Course Overview

About This Course

The Graduate Certificate in Compositing and Tracking is an advanced qualification that expands your understanding of the VFX production pipeline and gives specialist skills in compositing, paint and rotoscoping, and 3D tracking.
Designed in partnership with the award-winning VFX company Rising Sun Pictures and delivered on site in their Adelaide studio, the program has you develop advanced skills in industry-standard software including Nuke, Maya, Silhouette and 3D Equalizer, taught by experienced artists and supervisors.
You learn to work across a range of VFX departments — Prep, Layout and Compositing — and gain an understanding of the visual effects production pipeline from start to finish, building industry-standard skills in compositing, rotoscoping, paint, character matchmove and 3D tracking.
Under the guidance of visual effects artists and supervisors you practise on shots from Rising Sun Pictures' filmography of Hollywood feature films, and work collaboratively with peers and a supervisor to deliver an advanced project to a production brief and deadline.
The certificate also builds the career management skills and professional practice standards needed to work in a professional VFX studio, and you graduate with your own industry-standard compositing and tracking showreel, having worked with RSP's recruitment team on your resume and reel.
The program is 24 units of core courses, taken full time over half a year at the Adelaide City Campus, with February and August intakes.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Adelaide

Mawson Lakes Boulevard, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095

Open in Maps ↗

Student Information

Fees & Entry by Student Type

Tuition Fee

$14,600 per 0.5 of a year (indicative)

Duration

0.5 years full-time

Intakes

February, August

Study Mode

Full time or part time

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

Domestic students
Prerequisite: None
Assumed knowledge: Prospective students should have entry level skills/knowledge in compositing and tracking, or broad entry level skills/knowledge in visual effects.
SATAC code: AGC114
To be eligible, an applicant must have achieved at least one of the following minimum entry requirement 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 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 show reel of visual effects work.
• Additional requirements — All applicants must submit a CV and a 60-second visual effects show reel.

International students
Prerequisite: None
Assumed knowledge: Prospective students should have entry level skills/knowledge in compositing and tracking, or broad entry level skills/knowledge in visual effects.
Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum entry requirements:
• Additional requirements — All applicants must submit a CV and a 60-second visual effects show reel.
English language requirements (achieved within the two years before admission):
• IELTS Overall 6.5
• IELTS Reading 6
• IELTS Listening 6
• IELTS Speaking 6
• IELTS Writing 6

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

You may also work in the following roles:
• Digital preparation artist: digitally preparing the plate ready for the final image
• 3D Digital matte painter: creating virtual backgrounds to replace or enhance live action photographed plates
• Production coordinator: ensuring all aspects of a production run on time and to budget
• VFX producer: responsible for running the project
• VFX supervisor: ensuring VFX shots are ready for post-production
• Technical services operator: responsible for monitoring and controlling the rendering process within the production of VFX shots
• Roto artist: highlighting areas in live action frames where computer graphics overlap with live images

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units4 units

COMP5008

Compositing Production Project

COMP5010

Introduction to 3D Tracking

COMP5009

Plate Preparation Techniques

COMP5007

Visual Effects Professional Practice

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the total cost of the Graduate Certificate in Compositing and Tracking?

Adelaide University publishes an indicative tuition fee of AU$22,550 for international students commencing in 2027. Because the program runs for less than a year, that figure is the total cost of the program. No additional non-tuition fees are listed.

Does this course include a work placement component?

Yes, the course includes a work component of 13 weeks totalling 480 hours, which is conducted at Rising Sun Pictures, a non-registered provider with an arrangement with Adelaide University.

How long does the Graduate Certificate in Compositing and Tracking take to complete?

The course has a duration of 26 weeks and is classified at the Graduate Certificate level within the Higher Education sector.

Where is the Graduate Certificate in Compositing and Tracking delivered?

The course is delivered across three locations in South Australia: Adelaide University's Adelaide City Campus, the Magill Campus, and Rising Sun Pictures, which is an arrangement with a non-registered provider.

What field of education does this course fall under?

The course falls under the broad field of Creative Arts (Field 10), with a narrow field of Graphic and Design Studies (1005) and a detailed field of Graphic Arts and Design Studies (100501).

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!

Course Snapshot

Salary, careers & skills

Typical Salary

Entry-level (0-2 years)AUD $50,000 to $70,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $70,000 to $90,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $90,000 to $120,000 per year

Career Paths

Junior CompositorPaint and Rotoscope ArtistMatchmove / Tracking ArtistPlate Preparation ArtistVFX Compositing Artist

Key Skills

Digital compositing using node-based workflows in NukeRotoscoping and matte creation using Silhouette and NukePlate preparation and clean-up (paint fixes, tracking marker removal)3D camera tracking and matchmoving using 3D Equalizer and MayaCharacter and object tracking for CG integration

Full Course Overview

💬

Need guidance?

Free advisor support

Our advisors help international students choose the right course and navigate visa pathways — at no cost.

Promote your Institution with Find the Courses