BSc (Hons)/MSci Character Creation for Animation, Games & VFX*
If you feel a passion for storytelling and creating characters with rich backstories that are a part of vast and detailed worlds… then this is the course for you.
The creative industry is now bigger than ever, and we are always asked to create characters for everything, from films, animations, advertising, games, TV and more. The role of Character Creator is to bring characters to life.
This course has been created with our industry partners to encompass not only theory but technical and artistic approaches. Although the pipelines for character creation differ across different outputs such as VFX or games, this course approaches character creation holistically, so that you are prepared for this process in any scenario, especially in the ever-changing world where technology and tools evolve so often.
Taught by industry professionals, you will understand the character creation pipeline from concept to implementation, developing models, character rigs and FX. This will require work at all points in the production pipeline, including simulations of muscles, cloth and fur. You will have the transferable skills to work and support teams in both technical and artistic capacities across different outputs such as complex character simulations, and real-time and interactive production environments, such as virtual reality and other forms of interactive entertainment.
Designed with our industry partners, this cutting-edge course will enable you to develop and refine your skills, with individual specialisms, as well as working alongside our Technical Art and Games Design programmes, and our extended undergraduate art programmes. This course will provide rich and varied opportunities to work on collaborative projects, developing the soft and technical skills that companies look for in Character Creators in all disciplines.
*Subject to validation
- UCAS code: I804 (BSc) - I805 (MSci)
- Institution code: P34
- Location: London campus
- Start date: September
- Fees: (See Fees and Funding section)
£9,250 per year for 2023/2024 entry
- Mode of study: Full time
- Duration: BSc 3 years, MSci 4 years
- Entry requirements: Attending a workshop and being predicted two passes at A Level or equivalent
Awarded by
Why choose this course
- Based in London
Home to some of the best animation, video games and VFX studios in the world - Partnership with Epic Games
We are the first Unreal Engine Authorized Training Center in the UK and an Unreal Engine Academic Partner. Our certified tutors also run short courses for studios to train their staff in Unreal Engine - We’re a Houdini certified school
Learn from the experts and benefit from exclusive access to Houdini webinars and presentations - Industry briefs and feedback
Work on industry-standard briefs, experience real-life scenarios and receive feedback on your work from external developers to learn about current development practice - Successful alumni
You’ll join our community of thousands of Escapees, many of whom have gone on to work at some of the world’s top animation, games and visual effects studios including Rare, Rockstar, Ubisoft, DNEG and Framestore. 20 Escapees worked on Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, 36 on No Time to Die and 16 on Stranger Things
- Industry-standard facilities
Study in a studio environment that mirrors current industry practice, using high-spec equipment and professional software such as Unreal Engine and Houdini - Professional input
Industry partners have helped design this degree to make sure it is relevant to employers and up to date - All-round technical skills
Learn software, skills and techniques for both games and visual effects and learn how the pipelines cross over - Soft skills
Learn soft skills such as teamwork, organisation and giving and receiving feedback to prepare you for work in the real world - The Escape Pods
Our students have worked on projects for Pearson and the British Library as part of our incubator.
Course modules (subject to validation)
Students on our Technical Art for Games & VFX, Video Games Design and Character Creation for Animation, Games & VFX undergraduate programmes study common modules in their first and fourth years. This will give you the all-round skills needed to become a professional, and a chance to choose a different specialism if you change your mind before your second year.
First year (level 4)
- Introduction to 3D graphics - art direction and sculpting (15 credits)
- Introduction to 3D graphics - modeling and texturing (15 credits)
- Real-time cinematography and lighting (15 credits)
- Real-time worldbuilding (15 credits)
- Introduction to rigging (15 credits)
- Real-time FX (15 credits)
- Introduction to games design (15 credits)
- Interactive - jam group project (15 credits)
Second year (level 5)
- Introduction to character creation (30 credits)
- Character Lighting and presentation (15 credits)
- Technical direction (45 credits)
- Specialism (15 credits)
- Group project (15 credits)
Third year (level 6)
- Advanced specialism (30 credits)
- Professional studio project (60 credits)
- Professional practice (30 credits)
Fourth year (level 7 - integrated masters students only)
- Creative technology research and development (30 credits)
- Commercial studio project (60 credits)
- Business of innovation (30 credits)
More detailed module information will be provided shortly.
