Post Production & Visual Effects BA(Hons)
Kick-start a successful career in post production and visual effects (VFX).
Course overview
Study on this exciting industry-focused course that covers all aspects of post production and visual effects (VFX) for animation, film and TV.
The degree has been designed in conjunction with leaders in the thriving global post production and VFX sectors and is delivered by a team with extensive industry experience in professional-standard facilities. You’ll develop high-level skills and graduate with professionally recognised qualifications to help you step into a role in post production.
This course will refine your skills in picture editing, colour grading, compositing, visual effects, rotoscoping, visible and invisible effects, digital imaging techniques, sound design and audio mixing, all while being supported by industry-experienced professionals. We encourage students to experiment; to think creatively, be innovative and collaborate with other disciplines and industry professionals.
You’ll graduate from this degree with excellent all-round skills and experience using Avid Media Composer and Pro Tools – two industry-standard programmes - designed to elevate you above other graduates.
Unlike other courses, this course can also enable you to graduate as a recognised Avid Operator by passing optional exams.
You will:
- Gain intensive, hands-on technical and craft experience of image and audio post-production equipment, workflows and software.
- Gain recognised industry software certifications as part of the course, giving you the edge over your peers.
- Participate in the production of one of our in-house feature film productions through SICL (Sound Image Cinema Lab). This presents a unique opportunity for you to work on a film and gain an IMDB credit.
- Engage in our weekly InTo Industry programme of guest speakers and alumni - learn directly from leading practitioners and connect with our extensive global alumni, helping you to build your network from day one. Recent guests have included Nikki Atkinson (Pre-vis/Post-vis, The Matrix Resurrections, Post-vis, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story), Mark Connell (Production Designer, Radiohead: Follow Me Around and The Chemical Brothers: We’ve Got To Try) and Graham Wild (Dubbing Mixer, Our Planet, Blue Planet II and Planet Earth II).
- Benefit from our industry links including Adobe, Avid and Blackmagic Design and numerous UK-based and international post houses and VFX studios including Framestore, ILM, Envy amongst many others.
- Have the chance to work for our in-house creative agency on live briefs, earning money while you learn.
The Integrated Foundation Year pathway for this course is new for entry year 2023 and is subject to validation.
Course details
On this Post Production & Visual Effects degree, you'll have the opportunity to gain a BA(Hons) degree over three years or the option to study Post Production & Visual Effects BA(Hons) with an Integrated Foundation Year study option (new for entry year 2023).
You'll develop a strong skills base and a working knowledge of industry practice by responding to an exciting and diverse range of post production and visual effects challenges. With access to professional-standard facilities, the chance to collaborate with multi-skilled teams and opportunities to learn from industry leaders, you'll graduate with a diverse portfolio, invaluable connections and the entrepreneurial skills to start making an impact.
You'll develop a strong skills base and a working knowledge of industry practice by responding to an exciting and diverse range of post production and visual effects challenges. With access to professional-standard facilities, the chance to collaborate with multi-skilled teams and opportunities to learn from industry leaders, you'll graduate with a diverse portfolio, invaluable connections and the entrepreneurial skills to start making an impact.
Modules
All modules in your first year balance the acquisition of key technical skills and the opportunity to apply them in a creative context. This is further underpinned by the critical exploration of leading industry speakers.
Audio Post-Production Fundamentals
You'll get an introduction to the fundamentals of audio post-production processes and software through Avid’s Pro Tools 101. This will give you an understanding of audio as a whole and enable you to integrate the skills and understanding you gain into your wider work that you get to apply to a creative audio project.
Video Post-Production Fundamentals
You'll be introduced to the fundamental processes and essential tools used in editing for post-production through Avid’s Media Composer 101. This will give you the confidence to explore these skills and take on greater challenges in your work with your creative editing project.
