UG, Diploma & Other Courses - VFX & Animation
Degree Course Type
Diploma
Entry Level Qualification
Class 10+2
Degree Course Duration
3 Year
Course Fields
Computer, Other
Degree Course Entrance Exam
CAT, IPU CET UG, IPU CET PG
Average Course Fee
200000 - 600000
Average Salary Offered
2500000 - 400000
Course Details
The VFX & Animation course is not like other regular courses. It is a specialisation in itself and focuses on the core requirements. Hence, the course can be completed as a certificate course, diploma, or degree. Interested candidates can directly apply for any of the courses right after class 12. Here is the programme available for VFX & Animation courses in various colleges in India:
Name of the Programme | Type of Programme | Course Duration |
Certification in VFX & Animation subject | Certificate Programme | 2 months |
International Programme VFX & Animation course | Certificate Programme | 2 years |
Professional Programme in VFX & Animation course | Certificate Programme | 1 year 5 months |
Advance Programme in VFX & Animation course | Certificate Programme | 2 years 1 month |
Diploma in VFX & Animation course | Diploma Programme | 2 years |
B.Sc in Gaming and VFX & Animation course | Undergraduate Degree Programme | 3 years |
B.Sc. in 3D Animation and Visual Graphics course | Undergraduate Degree Programme | 3 years |
The VFX & Animation course is purely based on the interest of the candidate. Candidates are eligible to apply for the course any time after their class 12. Therefore, there is no ideal or perfect time to choose a VFX & Animation subject for a career path. But opting for a VFX & Animation course will surely help candidates to a leap in the career path in their passion. Currently, in India the VFX & Animation course is highly-demanded and not many skilled candidates are available. Also, there are multiple opportunities to join any industry after completion of the VFX & Animation course. So, whenever a candidate is motivated to pursue their passion in a VFX & Animation course, they may opt for it.
VFX & Animation course is available for anyone. It does not require any candidate to be from any particular stream. Anyone who has the interest and passion to pursue a career in VFX & Animation may apply for it. The minimum qualification required is class 12. Therefore, any who has completed class 12, and wish to study VFX & Animation subject, may join any of the courses at a diploma or graduation level. The VFX & Animation course is also available in certificate programmes as well.
Course Highlights
Candidates interested in pursuing a VFX & Animation course must be aware of the highlights of the programme.
Specifications | Details |
Full Name | Visual Effects & Animation |
Stream | Management |
Level | Certificate, Diploma, Under Graduation |
Duration | 2 months- 3 years |
Exam Type | Semester-Wise |
Eligibility | Class 12 |
VFX & Animation Course Admission Process | Direct Admissions/Entrance Based |
Average VFX & Animation Course Fee | Rs. 2 - 6 lakhs |
Average Starting Salary | Rs. 2.5 - 4 LPA |
Top Recruiting Areas for VFX & Animation students | Entertainment industry, Gaming Companies, TV Channels, Advertising Industry, Photography Studios, Production Houses, News and Media, etc. |
About Course
The VFX & Animation programme covers various aspects of animation, visual effects, graphics designing, cartoons, games, etc. The candidates learn to apply different tools and methods to create animated visuals and high-quality graphics for games, movies, television shows and extra. These courses are also required in the technical field to design graphics for websites.
Individuals who seek creative jobs in the technical, advertising or animation fields can consider VFX & Animation programmes. These programmes enable you to express your creativity through animation, graphics and other visual tools. It also offers great job opportunities in different fields of entertainment and technology.
VFX & Animation Overview
The VFX & Animation course is a professional course at undergraduate level for the students who have successfully completed their 10+2 or equivalent examination from a recognised board. The duration of the VFX & Animation course is 3 years. The students must have obtained a minimum of 50% marks in order to pursue this course. The VFX & Animation course trains the students to be an expert in 2D and 3D animation. The students are also taught and trained in learning about different aesthetics involved in VFX. In Visual effects, students also learn the art of storyboarding, compositing, comics design, infographics arts, etc.
The VFX & Animation course is liked by those students who are creative in their approach and have an artistic bent of mind. The students need to have different skill sets in order to be a good animator or VFX artist. They should observe things around them and must have an eye for detail. The imagination skills along with observation skills support the technical skills that are taught at the graduation level. The students need to be perfect in all these skills to excel in the field of animation and art.
Why Choose Course And Required Skills
The scope of VFX & Animation in India is growing rapidly in the last few years. The entertainment industry, gaming industry, and TV channels depend on skilled animators to do their jobs. Therefore, there is always demand for candidates with VFX & Animation degrees.
