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CUA51020 | CRICOS: 107862J

Diploma of Screen and Media (Animation, Gaming and Visual Effects)

Activate your career in screen and media with this diploma qualification. Learn the specialist skills needed to be a game designer or game developer. This course is ideal for creative people seeking employment in the film, television, games industry, and screen and media industries.

Apply now
STUDY LOCATIONS Greater Brisbane Sunshine Coast
WAYS TO STUDY On campus International
NEXT INTAKE Start date: 28 Jan 2025 Duration: 1 year View all intakes
WHAT YOU'LL PAY
Concession

Fee concessions may apply to this subsidised course for eligible students. Learn more

$11,535
Subsidised

There are a range of government funded courses available for eligible students. Learn more

$12,840
Full Fee

This is the total course fee. Read more about student loans and payment plans.

$17,190
International

This is the total course fee for international students. Learn more

$20,620
Eligibility calculator

Course overview

In this course you will gain a diverse range of skills in technical and theoretical Game Development. Expand on your creative talents through practical exercises in Game Design, 3D Modelling, Programming, and Game Art, all while working in a collaborative, and simulated studio environment. You will have access to industry standard equipment and the opportunity to develop close industry contacts through our leading educators.

 

Completion of this course will award you the skills you need to work individually or collaboratively as a game developer, game designer, programmer, or Game Artist within the creative industries environment. Successful completion also provides great articulation opportunities into higher education courses.

What can I do?

  • Game Designer
  • 3D Game Animator
  • 3D Game Modeller
  • Game Concept Artist
  • Game Texture Artist
  • UI Designer
  • Game Developer
  • Junior Programmer

Course outcome:

CUA51020 Diploma of Screen and Media (Animation, Gaming and Visual Effects)

Choose your specialisation

This course offers industry specialisations for you to choose from: post-productionspecialist make-up servicesanimation, gaming and visual effects also screen and media with a focus on film and TV production. Choose the specialisation that suits your interests and career goals. 

What you will study

The successful achievement of this qualification requires you to complete all core and 11 elective units from the list below. 

  • UNIT CODE
  • UNIT NAME

  • UNIT CODE
  • CUAIND412
    Provide freelance services
    UNIT CODE :
    CUAIND412
    Unit description :
    This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work as an independent operator within the creative arts industry. This includes promoting self to potential clients, negotiating work arrangements, managing financial and business aspects of services, and undertaking strategic planning.
  • UNIT NAME
  • Provide freelance services

  • UNIT CODE
  • CUAIND512
    Enhance professional practice using creative arts industry knowledge
    UNIT CODE :
    CUAIND512
    Unit description :
    This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to maintain creative arts industry knowledge and monitor and manage own professional practice. This includes applying industry knowledge to research-based work activities, when interacting with others, and when engaging in professional practice in the music industry.
  • UNIT NAME
  • Enhance professional practice using creative arts industry knowledge

  • UNIT CODE
  • CUAPPR411
    Realise a creative project
    UNIT CODE :
    CUAPPR411
    Unit description :
    This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to experiment with ideas and techniques to find an individual style or voice throughout a creative project that results in a completed work.
  • UNIT NAME
  • Realise a creative project

  • UNIT CODE
  • CUAPPR515
    Establish and maintain safe creative practice
    UNIT CODE :
    CUAPPR515
    Unit description :
    This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to determine and respond effectively to broad and specific safety requirements in a professional practice.
  • UNIT NAME
  • Establish and maintain safe creative practice

  • You'll learn face to face with a teacher in a classroom or simulated workplace environment. You may access learning materials through our online learning management system Connect. Learn more

  • demo View comparison chart
  • You'll learn face to face with a teacher in a classroom or simulated workplace environment. You may access learning materials through our online learning management system Connect. Learn more

  • demo View comparison chart
CAMPUS STUDY MODE START DATE DURATION WORKLOAD WHAT YOU'LL PAY
South Bank
On Campus
28 Jan 2025
1 year
Full time 4 days per week
  • Concession: $11,535

    Fee concessions may apply to this subsidised course for eligible students. Learn more

  • Subsidised: $12,840

    There are a range of government funded courses available for eligible students. Learn more

  • Full fee: $17,190

    This is the total course fee. Read more about student loans and payment plans.

demo

South Bank

On Campus

  • Online Time

    How much of the course will be delivered online. 

    0%
  • On Campus Time
    100%
START DATE

The date the course starts. Apply early as intakes fill up quickly. 

28 Jan 2025
DURATION

The total length of time it takes to complete the course.

1 year
Workload

The average amount of time students will need to allocate to study each week.

