CGI and Visual Effects with Digital Arts Foundation Year BA (Hons)

This is a thriving sector in the UK, and Solent’s CGI and Visual Effects degree can take you in so many directions, from explosive film VFX to 3D character design, from architectural visualisation to motion graphics, from virtual production to motion capture.

Youll study a balanced blend of technical and creative elements aligned to current professional demands, while fostering a proactive attitude toward self-learning, problem solving, and critical creative awareness to help you thrive in an ever-evolving industry. Throughout your studies, youll receive support to develop your own creative or technical practice within a specialist area and will be connected with industry for informed learning, constructive feedback, and valuable networking opportunities.

You will grow from a strong foundation of skills taught during your first year to become a fully industry-ready practitioner in the direction of your choosing upon graduation. Our top-quality teaching, as well as our small course size, means you will be individually guided towards you ultimate career.

Youll have access to industry standard software, equipment and pipelines throughout your studies, enabling you to choose the most appropriate applications for different subjects and ensuring you have the tools for whatever career you have in mind. Facilities on the course are extensive, with a full LED virtual production stage, photogrammetry body scanner, motion capture, green screens, LIDAR, drone scanning, 3D printing, and all the expected VFX equipment such as 360° cameras, chrome balls and Macbeth charts. Additionally, you can collaborate with film students to access top industry cameras like the Arri Alexas or Blackmagic URSA Minis.

We support you to build an industry network during your degree to help you find that first entry-level position through networking and dissemination of your work, hearing from guest speakers at our weekly forums, attending annual events such as CGFX, Industry Week, and our Graduate Show, as well as studio trips.

Our annual guest speaker event, CGFX, draws in some of the industrys top experts, allowing students to network and ask questions during the Q&A. Previous companies that have attended the event include Rockstar, Aardman, Framestore, Airship Interactive, MPC, Jellyfish, Ubisoft and many more.

If you’re looking to study our CGI and visual effects degree but don’t have the relevant qualifications or experience, the digital arts foundation year will help you develop the core skills and knowledge to progress. Find out more about the digital arts foundation year.

This course also offers the option of a placement year. A placement year allows you to put what youve learned in your first and second years into practice in the workplace, gaining valuable real-world work experience before you graduate. Our course and placements teams will help you find the perfect industry placement in your chosen field.

Don't wait for the future. Build it. At Solent, every module is built around real-world learning, so you graduate with practical skills, confidence and experience — not just theory.

Our career-ready revolution is transforming the way every course is designed, taught and connected to the world of work, to ensure your degree prepares you for the career you want. This isn't a tweak. It’s s a complete shake-up of what your university experience should be, using five key elements: learning by doing from day one, a timetable that fits real life, strong links to industry, an outstanding student learning experience, and careers support for life.

Our world-class facilities are also built with your future career in mind, and include the renowned Warsash Maritime School, Solent Sports Complex with advanced science labs, animation and 3D modelling studios, plus applied mechanics and composites labs.

And when you're not in class? Southampton has it all — shopping, culture, live music, football, cricket, festivals and markets, plus tiny Thai cafes, ghost walks and record fairs. It's friendly, walkable, and one of the most affordable student cities in the UK. With a diverse community and societies for every interest, you'll find your tribe here too.

Register your interest now and join the career-ready revolution.