VFX (Visual Effects and Animation) Level 3
Animation and VFX (Visual Effects) is fast becoming one of the skills shortage areas in the UK Creative Industries, due to significant demand and growth in this area. This course will provide an opportunity for students to develop their skills and expertise in VFX, CGI and Animation.
Who is the course aimed at?
Visual Effects (VFX) and Animation is an exciting and dynamic industry. This programme is designed for those learners wishing to develop their skills and expertise in animation, visual effects, post-production, concept art, 2D/3D Modelling, with a view to progressing to Degree study and employment.
How will I learn?
This study programme is designed to equip students with the practical, creative and analytical skills to make professional quality media products and develop skills in digital graphics, animation and visual effects (VFX). You also will improve your English and Maths skills and will learn how to plan, implement and evaluate your project work based on industry style briefs. You will be supported in improving your job prospects in the Digital Media Industry, whether that is via a UCAS application to a degree course or applying for work.
Over the course of the two years you will develop your theoretical and practical skills in audio/visual techniques, brand marketing and the Creative Skills Industry. The underpinning skills in effective communication, teamwork, research, analysis, writing styles and organisation are developed as you produce coursework portfolios, digital submissions and seminar presentations.
Along with the media classes, you will improve your English and Maths skills which will make you more employable and improve the quality of your media work. GCSE Maths and English resit classes may be part of your timetable depending on your GCSE entry grades. You will also attend group tutorials and 1-1 tutorials to support your study as well as enrichment activities such as watching films, meeting guest lecturers from the industry and making visits to film and television studios.
Entry Requirements
- 5 GCSEs (9-4) including English and Maths, or satisfactory results (Merit/Distinction) in a relevant Level 2 qualification
- An interview
Career Opportunities
There is a national skills shortage for animators and VFX artists. Careers in the interactive media sector include work within film and television production, advertising, post-productions, VFX, computer games design, landscape and architecture virtualisation, web design, Social Media and Digital marketing.
Course Progression
Depending on your age when you start, you will either study a two-year extended diploma or a one-year diploma before progressing to the second year. Some students who want a top up year after A levels can apply for only the one-year course. After two years, our Media students apply through UCAS to a degree course where they can specialise in different areas of the Creative Industries.
All students aged 16-18 on the first day of their course will have their course fully-funded by the government.
Costs of studying
If you are/will be aged 16, 17 or 18 on the 31st August in the calendar year when you begin a programme of study, you DO NOT pay tuition fees, College registration fees or examination/board registration fees. However, there are some courses which have additional costs which could include:
- equipment costs – such as uniforms, kits, boots, etc.
- trips and enrichment activities
- DBS checks (formerly CRB checks)
For students with an identified low household income, there may be financial support available. Bursary awards can help with your course related costs such as travel, books and equipment and much more.
19+ - Do I have to pay a fee?
The information in this section applies solely to this course and the criteria for a fee waiver is not transferable to any other course offered by the College.
| You will not pay tuition fees if you are: |
| under 19 on the 31st August 2022 |
| aged 19-24 on the 31st August 2022 and have an active Education, Health and Care Plan |
| aged 19 – 23 and have not already achieved a full Level 3 qualification* (In some cases, if you need to first enrol on a lower level course, before progressing to a Level 3, this may also be fully funded by the government) Â * This means that you have not previously attained a full Level 3 or equivalent (2 A Levels or 4 AS Levels, or QAA Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma at Level 3, or a Level 3 Tech level or applied general qualification (e.g. BTEC)). |
| You will pay tuition fees if you are: |
| aged 19 and over at the start of this course and have previously achieved a full Level 3 qualification |
| Learners required to pay tuition fees can either self-fund (whereby you or your employer pays for the course) or apply for an Advanced Learner Loan to cover all, or part, of the tuition fees for this course. The minimum loan you can get is £300, but the maximum will depend on how much the fees are and the type of course you take. |
Advanced Learner Loans
Am I eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan?
To qualify for an advanced learner loan to cover the fees for this course you must be:
- 19 years old or over on the first day of your course (there’s no upper age limit)
- A UK national or have ‘settled status’ (this means there are no restrictions on how long you can stay)
- Living in the UK on the first day of your course, and have lived in the UK, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man for three years immediately before this
Most learners that fall into this bracket will be eligible, it doesn’t depend on your household income and there’s no credit check!
If your nationality or residency status is different to the above, then please contact the national Advanced Learner Loan helpline on 0300 100 0619 or check the Advanced Learner Loan website where you will be able to find further information on eligibility.
How do I apply for an Advanced Learner Loan?
Once you have applied and been offered a place on the course, the college will provide you with a ‘learning and funding information letter’. These are normally sent out in early July.
You need this to complete the loan application and you cannot apply for a loan until you have received this.
Once you have applied for a loan and it has been approved you will receive an official letter from Student Finance England.
Am I eligible for a bursary?
Applicants thinking of enrolling on this course can apply for funding to help with the costs associated with attending college. Bursary funds are targeted at students where there is an identified low household income.
The bursary fund cannot provide help with costs unrelated to your course, such as general living expenses, nor can it be used as an attendance incentive.
