BSc (Hons) Visual Effects and Motion Graphics with Placement Year · BULBachelor's degree · 4 years
Request information University profile
Brunel University of London · Undergraduate

BSc (Hons) Visual Effects and Motion Graphics with Placement Year Bachelor's degree at Brunel University of London

BSc (Hons) Visual Effects and Motion Graphics with Placement Year at BUL. You'll work with industry-standard software and hardware across specialised units in core theory, research methods, applied practice and professional skills, culminating in an independent project.

BSc (Hons)
Award
4
Years
Full-time
Study mode
90%
in work/study (15m)

About this course

We offer a number of scholarships and other funding to provide extra support to our students that need it or to recognise outstanding ability. From the provider’s course page.

BSc (Hons) Visual Effects and Motion Graphics with Placement Year is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at BUL, based in Brunel University Campus. It runs 4 years, studied full-time.

For Engineering graduates from this provider, 90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 75% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £31,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)

For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Engineering, see the sections below.

Course evidence score

The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.

8.6
/ 10
Excellent
3 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Strong77

Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Graduate outcomes
In work or further study 15 months after graduating
Exceptional90

Moderate evidence Published sample: 75; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 90% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Exceptional90

Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2021-23. Continuation 90% (2021-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Curriculum & modules

Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.

Year 1 6 modules
  • Introduction to Motion DesignCompulsory
    Module details

    An introduction into bringing your designs to life by making them move. Adding style and character to your graphic design and branding, to create engaging content for all your screen based media.

  • Introduction to Professional Practice in the Creative IndustriesCompulsory
    Module details

    Engages students with the different aspects of the creative industry landscape in the UK, covering, Digital Design 3D and VFX. Students will take part in independent research into an area of interest in the creative industry, as well as visit a creative industry agency or meet industry guest lecturers and start building a personal networking of design industry professionals.

  • Foundations of Interactive Digital Media DevelopmentCompulsory
    Module details

    Provides the fundamental JavaScript programming that covers foundation of interactive digital media development. It teaches important concepts, students will find in every coding language, such as variables, arrays, functions, objects, classes, control flow and events. In this module, the student will understand key programming technical in interactive media.

  • Digital Photography and Video ProductionCompulsory
    Module details

    Gives an opportunity to explore digital photography and video production and how they can be combined to create compelling visual content. Utilises professional studio-based practice using industry standard equipment and studio facilliites. In addition to production aspects, post production for video and photography is also introduced.

  • 3D CGI and Acquisition for VFXCompulsory
    Module details

    Features an introduction to the artistic and technical aspects of 3D asset creation using industry standard 3D applications, tools and techniques. In addition, students are introduced to taking 3D assets and compositing those with live action footage and how to capture relevant data to assist with this process. Typical 3D/VFX workflows are introduced.

  • Design CommunicationCompulsory
    Module details

    To enable students to have an appreciation of visual literacy in the context of design and visual expression, appreciating the context of visual thinking and to develop visual thinking techniques and processes through a variety of media. To help students develop foundation skills in visual communication, graphic communication, visualisation, design and the use of computer-generated media methods.

Year 2 6 modules
  • Applied Media AestheticsCompulsory
    Module details

    This module explores asthethics and design associated with a range of final visual and audio outputs, for example branding, web, video, motion, sound, mobile, social media and direct marketing. Students work with external companies and engage with research and design work through milestones to help them produce a final output for the company in a group project.

  • Immersive Mixed Reality DesignCompulsory
    Module details

    This module aims to extend knowledge and skills in the theory and practice of Immersive Mixed Reality using media production tools and scripting, particularly for producing interactive Augmented and Virtual Reality content.

  • Motion Graphics DesignCompulsory
    Module details

    This module aims to develop the students applied design skills and understanding of motion graphics in professional contexts deepening understanding of design theory as applied to motion graphics design and film title sequences.

  • Programming for the Moving ImageCompulsory
    Module details

    This module provides the fundamental python programming that covers foundation of software process automation in creative 3D modelling tools. It teaches important concepts of python plugin development for Maya, students is introduced to main python codding syntax such as variables, data type arrays, functions, objects, classes, control flow and events. In this module, the student will understand key programming techniques in process automation for a better creative skillset.

  • Advanced 3D CGI and CompositingCompulsory
    Module details

    This module explores advanced 3D and Compositing. Students will learn cinematic techniques e.g., lighting for mood, camera animation and lens effects. Use of alternative 3D creation such as photogrammetry. They will learn filming for compositing on location and in a green screen, including moving camera shots. Students will learn which compositing techniques are applicable for various types of shot.

  • 3D Animation and Motion GraphicsCompulsory
    Module details

    This module aims to teach students how to create engaging animation. Use of cinematography concepts such as camera angles and lighting to enhance the visual impact and mood of their work. Use animation principles such as timing, spacing, easing, and squash and stretch to create expressive animation. Use motion capture and rigging techniques to animate 3D characters.

