3D Animation & VFX
for Film
Intake Dates
Advanced Diploma
June 2025
January 2026
Duration
Advanced Diploma
2 years
Fees
Advanced Diploma: VETSL approved
Domestic / International
Unleash your creativity in 3D Animation & VFX for Film
Visual effects artists, animators and compositors create the fantastic worlds, superhuman feats and spectacular imagery that you see on the big (and small) screen. AIE's 3D Animation and Visual Effects for Film program runs over two years, full-time and is designed to get you into these industries. It is a practical course designed to give the best technical training using the latest, state-of-the-art technology.
This course has been written in consultation with leading film and visual effects studios, enabling you to complete impressive film projects that showcase your skills and create a professional show-reel to impress potential employers.
Why study 3D Animation and VFX with AIE?
Practical Skills
Develop the skills demanded by industry
making you immediately employable.
Courses are made by industry practitioners and developed to teach you industry relevant skills and prepare you for immediate employment.
Specialists
Learn from experienced industry professionals
who have insights and connections.
AIE teachers are award winning trainers with industry experience and a passion for educating the next generation of learners.
Equipment
AIE provides state of the art,
cutting-edge, game technology.
studio environment
You will use the latest, industry standard, hardware and software to create your own unique entertainment experience.
Start your own studio
AIE is going beyond providing
digital media training.
AIE Incubator
Education is only the first part - we want to help our graduates achieve their dreams - initiatives like the AIE Incubator Program make it possible.
Not for Profit
AIE is the world’s first non-profit
specialist games and visual effects educator.
We support industry
We invest in our students, grow the industry and support graduate career opportunities.
Career Placement
Follow in the footsteps of AIE graduates working
on the top games and films worldwide.
Get a Job!
Graduates can be found working in some of the worlds leading games studios, independent games studios and also creating their own digital content through the AIE incubator.
Other graduates are working in serious games/simulations for Defence and simulations for major mining companies.
Industry software you will learn
Your career in 3D Animation & VFX starts through the hands-on Advanced Diploma, closely developed with the film and VFX industries and leveraging the latest industry software including:
Maya
3D Modelling, rigging, animating, lighting and rendering
ZBrush
High-detail sculpting and texturing
Adobe Photoshop
Concept art and texture maps
Nuke
Compositing and match-moving
3D Equalizer
Compositing and match-moving
-
RenderMan
Rendering
Thinkbox
Render farm management
Substance Suite
High detail materials and texturing
-
Houdini
Visual effects and animation
-
DaVinci Resolve
Colour grading & video editing
AIE graduates have worked on
Advanced Diploma
Course Content
Stage One
Students develop their skills in 3D modelling, texturing, UVW unwrapping, rigging, animation, lighting, using cameras, rendering and compositing. Students will concept, model and animate character, design game levels, create high-detail creatures, build realistic environments and craft a short animated movie.
Stage Two
In year two, you’ll be set up to work in team-led structures much like real-world Industry workplaces. In addition to learning advanced high polygon modelling, realistic lighting, texturing and advanced realistic character animation, the course incorporates skills in organisation, time and project management.
The course trains you to articulate and present your ideas to peers. It will give you experience and tools for production, management, scriptwriting and essential skills for a number of career development and progression.
Core Topics
Stage One
- 3D Art Pipeline
- Health and Safety in the Office
- Principles of Animation
- Modelling and Texturing
- Character Pipeline
- Character Animation
- Digital Lighting and Compositing
- Storyboards
- Production Planning
- Production
Stage Two
- Visual Effects
- Specialisation
- Story Development
- Short Film Production
- Online Portfolio
Study schedule
Advanced Diploma students work in industry-simulated studio environments and complete one subject at a time, building upon knowledge as the learning pathway progresses.
Students in the first year will study two Diploma programs simultaneously through the completion of ten subjects. In the second year students will undertake another five subjects to complete the Advanced Diploma.
Subjects and Assessment
Students complete practical 3D Animation and VFX tasks and projects based on industry standards and briefs. Accompanying projects students record their process through development journals and other documentation.
Career Outcomes
Graduates can be found working in the film, advertising and TV sectors. Common positions secured by graduates include animator, technical director, surfacing artist and modeller.
Some graduates also move into other fields including medical visualisation and simulations.
- Character Animator
- Environment Modeler
- Technical Director
- Fur/Feathers FX Artist
- Water FX Artist
- Modeler
- 3D Tracker/Match Mover
- Digital/Matte Painter
- Surfacing/Texture Painter
Qualification
Year 1:
| Course Name | Diploma of Screen and Media |
| Course ID | CUA51020 |
| CRICOS Course Code | 106064C |
delivered in conjunction with the
| Course Name | Diploma of Visual Arts |
| Course ID | CUA51120 |
| CRICOS Course Code | 106067M |
Year 2:
| Course Name | Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media |
| Course ID | CUA60620 |
| CRICOS Course Code | 106065B |
Entry Requirements
Entry for this course is based on an interview to assess your suitability for the course and understand your current skills and interests through looking at your portfolio of related work.
Student need either to have completed Year 12 or achieve an Exit Level 3 score within the Australian Core Skills Framework assessments in reading and numeracy.
For more information, please see our interview and portfolio page.
Hear from our graduates
Game development for many graduates is just a dream. The AIE provided me with the skills and knowledge to realise that dream. With such close ties to industry, AIE is a foot in the door to network directly with game companies to help land that elusive job.
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
League of Geeks
I will never forget the amazing time and valuable experience AIE have given me, they really helped me shine to be more than who I thought I was, I am now a Game Designer creating fun innovating games for the future generations
CEO
Dark Shadow Studios
AIE gave me the opportunities to learn industry relevant skills that made it possible for me to get a job in the industry. The teachers were fantastic and incredibly motivated.
LEAD MODELLER
Scanline VFX (Oscar winning VFX studio)
AIE was the best choice I made when deciding my career path, the course structure and the connections I made there is what put me in the position for most of the jobs I've gotten.The teachers go above and beyond for their students!
CHARACTER ARTIST
SMG studio (indie game studio & creators of death squared)
What I enjoyed about AIE the most was being taught by people that actually have industry experience. My teachers at AIE really helped me figure out the necessary paths and helped me be the best that I could be when I graduated.
SENIOR ENVIRONMENT ARTIST
Cloud Imperium Games (Creators of Star Citizen)
AIE provided me with the building blocks to take my art career to the next level. I learned about the industry, made connections, mentors and friends, asked questions, and viewed my work as an evolution rather than a destination.
OUTPUT DESIGNER
Funko Inc (creators of funko pops)
AIE gave me the specific tools to learn what I needed to know to get into the games industry. AIE taught me a valuable skillset which I have been able to apply to my career.
LEAD CHARACTER ARTIST
Splash Damage
AIE has proved to be an invaluable catalyst for my career. The industry veteran teachers and staff went above and beyond. I would not be anywhere near where I am if it wasn't for my AIE family.
VISUAL EFFECTS ARTIST
Bungie
Game development for many graduates is just a dream. The AIE provided me with the skills and knowledge to realise that dream. With such close ties to industry, AIE is a foot in the door to network directly with game companies to help land that elusive job.
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
League of Geeks
I will never forget the amazing time and valuable experience AIE have given me, they really helped me shine to be more than who I thought I was, I am now a Game Designer creating fun innovating games for the future generations
CEO
Dark Shadow Studios
Meet the teachers
Student Work
Student Work
