Technical Art for Games and VFX short course
Technical Art for Games and VFX short course
Course Details
Location
Start date
15th September 2025
23rd February 2026
Duration
14 or 21 weeks
Contact time
2.5 days per week
Entry requirements
- Be over 18
- Have a good understanding of written and spoken English (we recommend a B2 level)
- Feel comfortable using a computer
Fees
14 weeks - London campus: £7,845
14 weeks - Live online: £6,100
21 weeks - London campus: £11,080
21 weeks - Live online: £8,590
Apply now
September 2025:
- 14 weeks: London campus/ live online
- 21 weeks: London campus/ live online
February 2026:
- 14 weeks: London campus/ live online
- 21 weeks: London campus/ live online
Discounts
To be eligible for our discounts, apply by:
- 23rd June (September 2025 intake)
- 1st December (February 2026 intake)
Course overview
Our full-time courses give you the opportunity to study the first 14 or 21 weeks of our MSc Technical Art for Games and VFX degree. This option is suited to students who want intensive training without academic qualifications. You’ll complete the first 2-3 modules of the programme and develop specialist skills in Realtime FX, programming for Games and VFX production and proceduralism for 2D and 3D.
Our Technical Art for Games and VFX courses focus on digital content creation for industries such as games, animation and film, as well as allowing specialism in areas such as proceduralism, character control and coding.
Technical Artists are the bridge between code and art. They innovate solutions, write scripts, use code and maths in software packages and game engines that enable artists to make great graphics, or ensure FX simulations not only look amazing, but are efficient.
Why choose this course
- Designed with industry - this course has been created with industry professionals.
- Get to grips with the software used in industry, including Houdini, Unreal Engine, Python, Maya, ZBrush, Substance Painter and Substance Designer.
- Receive feedback from industry professionals - an opportunity to level-up your work and build connections, ready to embark on your creative career.
- Benefit from our AfterCare package - we'll help you polish your showreel and find the right job, with access to our studios and showreel clinics for 12 months.
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Meet our industry-experienced tutors
Our tutors have industry experience and are experts in their fields, including certified trainers for Unreal Engine, Autodesk and Houdini. They've worked at studios such as Walt Disney, EA and Framestore, on credits including Doctor Strange, Kingsman and Bond: Spectre.
Course modules
These modules are common with the first 14-21 weeks of our MSc Technical Art for Games and VFX.
Module 1 - Realtime FX
7 weeks
In Depth exploration of Realtime FX for Simulations, Materials and optimisation
- Introduction to Particles
- Simulations
- Material FX
- Materials
- Culling / loading / memory
- Vertex animation
- Profiling
- Efficiency in Real-time
- In-engine Animation
- Reference use
- Overview of Simulation in the Entertainment Industries
Project - Create a performant FX simulation based upon a range of examples provided
Module 2 - Programming for Games and VFX Production
7 weeks
Foundations in 3D approaches and Design.
- Variable Types
- Loops
- Condition Statements
- DCC API/Commands
- Functions
- Arguments
- Creating tools
- Best practice in project structures and tool building
- Best practice in Collaborative Coding
- Python advanced
- Visual Studio
- HLSL
- Math and Logic
- Blueprint In UE5
Project - Create a tool or Shader, create supporting document, test with peers and feedback
Module 3 - Proceduralism for 2D and 3D (21 week course only)
7 weeks
A deep exploration of Proceduralism in Houdini.
Substance Designer as Pipeline tool / introduction to Proceduralism in 2D texturing (1 week)
- Tiling materials / Trim sheets
- Baking
- Image processing
- 3d volumes / noises
Introduction to Houdini (7 weeks)
- Procedural placement ,
- Building generation,
- simulations,
- Rules based placement,
- Destruction
- Particles
- Creating tools in Houdini for cross platform
- VOPs (node based approaches in Houdini)
- VEX (programming language for Houdini)
- Houdini as Pipeline tool SideFX labs tools
Project - Create a procedural asset or tool in Houdini to be used in a Pre-rendered or Realtime pipeline.
For more details about modules, see the programme and module specifications.
More Information
Entry requirements
Minimum requirements
We welcome and encourage applications from students with a variety of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.
To study this short course, you must:
- Be over 18
- Have a good understanding of written and spoken English (we recommend a B2 level)
- Feel comfortable using a computer.
If you’d like to discuss your circumstances before applying, contact us!
Non-UK students
We accept international students for our short courses, with no difference in course fees or administration costs.
The Standard Visitor visa allows students to come to the UK to study for a course of up to six months at an accredited institution. Depending on your nationality, you may need to apply for a standard visitor visa prior to departure from your home country. For more information visit:
- Gov.uk - Check if you need a visa
- Gov.uk - Standard visitor visa
- Gov.uk - Caseworker guidance
- UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) - Information for visitors
Contact us on admissions@escapestudios.ac.uk or +44 (0) 204 570 5091 for any questions.
Online study requirements
We can provide remote access to our workstations during teaching time. Due to availability restrictions, we highly advise you to have your own set up at home to study in your own time.
More things you’ll need:
- A strong internet connection
- Cloud storage or external hard drive to back up your work, 1TB+ recommended
- A three-button mouse or graphics tablet. Please note, the Wacom Intuos Pro range of tablets have the best support for our remote desktop software and provide the best experience.
- A computer microphone (and optionally a webcam)
- Note-taking materials.
If you have any questions about learning online or if you need help with what to buy, get in touch at hello@escapestudios.ac.uk.
How to apply
To apply, complete the relevant online application form linked below.
15th September 2025:
- 14 weeks: London campus/ live online
- 21 weeks: London campus/ live online
23rd February 2026:
- 14 weeks: London campus/ live online
- 21 weeks: London campus/ live online
Our Admissions Team will get in touch to take you through the next steps.
If you have any questions about your application, your portfolio or our entry requirements, get in touch!
- Call our Admissions Team on +44 (0) 204 570 5091
- Email us at admissions@escapestudios.ac.uk
There isn't a formal application deadline for most of our short courses, but you may need to apply by a certain date to be eligible for our short course discounts.
As part of the application process, you will need to agree to our terms and conditions for your place on the course to be secured.
Fees and funding
Fees
14 weeks - London campus: £7,845
14 weeks - Live online: £6,100
21 weeks - London campus: £11,080
21 weeks - Live online: £8,590
Payment plans
We offer payment plan options for all courses. Following an initial deposit at registration stage, your chosen payment plan will break down your remaining fees into up to three instalments, to be paid before the end of the course.
Visit our admissions page for any questions about fees, funding and payment plans.
Software
- Houdini,
- Unreal Engine,
- Python,
- Maya,
- ZBrush,
- Substance Painter
- Substance Designer.
Career opportunities
This course was created in response to the industry demand for new creative talent and is focused on developing and nurturing your skills and creativity in preparation for a career as a Technical Artist.
You’ll leave with an Escape Studios Certificate of Completion, along with strong creative and technical skills and some great pieces of work for your portfolio, which you can add to with help from our Aftercare programme. Ready to apply for jobs in the industry!
Check out our Careers Guide for more information about career opportunities and progression routes.
Why Escape Studios?
