COURSE CURRICULUM

The Virtual Production programme at Teesside University provides students with the creative, technical, and collaborative skills required for careers in film, television, visual effects, and interactive media. In the first year, students build a strong foundation through modules in Asset Creation for Games, Games Art Fundamentals, Virtual Production Pipeline for Film, TV, VFX and Games, and Visual Development for the Moving Image. They learn the principles of 3D modelling, texturing, visual arts, cinematography, storyboarding, digital compositing, and virtual production technologies, including game engines, motion capture, LED walls, and digital cinema cameras. During the second year, students advance their expertise through modules in Facial and Performance Capture, Moviola, Professional Practice and AI Assisted Creativity, and Virtual Art Department World Building. They gain practical experience in directing and capturing performances, collaborating on industry-style projects, using Unreal Engine for virtual environments, applying photogrammetry and procedural modelling techniques, designing virtual sets, and implementing in-camera visual effects workflows. Students also explore the ethical and professional implications of artificial intelligence while developing their professional identity and online presence. An optional work placement year allows students to gain valuable industry experience, strengthen technical and transferable skills, and improve career prospects. In the final year, students complete an AVFX Project, a large-scale individual project aligned with their chosen specialism and career goals, alongside Creative Industry Briefs that simulate professional industry roles and challenges. They also undertake Virtual Production Stagecraft, a collaborative group project that mirrors real studio practice by integrating Unreal Engine environments, live action, performance capture, and cinematography within a virtual production setting. Throughout the course, students develop expertise in real-time production pipelines, teamwork, problem-solving, and creative storytelling while building a professional portfolio and showreel. The programme prepares graduates for careers in virtual production, visual effects, motion capture, and digital filmmaking by combining industry-standard technologies with practical, project-based learning experiences.