Careers Brief - 3D Computer Generated Imagery FdSc/BSc

3D CGI Architectural Visualisation pathway

3D CGI Modelling and Animation pathway

Overview

The Foundation degree in 3D Computer Generated Imagery offers you the opportunity for progression onto an Honours degree top-up programme or direct job entry. An Honours degree, with its additional training and experience, is likely to give you a career advantage.

The BSc (Hons) 3D Computer Generated Imagery Top-up degree can lead to progression onto postgraduate courses or research, or direct job entry.

Computer generated imagery has become a growth area in the visual communications industries both in the UK and the global market, with a wide range of applications. You could be working as a generalist or specialist within a team, producing interactive software using 2D and 3D graphical images for computers, interactive websites, CD ROMs, DVDs, films, TV and special effects.

You could be employed by a games manufacturer, media company (TV/Film), effects studio, design consultancy, publisher, advertising agency, educational or training provider or corporate body or work as a freelancer on contract.

Success in your course will not only demonstrate a high standard of computer generated graphic and multimedia solutions, but also the key employability skills and competencies in demand by employers. Functional Skills such as: creativity; time management; attention to detail; effective communication delivering presentations and the ability to work successfully both in a team and independently.

It is essential to keep up to date with relevant software and be able to adapt to change.

For an overview of the industry sector, go to National Guidance Research Forum for 'LMI Future trends' and 'Sectors covered'.

Go to the website links below to find out more.

Further Study

Top-up degrees are designed as direct progression from Foundation degree to achieve an Honours (or Ordinary) degree, though entry may be selective.

Go to http://courses.thecollege.co.uk/ for information on the BSc (Hons) 3D Computer Generated Imagery Top-Up degrees, awarded through Bournemouth University. Progression is usually dependent on achieving a required level of Foundation degree qualification.

Alternatively, with your Foundation degree you could transfer onto a related Honours degree. Entry point would depend on your grades, experience and overlap between courses but could be the final year.

To search degree courses go to www.ucas.com/ (UCAS - Universities and Colleges Admissions Service for the UK). Use the university/college links for course details.

You will need to use UCAS to apply for courses. Contact the Course Tutor of your chosen course to find out your position, before you make your formal application.

Find out how much this will cost you. Where is the funding coming from? Go to the university/college links for information on course costs and finance and to the section Financial support for additional help.

Alternatively, you could consider 'topping up' your Foundation degree to Honours through distance learning with the Open University. You could be awarded up to 240 credits and then only need 120 credits of OU study at level 3 to achieve an Honours degree. This would also give you the opportunity to take up employment. Go to www.open.ac.uk/ to search undergraduate courses and credit transfer.

With a good Honours degree (First or 2.1), you may progress onto an appropriate higher level degree to attain a Masters and/or PhD doctorate. This could be to develop your area of study to a more in-depth practical and/or academic level or to gain other specialist training.

For information on postgraduate study and finance, go to the national online directory at www.prospects.ac.uk/study.htm .

Useful Links

http://mycareerhub.bournemouth.ac.uk/

Bournemouth University Graduate Employment Service - job news, campus events, part-time work, placement, graduate jobs, ask a question, book an appointment

www.skillset.org/careers/

The Sector Skills Council for the Creative Media – Careers section:

Go to sector sub-headings

www.creative-choices.co.uk/

Creative Choices developing your career in the creative and cultural industries

www.e-skills.com/careers

e-skills UK - Sector Skills Council for IT and Telecoms

www.bigambition.co.uk/

e-skills UK careers site aimed at young people

www.bcs.org/

BCS The Chartered Institute for IT

Drop down sub-heading 'Qualifications, Training, Careers' to click on 'Careers' + 'Students'