VFX ARTIST for Games and Film

We will open admissions to the VFX program again in January 2026- with school starting in the fall of 2026.

In addition to this, we also have plans to start two new programs (Technical Artist for games, film and simulation and Animation and visual storytelling) and to establish the school on another Campus (Norrköping, Sweden).

More info about this (including on how to apply – and about Scholarship for international students) will come later.
Stay tuned.

KEEP ME IN THE LOOP!

An industry-related education

Visual Magic – VFX Artist for Games and Film is a state-of-the-art polytechnic higher vocational training education* that provides excellence in digital visual special effects (VFX). This role is in high demand by the industry and our management team therefore includes representatives from, among others, Important Looking Pirates, Edisen and Goodbye Kansas, who control the content of the training. 

During 2.5 years, of which half a year is an internship, you will learn the absolute latest in Virtual Production, Motion Capture, spatial computing/XR and Real-time graphics. 

You will master the most common software (Houdini, Maya, Blender, Nuke, Z-brush, Motion Builder, Marvelous Designer, etc.) and you will have access to your own powerful desktop computer throughout the course of your studies. We actively collaborate with industry companies throughout the course, so that you as a student can learn by participating in real projects.

The campus is just a short walk from the city centre. Skellefteå as a city is characterised by a strong game & film culture and here are the majority of companies and training courses in the area. In other words, finding like-minded people is not a problem. Thanks to this, in project form you will get to collaborate with related professional roles such as producers, animators, filmmakers etc.) to gain a deeper understanding of workflows around VFX.

Special effects are used more and more outside the classic industries such as games and film – for example in advertising and architecture. This training may focus on the former, but you are the one who sets the limits of what you will work with as a VFX artist. What do you dream of creating?

*with the possibility to, via extra courses and crediting of professional experience, also take a Bachelor of Arts and Culture degree in collaboration with Novia University (Novia University of Applied Science) – or a Bachelor degree in collaboration with Luleå technical university.

VFX composition

What kind of VFX artist do you want to become?

During the first year, you get a broader knowledge base with, among other things, introductory courses in both 3D visualisation and digital compositing. Before the second year, you choose a specialisation and then get a series of more specialised courses. Both have a strong focus on new technology (Virtual Production, Motion Capture and Real-time graphics via Unreal Engine)

  • 3D Visualisation – for those who want to create in 3D.
  • Digital Compositing – for those who want to combine 3D with filmed material.

You will also gain knowledge about photo & film making (incl. lighting, composition, camera technology and visual storytelling). You will learn to understand organic and mechanical movement patterns, character design and how VFX can be used to enhance a story.

Some quick facts:

  • Education
    • The education is 2.5 years (500 YH credits) and takes place on Campus Skellefteå (no option for distance learning).
    • 6 months internship (learning on the job) at a special effects company.

     

    Cost/tuition fee

    • The education is free of charge for those with Nordic citizenship.
    • For students from other countries the fee is €25.000 in total, paid in five instalments, quarterly in advance. We do not have any scholarships at the moment.

     

    Student funding/loans

     

    Admission

    • Admission takes place via a work test – NOT by us reviewing your old grades.
    • The selection is made anonymously = everyone is assessed on the same premises.

     

    Teaching

    • All lectures are held in English.

    By our teachers and lecturers from the industry.

     

    Housing

I WANT TO KNOW MORE!
VFX production - mocap kick
VFX composition