Anyone who is interested in editing, graphic design, photography, game development, or other such interests, must choose to study VFX & Animation subject. The VFX & Animation subject in itself is wide and offers a variety of options to choose a career path. Further, to emerge as a skilled animator after completion of the VFX & Animation course, candidates must have some skills. So, with skills and practical knowledge, the VFX & Animation industry offers great opportunities and jobs.
Required Skill
A VFX & Animation course is merely a degree or certificate that one can acquire. But without skills, interest, motivation, and knowledge it is not quite useful. Candidates must have the urge to learn more and extend their horizons of learning to maintain the needs of the current generation. Degrees or certificates can be earned once. But skills can be developed through time and experience. And if one does not have an interest to improve their skills, the degree or certificate in VFX & Animation will not be of much use. Hence, here are some of the skills that are of utmost necessity to complete a VFX & Animation course:
1. Imaginative Skills
2. Familiarity with Software
3. An Eye for Detail
4. Good Presentation Skills
5. Original and Innovative
6. Good Visual awareness
7. Ability to Work in Strict Deadlines
8. Communication Skills
9. Passion
10. Team Player
Key Software’s
Apart from these skills candidates must also have some knowledge and experience of these software on VFX & Animation tools to operate and perform the tasks:
1. Adobe Photoshop
2. Bojou/Syntheye
3. Adobe After Effects
4. The Foundry Nuke X
5. Autodesk Maya
6. Apple Final Cut Pro
7. Ruine/XFrog
8. Apple Soundtrack Pro
Eligibility
The eligibility criteria are the benchmark that is set for candidates to pursue VFX & Animation courses. Those who successfully meet the minimum required criteria may apply for the VFX & Animation course. Although different colleges/ institutes set their eligibility criteria and selection process for the admissions of VFX & Animation subjects, there are some basic requirements that are common. To get admission in VFX & Animation courses offered in India, candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria:
Minimum Qualification Required: Candidates must have mandatorily completed their 10+2 (any stream) from a recognized education board. Some institutes also accept candidates on the basis of their class 10 performances for the certificate courses.
Minimum Marks Required: For VFX & Animation admissions to a diploma or graduation programmes, candidates must pass class 12 Board Exams. There are no minimum marks required. However, some colleges may specify the requirements on their official website. Candidates may check online for the preferred colleges for the eligibility criteria.
Work Experience: Almost none of the colleges require candidates to have prior work experience. For details, candidates should visit the website of the college online and go through the brochure.
Entrance Exams Details
There are no particular entrance exams for the diploma or certificate courses offered for VFX & Animation subjects. However, for the undergraduate programme some colleges accept entrance exam scores or conduct institute-level entrance exams. Candidates opting for undergraduate programmes for VFX & Animation must prepare to appear for entrance exams. Candidates are advised to check online on the official website of the college/institute for the admission process and selection process of the particular college first. Some of the entrance exams conducted are:
NID DAT
NID DAT entrance exam is conducted by the National Institute of Design which stands for the National Institute of Design – Design Aptitude Test (NID DAT). The entrance exam comprises two parts. The first part is the prelims and the second is the main examination. The first stage is a pen-paper based entrance test. Whereas the second part of the entrance exams is a studio-based test. Candidates will have to qualify in both rounds to be admitted to the VFX & Animation course for the undergraduates.
BIT Entrance Test
The Birla Institute of Technology conducts the BIT Entrance test for admission to the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in VFX & Animation. The BIT Entrance Test is conducted online for 90 minutes. Candidates who qualify for the entrance exam will have to appear for a personal interview round. Candidates will be marked based on their performances in all the rounds. 40% weightage will be given to the entrance test, 50% for the class 12 performance and 10% for the personal interview round.
ITM IDM Entrance Test –
The ITM IDM entrance test is a four-hour online entrance exam conducted by the ITM Group of institutions. The entrance exams are divided into two parts and each part is of two hours. The first stage of the ITM IDM Entrance Test is the Common Intelligence Test (CIT). Whereas the second is the Creative Aptitude Test (CAT). candidates will also have to appear for the personal interview rounds after the entrance test.
Other popular entrance exams that candidates may appear for VFX & Animation course admissions for undergraduate programmes are:
1. DUET- Delhi University Entrance Test
2. JNUEE- Jawaharlal Nehru University Entrance Examination
3. IPU CET- Indraprastha University Common Entrance Test
Preparation Tips for VFX & Animation Entrance Exams
As Animation and VFX are specialized courses and are offered by limited institutions, it is important that the students must know how to prepare for the entrance examinations. Most of the questions that are asked in the entrance examination of VFX & Animation courses are aptitude based. The students are mainly judged on the basis of their creativity in the entrance examination alongside the theoretical and practical knowledge of the subject. The tests, whether they are based on intelligence or aptitude, ultimately try to assess the knowledge of the students. The students must keep certain points as mentioned below in their mind while preparing for entrance examinations for VFX & Animation course.
