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Students
Tuition Fee
GBP 16,700
Per year
Start Date
2026-09-01
Medium of studying
On campus
Duration
3 years
Program Facts
Program Details
Degree
Bachelors
Major
Animation | Digital Arts | Visual Effects
Area of study
Arts
Education type
On campus
Timing
Full time
Course Language
English
Tuition Fee
Average International Tuition Fee
GBP 16,700
Intakes
Program start dateApplication deadline
2026-09-01-
About Program

Program Overview


Study with us

Courses

  • Undergraduate
  • Postgraduate
  • Postgraduate research
  • College courses and apprenticeships
  • Short courses and CPD
  • Degree apprenticeships
  • Distance learning at ARU

Apply

  • How to apply - undergraduate
  • How to apply - postgraduate taught
  • How to apply - college courses
  • Admissions process
  • Interviews, auditions and portfolios

Discover

  • Open Days
  • Teaching excellence
  • Schools and colleges
  • ARU in the community

Writtle College

  • College courses and apprenticeships

Student life

Explore

  • Our campuses
  • Accommodation
  • Open Days
  • School and College taster days

Prepare

  • Student finance
  • Money advice and support
  • Choosing where to live: campus or home
  • Before you get here
  • Welcome Week for university students
  • Induction Week for college students
  • Starting your course
  • Information for parents

Support

  • Careers and employability
  • World-class facilities
  • Health and wellbeing
  • Study skills
  • Disability and neurodiversity support
  • Information and support for specific student groups

Experience

  • ARU Students’ Union
  • Sport
  • Global opportunities
  • Learn a language
  • Anglia Ruskin Enterprise Academy (AREA)

International

Studying at ARU

  • Courses for international students
  • Opportunities for visiting international students
  • International student support
  • English language support
  • Global partnerships

Applying to ARU

  • How to apply
  • Entry requirements
  • Important dates and deadlines
  • Fees, funding and scholarships
  • Immigration
  • Information by region
  • Contact the International Office
  • Information for EU/EEA and Swiss students

Arriving at ARU

  • Before you arrive
  • Planning your travel
  • International Orientation Programme

Research

Postgraduate research

  • Postgraduate research
  • Types of degrees we offer
  • How to apply for a research programme
  • Postgraduate research student finance
  • Postgraduate research degree enquiries

Why research at ARU?

  • Why research at ARU?
  • Why do a research degree at ARU?
  • Health, Performance and Wellbeing
  • Safe and Inclusive Communities
  • Sustainable Futures

Impact and case studies

  • Impact and case studies
  • Research news
  • Research Excellence Framework

Institutes and centres

  • Our research institutes and centres

Business and employers

Develop your business

  • Funding opportunities
  • Innovation and business support
  • Arise Innovation Hubs
  • Conference and meeting room hire

Develop your people

  • Short courses and CPD
  • Degree Apprenticeships for employers
  • PhDs at work

Student and graduate talent

  • Access our student and graduate talent
  • Advertise graduate jobs and internships
  • Making social impact - SHoKE
  • Work with students on business projects
  • Work placements for ARU students

Case studies and news

  • Working with ARU – Case studies
  • Contact us and sign up for our newsletter

Alumni and supporters

Recent graduates

  • Your graduation ceremony
  • College celebration events

Alumni

  • Alumni stories
  • Alumni benefits and services
  • Career development
  • Opportunities for alumni to get involved

Supporters

  • Support ARU
  • Supporting our people
  • Ways to give

News

Events at ARU

About us

Legal

  • Governance
  • Writtle College governance

History and values

  • ARU in the community
  • Our history
  • Our vision and values
  • Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
  • Sustainability
  • New Spaces

Jobs

  • Jobs at ARU

BA (Hons) Visual Effects

Course options

  • 3 years
  • 4 years with foundation year
  • 4 years with placement

Key facts

  • STUDY OPTIONS 3 years
  • START DATES September 2026
  • LOCATION Chelmsford
  • ENTRY UCAS code: I700
  • FEES
    • £9,535 UK students starting 2025/26 (full-time, per year)
    • £16,700 International students starting 2025/26 (full-time, per year)

Teaching and assessment

Year 1

  • Introduction to 3D Art
  • Introduction to Procedural Content Creation
  • Introduction to Realtime Procedural Content Creation
  • Materials and Texturing Techniques
  • Into ARU

Year 2

  • Advanced Procedural Content Creation
  • Digital Practice for Technical Art
  • Realtime VFX Techniques

