Program start date | Application deadline |
2025-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
MSc Technical Art and Visual Effects
Overview
This groundbreaking programme will give you access to facilities available nowhere else in the UK and the opportunity to learn under a team of academics with years of industry experience.
Course Detail
Start Date
September
Duration
1 year (full-time), 2 years (part-time)
Award Title
MSc
UCAS Code
Apply Direct
Programme Overview
The games industry's rapid growth demands innovative visual content, pushing developers to new creative heights. In parallel, the film and television industry faces similar challenges, adapting to an ever-expanding global audience and the rise of streaming platforms. This shared landscape necessitates cutting-edge content that resonates across diverse markets.
To meet these requirements, there have been pioneering shifts in production approaches, placing new emphasis on real-time (RT) technologies, and interactive, immersive and programmable methods.
These emerging aspects of Technical Art and Visual Effects, means the sector is changing very quickly. Employers simply do not have the time or resources to train people ‘on the job’. The lack of employable talent is well recognised and is exacerbated by the emergence of the Virtual Production (VP) Industry.
Addressing the Role of the Technical Artist
MSc Technical Art and Visual Effects is one of the first Master’s programmes to specifically address the role of the Technical Artist. It's this role that enables the delivery of creative solutions to complex artistic and logistical production challenges. Demand for this skillset is extremely high and only set to increase.
This programme will enable you to enter the industry with the most up-to-date creative and production approaches and real time software and hardware experience.
The technical and creative content of this programme encompasses engine programming, pipelines, VFX, optimisation, tools development, art, and animation pipelines. The knowledge and skills learnt on this programme will enable you to enter the marketplace with the most up-to-date creative and production approaches and RT software and hardware experience.
World Class Facilities
You’ll have access to our state-of-the-art virtual production studio (ViPRE – Virtual Production Research Environment) - the only one in the UK. The system is used in cutting-edge movie production and has seen the University film real-time scenes shot hundreds of miles apart – a feat never accomplished before.
Learning and Assessment
You'll be taught using a mixture of lectures and practical tutorials in our dedicated production and lab spaces. There is an expectation to underpin this learning in your own time, outside of timetabled sessions.
Assessment will take the form of practical projects, reports and exams. You'll produce a practice-based folio of technical art and visual effects examples in the shape of a showreel/breakdown reel or technical demo.
Entry Requirements
UK Entry
Applicants should have an undergraduate degree (2.2 or better) in a related area. These include 3D Modelling/Animation/Visual Effects, Computing or Computing related (Engineering).
Consideration will be made regarding individuals with extensive experience with 3D modeling tools and/or game engines.
Applicants should also submit a portfolio of work (i.e., showreel/breakdown reel, game engine demo or scripting examples).
Examples of 3D modelling/animation and/or engine exposure and portfolio and/or Coding or scripting experience should be collated in a showreel, breakdown reel or a ‘making of’ video where possible. Code or scripting can be demonstrated in short demos, either captured, pre-rendered or as a small application.
Videos should be provided as HD 1080p MP4 if possible (to keep the file size down) or provide links to YouTube/Vimeo examples, and please provide any access passwords required to view the work. You can also share links to websites with examples of your work on it.
PDF’s can also be submitted to document your production processes, and to show any pre-production, concept work, static images or other examples of technical art and visual effects work.
International Entry
We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants from across the world. Please select the country of your qualification from the searchable list below to view entry requirements. If you have different qualifications to those listed, please contact us using the form below.
Academic Requirements
Applicants who do not cover the appropriate subjects during their degree will be considered if they have relevant industry experience.
English Language Requirements
All courses at Abertay University are taught in English. If your first language is not English, you will need to demonstrate that you meet our English language requirements.
Modules
Year 1
- Programming For Games (CMP502)
- Technical Art and VFX (CMP515)
- Procedural Methods for Visual Effects and Computer Graphics (CMP516)
- Realtime Tool and Pipeline Development (CMP517)
- Realtime Graphics and Shader Techniques (CMP522)
- Research Methods and Practice (CMP523)
- Masters Project* (CMP504)
Option Modules
- Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence (CMP511)
- Applied Analytics: Case Studies (CMP512)
- Applied Game Technologies (CMP404)
- Game Design and Development (DES502)
Adobe Creative Cloud
As a student on this programme, you'll have full access to a comprehensive suite of over 20 applications designed to provide tools for graphic design, video editing, photography, and more. Key applications available include Photoshop, InDesign, Acrobat, and many others.
Career Opportunities
As a graduate of this programme, you'll have the knowledge and skills to enter the games, film and television industries as a competent Technical or Visual Effects Artist.
This could be with an established studio, or you may want to explore setting up your own studio as many previous graduates of Abertay's School of Design and Informatics have done.
Fees & Funding
The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you depends on factors such as your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying.
Scholarships
The scholarships below are open to international students and those applying from England, Wales and Northern Ireland with a 2.1 or above for a postgraduate course.
- Abertay Postgraduate Taught rUK Scholarship
- International Postgraduate Abertay Scholarships
Living in Dundee
Dundee is a city of contrasts. It's vibrant and cosmopolitan, but also friendly, compact and affordable. The first UK city to be awarded UNESCO City of Design status, Dundee has a rich history of innovation and creativity, and, in recent years, has become a hub for the digital industries.
Graduate School
Our Graduate School is a dedicated facility located at the heart of the University, providing support, training and professional development opportunities to our vibrant postgraduate community and researchers.