Why Study/Key Benefits

Massey University’s Bachelor of Screen Arts with Honours, specialising in Visual Effects (VFX), is a four-year, practice-focused qualification designed for students who want to build professional skills for the visual-effects and wider screen-production industries.

The Visual Effects major focuses on creating and integrating digital effects into live-action footage, animation and games. Students learn both creative and technical processes, including:

• Character design and development
• 3D modelling, texturing and rigging
• World building
• Storyboarding
• Compositing
• Particle generation and dynamics
• Destruction, explosions, water and fluid simulations
• Performance capture
• Virtual production
• Green-screen production
• Industry-standard VFX workflows

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The BSA(Hons) is a flexible 480-credit qualification containing core study, a major and elective opportunities. The Visual Effects major contributes 180 credits.

Visual Effects major

The current Visual Effects major includes 180 credits from the following courses:

• 289104 Introduction to Visual Effects – 15 credits
• 289209 Visual Effects Production – 15 credits
• 289219 Visual Effects Project – 15 credits
• 289303 Advanced Practice Exploration – 15 credits
• 289333 Screen Arts Major Project – 30 credits
• 289701 Production Planning and Development – 30 credits
• 289803 Advanced Production – 60 credits

Together these courses total 180 credits.

Introduction to Visual Effects

289104 introduces the principles and concepts of VFX and develops foundational creative and technical knowledge of the tools and techniques used in VFX production.

Visual Effects Production

289209 develops core VFX concepts and industry-standard production tools. Students refine technical skills across a visual-effects production pipeline and explore creative and aesthetic applications. Entry to this course requires 75 credits at 100 level from the College of Creative Arts, including at least one specified introductory course such as Introduction to Visual Effects.

Visual Effects Project

289219 builds on the foundational VFX production skills developed in 289209. Students use more advanced techniques and creative approaches to develop and iterate multiple projects.

Advanced Practice Exploration

289303 develops role-specific creative and technical skills in preparation for major productions and industry. Students work with advanced equipment, techniques and processes relevant to their chosen area of practice.

Screen Arts Major Project

289333 involves collaborative production at an advanced technical, creative and professional standard. Students bring projects into production and manage deadlines and schedules through to completion.

Production Planning and Development

289701 develops professional knowledge of creative research practices, tools and techniques for organising large-scale productions and planning an Advanced Production Project.

Advanced Production

289803 is a 60-credit advanced production course in which students produce and finalise a substantial work demonstrating high technical, creative and professional standards. The work is informed by research and requires professional-level production management.

Core studies

In addition to the Visual Effects major, students complete the BSA(Hons) core. The core includes areas such as:

• Critical Studies
• Professional Cultures in Screen Arts
• Creative practice and research
• Screen arts theory
• Professional communication
• Creative-industry practice
• Maori and Aotearoa New Zealand perspectives

Examples of relevant core courses include:

• 289100 Screen Arts, Creativity and Critical Thinking
• 289200 Screen Arts, Societies and Cultures
• 289300 Locating a Critical Screen Practice
• 289150 Professional Cultures in Screen Arts 1
• 289250 Professional Cultures in Screen Arts 2
• 289350 Professional Cultures in Screen Arts 3
• 293130 Critical Studies in Digital Worlds 1
• 293230 Critical Studies in Digital Worlds 2
• 293330 Critical Studies in Digital Worlds 3
• 293732 Creative Practice Research Methods

Disciplines/Specialisations

The selected specialisation is Visual Effects.

Massey’s current BSA(Hons) regulations list these single-major options:

• Animation
• Documentary and Factual
• Emerging Creative Technologies
• Film Production
• Game Development
• Immersive Media
• Media Technology
• Visual Effects

Programme Highlights

• NZQF level 8 honours degree.
• 480 credits.
• Four years full-time.
• Wellington campus.
• Visual Effects major of 180 credits.
• Industry-focused VFX production training.
• Training in both creative and technical VFX workflows.
• Access to motion capture and virtual-production facilities.
• Access to a render farm and industry-standard software.
• Software includes Houdini, Maya, Nuke, After Effects and Blender.
• Honours-year individualised mentoring with an industry professional.
• Opportunity for an optional internship with a Wellington-based effects company during the first Honours semester.
• Development of a professional showreel.
• Major collaborative production experience.
• Advanced individual production/research work.
• Optional minor opportunities.
• Access to a broader creative-arts environment within Toi Rauwh?rangi College of Creative Arts.

Career Outcomes

Massey specifically identifies the following career areas for Visual Effects graduates:

• Visual effects producer
• Special effects technical director
• Virtual producer
• Editor
• Media technologies developer
• 3D modeller
• Rigger
• Art director
• VR/AR developer
• Audio producer
• CG artist
• Motion capture animator
• Digital effects artist. 

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

• The current Visual Effects major is 180 credits within the 480-credit BSA(Hons).
• The programme is offered at Wellington and is open to international students on campus in New Zealand.
• No additional formal programme-specific admission requirement is currently listed beyond Massey’s university admission regulations.
• A Creative Review is recommended after applying and enrolling, but is not stated as a mandatory admission requirement.
• Progression beyond the 300-level courses requires a weighted grade average of at least B- across the highest-graded 75 credits at 300 level.
• The Honours qualification can be awarded with First Class, Second Class Division I, Second Class Division II or Third Class Honours, based on performance in the relevant advanced-level courses.
• An applicant who already holds the Bachelor of Screen Arts cannot be admitted to the BSA(Hons).
• The International Creative Excellence Scholarship requires a portfolio even though the degree itself does not require a formal portfolio for admission.
• Massey recommends international students apply at least three months before their intended start date to allow sufficient time for processing and visa/travel arrangements. 

International Student Visa Requirements

For an international student physically studying Visual Effects in Wellington, the relevant immigration route is generally the New Zealand Fee Paying Student Visa.

Immigration New Zealand currently states that this visa:

• Can be issued for up to 4 years.
• Costs from NZD $850.
• Has an advertised processing timeframe of 80% within 8 weeks.
• Requires an offer of place from an approved education provider.
• Requires evidence of tuition funding or an appropriate scholarship.
• Requires evidence of sufficient living funds or an acceptable sponsor.
• Requires acceptable medical and travel insurance.
• Requires applicants to meet health and character requirements.
• Requires genuine intentions to study.
• Requires evidence that the student can leave New Zealand at the end of the stay.