Adelaide University
Graduate Certificate in Compositing and Tracking
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 6 months
- Course Type: Graduate Certificate
Create seamless VFX sequences and bring stories to life.
Course overview
Adelaide University’s Graduate Certificate in Compositing and Tracking will equip you with valuable skills applicable to the global visual effects industry.
Designed in partnership with award-winning VFX company Rising Sun Pictures and delivered on-site in their Adelaide studio, you’ll develop advanced skills in industry-standard software like Nuke, Maya, Silhouette and 3D Equaliser and be taught by experienced artists and supervisors.
In this immersive qualification, you’ll develop industry-standard skills in compositing, rotoscoping, paint, character matchmove and 3D tracking and gain the career management skills and professional practice standards needed to work in a professional VFX studio. While learning the key aspects of various VFX departments, including Prep, Layout and Compositing, you’ll get the opportunity to plan, iterate and deliver a collaborative, team 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 first-hand 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 compositing, 3D tracking, character matchmove, paint and rotoscoping and practice your skills on shots from RSP’s filmography of previous Hollywood feature films.
- Be mentored by experienced visual effects artists and supervisors.
- Work with the Rising Sun Pictures recruitment team to professionalise your resume and showreel.
- Establish valuable networks with local and national industry professionals.
- Graduated with an industry-standard compositing and tracking showreel.
Key facts
August, 2026
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
- Compositing Production Project
- Plate Preparation Techniques
- Introduction to 3D Tracking
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 of experience in the visual effects industry or the creative industries with a relevant show reel of visual effects work.
Additional requirements
All applicants must submit a CV and a 60-second visual effects show reel.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
- Under the guidance of highly skilled visual effects artists and supervisors, you will develop your compositing and tracking skillsets and have the opportunity to practice on RSP’s filmography of Hollywood blockbusters. You will also get to work collaboratively with your peers and supervisor to deliver an advanced project to a production brief and deadline.
- You will 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.
- You’ll study on-site at RSP in their simulated studio environment and graduate with an industry-standard compositing and tracking showreel. You'll showcase your work to peers, RSP staff, as well as local and national VFX recruiters.
Career outcomes
Maybe you’ll work as a compositor, constructing the completed shot and combining live-action plates with a range of CG elements. Or perhaps you could become a layout artist and work alongside the animation director and VFX supervisor to create camera moves and blocking animation within a digital environment.
You may also work in the following roles:
- Digital Preparation Artist
- 3D Digital Matte Painter
- Production Coordinator
- VFX Producer
- VFX Supervisor
- Technical Services Operator
- Roto Artist
Fees and FEE-HELP
Indicative annual fee in 2026: $29,200 (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.