1. As the entrance examination mainly checks the aptitude of the students, they must practice questions from previous year papers and also mock tests based on aptitude.
2. The students after clearing their written examination also have to go through the process of interview. The students must improve their interview skills by practicing questions that are usually asked in interviews. They should also work on their presentation and communication skills.
3. The knowledge of the English language is of immense importance. As most of the programs related to this field are available in English, a good hold of English will always help in doing this course and clearing interviews easily.
Degree Course Syllabus
The VFX & Animation course curriculum revolves around a few major aspects of the programme. Candidates will have to study VFX and Animation Course, 2D Classical & Digital Animation, Fundamentals of Art and Design, 3D Animation & Visual Effects, Learning about the mixing of real film footage with the animated images, and Modern world advancement in animations. All these are the important factors of the VFX & Animation course curriculum. All the subjects are designed and linked with these major topics. Candidates will have to have proper knowledge in all the aspects to complete the VFX & Animation course successfully.
VFX & Animation Course Syllabus
The syllabus for different VFX & Animation courses varies. Topics or subjects for VFX & Animation depend on the course type whether it is a certificate, diploma, or under-graduation. The syllabus for the particular programme is fixed by the institute/college. But, some of the common subjects or topics that are taught in the courses are mentioned below.
History of Animation | Colour Sensing | Digital Methodologies: Lighting and Texturing |
Media Encoder | Introduction to 2D Animation | Apple Final Cut Pro (FCP) |
Character Modelling and Rigging | Digital Methodologies: Sound & Audio | Video Editing & Compositing |
Keying | Portfolio Developments | Rotoscopy |
Video Editing & Compositing | Render Layer | Movie Merchandising |
Frame Size and Composition |
VFX & Animation Syllabus for B.Sc. in Animation and VFX course
As an undergraduate programme for VFX & Animation, B.Sc. in Animation and VFX course has a standard course syllabus. Candidates will have these subjects throughout their course:
1st Semester | 2nd Semester |
Foundation Art-I | Foundation Art-II |
Digital Art | Animation Techniques |
Communication & Communication Theories | Advertising & Public Relations |
Media & Cyber Laws | 3D Design & Modelling |
Classical Animation-I | Classical Animation-II |
Business Communication | 3D Design & Modelling |
Moral Value & Education | Introduction to Multimedia Communication |
Professional Communication & Technical Writing | - |
3rd Semester | 4th Semester |
Pre-production | Post Production |
3D Animation-I | 3D Animation-II |
Television & Film Production Analysis | Media Economics |
Video & Sound Editing | Special Effects (SFX) |
Visual Effects (VFX) Design | Visual Effects (VFX) Design |
Principles of Management | - |
5th Semester | 6th Semester |
Production Process | Digital Film Production |
Management Information System | Visual Perception |
Communication Research | Project & Dissertation |
Modelling & Texturing | - |
Lighting & Shading | - |
Industrial Training | - |
Introduction to Digital Image Processing | - |
VFX & Animation Course Important Books
It is important that the students must go through the important books prescribed for the VFX & Animation course. Even though there are hundreds of books available in the market, the students can refer to the below mentioned list for getting an idea about the most important and recognised books in the field of VFX & Animation.
Name of the Book | Author |
The Art and Science of Digital Compositing | Ron Brinkmann |
Lighting for Animation: The Art of Visual Storytelling | Michael Tanzillo |
The Visual Effects Producer | Charles Finance |
Special Effects: History and Technique | Richard Rickitt |
Producing Animation | Catherine Winder and Zahra Dowlatabadi |
Top Colleges
As still an emerging stream of career, the VFX & Animation course is available in a few colleges/institutes. Although the VFX & Animation subject is in demand, it is necessary to choose the college that is best suited for the candidate. There are various private minor institutes that may provide the VFX & Animation course. Candidates must first check the reviews and rankings of the institutes/colleges. Then they may apply to suitable colleges/institutes. Here are some of the top VFX & Animation Colleges in India:
Name of the Colleges |
Maya Academy of Advanced Cinematics (MAAC) | Times and Trends Academy, Pune |
Lovely Professional University, Chandigarh | Birla Institute of Technology, Noida |
Jamia Millia Islamia [JMI] | Artemisia College of Art and Design, Parul University |
Arena Animation, Mumbai | Arena Animation, Bangalore |
Jagran Lakecity University | Westford Institute of Technology, Mumbai |
MGR Government Film and Television Institute | Indian Institute of Digital Art, Kolkata |
Picasso Animation College, New Delhi | Accel Animation Academy, Delhi |
Chandigarh University | Zee Institute of Creative Arts (ZICA), Indore |
FX School, Mumbai | Vellore Institute of Technology, Chennai |
Vogue Institute of Fashion Technology, Bangalore | Garware Institute of Career Education and Development, University of Mumbai |
Abroad Best Colleges
Some of the best VFX & Animation colleges in the world are located in the prime cities of different countries. However, here are the best VFX & Animation colleges abroad that candidates may choose from to go to complete their education:
Name of the College/Institute | Country Located In | VFX & Animation Course Fees (Approximately) |
Sheridan College | Canada | INR 13,21,873 |
Victoria University of Wellington | New Zealand | INR 49,25,558 |
Conestoga College | Canada | INR 7,87,542 |
Maryland Institute College of Art- Washington, DC | United States | INR 1,50,47,221 |
RMIT University- Melbourne | Australia | INR 58,44,856 |
Fanshawe College | Canada | INR 8,25,126 |
Southern Institute of Technology- Dunedin | New Zealand | INR 6,47,491 |
California State University- Northridge- Los Angeles | United States | INR 53,33,108 |
Course Fees
The VFX & Animation course fees differ from programme to college. The VFX & Animation course fees for diploma and certificate need to be submitted within the period of the course. However, for a graduation degree in VFX & Animation course, candidates will have to pay the course fees in semesters or annually as the college/university seeks.