VFX Fundamentals
You'll develop your insights into key visual effects (VFX) principles, while developing related software-based knowledge and skills (Maya). You’ll then apply these to a creative VFX project within the module.
Audio Post-Production Competency
You'll get the opportunity to further develop your software skills through Avid’s Pro Tools 110 and explore the creative side of audio post-production.
Video Post-Production Competency
You'll develop your editing skills further through Avid’s Media Composer 110 and delve deeper into the tools and platforms used within post-production, applying these in a creative video post-production project.
VFX Competency
You'll get the opportunity to apply visual effects (VFX) techniques and develop a deeper understanding of visual effects principles. Enhancing your software-based knowledge and skills (Nuke) will be an integral part of this as you apply these to a creative VFX project.
Your second year is designed to give you greater confidence in your skills and a clearer understanding of your own interests. You'll continue your development on the three core areas but also be given that crucial space to refine your own specialist interests. This may be as a specialist editor, sound mixer, VFX supervisor, colourist, sound designer or compositor among the many other roles open to you. By exploring the cutting-edge world of virtual production and collaborating on challenging projects you’ll get to connect with peers from the School of Film & Television and across the University.
Modules
Audio Post-Production Proficiency
You'll focus on enhancing your skills in audio post-production workflows, software and hardware through Avid’s Pro Tools 201. These will then be applied to a creative audio post-production project.
Video Post-Production Proficiency
You'll take your editing skills for picture post-production to a professional level by participating in Avid’s Media Composer 201, an industry accredited programme, as an enhancement to your activities. These skills will come to bear as you apply them to a creative video post project.
VFX Proficiency 1
You'll engage with and reflect on intermediate visual effects techniques related to the cutting-edge world of virtual production.
Collaboration Lab 1: Collaborative Project
Within this module you'll get the opportunity to collaborate with peers from across the School of Film & Television and beyond to meet the challenge by your developing specialist skills. This is your chance to shine as a specialist within your chosen area.
Intermediate Post-Production & Visual Effects Project
Collaborating with your peers – or by working as an individual – you'll embark on a project as a specialist in your chosen field of audio post-production, video post-production or visual effects.
VFX Proficiency 2
You'll deepen your knowledge and refine your skills in visual effects, specifically around techniques relevant to virtual production.
Your final year will be dedicated to refining and mastering your skills as you prepare for a career in industry. You'll cement your learning across the three core areas of audio post-production, video post-production and visual effects. You'll have the opportunity to take on a collaborative contextual or entrepreneurial project with peers from across the University, especially in animation, film, television, prosthetic effects, games or on one of the School of Film & Television's funded micro-budget films. You'll also work on an advanced post-production or visual effects project.
Modules
Audio Post-Production Mastery
You'll progress to become an advanced operator for audio production by mastering technical and practical skills through Avid’s Pro Tools 210. This is an essential skill to have in terms of entering the industry.
Video Post-Production Mastery
You'll refine your practice and take your knowledge to the next level by developing your understanding of industry and the application of key workflows through Avid’s Media Composer 210 and a creative video post production project.
VFX Mastery
Take a prescribed supervised project where you'll apply current professional working practices. This will enable you to demonstrate proficiency in a chosen specialism to a standard expected by industry.
Collaboration Lab 2: Future Skills
You'll be equipped to critically examine and practice a range of future skills so you can become a resilient and connected practitioner. Collaborative working is a key here and reflective of the industry that you will soon enter.
Advanced Post-Production & Visual Effects Project
Get industry-ready by working on a live client-related brief in collaboration as a post-production or visual effects specialist.
Why study an Integrated Foundation Year route?
If you’re taking on a new subject that you haven’t studied in depth before, have been out of education for a while or have a non-standard educational background then an Integrated Foundation Year degree may be the right choice for you. It is a four-year degree with an Integrated Foundation Year to start, which allows you to explore the primary elements of your subject before progressing on to the remaining three years of the BA(Hons) degree.