Applications to the fund are not normally considered if the household income exceeds £25,000 but may be considered in some instances if the household is experiencing severe financial hardship.
| The 16-19 Bursary Fund is aimed at helping: |
| Students who are aged 16, 17 or 18 on the 31st August 2022 |
| Students aged 19 who started a two-year programme before their 19th birthday |
| Students aged 19 or over on 31st August 2022 who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) |
| If you do not meet the above criteria then you are likely to be eligible for support through either the: |
| 19+ Bursary Fund |
| or |
| Advanced Learner Loan Bursary Fund (for students paying Level 3 tuition fees for with an advanced learner loan)* *Awards from the Advanced Learner Loans Bursary Fund can only be made to students who have received an Advanced Learner Loan. If you do not intend to apply for an advanced learner loan or if your application has been unsuccessful you will not be eligible for an award from this particular fund. |
Funds are targeted at course related costs such as travel, childcare, books and equipment.
Regardless of income or employment status, students self-funding (including where an employer is covering course fees), are not eligible for financial assistance through any discretionary bursary funds.
When can I apply?
Bursary Fund applications for courses starting in the 2022/23 academic year will be open from June 1st 2022.
For courses starting in September 2022, applications should be made by 1st November 2022. If you find yourself in financial hardship after this date it is important that you still contact Student Services. Applications received after 1st November will be considered on a pro-rata basis subject to need and the availability of funds.
Payment Options
Can I pay in instalments?
Where total course fees exceed £200 you (or your employer, if they are paying your course fees) can choose to pay your fees in instalments through a monthly payment plan.
40% of the fee or £500 (whichever is lower) will be payable at enrolment.
The balance must be paid within 6 months or by the end date if the course is less than 6 months in duration.
Payment in full in advance
Payment should be made in full at the time of enrolment. Acceptable payment methods include Debit Card and Credit Card (excluding American Express). Please note that we are no longer able to accept cash or cheque payments.
How to make an Application – Watch our video guide!
Applications for September 2023 open now!
The application window for full-time courses and joint apprenticeship applications opened on Monday 3rd October at 12pm.
Before submitting your online application, make sure you have got an email address which you will check frequently and which is professional and appropriate for this purpose, and use this when you create your account. Submit the application as early as possible and remember to make a note of your USERNAME and PASSWORD details! You will need these later.
We have prepared a step-by-step video guide below – please view this video which will guide you through the application process.
Application Do's and Don'ts
Application Tips
If you have chosen the study programme you would like to apply for then you are almost there. We recommend that you read our handy application tips, watch our video and then make your application.
You can only apply for one full-time programme and one apprenticeship. You can do this together within the same application form, in what is known as a joint application.
Remember, you cannot study more than one core subject. For example, you would not be able to study two full-time programmes in different subjects simultaneously. You would take Plumbing or Music, not Plumbing and Music.
Your subject will be your primary qualification and forms the bulk of your programme of study.
Application Dos
- Apply as early as possible. We want to make sure you have the best chance of securing a place with us. All full-time applications received by the 31st of January 2023 will be guaranteed a place at Colchester Institute, subject to you satisfying the published entry requirements. We still accept applications after this date but may not be able to guarantee you a place on your chosen programme.
- Think carefully about your course choice before you apply. Talk to your head of year or careers adviser at school to make sure you have explored all your options and have found a course that suits you best. You may wish to attend one of our open days to find out more before applying.
- Make sure you attend any interviews or assessments we invite you to. These are a mandatory part of our process. They give you the opportunity to find out more about our courses, as well as allowing us to make sure you are on the most appropriate course for you. Some courses may invite you to attend a second interview or audition to demonstrate your skills and to ensure you are on the most appropriate level for you.
- Please let us know if your contact details or address change. We will use a variety of letters, emails and texts to communicate with you throughout the process, and the information we provide is both confidential and vital to your application. If you move home or change your phone number and don’t inform us of any changes, you could miss some vital information.
Application Don’ts
- Do not make multiple applications. If you are unsure, for example, of which construction/trade subject you would like to study, please only make an application for one of them. Likewise, if you later wish you had applied for a different course, please don’t worry – we can change your application. Whatever the reason for wanting to change, there is no need to make another application.
- Do not use a school email address when you create your account. Remember, you will need to access this account later in the summer after you have left school.
- Do not create another account if you have previously applied. If you have applied in previous years, please do not create a new account. If you are unsure, contact us to check which username and password to use.
Just call us on 01206 712777
VFX (Visual Effects and Animation) Level 3
Qualification: UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production and Technology
| Level | Level 3 |
|---|---|
| Location | Colchester |
| Duration | One or Two Years Year 1: Diploma Year 2: Extended Diploma |
| Study Mode | Full-Time |
| Campus / Adult Skills Centre | Colchester Campus |
| Start Date | September 2023 |
| Applications | Applications opened on Monday 3rd October 2022 |
| Fee(s) | 16-18 year olds: Free 19+: £7,395 (This fee covers the whole two year course) |
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Disclaimer
All fees, prices and funding information shown on this page are for courses starting in the 2022-23 academic year unless stated otherwise, and are correct at the time of entering/printing information, however these may be subject to change due to factors outside of our control. The College cannot accept legal or financial liability as a result of any such changes.
Courses fees are generally not confirmed for September until June / July due to the above factors.
The course information describes programmes offered by Colchester Institute. The College takes all reasonable steps to provide courses as described, but cannot guarantee provision. The information is for guidance and does not form any part of a contract.
The College reserves the right to update and amend information as and when necessary. Colchester Institute will do its best to provide the courses shown, but may have to modify or withdraw a course depending on customer demand and other factors.
