CGI and Visual Effects
CGI and visual effects is the discipline concerned with creating digital imagery that cannot be captured by a camera, from photorealistic environments and creatures to explosive action sequences and the subtle enhancement of live-action footage. It sits at the heart of modern film, television, games and advertising production, and has expanded rapidly as the tools for creating high-quality digital imagery have become more accessible and the appetite for visual spectacle in screen entertainment has grown. VFX artists work across compositing, 3D modelling, animation, simulation, lighting and rendering, combining artistic vision with sophisticated technical knowledge.
At Southampton Solent University, this three-year programme is built around strong industry connections and fully up-to-date facilities, equipping students for careers in the 3D or visual effects industries, as the university's own description notes. A foundation year is available for those who want additional preparation before entering the main degree, and a sandwich year and work placement opportunities are also part of the programme, providing structured routes to develop professional experience alongside your creative and technical development. You will learn industry-standard software used in professional VFX pipelines, develop your understanding of visual storytelling, camera work and lighting, and build a portfolio of work that demonstrates your capabilities across different areas of VFX production.
The degree develops both the artistic sensibility required to create convincing and compelling imagery and the technical problem-solving that real production environments demand. VFX is a discipline where creative and technical skills are genuinely inseparable.
Graduates go on to work in film, television and streaming production, games development, advertising, virtual and augmented reality, architectural visualisation and immersive experience design. Roles include compositor, 3D artist, character animator, texture artist, lighting technical director and VFX supervisor. Further study in visual effects, animation or digital film is an option for those seeking specialist expertise.