Special Effects for Film & TV

Entry requirements

As the key aim of this programme is to provide knowledge and skills in all related areas of SFX Prosthetics & Makeup Effects, Props and Model-making and associated 3D modelling/animation techniques for Film & TV, the course will be recruiting applicants with a broad base of appropriate skills within the field and enable them to focus on an area relevant to their career aspirations.

A minimum of 2.2 at BA/BSc level in a relevant subject is required. Alternatively, a Higher National Diploma (HND) qualification in relevant subject, with a minimum of 2 years’ industry experience will be required.

Applicants will need to have a suitably appropriate portfolio of work and an undergraduate degree in areas such as Special Effects Make-Up, Animation, Electronics, Mechanical Engineering, Model- making, Sculptor making, Engineering Product Design, and Manufacturing Design. The key aim of this programme, depending on their specialism, is to deepen students’ knowledge and specialist skills in all related areas in Prosthetics & Makeup Effects and/or SFX Props & Modelmaking before entering the industry.

Due to the technical nature of the programme, applicants whose first-degree discipline is not in a related area of special effects will be considered only if they can demonstrate that they have an appropriately focused portfolio. Likewise, candidates whose existing knowledge or skillset is not up to entry standard at Level 7 will also be required to undertake a short bridging course during the summer before the start of the MA, or be required to undertake an academic research task to develop their knowledge and preparedness for Level 7 study.

Overseas applicants whose first language is not English are required to have attained a minimum score of 6.5 overall with a minimum 6.0 in each component of the IELTS Academic Test. However, as part of the selection process, all applicants are required to attend an interview to demonstrate their strengths in addition to any formal entry requirements.

Months of entry

September

Course content

Are you ready to elevate your career in the film and TV industry? This MA in Special Effects for Film & TV, developed in collaboration with industry professionals, enables you to specialise and refine your skills and knowledge in either Prosthetics and Makeup Effects or Props and Modelmaking.

Split between our High Wycombe Campus and BNU teaching base at Pinewood studios, you’ll have access to state-of-the-art facilities and industry insights from professionals, all whilst studying right in the heart of the famous creative hub.

What will I study?

This MA enables you to focus your studies either on the conceptualisation, design and crafting of prosthetics makeup effects production or towards the design and crafting of props, model-making, animatronics design and fabrication technologies.

This taught course is industry-focused and will provide opportunities for you to engage with a broad range of skills and techniques required within special effects production for film and TV and associated creative industries.

You’ll delve into the interpretation of scripted and envisioned concepts requires innovative thinking, originality and imagination and pre-visualisation, coupled with practical skills to carry the projects through problem-solving to completion.

Upon graduation from this course, you’ll have relevant skills in developing theoretical and critical approaches to your specialism, and together with the craft skills acquired in your chosen specialism, will be able to support the design, prototyping and production of polished, realistic, functional, camera-ready artefacts and be appropriately prepared for future employment.

Information for international students

For any questions please visit our course page.

Fees and funding

For any questions on fees please visit our course page.