tariff points in the Access to HE Diploma with 45 credits at Level 3.
- T levels : Merit overall
Five GCSEs at grade C or grade 4 and above are also required, to include Maths and English Language.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants as well as our full GCSE requirements and accepted equivalencies in place of GCSEs.
Brunel University London is committed to raising the aspirations of our applicants and students. We will fully review your UCAS application and, where we’re able to offer a place, this will be personalised to you based on your application and education journey.
All applicants are required to provide a portfolio as part of the selection process before a formal offer is made.
EU and International entry requirements
If you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you must prove knowledge of the English language so that we can issue you a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS). To do this, you will need an IELTS for UKVI or Trinity SELT test pass gained from a test centre approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and on the Secure English Language Testing (SELT) list. This must have been taken and passed within two years from the date the CAS is made.
English language requirements
- IELTS: 6 (min 5.5 in all areas)
- Pearson: 59 (59 in all sub scores)
- BrunELT: 58% (min 55% in all areas)
- TOEFL: 77 (min R18, L17, S20, W17)
You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.
Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.
Fees and funding
2024/25 entry
UK
£9,250 full-time
£1,385 placement year
International
£23,615 full-time
£1,385 placement year
Fees quoted are per year and may be subject to an annual increase. Home undergraduate student fees are regulated and are currently capped at £9,250 per year; any changes will be subject to changes in government policy. International fees will increase annually, by no more than 5% or RPI (Retail Price Index), whichever is the greater.
More information on any additional course-related costs.
See our fees and funding page for full details of undergraduate scholarships available to Brunel applicants.
Please refer to the scholarships pages to view discounts available to eligible EU undergraduate applicants.
Scholarships and bursaries
Teaching and learning
All workshops and seminars and the vast majority of lectures will be delivered in-person and on-campus with an expectation of on-campus attendance. Some sessions might provide pre-recorded content for you to engage with prior to on-campus activities, such as in-person workshops.
Lecture slides and recordings, workshop and seminar materials and other sources will be available online via the University’s Virtual Learning Environment, Brightspace. The vast majority of reading material, e.g. books and journals, will also be available online with full-text access.
On-campus teaching and learning activities allow you to make the most of facilities available on campus, e.g., workshops, computer rooms and the dedicated studios. In-person teaching and learning activities also help encourage you to integrate into the Brunel Design School community and connect with students from other year groups and other programmes.
The course is assessed entirely by coursework with online submission and feedback.
Access to a laptop or desktop PC is required for joining online activities, completing coursework and digital exams, and a minimum specification can be found here.
We have computers available across campus for your use and laptop loan schemes to support you through your studies. You can find out more here.
Our digital media degrees are delivered by a multidisciplinary teaching team. This means you’ll be learning from staff with industry experience as well as staff from academia including researchers. They will encourage individuality and support you to create innovative work.
Study will combine lectures, industry-led seminars, workshop and studio sessions, presentations, case studies, field trips, and group and individual project work.
Should you need any non-academic support during your time at Brunel, the Student Support and Welfare Team are here to help.
Assessment and feedback
Your progress will be assessed via coursework, individual and group practical studio assignments, demonstrations and presentations, essays, and the final year major project.
Read our guide on how to avoid plagiarism in your assessments at Brunel.
