UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE
Programme Specification
This Programme Specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme
and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and
demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
1. Awarding Institution / Body
University of Central Lancashire
2. Teaching Institution and Location
of Delivery
Futureworks
3. University School/Centre
School of Film, Media and Performance
4. External Accreditation
N/A
5. Title of Final Award
BA (Hons) 3D Visual Effects
6. Modes of Attendance offered
Full Time
7. UCAS Code
8. Relevant Subject Benchmarking
Group(s)
Communication, media, film and cultural studies
9. Other external influences
N/A
10. Date of production/revision of this
form
July 2012
11. Aims of the Programme





To create the next generation of visual effects (VFX) artists.
To foster skills in each individual VFX artist to equip them with the necessary depth of knowledge
to address a range of professional VFX problems.
To produce VFX artists with the skills to investigate, analyse and present visual information as
well as interpret briefs related to VFX to an industry standard.
To develop and nurture an awareness of a VFX artist’s role and responsibilities within the media
industry as an individual and as part of a team.
To equip VFX artists with the capability to focus on their personal and professional aspirations.
12. Learning Outcomes, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
A. Knowledge and Understanding
On completion of the programme students will be able to:
A1. Use fundamental VFX theory to inform their practical work.
A2. Use historical and contemporary developments to interpret the practice and significance of the
VFX industry in society today.
A3. Identify and select from a range of CGI techniques to inform their personal work-style.
A4. Display a competence within a specialist area of VFX
A5. Employ visual language in the creative process.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Knowledge and understanding is traditionally gained largely through lecturer input. Whilst lecturer
input will be important on this programme a significant proportion of knowledge and, particularly,
understanding is gained through student-generated learning, research, directed and self-selected
learning, structured tasks and assignments, and project work. Tutorials will facilitate exchange of
knowledge, exploration of subject boundaries and provide a forum for building on the knowledge base
and enhancement of understanding.
Assessment methods
Knowledge and understanding is assessed using a variety of methods. The principal methods of
assessment for this skill area will be:
Essays
Presentations, individual and group
CGI Artefacts
Projects
Project Plans
Storyboards
Portfolios
Showreel
Formative assessment supported by tutor feedback will be employed throughout the programme and
will aid the development of knowledge and understanding. Feedback will be a crucial component of
summative assessments.
B. Subject-specific skills
On completion of the programme students will be able to:
B1.
B2.
B3.
B4.
Develop an idea from a conception through to a final outcome.
Generate and employ creative ideas to produce distinctive work.
Use a variety of contemporary techniques to produce professional CGI artefacts.
Employ professional practices and procedures to produce and present work.
Teaching and Learning Methods
For subject-specific skills the teaching and learning methods will focus on practical workshops,
projects and self-learning, supported by teacher input and directed study. The challenge of
developing creative skills will be addressed by cultivating a variety of creative techniques drawing on
a critical appreciation of the visual and narrative heritage underpinning the visual effects world.
Students will gain a working knowledge of creative possibilities, exploring their own creative potential
in a critical and supportive environment.
Assessment methods
Subject-specific skills will be primarily assessed through practical outputs, specifically:
CGI Artefacts
Projects
Project Plans
Storyboards
Showreels
Authored Media
Formative assessment supported by tutor feedback will be employed throughout the programme and
will aid the development of subject-specific skills. Feedback will be a crucial component of
summative assessments.
C. Thinking Skills
On completion of the programme students will be able to:
C1.
C2.
C3.
C4.
C5.
Research and interpret material and stimuli in order to synthesise informed ideas.
Critically analyse and evaluate a variety of complex information.
Formulate evidence-based arguments and engage in debate.
Identify and solve a range of multifaceted problems.
Synthesise and refine visual and verbal ideas and concepts as a part of the creative process.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Students develop thinking skills through the challenge of undertaking set tasks and assignments
supported by significant tutor input throughout the programme. For example, research techniques are
taught in contextual-based modules and then developed through completing assignments and
receiving feedback on the results. Students will be closely supported in the process of synthesising
ideas and concepts and translating them into creative artefacts.
Assessment methods
Assignments which primarily assess knowledge, understanding and subject-specific skills implicitly
contain a thinking skills component; thus, every assignment will assess thinking skills to varying
degrees.
Formative assessment of thinking skills, supported by tutor feedback, will be employed throughout the
programme. Feedback on written and oral assignments will include comment on the employment of
thinking skills.
D. Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
On completion of the programme students will be able to:
D1. Communicate complex ideas and arguments confidently and effectively using oral, visual and
written methods.
D2. Work successfully in teams and interact with others in a variety of professional contexts.
D3. Implement time management techniques to plan and execute complex projects.
D4. Perform critical self-analysis, identify skills gaps and plan personal development to maximise
employment potential.
