BA Visual Effects and Animation with Foundation Year
About this course
BA (Hons) Visual Effects and Animation with Foundation Year is a four-year undergraduate degree incorporating a compulsory foundation year before progressing to three years of visual effects and animation study. The course includes a final-year project and a live brief set by industry professionals. The first year introduces foundational study through Personalised Learning, Creative Research in Media and Design, Contextual Studies in Media and Design, Study Skills for Success, Creative Sectors in Media and Design, and Major Project (Foundation Year). The second year focuses on Principles of VFX, VFX Toolbox, Digital Toolbox, CGI Foundations, Digital Sculpture, and Visual Narrative. The third year covers The Composite, Current Trends of VFX, VFX Animation, Character Animation, Rigging and Creature FX, and 3D Matchmoving. The final year concludes with Environmental Effects, Professional and Industry Practice, Live Brief, Investigative Study, and Project.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
72 UCAS points required from level 3 qualifications. These can include: A-Levels at grades B and C (if you have two A-Levels) or grades D, D and D (if you have three), or above BTEC Extended Diploma with Merit, Merit, Pass Access to HE Diploma T-Levels You also need GCSE English and Maths (grade 9-4 / A*-C) or Level 2 equivalents.
What students say
Based on about 17 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 93%
- Learning opportunities: 92%
- Assessment and feedback: 91%
- Academic support: 89%
- Organisation and management: 84%
- Learning resources: 90%
- Student voice: 96%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 20 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 90%
- Left higher education: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 5 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 65%
- Working and studying: 20%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Information Technology Professionals: 25%
- Sales occupations: 13%
- Science, engineering and technology associate professionals: 11%
- Elementary occupations: 11%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 8%
- Find their work meaningful: 65%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 60%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 40%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 50 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- East of England: 10%
- London: 65%
- South East: 15%
Who gets in
Based on about 20 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 90%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
- No formal qualifications: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Gold for student experience, Bronze for student outcomes.
Modules
- Personalised Learning
- Creative Research in Media and Design
- Contextual Studies in Media and Design
- Study Skills for Success
- Creative Sectors in Media and Design
- Major Project (Foundation Year)
- Principles of VFX
- VFX Toolbox
- Digital Toolbox
- CGI Foundations
- Digital Sculpture
- Visual Narrative
- The Composite
- Current Trends of VFX
- VFX Animation
- Character Animation
- Rigging and Creature FX
- 3D Matchmoving
- Environmental Effects
- Professional and Industry Practice
- Live Brief
- Investigative Study
- Project
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Visual Effects and Animation with Foundation Year at University of West London earn?
The median salary is £30,000 after 15 months, £26,500 after 3 years, £34,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £23,500 and £48,000. The £34,500 median after five years is £7,000 more than the UK median for Computer games and animation.
What do graduates of BA Visual Effects and Animation with Foundation Year at University of West London do next?
80% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Visual Effects and Animation with Foundation Year at University of West London?
93% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Visual Effects and Animation with Foundation Year at University of West London?
The typical offer is BC at A level. The average entrant had 105 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Visual Effects and Animation with Foundation Year at University of West London?
90% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.