Year 3 6 modules
  • Major Visual Effects and Motion Graphics ProjectCompulsory
    Module details

    This module aims to provide the opportunity for the student to plan, research, design, implement, evaluate, exhibit and report on a substantial individual project in Visual Effects and Motion Graphics in a professional manner.

  • Working in the Digital Creative IndustriesCompulsory
    Module details

    This module aims to provide the opportunity for students to critically explore key issues affecting the work of the professional practitioner in the Creative Industries and critically examine the ethical positions and principles that underpin accepted working practice.

  • Virtual ProductionCompulsory
    Module details

    This module will explore technologies for Virtual production e.g., real-time rendering, motion capture, LED Walls, Green screen. Alternative technologies for VP including full VP and Hybrid Green Screen. They will learn the process for VP, and how they differ from traditional 3D/VFX. Students will learn cinematography creative and technical roles associated with Virtual Production.

  • Advanced 3D Animation ProjectOptional
    Module details

    The module ustilizes a range of industry standard tools for advanced animation using motion capture. From simulation and FX such as particle dynamics, physical dynamics, cloth simulation, fluid simulation, fire and smoke to crowd simulations. Students will learn motion capture pipeline. Character rigging and integrating motion capture with a digital character. Post-processing of motion capture and enhancing animation

  • Artificial Intelligence and Games ProjectOptional
    Module details

    The module aims to help students further develop their creative design and prototyping knowledge and skills with the key creative technologies of Artificial Intelligence and Games. A practical component will involve designing and prototyping a digital artefact using one or both creative technologies of Artificial Intelligence and Games. The module explores the use of AI techniques in games and the use of games technology within the digital media context.

  • Advanced Graphics and Motion Design ProjectOptional
    Module details

    This module is an opportunity to explore some specific topics and disciplines for digital designers. Each week we take a different subject related to the various areas and fields of specialism within digital design. Using a mixture of lectures and workshops, both individually and within groups, students can explore and practise a particular skill set, paying particular attention to their own work and development as a designer.

Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.

Course in depth

What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.

What you'll study

This course combines Visual Effects and Motion Graphics with a year-long industrial placement. A typical course like this starts with foundational design and animation principles, covering digital composition, 3D modelling, colour theory and visual storytelling. You'll usually progress through increasingly specialised technical modules in areas such as particle systems, lighting, rendering and real-time graphics. Mid-course, you'll build a substantial portfolio project demonstrating your creative and technical capabilities. In the later stages, you'll explore emerging technologies and industry workflows, often choosing optional pathways suited to your career interests. The placement year, typically between years 3 and 4, offers practical experience in studios, production houses or broadcast environments, applying classroom learning to live professional briefs.

Who it's for

You're suited to this course if you combine strong visual thinking with technical aptitude and curiosity about how digital imagery is made. You'll thrive working on practical briefs alongside conceptual challenges, designing, coding, rendering and iterating across multiple projects. This degree appeals to those who want to understand the technical foundations of visual storytelling, not just its final results. You should be comfortable learning specialist software tools and problem-solving when effects don't behave as expected. If you enjoy both the craft and the creative problem-solving, you'll find the blend of theory and hands-on work engaging.

University & format

Brunel University of London is a public university founded in 1966, located on Brunel University Campus. This BSc (Hons) course runs for 4 years full-time in English and includes an integrated placement year. The degree is recognised by the UK as a nationally recognised degree-awarding body. The university holds a Bronze award for teaching quality in the Office for Students' Teaching Excellence Framework (2023).

Student satisfaction

How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.

The teaching on my course
80%
Learning opportunities
83%
Assessment and feedback
79%
Academic Support
90%
Organisation and management
70%
Learning resources
80%
Student voice
60%

Share of students responding positively.

Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Applicant information

The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.

Application timelineWhat happens next
  1. 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted

    Your application needs a reference before you can send it.

  2. 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications

    Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.

  3. 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice

    Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.

  4. 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline

    18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.

Show 5 later dates
  1. 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens

    Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.

  2. 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers

    Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.

  3. 2027 entryClearing opens

    Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.

  4. 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications

    Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.

  5. 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice

    Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.

Contextual offersPublished by this provider

The provider publishes contextual-offer information. Eligibility and any reduced offer are applicant-specific.

PlacementBuilt into the named course route

With placement. Availability, selection and pay can vary.

Open daysBook an Open Day

See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.

Entry & how to get in

Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent85% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: 112 - 127 pointsThe most common UCAS tariff band among accepted students. This is what entrants had, not a stated requirement.
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check BUL's official course page for the current offer.

Who gets in

What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.

UCAS tariff of entrants

Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.

Qualifications held on entry

QualificationShare
A-levels or equivalent85%
a previous degree5%
another higher-education qualification5%
a foundation course5%

Entry & your chances

An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.

Offer-based entry

Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.

Will you get in? Plot your grades

Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.

Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.

Add your grades to see where you land

Your points will drop onto the distribution above, with an honest above / within / below read.

Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.

How to apply

Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.

Apply by13 January 2027, 18:00 UK timefor this course
Typical gradesBBBA-level equivalent admitted students held
  1. 1
    Register on UCAS Hub

    Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.

  2. 2
    Write your personal statement

    A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.

  3. 3
    Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time

    UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.

  4. 4
    Reply to your offers

    When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.

  5. 5
    Results day & confirmation

    On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.

💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask BUL whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.

Fees & funding

What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.

Tuition per year

Homeup to £9,790 / yr
Internationalset by the university

Standard capped home fee at English providers (2026/27); Scotland, Wales & NI differ.

Check fees at BUL →

For students who normally live in England

illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
£9,790tuition used per year, illustrative full-time England fee-cap scenario
illustrative borrowing over 4 years

2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.

Starting on or after 1 January 2027?

The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.

Paying for it

  • Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
  • Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
  • Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
  • Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.

England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.

Funding matched to this course

Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for

All BUL funding →

Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.

Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.

StudyKit · free

Still deciding what to study?

StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.

Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check

Careers & earnings

What Engineering graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.

Graduate earnings: this course

WhenMedianTypical rangeGraduates
15 months after£31,000£27,000 – £35,00075
3 years after£31,500£26,500 – £36,000365
5 years after£39,500£32,000 – £48,000385

Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 75; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23.

Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course

90%
in work or further study 15 months on
75%
in highly skilled work or study
90%
continue past their first year
100%
find their work meaningful
95%
say work fits their future plans
  1. 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
  2. 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in engineering · 2–5 yrs
  3. 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
  4. 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs

How pay grows: this course vs Engineering nationally

Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£31,000
£29,000 – £35,000
After 3 years LEO
£31,500
£26,775 – £37,800
After 5 years LEO
£39,500
£33,150 – £46,800
national rangethis course’s medianaxis £25,000 – £48,500

National figures for Engineering graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.

Work out your pay

Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.

What happened to 100 students?

Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.

90 of 100

were in work or further study

15 months after graduation

65% working15% working and studying5% in further study75% in highly skilled work or study

Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 75; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.

Value compared with similar courses

How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Engineering courses at the same study level.

This course £39,500Peer median £38,500Middle 50% £35,500–£42,500
54th percentile

Compared with 2,256 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.

UK occupations graduates enter

Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.

  • Information Technology ProfessionalsSOC 2020 213 · 30% of published destinations · ASHE median £55,357
  • Engineering professionalsSOC 2020 212 · 25% of published destinations · ASHE median £50,325
  • Design occupationsSOC 2020 342 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £35,957
  • Web and Multimedia Design ProfessionalsSOC 2020 214 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £32,574
  • Managers, directors and senior officialsSOC 2020 1 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £51,733
  • Artistic, literary and media occupationsSOC 2020 341 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £33,824

Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 40; response rate: 60%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.

Job market & outlook

How Engineering graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.

90%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across Engineering courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes
80%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled
88%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuation

How AI is changing the work

AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.

What AI takes off your plate

  • Routine information gathering
  • First-draft writing and summaries
  • Standard analysis and admin
  • Repetitive processing tasks

More human than ever

  • Judgement and original thinking
  • Working with and leading people
  • Owning and sense-checking AI output
  • Ethics and accountability

The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.

Roles & employers

Where Engineering graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.

Where they work

  • Engineering & manufacturing firms
  • Automotive & aerospace
  • Energy & utilities
  • Defence & consultancies

Is this course right for you?

The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.

💷

Student finance

For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.

📈

Where graduates go

90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £31,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.

🎯

Your entry chances

Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.

Official-data snapshot

Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.6 out of 10: NSS 77.4% · in work or study 90% · continued 90%.

Who studies here and in this subject?

Provider- and UK subject-level context.

Brunel University London

All students12,705
International34.6%
Aged 25+25.3%

Engineering and technology across the UK

Students176,530
Aged 25+23%

HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.

Local crime-data context

A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.

Around Brunel University Campus

1,392 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.

Violent Crime 429Anti Social Behaviour 365Shoplifting 132Public Order 94Other Theft 75

Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.

Is Engineering right for you?

Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.

International students

What applying to BUL from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.

Tuition fees

International tuition is set per course by BUL; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.

English language

Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.

Student visa

You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.

Scholarships & funding

BUL offers the Dean's International Scholarship (£2,000 per academic year) for international students, see Scholarships above.

Living costs

Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.

Working while you study

A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.

Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with BUL and gov.uk before you apply.

Common questions

Entry is offer-based and set by the university. The most common tariff band among recent entrants was 112 - 127 UCAS points. Use the calculator on this page to see where your predicted grades would put you; many universities also make lower contextual offers.
Set by BUL. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
For Engineering graduates from this provider, 90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 75% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £31,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
No obligation

Request information about BSc (Hons) Visual Effects and Motion Graphics with Placement Year

Prospectus, key dates, entry and funding, free to your inbox.

No spam · unsubscribe anytime.