- Houdini
- Python
- Unreal Engine 5
- Ziva Dynamics
- Maya
A high level of industry project feedback from external developers throughout our courses will connect you to current development practice. This coupled with our studio-based practice and high-spec equipment will give students the best foundation to become a Character Creator.
Information about assessment for this programme will be confirmed shortly.
Information about teaching and learning for this programme will be confirmed shortly.
Minimum requirements
You're expected to have GCSE English and Maths at grade C/4 or equivalent and have or be predicted to pass two A Levels or equivalent. If you are still studying, we base conditions of offer around your predicted grades. If you don't have traditional qualifications, please contact our Admissions Team by emailing admissions@escapestudios.ac.uk or calling +44 (0) 207 190 4013.
Workshop
Once we've received your UCAS application, you’ll be invited to attend a workshop. Offers onto Escape Studios undergraduate technical courses are made following completion of a workshop where you’ll take part in a fun team exercise. We want to find out more about you and your motivation for your chosen subject.
Non-UK students
We’re currently unable to accept international students who would require a student visa onto our undergraduate courses. This may change in the future.
English Language requirements
All our courses are taught in English. If your first language is not English, you may need to complete an English language test, such as a Pearson English language test (PTE Academic) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test, to demonstrate you have the language skills needed to complete your degree.
Qualification |
Score required |
IELTS |
6.5 IELTS (with a minimum of 6.0 in Reading and Writing and 5.5 in Speaking and Listening) |
PTE |
62 including 60 in each subtest |
Cambridge English: Advanced & Proficiency |
176 (with a minimum of 169 in Reading and Writing and 162 in Speaking and Listening) |
Internet-based TOEFL |
90 Overall including at least 22 in Reading, 21 in Writing, 17 in Listening and 20 in Speaking |
You should submit your application via UCAS. Our institution code is P34 and our institution name Escape Studios.
If we make you an offer for a place on the programme, you will need to agree to our terms and conditions for your place on the course to be secured.
Fees
£9,250 per year for 2023/2024 academic year entry
Additional costs
In addition to your tuition fee, you will need to budget for your living costs and some other costs associated with your studies.
An additional re-attendance fee of £750 per 15 credit module is charged if you need to repeat a module.
Computers are available for you to work on your projects and coursework during opening hours on campus. It is not, therefore, essential for you to purchase your own computer and software. However, many students prefer to have a computer at home as well, so we have prepared some guidance on the specifications to choose.
At our London campus, you will have access to free printing and photocopying facilities. However, you will have to purchase notebooks and other ordinary stationery items. You may wish to purchase your own copies of recommended textbooks, but please note that all textbooks are available to students in electronic editions.
If you will not be living at home, you will need to pay for accommodation. For more information about accommodation options, go to our Accommodation page. You will need to budget for transport costs travelling to your classes and to events, such as industry workshops, which may take place elsewhere in central London. Details of public transport costs are available from Transport for London's website. There may occasionally be an optional opportunity for you to attend an event outside central London, for which you would need to pay the transport costs, should you choose to attend.
Bursaries
We offer financial assistance including a travel bursary, hardship bursary and laptop loan to ensure that all students can access our learning, no matter their background.
Visit our finance page for more information on fees, funding and scholarships.
Next Steps

Open Days
Bookings for our next undergraduate open day are now open!

Taster Days
Our next undergraduate taster days will take place from spring 2023.

Visit Us
Come visit us at an Open Day or Taster Day or book a personal tour to explore our campus.
Why Escape Studios?

Industry partners
Our industry partners, including DNEG, Framestore, Industrial Light & Magic and PlayStation London Studio, influence everything we do, helping design our degrees to keep them relevant to current practice. You’ll have regular contact with the industry, from master classes to creative briefs and regular feedback from professionals.

Industry-expert tutors
Our tutors are actively involved in industry, so they'll be able to give you real insight into your chosen career. They have worked at studios including DNEG, Walt Disney Animation, EA, Rebellion and Framestore and their credits include Captain America, Black Mirror and Bond: Spectre.

STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITIES
Our central London campus is surrounded by world-leading studios and fully equipped with high-end hardware and the latest software, so you learn in a real studio environment.