Full time 4 days per week
WHAT YOU'LL PAY
  • Concession: $11,535

    Fee concessions may apply to this subsidised course for eligible students. Learn more

  • Subsidised: $12,840

    There are a range of government funded courses available for eligible students. Learn more

  • Full fee: $17,190

    This is the total course fee. Read more about student loans and payment plans.

Class format

Some courses include classes at scheduled times while others can be completed in your own time.

Teacher-led, Scheduled
VIRTUAL CLASS

Scheduled online classes using video conferencing software (such as Zoom).

No
ASSESSMENT

The primary location assessments will take place. Some courses also require vocational placement.

On-Campus
TEACHER COMMS

The different ways you can contact your teacher throughout the course.

  • Phone, Email, Face-to-face, Zoom
CAMPUS STUDY MODE START DATE DURATION WORKLOAD WHAT YOU'LL PAY
Mooloolaba
On Campus
28 Jan 2025
1 year
Full time 2 days per week
Tuesday, Wednesday
  • Concession: $11,535

    Fee concessions may apply to this subsidised course for eligible students. Learn more

  • Subsidised: $12,840

    There are a range of government funded courses available for eligible students. Learn more

  • Full fee: $17,190

    This is the total course fee. Read more about student loans and payment plans.

demo

Mooloolaba

On Campus

  • Online Time

    How much of the course will be delivered online. 

    0%
  • On Campus Time
    100%
START DATE

The date the course starts. Apply early as intakes fill up quickly. 

28 Jan 2025
DURATION

The total length of time it takes to complete the course.

1 year
Workload

The average amount of time students will need to allocate to study each week.

Full time 2 days per week
Tuesday, Wednesday
WHAT YOU'LL PAY
  • Concession: $11,535

    Fee concessions may apply to this subsidised course for eligible students. Learn more

  • Subsidised: $12,840

    There are a range of government funded courses available for eligible students. Learn more

  • Full fee: $17,190

    This is the total course fee. Read more about student loans and payment plans.

Class format

Some courses include classes at scheduled times while others can be completed in your own time.

Teacher-led, Scheduled
VIRTUAL CLASS

Scheduled online classes using video conferencing software (such as Zoom).

No
ASSESSMENT

The primary location assessments will take place. Some courses also require vocational placement.

On-Campus
TEACHER COMMS

The different ways you can contact your teacher throughout the course.

  • Phone, Email, Face-to-face, Zoom
  • You'll learn face to face with a teacher in a classroom or simulated workplace environment. You may access learning materials through our online learning management system Connect. Learn more

  • demo View comparison chart
CAMPUS STUDY MODE START DATE DURATION WORKLOAD WHAT YOU'LL PAY
South Bank
On Campus
28 Jan 2025
1 year
Full time 4 days per week
  • International: $20,620

    This is the total course fee for international students. Learn more

demo

South Bank

On Campus

  • Online Time

    How much of the course will be delivered online. 

    0%
  • On Campus Time
    100%
START DATE

The date the course starts. Apply early as intakes fill up quickly. 

28 Jan 2025
DURATION

The total length of time it takes to complete the course.

1 year
Workload

The average amount of time students will need to allocate to study each week.

Full time 4 days per week
WHAT YOU'LL PAY
  • International: $20,620

    This is the total course fee for international students. Learn more

Class format

Some courses include classes at scheduled times while others can be completed in your own time.

Teacher-led, Scheduled
VIRTUAL CLASS

Scheduled online classes using video conferencing software (such as Zoom).

No
ASSESSMENT

The primary location assessments will take place. Some courses also require vocational placement.

On-Campus
TEACHER COMMS

The different ways you can contact your teacher throughout the course.

  • Phone, Email, Face-to-face, Zoom
South Bank
On Campus
14 Jul 2025
1 year
Full time 4 days per week
  • International: $20,620

    This is the total course fee for international students. Learn more

demo

South Bank

On Campus

  • Online Time

    How much of the course will be delivered online. 

    0%
  • On Campus Time
    100%
START DATE

The date the course starts. Apply early as intakes fill up quickly. 

14 Jul 2025
DURATION

The total length of time it takes to complete the course.

1 year
Workload

The average amount of time students will need to allocate to study each week.

Full time 4 days per week
WHAT YOU'LL PAY
  • International: $20,620

    This is the total course fee for international students. Learn more

Class format

Some courses include classes at scheduled times while others can be completed in your own time.

Teacher-led, Scheduled
VIRTUAL CLASS

Scheduled online classes using video conferencing software (such as Zoom).