Here are the VFX & Animation course fees of some institutions/colleges:
Name of the College/Institute | Course Offered | Type of Course | Duration of Course | Course Fee (Annual) (Approximately) |
Birla Institute of Technology Course Fee | B.Sc. in Animation and VFX course | Under-Graduation | 3 Years | INR 1,85,000 |
Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar Course Fee | Diploma in VFX & Animation course | Diploma | 2 Years | INR 99,000 |
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mumbai Course Fee | B.Sc. in Animation and VFX course | Under-Graduation | 3 Years | INR 60,000 |
Raffles Design International, Mumbai Course Fee | Diploma in VFX & Animation course | Diploma | 2 Years | INR 8,29,000 |
Arena Animation, Mumbai Course Fee | International Programme VFX & Animation course | Certificate | 2 years | INR 2,13,000 |
Top Recruiters And Salary
Top Recruiters
After completing the VFX & Animation course, candidates can approach these recruiting agencies that provide the best salary jobs:
Flipkart | Shoppers Stop | Microsoft |
Lifestyle | Beehives | Adobe |
Zee Televisions | Hotstar | NIIT |
Facebook | KPMG | Ogilvy and Manther |

Salary
There is no fixed, minimum, or maximum salary in the field of VFX & Animation subject. It completely depends on the skills, experience, and knowledge of the candidate. However, there are some basic salaries pay grades depending on some factors. Here are the details of it:
1. Salary after pursuing VFX & Animation courses can vary from Rs. 2 lakhs to Rs. 5 lakh per annum.
2. Usually, salaries offered to individuals who have taken up technical profiles are more as compared to other jobs.
Course Scope And Career Options
The income or revenue generation in the VFX & Animation industry has doubled since 2016. The industry seems to be developing and building a wide range of opportunities and scope for young candidates in India. After completion of a VFX & Animation course, candidates can easily get jobs in various sectors that require VFX & Animation. Candidates may practice freelancing, work under seniors or start their own companies or start-ups in the VFX & Animation field. There is an abundance of scope in India after VFX & Animation courses for all candidates.
Career Options
VFX & Animation and Animation is a popular field, even in India, and various jobs are available for skilled animators who know how to work with VFX & Animation tools. Some of the top employment areas and job profiles that candidates can explore after completing VFX & Animation courses are:
Employment Areas | Film Industry Advertising Industry News and Media Gaming Companies Production Houses Photography Studios TV Channels |
Job Profiles | Graphic Designer Lecturer Video Editor Multimedia Programmer Web Designer 2D/3D Animator 3D Modeler |
Admission Process
The VFX & Animation admissions depend on the programme or course the candidate is opting for. All the courses have different admission criteria and procedures. Candidates must first check the minimum eligibility criteria of the college and then check the admission process of the particular college/institution. Further, the minimum admission criteria require the candidates to have completed their class 12. Here are the VFX & Animation admission process depending on the programme:
1. Admission to the Certification in VFX & Animation (a two-months long programme) can be taken after passing the class 10 Board Exams.
2. Candidates aspiring to enrol for other certificate programmes or diploma programmes in VFX & Animation can take admission after completing class 12 by filling the fees at the respective institute.
3. Admissions to degree programmes are done on the basis of a merit list and candidates are required to score at least 60% marks in class 12 board exams from a recognised board of education.
4. Some universities/colleges/institutes admit students directly without any minimum eligibility criteria.