What you'll study in your Foundation year
If you choose this pathway, you'll study five core modules in your Foundation year. These are all designed to help you explore the foundational elements of your subject. You'll gain relevant technical skills, learn to experiment and take risks, develop an understanding of professional practice, have opportunities to work across disciplines and collaborate with other students on live project briefs.
Modules
Explore
You'll begin your foundation year by working collaboratively with others to explore themes of the future. You'll take risks, experiment through play and be supported to break through barriers.
Technique
You'll take subject-specific workshops and develop essential technical and practical skills in your area of study. You'll also enhance your analytical and organisational abilities.
Apply
You'll work with your peer group to think beyond discipline by addressing a societal or global issue. You'll then showcase your work to your peers and deliver and accompanying evaluation of your process.
Industry
You'll enhance your creative and practical skills in your subject specialism by responding to typical industry briefs, underpinned by focused research and experiments. You'll also gain industry insights through guest lectures and workshops.
Launch
You'll develop your unique identity in your specialism through the production of a self-initiated body of work. Your final project will be the bridge to your next year, fully supported by evaluative reviews and critical analysis of the work you have created.
After the Foundation year, you progress into Year One of the full three-year degree, equipped with a deeper knowledge of your subject, a clear understanding of your strengths, and develop a practical and technical skillset and the confidence to excel in your chosen subject.
The Integrated Foundation Year pathway for this course is new for entry year 2023 and subject to validation.
The modules above are those being studied by our students, or proposed new ones. Programme structures and modules can change as part of our curriculum enhancement and review processes. If a certain module is important to you, please discuss it with the Course Leader.
From module information to course aims and assessment criteria, discover the full course details.
We are making changes to our curriculum framework for courses starting in 2022. Modest amendments to our course module structure will provide you with new opportunities to collaborate and co-create with students from across disciplines during your studies.
This course page will be updated when these changes have been finalised and applicants will be notified.
How you'll learn
This practice-based degree is underpinned by creative, technical and critical tuition, designed to meet the demands of today's post production and visual effects industries. You'll curate your practice with a sense of personal direction and specialism while working with world-class leaders in your field. They will guide you in lectures, seminars, workshops and individual tutorials.
At Falmouth, we use a 'digitally enhanced learning & teaching' approach. Your experience will always be predominantly in-person, including seminars, tutorials and studio teaching, with some, more targeted elements, being online either live (synchronous) or pre-recorded (asynchronous). You can read more here.
How you'll be assessed
The BA Post Production & Visual Effects degree employs a variety of assessment strategies over the year, including:
- Portfolios of practical work
- Written reports
- Industry accredited exams
Your final assessments occur at the end of each module, usually at the end of a study block. You'll also benefit from interim formative assessments partway through modules. These assessments help ensure that you remain on track with your work. You'll receive feedback on all your work throughout the year. It will be delivered in tutorials and studio-based workshops. At the end of a module, you'll be given detailed written feedback on your work and the opportunity to meet with your assessor to gain further clarity.
If you choose the Integrated Foundation Year pathway for this course, all assessments within your foundation year will be 100% coursework based.
Staff
Our staff includes academic and technical tutors with extensive industrial experience in post production and visual effects. This experience combines games, feature films, commercials and TV.
You'll also interact with the School of Film & Television's writers, academics, directors, producers, cinematographers, editors, screenwriters, script editors, sound designers, branded content producers and art directors.
Some members of staff only teach on specific modules, and your course might not feature every staff member who teaches on the course.
Richard Butler
Technical Tutor
After graduating from Nottingham Trent University in 1998 with and HND in Electrical and Electronic ...
David Smithers
Technical & Facilities Manager, The School of Film & Television
After graduating with a degree in History and Media from the University of Leeds, David started his ...
Jared Embley
Senior Lecturer, Post-Production and VFX
I am a Visual Effects artist with over 15 years of professional experience spread throughout the wor...
