University course · real outcomes from HESA / Discover Uni · part of Careermash
University degree

Animation and Visual Effects with Diploma in Creative Computing

Norwich University of the Arts
Qualification
Degree
Length
5 yrs
UK fees / yr
£9,535
Study
full-time
Worth knowing: about 20% of students don't make it past first year here - ask the uni what support they offer.
Robin · your guide
Here's the honest picture on this course - what you'd study, whether you'd likely get in, what it pays, and where it leads. Everything's real data.
About this course

Animation and visual effects with a diploma in creative computing is a degree that combines specialist creative and technical training in one of the most rapidly evolving sectors of the screen and digital industries. Animation encompasses the creation of moving images through drawn, modelled, and computer-generated means, telling stories and creating visual experiences across film, television, games, advertising, and interactive media. Visual effects (VFX) adds the tools and techniques used to create digital imagery that integrates with live action footage, from simulated environments and digital characters to explosions, weather, and crowd simulations.

Creative computing adds software skills and computational thinking that give practitioners greater control over their tools and the ability to build custom workflows.

At Norwich University of the Arts, this five-year, full-time programme is designed to develop both artistic and technical expertise to a level that prepares graduates for the professional screen industries. NUA is a specialist arts and design university with excellent facilities for creative digital work, and the longer duration reflects the depth of skill development in two demanding creative fields alongside a computing diploma. You will develop drawing and visual storytelling skills alongside proficiency in the software tools that professional animators and VFX artists use, including 3D modelling, rigging, simulation, compositing, and rendering.

The creative computing strand adds programming and scripting skills that enable you to extend and customise your technical practice. A typical entry tariff of 120 UCAS points indicates the entry expectations.

The programme develops both creative vision and technical fluency, which is exactly the combination that production companies, games studios, and post-production houses look for in graduate hires.

Graduates work as animators, VFX artists, motion graphics designers, technical directors, and pipeline developers across film, television, games, advertising, and interactive media.

Could you get in?
The grades students arrived with
64-79 pts10%
80-95 pts10%
96-111 pts20%
112-127 pts20%
128-143 pts10%
160-175 pts20%
224-239 pts10%
How they qualified
90% got in with A-levels. The rest came in a mix of ways:
A-levels90%
other higher education10%
Could I get in? Try your grades
120 UCAS pts
Pay & prospects
80%
In work or further study after
80%
Continue past first year
87%
Student satisfaction
What graduates earn over time
£22,500
After 15 months
£18,500
3 years on
£23,000
5 years on
What graduates actually go on to do % of leavers
Web and Multimedia Design ProfessionalsHighly skilled17%
Artistic, literary and media occupationsHighly skilled19%
Elementary occupations15%
Business and public service associate professionalsHighly skilled6%
Sales occupations13%
Information Technology ProfessionalsHighly skilled14%
Administrative occupations10%
Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations4%
What students say National Student Survey
87%
of students are satisfied with the course overall
Teaching95%
Assessment & feedback83%
Academic support92%
Well organised81%
Learning resources83%
Student community75%
In students' own words
★★★★★
Genuinely worthwhile
This is the perfect place to study this subject. The best part: the opportunity to do independent research in the final year is a highlight. If I'm honest, first-year classes can be quite large. On the city — the city is a brilliant student
Postgraduate · Full-time
★★★★★
A great decision
I was sceptical before starting — now I'd recommend it to anyone. The best part: the cohort are bright and motivated, which makes the learning environment great. If I'm honest, would like to see more industry guest speakers in later years.
Class of 2023 · Full-time
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Where this degree can lead
Like the look of it?
When you're ready, the full entry requirements and application are on Norwich University of the Arts's own site.
Apply on uni site
Careermash · real course data from HESA / Discover Uni, in plain English.

Career data: role, pay and progression profiles built for Careermash's careers engine; AI-impact estimates from Anthropic's observed AI-usage telemetry and OpenAI's AI Jobs Transition Framework. Course data: HESA / Discover Uni, including Graduate Outcomes, LEO and the National Student Survey. Apprenticeships: IfATE-published standards, approved only.

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