Teaching and Learning Methods
As this is a vocationally focused course employability skills are central to the whole student
experience. The challenge for the programme delivery team is to ensure that the employability
benefits of the subject-specific skills are complemented by the parallel development of personal skills
such as communication and team working.
This will be achieved through the design of tasks and assignments that demand skills beyond those
that are technical and subject-based, and call for a broader personal skills set. Tutor input and
feedback in a supportive context will help students to build on their positive traits and address gaps
and weaknesses in their profile.
Assessment methods
The centrality of vocational skills throughout the programme results in all assessments being directly
or indirectly related to employability and personal development. The assessment methods which are
particularly significant are:
Essays
Personal Development Plans
Reflective journals
Presentations, individual and group
Projects
Digital Showreels
Throughout the programme feedback on formative and summative assessments will help students
develop their employability and personal development skills.
13. Programme Structures
Level
6
Module
Code
DD3410
DD3420
DD3430
DD3411
DD3412
5
Module Title
Visual Effects 3
Year 3 Visual Effects Project
Personal & Professional
Development
3D Modelling 3
Honours Project
DD2410
DD2420
DD2430
DD2411
DD2412
Visual Effects 2
Year 2 Visual Effects Project
Contemporary Visual Effects
3D Modelling 2
Post-Production & Motion
Graphics
4
DD1410
Visual Effects 1
DD1420
Year 1 Visual Effects Project
DD1430
History of Visual Effects
DD1411
3D Modelling 1
DD1412
Content Creation for VFX
15. Personal Development Planning
14. Awards and Credits
Credit
rating
20
20
20
20
40
Bachelor Honours Degree
Requires 360 credits including a
minimum of 120 at Level 5 or
above and 120 at Level 6
Bachelor Degree
Requires 320 credits including a
minimum of 120 at Level 5 or
above and 80 at Level 6
20
20
20
20
40
Diploma of Higher Education
Requires 240 credits including a
minimum of 120 at Level 5 or
above
20
20
20
20
40
Certificate of Higher Education
Requires 120 credits at Level 4 or
above
Introduced at induction, the purpose and process of PDP will be explained and students will be
provided with a PDP template. At each level one module is identified as the primary vehicle for
addressing PDP. Within the identified modules tutors will discuss the ongoing PDP process on a oneto-one basis, helping students to build on their strengths and identify and address gaps in their skill
set. The Level 6 module “Personal & Professional Development” specifically requires students to
research and use analytical techniques relating to personal development and employability and
develops a high-level approach to Personal Development Planning.
Throughout the learning process students will be encouraged to identify and evaluate their personal
development activity. All practical assessments employ reflective journals which will assist students in
this process.
16. Admissions criteria
Programme Specifications include minimum entry requirements, including academic qualifications,
together with appropriate experience and skills required for entry to study. These criteria may be
expressed as a range rather than a specific grade. Amendments to entry requirements may have
been made after these documents were published and you should consult the University’s website for
the most up to date information.
Students will be informed of their personal minimum entry criteria in their offer letter.
Applicants are required to hold:
 A minimum of 5 GCSE passes at Grade C or above including Maths and English (or
equivalent)
 240 to 300 UCAS points at A2 (or equivalent)
Applicants must also:
 Attend an interview to assess their commitment and motivation.
17. Key sources of information about the programme

Course factsheet
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Student course handbook
Futureworks prospectus
Futureworks website
18. Curriculum Skills Map
Please tick in the relevant boxes where individual Programme Learning Outcomes are being assessed
Level
Module
Code
Module Title
Core (C),
Compulsory
(COMP) or
Option (O)
Knowledge and understanding
LEVEL 4
LEVEL 5
LEVEL 6
A1
Note:
DD3410
Visual Effects 3
COMP
DD3420
Year 3 Visual Effects Project
COMP
DD3430
Personal & Prof. Development COMP
DD3411
3D Modelling 3
COMP
DD3412
Honours Project
COMP
DD2410
Visual Effects 2
COMP
DD2420
Year 2 Visual Effects Project
COMP
DD2430
Contemporary Visual Effects
COMP
DD2411
3D Modelling 2
COMP
DD2412
Post-prod. & Motion Graphics
COMP
X
DD1410
Visual Effects 1
COMP
X
DD1420
Year 1 Visual Effects Project
COMP
X
DD1430
History of Visual Effects
COMP
DD1411
3D Modelling 1
COMP
X
DD1412
Content Creation for VFX
COMP
X
A2
X
A3
X
Programme Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Skills
A4
A5
B1
B2
B3
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Thinking Skills
B4
C1
C2
C3
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
D1
D2
D3
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
D4
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
C5
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
C4
X
X
X
Other skills relevant to
employability and personal
development
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Mapping to other external frameworks, e.g. professional/statutory bodies, will be included within Student Course Handbooks
X
X
X