Year 3

  • Major Project

Facilities

  • State-of-the-art workstation PCs
  • Software and tools such as SideFX Houdini, Blender, Autodesk Maya, Unreal Engine 4, Pixologic ZBrush and Substance
  • Wacom creative pen tablets
  • VR headsets
  • 16-camera motion capture system

Careers

  • 82% of the UK computer games industry is educated to at least undergraduate level
  • Opportunities for internships and work placements with industry partners
  • Graduates can work in technical art, procedural content creation, and visual effects

Entry requirements

  • 96 UCAS Tariff points
  • 3 GCSEs at grade C, or grade 4, or above, including English
  • If English is not your first language, you will be expected to demonstrate a certificated level of proficiency of at least IELTS 6.0 (Academic level) or equivalent English Language qualification

Fees and paying for university

  • Tuition fees for UK students: £9,535 per year
  • Tuition fees for international students: £16,700 per year
  • Living costs: £7,000-£9,000 per year
  • Maintenance Loan available for UK students
  • Scholarships and bursaries available for international and European students

Apply

  • Register your interest
  • Contact our Admissions team
  • Talk to a student

Program Outline


Outline:

  • Year 1:
  • Introduction to 3D Art
  • Introduction to Procedural Content Creation
  • Introduction to Realtime Procedural Content Creation
  • Materials and Texturing Techniques
  • Year 2:
  • Advanced Procedural Content Creation
  • Digital Practice for Technical Art
  • Realtime VFX Techniques
  • Year 3:
  • Major Project

Assessment:

  • Live briefs from industry partners
  • Non-destructive procedural techniques
  • Documentation of thought processes, creativity, and solutions
  • Online learning systems
  • State-of-the-art facilities, including computer labs, software, and equipment
  • Expert staff with industry experience
  • Collaboration with students from other creative disciplines

Careers:

  • Technical artist
  • Procedural content creator
  • Technical director
  • Opportunities in visual effects, video games, and other content-creation fields

Other:

  • Students will work with industry partners on live briefs.
  • Students will have opportunities to attend industry events, such as Gamebridge.
  • Graduates will have a strong portfolio of work to showcase their skills and specialisms.

Tuition fees and student loans for UK students (2024/25)

  • £9,250
  • UK students starting 2024/25 (full-time, per year)
  • Tuition fees for international students (2024/25)
  • £15,900
  • International students starting 2024/25 (full-time, per year)
  • You can pay your fees upfront, in full or in two instalments.
  • We will ask for a deposit of £4,000 or a sponsorship letter
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About University
PhD
Masters
Bachelors
Diploma
Foundation
Courses


Overview:

Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) is a global university with students from 185 countries. It is known for its innovative and entrepreneurial approach to education and research. ARU has been recognized as the Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023 and has received a Gold award for the quality of its education in the Teaching Excellence Framework.


Services Offered:


Student Life and Campus Experience:

The context mentions that ARU is committed to creating a vibrant and welcoming environment for students, staff, and communities. It also highlights the university's focus on providing outstanding facilities and opportunities for student growth.


Key Reasons to Study There:

    Ambition:

    ARU is academically ambitious for its students and strives to provide high-quality education.

    Excellence:

    ARU is ranked in the top 15% of universities in the UK for graduate employment and has been recognized for its excellence in education, social work, and sports science.

    Collaboration:

    ARU fosters collaboration between students, businesses, and partners, and its courses are recognized by industry and professionally accredited.

    Impact:

    ARU conducts impactful research that addresses pressing issues and makes a difference in the community.

    Enterprise:

    ARU encourages entrepreneurship and provides mentorship, support, and start-up funding through the Anglia Ruskin Enterprise Academy.

    Enthusiasm:

    ARU's can-do attitude and infectious enthusiasm set it apart from other universities.

Academic Programs:

The context mentions that ARU offers a wide range of courses, including undergraduate, postgraduate, postgraduate research, college courses, apprenticeships, short courses, and distance learning programs. It also highlights the university's commitment to providing career-ready graduates.


Other:

The context mentions that ARU has campuses in Cambridge, Chelmsford, Peterborough, and Writtle. It also highlights the university's commitment to sustainability, equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Total programs
857
Admission Requirements

Entry Requirements:

  • 96 UCAS Tariff points from a minimum of 2 A Levels (or equivalent).
  • 3 GCSEs at grade C, or grade 4, or above, including English.
  • If English is not your first language you will be expected to demonstrate a certificated level of proficiency of at least IELTS 6.0 (Academic level) or equivalent English Language qualification, as recognised by Anglia Ruskin University.
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