Course Overview

About This Course

The Graduate Certificate in Creature Effects prepares you to work as a creature technical director in the visual effects industry. Creature effects is a vital part of the VFX production pipeline, with CFX technical directors bringing creatures, digital doubles and CG props and scenes to life through realistic hair, fur and cloth dynamics.
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 Maya, taught by experienced CFX artists and supervisors.
You learn to realistically simulate hair, fur, cloth and other garments, and to simulate a diverse range of digital props and assets such as flags, sails, ships, cables and chains. Alongside the technical craft you build foundational and contextual knowledge of contemporary VFX practice and of the VFX production pipeline as a whole.
You are mentored by experienced visual effects artists and supervisors, establish networks with local and national industry professionals, and work with Rising Sun Pictures' recruitment team to professionalise your resume and showreel.
You graduate with an industry-standard showreel.
The program is 24 units of core courses, taken full time over half a year at the Adelaide City Campus, with a June intake.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Adelaide

Mawson Lakes Boulevard, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095

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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

June

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 Creature Effects, or broad entry level skills/knowledge in visual effects.
SATAC code: AGC115

International students
Prerequisite: None
Assumed knowledge: Prospective students should have entry level skills/knowledge in Creature Effects, or broad entry level skills/knowledge in visual effects.
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 could work in the following roles:
• Creature technical director: building, developing and programming the software for artists to create believable fur, feathers and skin on creatures
• Production coordinator: ensuring all aspects of a production run on time and to budget
• VFX producer: responsible for running VFX projects
• 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

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units4 units

COMP5015

Cloth Simulation

COMP5016

Hair Simulation

COMP5014

Creature Effects Project

COMP5007

Visual Effects Professional Practice

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the Graduate Certificate in Creature Effects and does it include a work placement?

The course runs for 26 weeks in total and includes a significant work component of 480 hours over 13 weeks, giving students substantial hands-on industry experience as part of their studies.

Where is the Graduate Certificate in Creature Effects delivered?

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

How much does the Graduate Certificate in Creature Effects cost?

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.

What field of study does the Graduate Certificate in Creature Effects fall under?

The course is classified under the broad field of Creative Arts, with a narrow field of Communication and Media Studies (detailed field code 100700 – Communication and Media Studies, n.f.d.).

Is the Graduate Certificate in Creature Effects eligible for Post-Study Work Rights?

No. Post-Study Work Rights eligibility requires the course to be a Skills Level 1 qualification (Bachelor, Masters or PhD) of at least 92 weeks duration, among other criteria. The Graduate Certificate in Creature Effects is a graduate certificate level qualification lasting only 26 weeks, so it does not meet these requirements.

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 $55,000 to $75,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $75,000 to $100,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $100,000 to $120,000 per year

Career Paths

Creature Technical Director (CFX TD)FX Technical Director (FX TD)Grooming ArtistCloth Simulation ArtistCharacter FX Artist

Key Skills

Hair, fur, and feather simulation using industry-standard toolsCloth and garment dynamics simulationRigid body and soft body simulation for digital props and assetsCreature rigging and skeleton/muscle system construction3D modelling and sculpting for creature assets

Full Course Overview

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