No
ASSESSMENT

The primary location assessments will take place. Some courses also require vocational placement.

On-Campus
TEACHER COMMS

The different ways you can contact your teacher throughout the course.

  • Phone, Email, Face-to-face, Zoom

Download Brochure

Diploma of Screen and Media (Animation, Gaming and Visual Effects) (CUA51020)

Ask a question

Diploma of Screen and Media (Animation, Gaming and Visual Effects)

COURSE CODE: CUA51020
Payment Options

How can I pay for this course?

No matter what your circumstances, TAFE Queensland has a payment option to suit you. If you are unsure of what’s right for you, get in touch. We’re here to help. 

Payment plan

If you have difficulty paying for the full cost of a course upfront, you may be eligible for a payment plan.

Learn more
Upfront payment

This may be the full fee for the course, or the student contribution amount if you are eligible for a subsidy or concession.

Learn more
VET Student Loan - $18,097 cap

The VET Student Loans program assists eligible students enrolled in approved courses to pay their tuition fees.  The Australian Government charges full fee-paying (non-subsidised) students a 20 per cent loan fee in addition to their tuition fees.  A VET Student Loan is a debt that must be repaid.

Learn more
International student payment

Our preferred payment method is telegraphic transfer or credit card using Convera Global Pay for Students or the Flywire Payment Portal. Convera and Flywire both allow you to complete your payment in your own currency using a telegraphic transfer with no processing fees or delays.
Learn more

Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements for this course.

Selection criteria

Domestic students
The following selection criteria requirements apply only to domestic students:

  • School leavers must have completed Year 12 or equivalent
  • Non school-leavers are selected according to eligibility and merit, vocational experience, previous study and personal competencies.
  • If you’re under 17 years of age, special enrolment conditions may apply.

International students
The following selection criteria requirements apply only to international students:

  • English Language Proficiency: Academic IELTS 6.0 (no individual band less than 5.5) or equivalent - For a list of all English Language tests accepted by TAFE Queensland International.
  • Academic Requirements: Completion of Year 12 (or equivalent). Non school-leavers must have relevant work experience or qualification that indicates likely success of course completion. View more information on the international education achievement levels equivalent to Year 10 and 12.

Applicants should be a minimum of 17 years of age and turning 18 during the first year of study with TAFE Queensland. International students who are under 18 years of age and are applying for a student visa are required by the Australian Department of Home Affairs to have adequate welfare arrangements in place.

Resources required

It is recommended that you have access to a reliable internet connection to access TAFE Queensland's online learning system Connect, and a computer with up-to-date software. This equipment and software are available for use at all TAFE Queensland locations.

You will also be required to have access to and bring to class some design resources and a portable external hard drive (500MG minimum). Details will be provided after enrolment or during orientation.
Please note: the purchase of these items may incur additional costs of approximately $300.

have access to a computer capable of running Adobe Creative Suite software. This software can be purchased after enrolment to access a student discount price.

It is also recommended that you have access to a computer capable of running:

  • Substance Painter, Autodesk 3D Studio Max and Maya, and Unity (all of these pieces of software are free with a student account, after creating a free account with the software providers)
  • Adobe Creative Suite software. This software can be purchased after enrolment to access a student discount price

Assessment methods

Skill and knowledge assessments are an essential step in progressing through your course. You may be assessed in a number of ways while you are studying at TAFE Queensland, including observation, written assessment, questioning, portfolios, work samples, third-party feedback, and through recognition of prior learning. Read more about assessment methods.

Pathways

University pathways

If you want to go on to further study at university, TAFE Queensland has a pathway option to get you there. In many cases, completing one of our diplomas may give you a full year of credit towards a degree with one of our partner universities.

Learn more about University Pathways

  • James Cook University
  • Southern Cross University
  • University of Canberra
  • Griffith University
  • Queensland University of Technology
  • University of Southern Queensland

How to apply

Direct application

If you're ready to get started, simply hit the Apply Now button on your preferred course information page and get your application underway online. 

For International students

International students can either apply directly through our TAFE Queensland International Application portal, or through one of our education agents. Our registered agents can assist you with your visa application and guide you through the enrolment process. If you are from this list of countries, you will need to apply through an agent.
Learn more

Course disclaimer

All information was accurate at time of publication, however TAFE policies, tuition fees and course content is subject to change without notice. Course commencement is dependent on sufficient enrolment numbers. Timetable information is subject to change prior to commencement and/or during the duration of your course.

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) and credit transfers

Fast track your way to a formal qualification by earning credit for the things you already know. We can assess your skills, directly apply credits from previous successful study, and give you advanced standing in your course.

Learn more