Visual Effects & 3D Technology
This 2 year Visual Effects course uses industry-standard software to shoot live action film and composite CGI backgrounds and 3D characters.
| Award Name | BTEC Higher National Diploma at UK Level 5 |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | |
| Awarding Body | Pearson |
| NFQ Level | |
| Award Name | BTEC Higher National Certificate at UK Level 4 |
| NFQ Classification | |
| Awarding Body | Pearson |
| NFQ Level |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| BTEC Higher National Diploma at UK Level 5 | Pearson | ||
| BTEC Higher National Certificate at UK Level 4 | Pearson |
Duration
2 years full-time.
Entry Requirements
Standard minimum entry requirements for all courses in BCFE:
• Minimum statutory school leaving age (16+)
• CERFL proficiency at B2 for access to Level 5 and Level 6 courses for those whose first language is not English.
• Additional requirements may apply to non-EU/EA Applicants and may be subject to full international fees. Please refer to Information for international students.
• A PPS number is required for registration. Please refer to How to get a Personal Public Service (PPS) Number.
• The academic entry requirements may be waived for mature applicants (21+)
Minimum entry requirements for all level 6 courses
• QQI Level 5 award in a relevant or equivalent
• Leaving Certificate/LCVP with a minimum of two O1/H5 and three O6/H7 grades or equivalent
What Do You Need To Apply?
In addition to the Entry Requirements, for this course you will also need to provide a portfolio of your recent work. Please see the Portfolio field above for details.
Year 1 Higher National Certificate
• Suitable BCFE QQI Level 5 awards, with a merit profile, that satisfy the entry requirements are:
o Animation Drawing Studies Level 5 (CDS)
o Production and 3D Graphics Level 5 (DLO)
o Short Film & Factual Video Production Level 5 (ITC)
o Visual Effects including Animation and Video Production Traineeship Level 5 (VFA)
Year 2 Higher National Diploma
• Students who have successfully completed year 1 and have achieved a Higher National Certificate in Creative Media Production (Visual Effects), can progress automatically to year 2.
• Applicants with an equivalent Higher National Certificate and subject to module compatibility may also apply directly to Year 2, Higher National Diploma in Creative Media Production (Visual Effects).
Careers / Further progression
Progression Opportunities
• Graduates may apply for the BA (Hons) Degree in Games Design (Visual Media) in BCFE. The BA Honours Degree in Visual Media is validated by the University of Dundee, Scotland.
• Graduates of this course may also apply through the CAO and/or the Higher Education Links Scheme for entry to higher and advanced certificate and degree programmes at national Institutes of Technology, Technological Universities and Universities (applicants should confirm linked awards and eligibility requirements with the relevant Higher Education Institution).
• Graduates may also gain exemption of one or two years from other degree courses in the UK.
Career Opportunities
VFX and CGI/3D are growing sectors with significant employment opportunities in Ireland and On successful completion of the course graduates may seek employment and a career in 3D/CGI/ VFX either locally or internationally.
Further information
Commencing September 2024.
• International Applicants
• Mature Students
• VTOS (Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme) funded applicants
• BTEA (Back to Education Allowance) funded applicants
Sources of Funding:
- PLC Maintenance Grant Scheme Refer to www.susi.ie
- VTOS (Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme) Refer to www.gov.ie/vtos
- BTEA (Back to Education Allowance) Refer to www.welfare.ie
- SOLAS Fund for Students with Disabilities Refer to www.solas.ie and guidance notes on www.bcfe.ie
Portfolio Guidelines
• Each candidate will be interviewed on their portfolio work.
• The portfolio interview will last approximately 20 minutes.
• Candidates may present a variety of portfolio work. The emphasis should be on quality and not quantity.
• Portfolio work may consist of any or all of the following:
o Photography
o Digital artwork
o Digital images or short video clips which have been either shot, edited or digitally manipulated by the applicant.
Applications and Admissions Process 2024/25:
All applications to Ballyfermot Campus will be accepted after the 6th November 2023 and the closing date for receipt of applications directly to Ballyfermot Campus is the 27th of September 2024. Applications received after this date will be processed as late applications in accordance with the Admissions Policy of Ballyfermot Campus.
Apply Online (see "Application Weblink").
For further details on admissions:
Tel: (01) 6269421
Email: info@bcfe.cdetb.ie
Why Choose A HND In Visual Effects And 3D Technology?
This course offers a pathway into the booming Visual Effects (VFX) sector. Ireland is a hub of excellence for VFX, with local studios working on productions such Marvel Studios ‘Black Widow’ or Sky Originals ‘Intergalactic’.
Visual Effects (VFX) involves combining live action and digitally created images to create and develop high quality digital content for the 3D animation and visual effects industry.
During this two-year course you will work with industry leading content creation tools, techniques and workflows. In addition to developing your artistic ability. With some classes delivered by Industry experts you will learn up to date production techniques.
BCFE has a reputation for graduates who excel in this field working in TV, animation and Feature Films. BCFE graduate Richie Baneham, won the Oscar for the Best Visual Effects on ‘Avatar’, and nominated again for ‘Avatar: The Way of water’.
Year 1
• Visual Effects and Motion Graphics Cultures
• Visual Effects Practices
• Creative Media Industry
• Professional Practice
• Storyboarding
• 3D Modelling
• Principles of Photography
• Individual Project
End of Year 1 Certification Higher National Certificate in Creative Media Production (Visual Effects).
Year 2
• Collaborative Project
• Personal Professional Development
• Advanced Visual Effects Studies
• Advanced Rendering and Visualisation
• Advanced 3D Modelling
• Advanced Compositing for Film and Television
• Asset Capture & Management
End of Year 2 Certification Higher National Diploma in Creative Media Production (Visual Effects).
Award Year 1: Pearson BTEC Higher National Certificate in Creative Media Production (Visual Effects)
Award Year 2: Pearson BTEC Higher National Diploma in Creative Media Production (Visual Effects)
* The Higher National Diploma is recognised by the QQI as being comparable to the Higher Certificate at NFQ Level 6.
Course Facilities
Industry-standard hardware/software like Maya, Nuke, Photoshop, Zbrush, Mari, Mudbox, VRay, Arnold, Shotgun and access to our cutting-edge TV Studio facilities.
Ballyfermot College of Further Education,
Ballyfermot Road,
Ballyfermot,
Dublin 10
Phone: +353-1-6298500
Email: info@bcfe.cdetb.ie