Dr Julian Konczak
Lecturer
Following a career in production as a post-production freelance, I have taught a range of modules in...
Facilities
The multi-million-pound, industry standard School of Film & Television offers professional facilities including:
- Four large production studios, including a large multipurpose studio equipped with three Sony HXC-FB80 studio cameras and full lighting rig, and an integral live gallery including 4-input Tricaster Ultra HD production system
- Extensive production, post production and facilities store open to midnight during term time and on Saturdays
- Specialist green screen studio with infinity cove & 360-degree subject lighting rig. Access to Xsens motion capture kit and VR/AR/MR equipment
- Nine Mac Pro edit suites with Avid Media Composer, Adobe Creative Cloud Suite & Da Vinci Resolve
- Two specialist grading suites featuring DaVinci Resolve and 4K preview screens
- Three 28-seat 'Post Hubs' for post production software training, equipped with dual screen Apple iMacs
- Software available includes Avid Media Composer, Adobe Creative Cloud, Da Vinci Resolve and Avid Pro Tools
- Avid NEXIS shared storage system for seamless access and integration of post production projects
- 25-seat dubbing theatre with Avid S6 mixing desk and Pro Tools Ultimate
- Foley/ADR suite with access to a wide range of mics, foley traps and props. As well as three further post production audio suites, all equipped with Pro Tools Ultimate
- Ten Mac Pro edit suites
- Two 29-seat post production hubs
- Three post production audio suites
- Cinema with Christie M-Series HD projection and 7.2 surround sound
Media Equipment and Facilities
Our industry-level facilities offer everything you need to practice and produce animation, film, TV,...
Library Facilities
Offering extensive collections, our two libraries provide a wealth of digital resources, magazines, ...
Sports Centre
Our Sports Centre, on Penryn Campus, includes a spacious gym with up to 90 of the latest, new statio...
How to apply
Apply via UCAS
Ready to join us? You can apply for September 2022 through Clearing or for September 2023 through UCAS Apply and Track. You'll need to reference the course and University code (F33).
Applying as an international student?
International students can apply for a course through UCAS, via an agent or directly with the university. For more information about how to apply as an international student, visit our International applications page.
| Course route | UCAS code |
|---|---|
| Post Production & Visual Effects BA(Hons) three year degree | W614 |
| Post Production & Visual Effects BA(Hons) with Integrated Foundation Year (new for entry year 2023) | FY25 |
Application advice & interview information
Go to ToolkitWe consider all applications on their own individual merit and potential. We invite all applicants to an interview day or audition to give them the opportunity to demonstrate this along with what inspires and motivates them in their field. Applicants will also be able to show their portfolio or give a performance depending on the course. We welcome applications from all subject backgrounds, whether you’ve specialised in STEM, the arts or humanities.
| Course route | Entry requirements |
|---|---|
| BA/BSc(Hons) three year degree | 104 – 120 UCAS Tariff points |
| BA/BSc(Hons) four year degree with Integrated Foundation Year | 80 – 120 UCAS Tariff points |
UCAS Tariff points will primarily be from Level 3 qualifications such as but not limited to A-levels, T Levels, a BTEC/UAL Extended Diploma or a Foundation Diploma.
For applicants whose first language is English we require you to have or be working towards GCSE English Language Grade 4 (C), or equivalent.
If English is not your first language you will need to meet the same standard which is equivalent to the IELTS Academic 6.0 overall score, with at least 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. We accept a range of in country equivalencies and approved tests.
If you need a student visa to study in the UK, you may need to take a recognised language test. You can read our English Language Requirements for more information.
For starting your studies in 2023
UK applications: 25 January 2023 (for equal consideration)
Applications after the 25 January will be considered on a first-come, first-served as long as there are places available. Apply for this course now.
International fee payers
International fee payers can apply throughout the year. But we recommend applying as early as possible, to make time for visa and travel arrangements.
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