Post Production & Visual Effects BA(Hons)

Get ready to shape the future of post production and visual effects. Studying within a CILECT film school, you’ll be supported by industry-leading professionals to experiment, collaborate and connect with industry.

Student working in front of screens in editing suite.

Key details

Location	Penryn Campus
Course Duration	3 years
Attendance	Full-time
UCAS code	W614
Contact	01326 254350
Subject to validation during this academic year	✔

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Introduction

This course is new for entry year 2021

With industry-practicing staff, unrivalled guest speakers from across the globe, opportunities to work on live briefs and the chance to design your own major and minor specialisms, you'll graduate set to make your unique mark as a skilled and resilient post production & visual effects practitioner. You'll also have access to world-class facilities and get the chance to join our in-house micro-budget short and feature filmmaking scheme.

You will:

Study a curriculum shaped by industry demands and in association with key partners
Graduate from a CILECT film school
Work with professional standard post production and VFX facilities, with software and processes that mirror real world practices
Have the chance to curate your major and minor specialisms
Get the opportunity to engage with our unique in-house micro-budget short and feature filmmaking scheme.
Work on live industry briefs
Learn from industry professionals across the globe with our unrivalled guest speaker series
Undertake an optional industry internship in your final year of study
Gain recognised industry certifications as part of the course, giving you the edge on your peers

Covid-19 update

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, we have reviewed and made changes to our courses to provide flexible, blended delivery that offers high-quality digital engagement and access to face-to-face teaching in our facilities. You can see how your course may be adjusted by viewing the changes for the current academic year by visiting our welcome letters & latest course updates page

What our graduates do

When you graduate you could forge a career in a variety of post production and visual effects roles, including post production supervisors, VFX producers, editors, colourists, MCR operators, post production sound assistants, music coordinators, data wranglers, Roto artists and technical directors within this developing sector.

Course details

What you'll learn

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.

Year one

You'll begin by getting to grips with essential processes and industry-standard software before putting these skills into practice with post production and visual effects projects. Collaborating with peers across the University, your work will vary from acquisition for visual effects and the principles of on-set data capture and setups, through to the craft of sound and picture editing.

Modules

Essential Post production 1 – Fundamentals

The Craft of Post

Essential Post Production 2 – Competency

Acquisition for Post

Year two

Your second year is all about defining your unique path into industry. You'll delve deeper into fundamental software, processes and workflows before choosing from a selection of specialist modules. From Screen & Story and Grading to Audio and Production Management, you'll begin to explore what elements of post production and visual effects excite you most – shaping the course of your future career.

Modules

Essential Post Production 3

Optional modules

Specialist Option 1: Screen & Story

Specialist Option 2: Grading

Specialist Option 3: Audio

Specialist Option 4: Production Management

Specialist Option 5: Editing

Specialist Option 6: VFX

Study Abroad Option

Year three

In your final year you'll have a good sense of who you are as a post production or visual effects practitioner. You'll continue to shape your specialisms with optional modules in audio, VFX, picture and picture-colour, as well as honing your theoretical and practical skills through our final compulsory 'Essentials' module. With a focus on industry-readiness, you'll be encouraged to pursue a short-term industry placement or join our Collaboration Lab – where you'll work with peers across the University on final year projects or on one of our in-house micro-features.

Modules

Essential Post Production 4: Mastery

Optional modules

Specialist Option 1: Audio

Specialist Option 2: Picture

Specialist Option 3: Picture - Colour

Specialist Option 4: VFX

Collaboration Lab

Internship

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.

How you'll learn

This practice-based course 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.

How you'll be assessed

The BA Post Production & Visual Effects course 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.

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.

Staff profile

Andy Joule

Head of Animation, Prosthetics & Effects

Andy is Head of Animation, Prosthetics & Effects in the CILECT School of Film & Television and...

Staff profile

Doug Smith

Senior Technician, The School of Film & Television

I graduated from the University of Hull in 2002 after taking a BA in Music Technology. Music being...

Staff profile

Richard Butler

Senior Technician: Audio

After graduating from Nottingham Trent University in 1998 with and HND in Electrical and Electronic...

Staff profile

Rosa Mulraney

Senior Lecturer

A Senior Lecturer at Falmouth University specialising in post-production, visual effects and...

Staff profile

Michael Faherty

Lecturer

I have worked professionally for more than 20 years in animation, CG and visual effects. My...

Staff profile

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...

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

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How to apply

Apply via UCAS

Ready to join us? If you're applying through UCAS Apply and Track, you'll need to reference the university and course codes below.

University code: F33
Course code: W614

Apply now

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.

International applications

Entry requirements

We 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.

As a guide our typical offer at undergraduate level is 104 – 120 UCAS Tariff points, primarily from Level 3 qualifications such as but not limited to A-levels, a BTEC Extended Diploma or a Foundation Diploma.

Check how many points your qualifications are worth

Language requirements

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'll need to take a recognised language test that is approved and vouched for by the University. You can read our English Language Requirements for more information.

Deadlines

UK/EU applications: 15 January 2021 (for equal consideration)

Late applications will be considered if there are places available.

International fee payers can apply throughout the year. But we recommend applying as early as possible, to make time for visa and travel arrangements.

Interview information & application advice

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Personal Statement Guide

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Portfolio Advice

What is a portfolio and how do you make one? Read our guide.

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After You Apply

Find out what happens after you apply to Falmouth and what you'll need to do.

Fees, costs & funding

Tuition fees 2021-22

£9,250 per year - full-time UK

TBC - full-time EU

TBC - full-time international

Typical course costs

£200 annually – Study trips to film festivals, relevant trade shows and post production companies based locally and in London, Cardiff or Bristol.
£50 – Compulsory trips and final portfolios or shows.
£50 – Recurring annual costs for optional study visits and placements.

If you need to bring equipment or materials with you, these will be outlined in your Welcome Letter

The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs

Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.

Funding

For information about funding available, please visit our undergraduate funding page.

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