Film Visual Effects
Study track of the Creative Media and Game Technologies programme
Film technology of the future
Are you interested in film postproduction, and do you want to learn to create visual effects for movies, TV shows, and video games? This track will prepare you for a role as a previsualisation artist, creature technical director, matte painter or lighting artist, just to name a few.
You will learn about virtual production and motion capture, but also about film asset creation, lighting and rendering. You learn how to create characters, creatures, vehicles, environments, and props for use in visual effects and animation. You are going to work with the latest tools, software and hardware, such as Unreal Engine and SideFX Houdini. At the campus of Breda University of Applied Sciences there’s even a full-fledged XR stage with LED screens available for students.
We have industry partnerships with companies as:
A visual world
In this video we showcase our best work in the world of visual effects and pre-production. Sit back, relax, and enjoy our showreel as we take you on a journey through our exciting and immersive visual world.
Courses per year
During this 4-year bachelor’s programme, you will have the opportunity to work on real-world projects, collaborate with international industry professionals, and build a portfolio of work to showcase your film and visual effects skills.
- Year 1
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- Art theory
- Drawing skills
- Modelling
- Texturing
- Lighting/rendering
- Animation
- Year 2
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- VFX/technical art
- Animation
- Environments
- Procedural modelling
- Compositing
- Year 3
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- Advanced visual arts
- Workshops
- Year 4
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One of the following options:
- Work placement
- Personal project
- Exchange
- Minor
Stills from movies
Intake assignment and selection criteria
To be admitted to the study programme, you will be asked to make an assignment. When your assignment is assessed as satisfactory, you will receive an invitation for an interview. This assignment, but also previously made work, will be discussed there.
The intake assignment consists of a CV, motivation letter and a digital portfolio containing observational artwork in analogue or digital media. Here you can read more information about the assignment and the criteria that the assignment must meet.
Criteria
The CV, motivation letter, portfolio assignment and the interview are assessed against the criteria:
- Motivation (15%)
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- We provide small-scale and intensive education. This means that we expect a 40 hours per week commitment to your study, strong teamwork, engagement in regular (1-on-1) feedback sessions, the ability to study independently, an interest in extra-curricular activities and a proactive attitude.
- Do you fit this profile? Explain why.
- How much time did you spend on the assignment?
- How did you prepare? What learning resources did you use?
- Communication (15%)
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- Explain your assignment
- Are you proficient in English?
- Can you answer our questions clearly and concisely?
- Reflection (10%)
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- What aspect of the assignment of the game did you like the most?
- What did you learn from making the assignment?
- What would you improve if you had more time?
- Portfolio + assignment - Skills & knowledge (60%)
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- Quality of the assignment
- Examples of your best work
- Skills and knowledge you already have (including previous education)
Creativity, an artistic eye and technical excellence
As Lead Lighting Artist for Ghost VFX, I've played a role in the creation of visual effects for series such as Shadow and Bone, Star Trek: Picard and The Mandalorian.
I started the Visual Arts track of CMGT back in 2013, which was aimed exclusively at games. The Film Visual Effects track didn't exist yet. However, the focus was on team-based creativity, developing our artistic eye and achieving technical excellence. Three things that are just as relevant when making movies as they are when making games. It still helped me succeed.
While studying at Breda University of Applied Sciences I was surrounded by a community of students and lecturers that shared the same drive to create. Our focus wasn't simply on earning school credits, it was on creating beautiful worlds and immersive stories. It fostered a strong work ethic that serves me to this day.
Admission
To meet the educational requirements to this degree programme, you need a havo or vwo diploma or an equivalent of these Dutch diplomas. You can also be admitted with an equivalent of level-4 mbo diploma. Check out the complete admission requirements.
Application and selection
If you meet the admission requirements, you are invited to apply for this programme. Admission is based on selection, each year 210 students are admitted. Please check out the application and selection procedure.
Study costs
In the academic year 2024-2025 the statutory + tuition fee for this bachelor programme is €3,160. In addition to the tuition fee, you will need to take into account additional costs for participation in the introduction week and the purchase of study materials such as textbooks and excursions. Read more about study costs.
