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BA (Hons) Modelmaking and Creature Effects

BA (Hons) Modelmaking and Creature Effects

Award

BA (Hons)

Start Date

To be confirmed

Duration

3 years

Mode

Full-time

Location

University of Bolton

UCAS Code

W730

Dive into the imaginative world of BA (Hons) Modelmaking and Creature Effects at the University of Bolton. This exciting programme combines artistry, design and innovation, providing a comprehensive education underpinned by hands-on experience, digital technology mastery, and guidance from industry experts.

Apply Now Download Prospectus Programme Specification

Course Overview

The University of Bolton's BA (Hons) Modelmaking and Creature Effects course is ideal if you aspire to master the craft of creating breathtaking models and lifelike creature effects for film and television. Our expert team offers a unique blend of traditional creature effects and modelmaking techniques and modern technology, including digital design, 3D printing, and animatronics.

Throughout the course, we emphasise practical skills development. You'll learn to sculpt, mould, and fabricate models and creature designs using both hands-on and digital methods. You'll gain experience in workshop environments that replicate professional industry settings.

Our engaging tutors will also support you in building critical skills in design, animation, and digital fabrication, and guide you as you undertake contextual studies of film and television. Regular interaction with seasoned professionals and industry legends nurtures creativity and helps build an invaluable professional network.

Our priority is to ensure you are well-prepared for the evolving demands of the special effects industry. As part of this commitment, we'll encourage you to develop lifelong learning skills so you can take ownership of your professional development for the future and maximise your potential for success.

By studying for your degree at the University of Bolton, you can develop high-level practical skills and essential knowledge of modelmaking and creature effects techniques and practices, all while experiencing life at our supportive, student-focused, multicultural campus. You'll also benefit from our close proximity to two of the most vibrant cities in England: Manchester and Liverpool.

Highlights

Key Features

Entry Requirements

Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.

Career Opportunities

Television shows, films, digital content, live events and theatre productions all rely on the magic of modelmaking and creature effects to enhance their storytelling. Our BA (Hons) Modelmaking and Creature Effects course is ideal if you wish to combine design creativity, physical model-making skills, cutting-edge digital technology, and prototyping to create models and creature effects for any of these platforms.

This programme also develops transferable skills such as communication, project and time management, teamwork, and entrepreneurship, which are all needed for success in any profession. We aim to support you in developing these attributes alongside the imagination, flair, and curiosity that will enable you to help make the unbelievable believable.

What can I do with this qualification?

As a graduate of our BA (Hons) Modelmaking and Creature Effects course, you’ll be in a prime position to demonstrate and combine creative skills with high levels of technical ability.

This qualification opens up a broad spectrum of career opportunities in film and television and the wider creative industries. For instance, you could find opportunities to create exhibits or displays for museums, effects-based products like prosthetics, costumes, or props, or engage in various careers that require a blend of creativity and technical proficiency.

In addition to film and television companies, other clients who employ modelmakers include engineers, designers, architects, advertising companies and museums.

Alternative career options

You can also use this qualification as a stepping-stone into various other careers. Some of these roles may require relevant experience and/or further study. Some possibilities include the following:

  • Theatre and live events
  • Advertising and marketing, including retail
  • Animation
  • Product design
  • Teaching
  • Manufacturing
  • Games design and production
  • Museums and galleries
  • Medical prosthetics and manufacture
  • Architectural modelmaking
Fees & Funding

Home/EU Fees

Year of study Total
Entry Year 2024/25 2025/26 2026/27 2027/28
2024-25 £9,250 £9,250 £9,250 - £27,750
2025-26 -

International Fees

Year of study Total
Entry Year 2024/25 2025/26 2026/27 2027/28
2024-25 £15,950 £15,950 £15,950 - £47,850
2025-26 -

Bursaries

Click here for more information about the scholarships and bursaries available to University of Bolton students.

Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2024-25 academic year: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.

The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.

How to apply

Home Applicants

Course application details are unavailable at present

International Applicants

Course application details are unavailable at present

Partner Organisation Applicants

Option currently unavailable.

Teaching & Assessment

In this innovative BA (Hons) Modelmaking and Creature Effects programme, you can expect a blended teaching style that includes a mix of practical workshops, lectures, seminars, tutorials, self-directed learning, e-learning, and studio sessions. Our approach focuses on both the theoretical and practical aspects of the design and creation of models and creatures. We'll encourage you to experiment with materials and tools, and practice contemporary and long-established techniques and processes. We'll support you as you learn to apply key principles and how theoretical underpinning improves your practice.

The programme is practice-based, encouraging active learning with a focus on practical, project-based work. You'll collaborate with peers on group and multidisciplinary projects, simulating professional work environments. Workshop inductions, demonstrations, activity-based assignments, and specialist technical support will help you gain hands-on practical skills and techniques. Regular guest lectures and industry events provide opportunities to engage with and learn from respected professionals in the modelmaking and special/creature effects fields, giving you insights into real-world applications of your learning.

The course is designed to prepare you for work in an industry where drive and self-determination are key, so we place a significant emphasis on personal and independent study. Activities such as project work, background reading, research, and creative thinking are essential.

When it comes to assessment, the programme uses various methods to evaluate your understanding and skills. These include practical assignments, projects, case studies, written assessments, interviews, and presentations. Most importantly, the coursework aims to simulate the professional situations you'll encounter in the industry alongside more academic studies.

Modules

The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.

  • Film and Television Contexts
  • Workshop Skills
  • Sculptural Design Practice
  • Digital Processes
  • Movement, Mechanisms and Structures
  • Screen Industry Careers
  • Construction for Performance
  • Digital Manufacture
  • Production Design
  • Storytelling through Design
  • Research and Planning
  • Industry Project
  • Major Project
  • Professional Practice

Assessment methods

Level Assessment method
Level 1 Coursework 38%
Practical exams 62%
Level 2 Coursework 48%
Practical exams 52%
Level 3 Coursework 50%
Practical exams 50%

Learning Activities

Level Activity
Level 1 Guided independent study 59%
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 41%
Level 2 Guided independent study 59%
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 41%
Level 3 Guided independent study 68%
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 32%

The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.

Postgraduate Options

Programme Contacts

Help Centre

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Part of the University of Bolton Group

Bolton college
Alliance learning
Anderton centre2
QQA Scheme Participant

Help Centre

We have the answers to your questions, find all the advice and support in one place.

Part of the University of Bolton Group

Bolton college
Alliance learning
Anderton centre2
QQA Scheme Participant