Master Digital Effects - Máster en Efectos Especiales

This truly international course will provide you with a strong theoretical and technical underpinning for the principal areas of study focusing on the integration of computer graphics into film footage.


We accept students from a broad range of art-based subject areas including fine art, photography, architecture, filmmaking, fashion design, and graphic design. We will also consider applications from non-art based subjects such as computer sciences or engineering, as long as good art skills can be demonstrated. This is a truly international course, attracting students from all over the world with a diverse range of cultures and identities.

Knowledge of digital effects and computer graphics are not a prerequisite for entry, as everything is rapidly taught from basics. A strong set of traditional art and photography skills are however highly beneficial.

MA Digital Effects and the National Centre for Computer Animation is the UK’s only officially recognised Houdini Certified School. This incredible software is now at the forefront of the VFX Industry, and knowledge of it is a must for anyone wanting to progress their careers in this field.

A Bachelors Honours degree with 2:2 in any subject.
Professional Qualifications or Diplomas deemed equivalent to a 2:2 or above Honours Degree.
Industrial Experience deemed equivalent to a 2:2 or above Honours Degree.
A clear precise personal statement

International entry requirements
If English is not your first language, you will need to provide evidence that you understand English to a satisfactory level. English language requirements for this course are normally:

IELTS (Academic) 6.5 with minimum 6.0 in each component, or equivalent.

Become proficient in acquisition filming, 3D animation and 2D compositing, facilitating your understanding of the entire digital effects pipeline
Explore toolsets such as dynamics, green screen, tracking and digital assets in order to push yourself and your work to the next level of visual success
Undertake multiple projects both individually and alongside students from across the NCCA Master´s courses
Benefit from visiting speaker talks from industry specialists, including some of our successful alumni
Create a substantial and original project in preparation for the end of year degree show attended by top industry recruiters
Access industry-standard facilities including a new green screen and motion capture studio, as well as animation labs, equipped with industry-standard software Houdini and Nuke.

Digital Effects Tools: Technical and theoretical teaching for the Foundation Project unit. You´ll be taught about the craft and tools of digital effects work, get an opportunity to judge your work so far and learn to record digital effects production.
Foundation Project: A highly structured and mediated production project ensures you will acquire a broad base of practical knowledge which you can develop and refine towards specialism in future work.
Signature Shot: You´ll produce a short piece of Digital Effects work showing your technical abilities to date. The unit offers a chance to merge your learnt skills, and to plan a specific technical direction to prepare you for your Masters Project.
Digital Effects Theory: This unit will provide you with advanced theoretical knowledge of Digital Effects production by considering the diverse interdisciplinary concepts permeating Digital Effects best practice.
Group Project: Gain a deeper understanding of digital effects disciplines and contribute to a significant piece of group work in terms of scope, design and aesthetic. You can work with students from across the NCCA Master´s programmes, such as 3D animators and MSc Computer Animation and Visual Effects students.
Personal Inquiry: A tutorial-supported research unit. You´ll get an opportunity to research areas that interest you that may be outside of the normal boundaries of the programme. You´ll be assessed at a Research Symposium, where you´ll present your research to students and staff.
Master´s Project: The Master´s Project unit has no teaching and is dedicated to your final project. We´ll expect your project to be ambitious, with a high level of finish. You´ll show a bold and confident approach to production management and the design and execution of Digital Effects. This is normally an individual project, but students are increasingly realising the benefits of working in a group to achieve an impressive final result. The programme ends with a degree show in London, if you pass your Project. This show gives you an opportunity to show your Project to industry professionals and potential employers, alongside friends, family and past graduates.

Digital Effects graduates are highly sought after in the industry. This is partly due to our level of teaching in this subject area, and partly from students´ desire to listen, learn and progress.

Graduates have gone on to work for a variety of International VFX Companies including Double Negative (Inception), Digital Domain (Transformers, X-Men) and Sony Picture Image Works (Smurfs).