BA Digital Film Practice - Visual Effects

Program Overview

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BA (Hons) Digital Film Practice – Visual Effects

Overview

BA Digital Film Practice – Visual Effects is one of four pathways under BA Digital Film Practice. This course gives you the opportunity to study and gain professional skills in a range of cutting-edge technical craft practices, and then to specialise in one of these in-demand skillsets.

Why Take the Course?

• Practical: Throughout this course, modules will pull from both practical and contextual elements, with opportunities to work in groups and produce content demonstrating your learning, and a graduation project run collaboratively across pathways.
• Comprehensive: In addition to developing and practising fundamental storytelling, production, technical, and editorial skills, you will develop critical awareness, core knowledge, and technical, managerial, and creative abilities in your chosen pathway: Visual Effects, Post Production, Virtual Production, or Sound.
• Industry-facing: You will build a range of transferable skills that can be applied across the creative industries and beyond, synthesising principles of diversity, equality, sustainability, and inclusivity in your development as a practitioner.
• Marketable Skills: Visual Effects is a fast-growing field in the screen industries, and the latest research has already identified a skills shortage in this craft area. Through this course, you will be primed to join this sector of the industry, equipped with the practical and business skills needed to build a successful and rewarding career.
• Awarding body: BIMM University.

Visual Effects Pathway

This course is structured over three years – Level 4, 5, and 6 – in which your learning will progress according to the overview below.

Level 4

At Level 4, you will engage in six modules designed to give all students on the programme a basis in the fundamentals of story, and the ability to produce film and screen content. You will also gain an introduction to each of the specialist pathways: Post Production, Virtual Production, Sound, and your chosen pathway, Visual Effects.

In the first semester, you will gain a practical and contextual understanding of storytelling on screen; film and screen production; and editing.

In the second semester, you will gain an introduction to each of the specialisms – with each module including both practical and contextual elements. In parallel, you will work in groups to produce short films which bring your learning across the level to a conclusion.

Level 5

Having confirmed your specialist pathway at the end of Level 4, you will spend much of your second year working within your pathway, Visual Effects, with skills development, practical exercises, and theory in each semester.

In the first semester, you will immerse yourself in the field of Visual Effects, and develop your understanding, knowledge, and skills in this area. In parallel, you will engage in comparative storytelling and narrative across all screen types, across the world, and over time. You will also develop your research skills and contextual understanding.

In the second semester, you will continue to develop your craft skills in Visual Effects, learning further skills through project-based work. You will also be introduced to the business of film, television, and screen content, and develop your skills in: project management; professional practice; legal and financial skills; market and audience engagement; and research in practice.

Level 6

In the first semester, you will continue to develop more advanced and applied skills towards Visual Effects. In parallel, a common module allows you to think together with students on other pathways, and to collaborate in developing your graduation projects.

You will also build your professional understanding of applications of digital film practice in the industry; explore roles and careers open to you; look at changing technology in film; and learn how to operate as a freelancer.

In the second semester, you will work on your graduation projects, which will be a collaborative or individual project to showcase your digital film practice. You will also develop your career plans, and manage your portfolio.

Visual Effects Modules

Across the three years of the programme, you will progressively learn and build your knowledge, skills, and understanding of Visual Effects for film, television, and screen content creation.

You will learn through focused tuition and project-based application, including modelling; animating effects; motion graphics; compositing; and workflow for project management.

In your final year, you will work together with those on your pathway, as well as the wider undergraduate cohort, on a collaborative or independent Graduation Project, giving you an opportunity to showcase your skills and understanding of Visual Effects.

Teaching, Learning & Assessment

We include a diverse range of teaching methods which include:

• seminars in smaller groups;
• small group tutorials;
• practical group work;
• formative feedback through critiques/screening and reflective sessions;
• skills Labs – a reflection of ‘real world’ experiences; and
• enhancement activities.

We use a wide range of assessment which include portfolios, performances, research, presentations, and reflective work.

Entry Requirements

• UCAS Tariff: 96 points
• A-Level: CCC
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma: MMM
• GCSE Maths & English: A*-C/9-4 or Level 2 Equivalents
• IELTS: 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 to be achieved in each band

UK applicants need to apply through UCAS using codes:

• Course Code: BDVF
• Institution code: B39 (BIMM University)
• Campus name: MetFilm School London (Campus Code is 1), MetFilm School Leeds (Campus Code is 2), or MetFilm School Manchester (Campus Code is 4).

Equipment Requirements

For more information, please check Equipment in the Study with Us section for your chosen course, and the Location sections for the range of Equipment and Learning Resources available on each of our campuses.

Application Information

For more information on BA Digital Film Practice – Visual Effects entry requirements, language requirements, funding, and the application process please visit:

• Study with Us

Dates & Prices

London

• 15 September 2025 - 19 May 2028
• £9,535 (per year) – UK Students
• £9,535 (per year)** – EU/EEA Students
• £15,950 (per year)** – International Students
• __ Apply via UCAS

Leeds

• 14 September 2026 - 18 May 2029
• £9,535 (per year) – UK Students
• £9,535 (per year)** – EU/EEA Students
• £15,950 (per year)** – International Students
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Manchester

• 14 September 2026 - 18 May 2029
• £9,535 (per year) – UK Students
• £9,535 (per year)** – EU/EEA Students
• £15,950 (per year)** – International Students
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Alternative Pathways

• BA (Hons) Digital Film Practice – Virtual Production
• BA (Hons) Digital Film Practice – Post Production
• BA (Hons) Digital Film Practice – Sound

Program Outline

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Outline:

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Level 4

• Focus on storytelling, film and screen production, and editing.
• Introduction to specialized pathways: Post Production, Virtual Production, Sound, and Visual Effects.
• Develop practical and contextual understanding of storytelling on screen; film and screen production; and editing.
• Work in groups to produce short films demonstrating learned skills.

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Level 5

• Continue development of skills in chosen pathway: Visual Effects.
• Deepen understanding of Visual Effects techniques and principles.
• Work on project-based assignments to further develop skills.
• Learn about the business of film, television, and screen content, including project management, professional practice, legal and financial skills, market and audience engagement, and research in practice.

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Level 6

• Develop advanced and applied skills in Visual Effects.
• Work on collaborative or independent Graduation Project to showcase skills and understanding of Visual Effects.
• Gain professional understanding of applications of digital film practice in the industry.
• Explore roles and careers in the industry.
• Learn about changing technology in film and freelance work.

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Teaching:

• Diverse teaching methods including seminars, small group tutorials, practical group work, formative feedback through critiques/screening and reflective sessions, and skills Labs.
• Assessment methods include portfolios, performances, research, presentations, and reflective work.

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Careers:

• Graduates are prepared for careers in the visual effects industry.
• Equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to work in a variety of roles, including:
• 3D Modeler
• Compositor
• Animator
• VFX Supervisor
• Program prepares students for a successful and rewarding career in the visual effects industry.

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Other:

• The program is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to work in the visual effects industry.
• Students will have the opportunity to work on a variety of projects, including short films, documentaries, and commercials.
• The program is taught by experienced professionals who are working in the industry.
• The program is located in London, which is a major hub for the film and television industry.