Tell stories with visual effects
Animation, and Visual Effects (VFX) merges technical and aesthetic craft to push the boundaries of interactive media.
Blend your creativity with emerging technologies and learn how to bring stories to life through animation, and visual effects.
Depending on your previous study or experience, you may choose to get up to speed with a few courses, focus on building hands-on skills, or dive into an area of research.
Choose your study path
Based on your previous study or experience, you can choose a postgraduate study option that meets your needs.
The Master of Design Technology (MDT) is the primary postgraduate pathway after majoring in Animation and Visual Effects in the Bachelor of Design Innovation (BDI).
Master of Design Technology (MDT)
The MDT builds on your digital media skills from an undergraduate degree in design. It looks at storytelling and prepares you for highly technical design professions such as animation, visual effects (VFX), exhibition design, and multimedia design.
Your intensive one year of study includes coursework and a capstone project where you’ll create a full animated short film.
Master of Fine Arts (Creative Practice)—Visual Narrative (MFA(CP))
Master the art of visual storytelling and explore the expressive possibilities of narrative through design. Combine courses with practical experience in managing a creative career. Explore new techniques and media, collaborate with other students studying across a range of design disciplines, and gain skills in narrative techniques.
This one-year degree includes an internship, coursework, and a final project—but not an academic thesis.
Master of Design (MDes)
The MDes is a research-based Master’s that allows you to choose your own area of interest. You could choose to focus this Master’s on a research area within Animation and Visual Effects.
If you are already working in the industry and are looking to deepen your practice, the Master of Design (MDes) is a good fit for you.
Master of Design Innovation (MDI)
The MDI is a combination of coursework and supervised research, you’ll explore the topic in design that you’re most passionate about and develop a research portfolio. It suits students coming straight from the BDI.
Graduate Diploma in Design Innovation (GDipDI)
A GDipDI allows you to study a new subject, add depth to your previous degree, or prepare for Master's study. You can choose to specialise in Animation and Visual Effects.
While the focus is on animation and visual effects for film, the knowledge and experience you’ll gain is transferrable to other forms of new media.
PhD
Produce an original body of research that expands the design discipline. Your work will be largely independently driven, with two supervisors available to advise you. Typically the PhD is studied on-site, but in suitable cases it may be studied by distance.
Design PhD
Qualification support and advice
We can help you match your interests and career goals with the right course of study.
If you’re a new student, talk to a Future Student Adviser through our enquiry form.
If you’re already studying with us, talk to Tītoko—Student Success.
For the research portion of your study, you’ll need a supervisor to help guide your research. Your programme coordinator will work with you to find the right person.
Study options
Find out how you can study Postgraduate Animation and Visual Effects at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Use the latest facilities and equipment
You’ll have the chance to use the latest technology in purpose-built studios with support from specialist staff.
Get the most out of your study with:
- full motion capture suits and facilities
- VR headsets and environments
- computers labs with the latest software
- cutting-edge AI tools.
You'll also have access to industrial design and media facilities to realise unique projects, including 3D printers, 3D body scanning, a laser cutter, photographic resources, and a design library.
Facilities—Faculty of Architecture and Design Innovation
Miramar Creative Centre
Situated among the Wētā Group’s buildings in Park Road, Miramar, the Miramar Creative Centre includes motion-capture and film studio spaces, recording and editing suites, computer labs, and a workshop. It's equipped with green screen, motion-capture technology, and industry-standard software used by film production companies around the world.
Te Iho ki Motukairangi—Miramar Creative Centre
Virtual Reality Lab
Our Virtual Architecture Simulation Environment lab (VASE) is an experimental design research laboratory. It’s used for research in the broader fields of augmented-, mixed-, virtual-, and extended realms. It is equipped with state-of-the-art XR-instruments, tracking devices, and social VR projection as well as mobile computing and high-end VR workstations.
Equipment includes a Hyve3D and various oculus headsets, coupled with Dell Alienware VR Aurora computers.
Visual Narrative Lab
Our Visual Narrative Lab boasts numerous award-winning, internationally-renowned staff with decades of experience in comics and graphic novels, illustration, photography, animation, hybrid literature, visual poetry, speculative design, tabletop and video game design, and more.
This vibrant research environment supports the exploration of new ideas and the development of innovative solutions to contemporary design challenges.
Future careers
Postgraduate study sets you up to work at companies like Wēta Digital, PikPok, and Fingertapps.
Your postgraduate study will equip you well to work towards senior roles or positions as head of a department.
More career information
Find out more about careers in Animation and visual effects.
The government careers website, Tahatū, offers more information about jobs, salaries, and current opportunities.
Scholarships
You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.
We have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It's a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for Animation and Visual Effects
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Applicants must be female, New Zealand or Canadian citizens studying full time at 300 level BSc (Hons) and Master's by Coursework in any area of Science, including Architecture and Design at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Scholarships for international students
We are currently offering a NZ$10,000 VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Master’s degree or Postgraduate Diploma programme.
Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.
Other scholarships
We also have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It's a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for Animation and Visual Effects
-
Applicants must be female, New Zealand or Canadian citizens studying full time at 300 level BSc (Hons) and Master's by Coursework in any area of Science, including Architecture and Design at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Join our postgraduate community
The Postgraduate Students’ Association provides a voice for you on campus and information on studying at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Postgraduate Students’ Association
MAI ki Pōneke
MAI ki Pōneke are part of an international network of Māori and Indigenous postgraduate students. They provide advice, support, and information to Indigenous postgraduate students of all levels, as well as those thinking about enrolling.
Research areas
The Master of Design or a PhD give you the space to deep dive into an area of Animation and Visual Effects that interests you. You can choose your research focus. You’ll need to find an academic supervisor who supports this area.
Research areas
Research in this field could range across Animation and VFX research areas include:
- virtual, augmented, or extended realities
- storytelling through animation or visual effects
- interactive media
- design for motion
- animated film theory
- experimental practice in any of the above.
Research topics
You might consider research topics such as:
- 3D and 2D animation and visual effects
- creative writing
- animation
- filmmaking effects and simulation
- hybrid and mixed-media animation
- media archaeology
- animated film and feminist studies
- narrative and experimental filmmaking
- virtual, augmented, and extended reality
- character design and digital costumes
- cloth simulation and digital textiles.
Expert academic support
Our researchers in this area have more than 50 years of combined experience as senior creatives at world-renowned film and animation studios, including Wētā Digital, Disney Feature Animation, DreamWorks, Buck Design, ShadowMachine, The Mill.
Academic staff research interests
Areito Echevarria
Senior Lecturer in Design, Visual Effects
Fanni Fazakas
Senior Lecturer, Master of Design Technology
Kevin Romond
Senior Lecturer in Animation and Visual Effects
Raqi Syed
Director, Miramar Creative Centre
Get help to manage your finances
We can help you:
- budget your money
- manage your student loan or allowance
- work out your accommodation payment schedule.
If you’re facing financial difficulties, we can help you apply for the Hardship Fund.
You may be eligible for government or community support, too.
Apply for a New Zealand study visa
You’ll need to apply for a study visa if you plan to study with us as an international student.
You should apply for your visa after you’ve received your Offer of Place, and before you come to New Zealand.