Diploma of 3D Design and Animation

Torrens University Australia

CRICOS Institution Code 03389E

Duration

90 weeks

Delivery

Online, On campus, Blended

Intakes

14 Sep 2026

Course Overview

About This Course

The Diploma of 3D Design and Animation covers modelling, rigging, animation, texturing, lighting and composition, helping students master the essentials of 3D design while carving out their own creative niche. Students build a portfolio to showcase to potential employers, guided by academics and industry professionals who teach them to tell compelling stories, bring characters and digital worlds to life, and respond to client briefs, while building a solid foundation in the theory and technology behind 3D design. Some specialised subjects may be delivered online only. Learning outcomes include building a strong foundation in cutting-edge 3D principles and practice, learning the foundations of procedural modelling and animation from a Houdini-certified school, developing 3D skills and pipelines for game development and real-time animation workflows, and working with industry-standard creative processes and advanced briefs.

The course includes a free Adobe Creative Cloud Pro licence for the duration of study and six months after graduation. It is delivered by a Houdini SideFX certified school that consistently appears in the Rookies World School Rankings and was ranked in the Top 10 Animation Schools in Australia/New Zealand by Career Animation in 2025. Delivered online, on campus and in blended mode at Sydney and online, the course runs 18 months full time, two to three years part time, or 12 months accelerated, at AQF Level 5, by Torrens University Australia Ltd trading as Billy Blue College of Design.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Brisbane

90 Bowen Terrace, Fortitude Valley, Queensland (QLD) 4006

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Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Domestic students:

Australian secondary school certificate, or equivalent OR
Successful completion of a Vocational qualification (AQF Level 4), or above OR
Successful completion of at least 0.25 EFTSL at AQF level 6, 0.5 EFTSL at AQF level 5 or above, or equivalent OR
Work life experience demonstrating the ability to undertake study at the required level, which may include approval of prior study or successful completion of a readiness assessment

International students:

Successful completion of at least 0.25 EFTSL at AQF level 6, 0.5 EFTSL at AQF level 5 or above, or equivalent OR
Australian secondary school certificate, or equivalent Senior Secondary qualification, or Baccalaureate Diploma AND
Academic IELTS 6.0 (no band less than 5.0) or equivalent OR
Alternative entry requirements may be available, which may include assessment and approval of prior study or successful completion of a readiness assessment (contact the International Admissions team for more information)

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

This course is your launchpad into the world of 3D design and animation, either as a stepping stone to a bachelor's degree or an exciting career. Whether you're eyeing up a spot in film or broadcast post-production or diving into the chaos of animation, visual effects or game studios, this course sets you up to break into the industry and make some serious noise.

Potential career paths include:

Concept Artist — average salary $102,500-$154,300
3D Animator — average salary $55,000-$95,000
3D Game Artist — average salary $76,250-$100,450
3D Modeler — average salary $76,250-$100,450

Salaries sourced from au.talent.com/salary and payscale.com (AUD, current as of April 2025).

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

ASQA

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units12 units

DSO102

Design Studio 1

DGDDD100

Digital Design Foundations

DSO103

Design Studio 2

ACR101

2D Asset Creation

ACR103

3D Asset Creation

GDP102

Game Design Principles

ANP100

Animation Principles

GPF104

Game Production Foundation

BCI100

Beyond the Creative Industries

WIL100C

Work Integrated Learning

DPO100

Digital Portfolio and Showreel

PGW200

Procedural Geometry and Workflow

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there scholarships available for international students enrolling in the Diploma of 3D Design and Animation at Torrens University?

Yes, Torrens University Australia offers a range of scholarships for international students, including the Motivational Scholarship (up to 25% off tuition), the PEPEA Scholarship (50% off tuition), and the Offshore Online Scholarship (up to 30% off for students studying online from outside Australia). Many of these are available on a rolling basis per intake and apply for the entire course duration.

Can pathway or partner institution students access reduced tuition for this course?

Yes, students from recognised partner institutions and pathway programs may be eligible for exclusive tuition reductions. For example, the Ironwood Pathway offers 20% off, the Pearl Pathway offers 30% off, and Kings College Malaysia students may receive 45% off, subject to eligibility criteria and faculty availability.

Is there a scholarship available for Torrens University alumni who want to continue their studies?

Yes, Torrens University Australia offers an Alumni Scholarship designed to support graduates who wish to pursue a further qualification, helping them build on their existing academic success and continue their educational journey with the university.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Processing time: Offer letter issued within approximately 1 business days.

Course Snapshot

Typical Salary (AUD)

Entry-level (0-2 years)$50,000 – $70,000/yr

Early Career (2-5 years)$70,000 – $90,000/yr

Mid-Level (5-10 years)$90,000 – $120,000/yr

Career Paths

2D Animator
3D Animator
Character Designer
VFX Artist (Visual Effects Artist)
Motion Graphics Designer

Key Skills

2D and 3D character animation and rigging
3D modelling, texturing, and rendering
Motion graphics and visual effects (VFX)
Game engine proficiency (Unity, Unreal Engine)
Digital illustration and concept art

Full course overview

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