Program Overview

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Master of Animation and Visual Effects

The Master of Animation and Visual Effects is a two-year postgraduate program designed for graduates and professionals who aim to thrive in the rapidly growing and evolving field of animation and visual effects production and beyond.

Overview

The program combines technical, conceptual, creative, and professional skills to enable students to work independently and collaboratively to realize their artistic vision. With access to world-class facilities and a diverse community of artists and designers, students will be guided by academics with a wealth of industry experience.

Key Features

• Holistic artistic development: Informed by the latest industry developments, students will learn a variety of technical processes and approaches as well as creative and conceptual skills that prepare them to work in a variety of roles across and beyond the creative pipeline.
• Agility and leadership for an evolving future: Students will gain in-demand capabilities across teamwork, resilience, and communication, helping them become sought-after professionals in the animation and visual effects sector and beyond.
• Inclusive and flexible learning environment: Immersed in a supportive and inclusive community at UNSW Art & Design, students will develop their practice alongside fellow artists and designers of the future.

Why Study at UNSW?

• Join a global top 20 university (QS World University Rankings, 20242026)
• Develop as an artist at UNSW Art & Design, a campus dedicated to creativity at the center of Sydneys creative sector.
• Gain a prestigious Go8 education at a university dedicated to shaping a generation of socially conscious change-makers and leaders across art and design.
• Access flexible study options, with timetables designed to allow students to work while studying, and the added opportunity to gain industry feedback and experience through internship options.

Program Code and Campus

• Program Code: 9319
• CRICOS Code: M
• Campus: Paddington
• Total Units of Credit (UOC): 96

Entry Requirements

Admission pathways into the Master of Animation and Visual Effects degree can include:

• 2-year program (96 UOC): A Bachelor's degree (AQF level 7) in any field with a weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 65 or equivalent.
• 1.7-year program (72 UOC): A Bachelor's degree (AQF level 7) in a related field with a weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 65 or equivalent.
• 1-year program (48 UOC): An Honours Degree (AQF level 8) in a related field.

Related Fields

Related fields include the Creative Arts (FOE 10, such as Visual Arts and Crafts, Performing Arts, Graphic and Design Studies, Communication and Media Studies).

Admission Pathways

• Graduate Certificate in Animation and Visual Effects: Students can request to transfer into the Graduate Diploma program provided they have achieved a Pass in all courses and a credit average overall.
• Graduate Diploma in Animation and Visual Effects: Students can request to transfer into the Masters program provided they have achieved a Pass in all courses and a credit average overall.

English Language Requirements

Students may be asked to provide evidence of their English proficiency to study at UNSW, depending on their educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments, and examinations.

What Will I Study?

The Master of Animation and Visual Effects offers a customizable structure with flexible entry and exit points and full-time and part-time study options. Depending on the length of the program, students will complete:

• 2-year program (96 UOC): 10 Core courses, 5 Prescribed elective courses
• 1.7-year program (72 UOC): 7 Core courses, 4 Prescribed elective courses
• 1-year program (48 UOC): 4 Core courses, 3 Prescribed elective courses

Program Structure

The program has three main components: a series of core studios, contextual courses that complement the creative skillset, and prescribed electives that give students options to build their portfolio of skills and knowledge in specialized areas of practice.

Core Studio Courses

In the core studios, students will learn to integrate fundamental aspects of animation, 3D modeling, and VFX compositing into increasingly complex projects.

Contextual Courses

Through a series of contextual courses, students will build a complementary set of capabilities in teamwork, communication, research, and leadership, as well as deepen their understandings of screen aesthetics and the key ideas and debates that are shaping this field.

Prescribed Electives

Students will choose from studio-based elective courses to focus on specific areas of animation and visual effects practice, such as motion capture, rigging, creature and character design, procedural FX, real-time and virtual production, digital cinematography, internship, and research paper.

Future Careers

As a UNSW Master of Animation and Visual Effects graduate, students will be highly sought after across the rapidly growing animation and visual effects industry in Australia and globally. They will also graduate with the creative and technical skills that will make them adaptable and able to drive and lead change in a broad range of fields that draw on new visualization technologies used in various industries.

Potential Careers

• Animator
• 3D artist
• 3D generalist
• CG effects artist
• Creature effects artist
• Concept artist
• Storyboard artist
• Texture artist
• Visual effects artist
• Visual effects compositor
• VFX supervisor
• Matte painter
• Media arts practitioner
• Motion designer
• Art director
• Post-production artist
• Virtual production artist
• Game developer
• Layout artist

Fees & Scholarships

Commonwealth Supported Place

• 2026 Indicative CSP First Year Fee: $10,000
• 2026 Indicative CSP Fee to Complete Degree: $19,500

Full Fee

• 2026 Indicative First Year Full Fee: $48,500
• 2026 Indicative Full Fee to Complete Degree: $101,500

Scholarships

At UNSW, over $83 million in scholarships is awarded each year. The university prides itself on rewarding excellence and making university accessible to students from all walks of life. Whether domestic or international, a range of scholarships, prizes, and awards can support students' journeys.