Where you can study
International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
Specialise in Visual Effects for your Bachelor of Screen Arts at Massey
In the VFX major, you’ll build an industry-ready portfolio packed with jaw-dropping effects and cinematic magic. You’ll learn how to design and control destruction, explosions, water simulations, and more—blending VFX seamlessly into live-action and game footage from concept to final cut.
From building 3D characters to simulating wild environments, you’ll dive into:
- Character design & storyboarding
- 3D modelling, texturing & rigging
- Particle effects & digital compositing
- Virtual volume production
- Performance capture & green screen
This is where creativity meets cutting-edge tech—and you’re in the director’s chair.
Facilities
Visual Effects students will have access to world-leading and cutting-edge hardware, including Aotearoa’s largest permanent virtual volume, and a performance capture stage and software including Houdini, Maya, Nuke, After Effects, Blender, and a render farm. Not enough? Push yourself to combine your skills with the Emerging Creative Tech major and learn VR immersion and AI for creativity.
Get the full picture
Further study
Extend your study and work on an independent research project in the Bachelor of Screen Arts with Honours or take a creative product or idea to market in the Master of Screen Arts.
Planning information
Full-time study is recommended. You’ll take 120 credits per year or 60 credits per semester.
About this major
The Visual Effects major in the Bachelor of Screen Arts consists of 90 credits.
Minors
Completing a minor is optional and may be a way for you to show the breadth of your degree.
A minor must be in a different subject from your major and be made up of at least 60 credits.
If you’re interested in doing a minor you should contact us using the Get advice button on this page. Our student advice team will be able to talk you through your options and help you plan your degree.
Official regulations
To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.
You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees, Undergraduate Diplomas, Undergraduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas and Graduate Certificates.
Returning students
For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.
In some cases the qualification or specialisation you enrolled in may be no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.
Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.
Courses you can enrol in
Course planning key
- Prerequisites
- Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
- Corequisites
- Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
- Restrictions
- Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.
Core courses for the Bachelor of Screen Arts
As well as the specialisation courses listed below, this qualification has core courses that you will need to complete.
Bachelor of Screen Arts core courses
Visual Effects courses
90 credits from
Course code: 289104 Introduction to Visual Effects 15 credits
An introduction to the principles and concepts of visual effects. Students will gain a creative and basic technical knowledge of the tools and techniques essential to the production of visual effects.
View full course detailsCourse code: 289209 Visual Effects Production 15 credits
Further the application of industry standard tools for VFX production. Students will gain extended creative and technical understanding of VFX production processes and develop their knowledge and application of aesthetics and form.
View full course detailsCourse code: 289219 Visual Effects Project 15 credits
Further extend knowledge of industry standard tools for visual effects production. Students will apply techniques, creative approaches, and methodologies to the production of a short visual effects project.
View full course detailsCourse code: 289303 Major Project Development 15 credits
Students engage in technical prototyping, technical ideation, and practical experimentation associated with preparing for Major Project production and post-production studio courses. Techniques are project and discipline-specific and may include developing new technologies and learning pipeline-specific methods and tools.
View full course detailsCourse code: 289333 Screen Arts Major Project 30 credits
Work to an advanced technical, creative and professional standard in a collaborative production environment to complete a Major Project. Students will put into production the projects developed in the Major Project Development course managing deadlines and schedules to ensure project completion.
View full course detailsEntry requirements
Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Specific requirements
There are no specific entry requirements for this qualification, outside of university admission regulations. Once you have applied and enrolled we encourage you to book a Creative Review to ensure you are on the right track.
English language requirements
To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.
English language skills
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.
Fees and scholarships
Fees, student loans and free fees scheme
Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.
There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.
- Get an estimate of the tuition fees for your qualification
- View a list of non-tuition fees that may be payable
Already know which courses you're going to choose?
You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.
Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme
You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.
The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme, including how much could be covered and your eligibility on the Fees Free website.
Scholarship and award opportunities
Search our scholarships and awardsFees disclaimer
This information is for estimation purposes only. Actual fees payable will be finalised on confirmation of enrolment. Unless otherwise stated, all fees shown are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax, if any. Before relying on any information on these pages you should also read the University's Disclaimer Notice.
Careers and job opportunities
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.
International students
New Zealand is a great place to study. Massey University’s reputation is supported by our international rankings, accreditations and associations. We are rated 5-star plus by the QS World University Rankings.
Massey University has small class sizes, and our lecturers and staff are friendly and approachable.
As an international student, there are entry requirements that will apply to you. We recommend that you apply at least three months before your anticipated start date so your application can be processed in time. There are additional steps you will need to take. These include obtaining a visa and travel bookings if your study is to be in New Zealand.
Related study options
Animation – Bachelor of Screen Arts
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Animation – Bachelor of Screen Arts with Honours
Animation is a huge industry, found in almost all the visual media we consume, such as games, film, television, and interactive media.
Factual Production – Bachelor of Screen Arts
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Factual Production – Bachelor of Screen Arts with Honours
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Film Production – Bachelor of Screen Arts
The Film Production major offers comprehensive, practical filmmaking, covering all aspects of film production including creative development, pre-production, production and post-production.
Film Production – Bachelor of Screen Arts with Honours
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Game Development – Bachelor of Screen Arts
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Immersive Media – Bachelor of Screen Arts with Honours
Virtual and Augmented Realities (VR and AR) allow new ways for us to blend the physical and digital worlds, creating uncharted possibilities for the future.
Media Technology – Bachelor of Screen Arts with Honours
The evolution of media technologies and screen production, driven by digital innovation, is offering new ways of working and is creating new tools and techniques for content production and consumption.
Mātauranga Toi Māori – Bachelor of Screen Arts
Study creative arts and help shape a future where te ao Māori is at the forefront of Aotearoa creative industries. A first for Aotearoa tertiary education, the Mātauranga Toi Māori major engages te ao Māori in any of our creative disciplines in Screen Arts – Animation, Factual Production, Film Production, Game Development, Immersive Media or Visual Effects.
Mātauranga Toi Māori – Bachelor of Screen Arts with Honours
Study creative arts and help shape a future where te ao Māori is at the forefront of Aotearoa creative industries. A first for Aotearoa tertiary education, the Mātauranga Toi Māori major engages te ao Māori in any of our creative disciplines in Screen Arts – Animation, Factual Production, Film Production, Game Development, Immersive Media or Visual Effects.
Visual Effects – Bachelor of Screen Arts with Honours
The Visual Effects major provides expertise in creating fantastic characters and scenes for all forms of screen media.
Useful planning information
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions. Learn more on careers.govt.nz