Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Visual Effects

Program Overview

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Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Visual Effects

Course Details

• Full Time
• Duration: 3 years
• Intake Date: 17 July 2025, 29 September 2025, 25 November 2025
• Awarding Body: APU, Malaysia

Why choose APU?

• Malaysia’s Premier Digital Tech University
• 5-Star Excellence Rating (SETARA)
• 100% Employability Rate
• Ranked No.16 for International Students in the World
• More than 80,000 Graduates & Alumni

Dual Degree

• APU-DMU Dual Degree Programme
• Students who are under Bachelor’s Degree Programme will have the option to opt-in for the APU-DMU Dual Degree Scheme.
• Under this Scheme, students will receive 2 Degree Certificates & Transcripts upon graduation: 1 from Asia Pacific University (APU), Malaysia and 1 from De Montfort University (DMU), UK.

Admission Requirements

• General Requirements
  • Direct Entry to Level 1 of the Degree
    • STPM: A Pass in STPM with a minimum Grade C (GP 2.00) in any 2 subjects.
    • A-Level: 2 Passes (Grade A-D) in A-Level.
    • UEC: 5 Grade B’s in UEC.
    • Matriculation/ Foundation: A Pass in Matriculation or Foundation studies with minimum CGPA of 2.00.
  • Entry to Level 2 of the Degree
    • Related Diploma: A Diploma (Level 4, MQF) with a minimum CGPA of 2.00, or its equivalent.
    • A pass in DKM / DLKM / DVM with a minimum CGPA of 2.50 subjected to HEP Senate/ Academic Board’s approval.
• English Requirements
  • International Students
    • IELTS: 5.5
    • TOEFL IBT: 46
    • Pearson (PTE): 51
    • MUET: Band 4

Application Process

• As part of the entry requirements into the APU Design Degrees, it is mandatory for the applicant to submit either one of the following for evaluation together with complete educational documents:
  • Portfolio Submission
  • Interview

Programme Description

• Visual effects involve the integration of live-action footage and generated imagery to create environments which look realistic, but would be dangerous, costly, or simply impossible to capture on film.
• The VFX award is for applicants looking for a career in the film, post-production or games industries - although some graduates may move onto positions within architectural visualisation, re-touching/ advertising agencies or postgraduate study.
• VFX is predominantly about ideas and concept generation for film or games, covering characters, vehicles, products, clothing, sets and environments - ultimately taking those ideas through to finished concept artwork or 3D models.

Programme Outline

• This programme is specifically designed to provide students with:
  • The knowledge and skills to support the study and development of conceptual artwork, digital assets for both film or games industries and visual effects (VFX) work as a creative and dynamic activity.
  • To develop the organisational qualities, communication skills necessary for the effective exchange of ideas, information and teamwork; with particular emphasis on understanding production ‘pipelines’ associated with VFX industries

Degree Level 1

• Level 1 of VFX will focus on getting the basics right.
• The students will be exposed to drawing and concept sketching techniques, creative thinking for visual design, understanding the importance of research and analysis in conceiving a concept.
• Technically they will be introduced to the VFX workflow via Digital Art and Illustration, 3D Modelling and Compositing Techniques.
• Team Work, Project Management and Presentation is an integral part of the learning process.

Core Modules

• Cinema Film Analysis
• Illustration for Concept Art
• 3D Pipeline
• Creative Project
• Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship
• Advance 3D Pipeline
• Digital Compositing
• Digital Illustration
• Motion Graphics

Degree Level 2

• In Level 2, the modules strengthen the core skills of the students.
• Moving on from Year 1 the students are trained to emphasis on critical thinking and problem solving skills.
• They are exposed to advanced 3D Modelling and Compositing skills on software’s that are currently used by the VFX Industry.
• The students have the choice of selecting their elective module to strengthen their skills in their field of choice.

Core Modules

• Character Creation
• Animation Techniques for Games
• Advanced Digital Compositing
• Digital Film Production
• Set Design
• Effects and Simulation

Elective Modules

• CGI Production
• Digital Sculpting
• Visual Culture
• Production Planning and Management

Internship (16 Weeks)

• Students will undertake a short Internship/ Industrial Training for a minimum period of 16 weeks to prepare them for a smooth transition from the classroom to the working environment.

Degree Level 3

• In Level 3 the students will be implementing their prior knowledge and skills to create professional portfolio projects as part of the final year projects.
• From Proposal Pitch, Pre-Production, Production and Post-Production the students go through the entire process to create their FYP with constant guidance from experts and industry professionals.
• The students are given the opportunity to exhibit their showreel in an year end show that will involve industry partners and potential employers which provides them the avenue for immediate employment .

Core Modules

• Team VFX Project: Proposal
• Team VFX Project: Production
• VFX Project: Proposal
• VFX Project: Production
• Research Project Report
• Venture Building
• Exhibition Design
• Intellectual Property Basics

Elective Modules

• Sound Design
• Virtual Production

MQA Compulsory Subjects

• Appreciation of Ethics and Civilisation (M’sian Students)
• Malay Communication Language (Int’l Students)
• Philosophy and Current Issues
• Workplace Professional Skills
• Integrity and Anti-corruption
• Co-Curriculum

Student Portfolios

• Remote video URL
• Remote video URL
• Remote video URL
• Remote video URL
• Remote video URL

VFX Studio

• Design, Advertising, Animation & VFX

Collaborative Industrial Partners

• APU’s Design & Media programmes are crafted to provide you with relevant exposure to the industry.
• Through the collaboration with our industrial partners, we enhance your learning experience by embedding industry-relevant curriculum, conducting frequent industry visits, arranging career exposure activities and guiding you on building your personal portfolio.

Career Path

• 2D Artist
• Previs Artist
• 3D Generalist
• Modeller
• Lighting Artist
• Matchmove Artist
• Matte Painter
• Story Board Artist
• Rigger
• Animator
• Motion Graphics Artist
• Digital Compositor
• Producer
• Technical Director
• Concept Artist
• Roto Artist
• Texture Artist
• VFX Coordinator
• Creative Director

Fees & Certification

• Malaysian: RM32,900 (Year 1), RM34,000 (Year 2), RM35,300 (Year 3), RM102,200 (Total)
• International: RM33,600 (Year 1), RM34,800 (Year 2), RM36,200 (Year 3), RM104,600 (Total)
• MQA Cert: Programme code : (R/0211/6/0032)(06/29)(MQA/FA11896)