Adelaide University
Graduate Certificate in 3D Animation
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 6 months
- Course Type: Graduate Certificate
Bring real and mythical characters to life in this industry-immersed qualification.
Course overview
Adelaide University’s Graduate Certificate in 3D Animation will prepare you for a vibrant career in the global visual effects industry.
Designed in partnership with award-winning VFX company Rising Sun Pictures (RSP) and delivered on-site in their Adelaide studio, you’ll develop advanced skills in industry-standard software like Maya and be taught by experienced 3D animation artists and supervisors.
In this immersive qualification, you’ll learn the specialised techniques and knowledge essential to crafting photorealistic 3D animated sequences and animate a range of props, vehicles and digital doubles, as well as real and mythical creatures and develop the career management skills and professional practice standards needed to work in a VFX studio. While learning the process of animating realistic assets and characters, you’ll get the opportunity to plan, iterate and deliver a project to meet a production brief and deadline to industry standards.
You’ll graduate career-ready with expertise in current trends, technologies and professional practices, along with local, national and international industry contacts, with firsthand experience of how a world-class VFX studio operates.
Key features
- Gain invaluable experience and learn in a simulated studio environment.
- Build industry-standard expertise in photorealistic 3D animation.
- Be mentored by experienced visual effects artists and supervisors.
- Work with Rising Sun Pictures' recruitment team to professionalise your resume and showreel.
- Establish valuable networks with local and national industry professionals.
- Graduate with an industry-standard 3D animation showreel.
Key facts
What you will study
Students must complete 24 units comprising four core courses. Each course is worth six units.
Core courses
Complete 24 units for all of the following:
- Visual Effects Professional Practice
- Assets Animation
- 3D Animation Project
- Creature Animation
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
To be eligible, an applicant must have achieved at least one of the following minimum entry requirements and demonstrate they fulfil any prerequisite and essential criteria for admission. In cases where there are more eligible applicants than available places, admission will be competitive with ranks based on the entry criteria.
- A completed bachelor's degree (AQF level 7) or higher from a recognised higher education institution; OR
- A completed Advanced Diploma (AQF level 6) from a registered training organisation (RTO); OR
- Three years' experience in the visual effects industry or the creative industries with a relevant showreel of visual effects work.
- All applicants must submit a CV and a 60-second visual effects showreel.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
The Graduate Certificate in 3D Animation is an advanced qualification designed to expand your VFX skills in the specialised field of photorealistic 3D animation.
- Learn how to create complex 3D animated sequences, including animating props, vehicles, digital doubles and real and mythical creatures.
- You’ll develop a comprehensive understanding of the professional animation pipeline and build a strong foundation in industry standards and technologies, while gaining expertise in 3D animation software such as Maya.
- Build foundational and contextual knowledge of contemporary VFX practices and an understanding of creative, technical and operational roles within the VFX industry.
- Gain insight into operational workflows in professional VFX departments, including business development, pipeline management, accounting and recruitment to develop a well-rounded skillset for various career pathways.
Career outcomes
The specialist skills you’ll develop in this program will provide a direct pathway into a variety of roles in the visual effects industry, while the knowledge and understanding you gain of the broader VFX industry could lead to a career in related screen industries such as film and television or game design. Maybe you’ll work for Rising Sun Pictures, bringing series like Loki or One Piece to life, or perhaps you’ll work at Weta Digital on the latest Planet of the Apes film.
You may work in roles such as:
- 3D Animator
- Rigger
- Production Coordinator
- VFX Producer
- VFX Supervisor
- Technical Services Operator
Fees and FEE-HELP
Indicative annual fee in 2026: $14,600 per 0.5 of a year (domestic full-fee paying place)
Fee-paying programs require the full tuition fees for your study, which can be deferred partly or in full to a FEE-HELP loan. Where the duration of the program is less than one year, the total cost of the program is displayed.
A student’s fee may vary depending on:
- The number of courses studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of courses.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students.