MA Visual Effects for Live Events
South Kirkby, United Kingdom
MA
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
EUR 20,000 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for international students
Why choose this course?
- Cross-Discipline Entry - This course is ideal for graduates or professionals from backgrounds in animation, design, illustration, photography, computer science, engineering or architecture, looking to enter the live events and entertainment industry. You’ll gain knowledge of theory, context, and practical applications of stunning digital content.
- Master Digital Effects - You’ll work exclusively with digitally generated imagery and visual effect techniques, including 2D compositing, 3D computer-generated imagery (CGI), green screen, virtual environments and world building, video, and motion capture. Utilising industry standard software such as Adobe After Effects, Autodesk Maya, 3Ds Max, Notch and more.
- Industry-Embedded - Immersed in an ecosystem where some of the world’s greatest events and experiences are made and produced, you’ll gain hands-on experience on real-world projects and have access to work opportunities and cutting-edge facilities, unlike any other campus.
- Graduate Success - You will gain proficiencies in concept and character development, visualisation, pitching to clients, and valuable entrepreneurial skills. This is a new and exciting area with diverse scope for research. We’ll equip you with the skills, knowledge and – importantly – the network to elevate your VFX career.
Course Content
- Visual Effects: Contexts & Concepts
- Visual Effects Practice 1: Research and Development
- Visual Effects Practice 2: Realisation and Production
- Working in the Creative Industries: Managing Yourself and Others
- Major Project
Graduates will gain a competitive edge as VFX specialists in the dynamic and developing creative industries. This is a career-focused postgraduate degree that will support you to develop advanced knowledge and skills. The skills training is combined with project-oriented creative education and will enable you to adapt and develop your practice throughout your future career.
We’ll guide you to make clear plans as to how you will use your expertise to progress your career during the course. As a graduate of this MA, you will be well prepared to seek employment, promotion, or become self-employed using the professional skills you’ve developed as part of the course. This qualification also forms the basis for doctoral studies if you wish to pursue a career in academia or research and development.
The course will equip you with a range of transferable, interpersonal, technical, and non-technical skills allowing you to capitalise on diverse career opportunities that exist. Graduates may enter VFX roles across the breadth of the creative industries sector from theatre, dance and opera to game design, virtual production and film & tv.
Studying MA Immersive & Interactive Media Design can Studying MA Visual Effects for Live Events can lead you to careers roles such as:
- Compositing Artist
- Effects Technical Director
- Production Manager [VFX]
- Animator [VFX]
- Lighting Artist [VFX]
- Multimedia Artist
- VFX Artist or Producer
- VFX Editor
- Game Artist
- Previsulisation Artist
- Environment or Concept Artist
How learning is assessed on MA Visual Effects for Live Events
We provide students with a supportive and inclusive environment where students are challenged through praxis – applying critical thinking to practical, hands-on experimentation and reflection. Teaching uses blended learning, combining practical work with online and face-to-face lectures, seminars, tutorials, discussions, guest speakers, and masterclasses. Module assessments typically involve written coursework, project work, oral assessments, presentations and portfolios.
A significant amount of personal study time is expected to be undertaken by students, comprising, for example, background reading, online activities, assessment work and preparation for sessions.
Students are encouraged to use their continuing professional practice as part of their research process and build on our close relationships with the industry. Developing plans for new creative projects is coupled with a higher level of academic study and learning. Our approach to blended learning supports working professionals to engage flexibly with studies.