Where to complete my CG education

[MrConterno]

I cant comment on the UK school but Gnomon I recommend highly to any who can afford. Their programs are top notch and I know a lot of studios sent guys there to retrain. I'm not sure on how all the visas work and such. I know up in Canada a company can kind of vouch for you in a way and get you a visa.

[SuryanshuRai]

Thanks.. What do you advice.. should i go for the two year program or the three year one??

[leigh]

Of those choices, I'd recommend you choose Bournemouth. You'll get an actual degree (not that studios particularly care, but it may help in the future should you decide to move to another country), they have good placement in Soho studios in London, plus you'll have an easier time settling in the UK after you finish your studies. This is because the US is very difficult to get a work permit for - your student visa only allows you to stay in the US while you're studying, and allows you to do certain kinds of work during that too, but once you've graduated, you'd need a H-1B work permit, which you need a degree for. So you can see why it's not a good idea.

And on a side note, from my own personal experience I'd say that settling in the UK is far easier, culturally, than settling in the US. I lived and worked in the US for a while and found it difficult to adjust to their culture, especially since there are not that many other foreigners and you always feel like a bit of an outsider. Whereas here in the UK, I am sooooo much happier because just about everyone is from somewhere else. For you as an Indian, you'll probably find it really, really easy to settle in and still be able to enjoy many comforts from your home country.

[SuryanshuRai]

Thanks for the prompt reply. As you are working in UK itself, can you let me know what is the scenario there... are their any good studios there and what quality of work do they produce? how easy or difficult is it to break into that market?? and which course from bournemouth do you recommend:

BA Hons Computer Visualisation and Animation
http://onlineservices.bournemouth.ac.uk/courses/Course.aspx?course=32&school=MS&level=ug&code=BACVA&mode=ft&page=course_content

or

BA Hons Computer Animation Arts
http://onlineservices.bournemouth.ac.uk/courses/Course.aspx?course=638&school=MS&level=ug&code=BACAA&mode=ft&page=course_content

I wish to pursue MSc in Computer Animation and Visual Effects Later on
http://onlineservices.bournemouth.ac.uk/Courses/Course.aspx?course=498&code=MSCCA&page=course_content

[leigh]

Yes, I work in London. There are four big studios (MPC, Framestore, Double Negative and Cinesite) in Soho that do VFX work on films, plus lots of smaller ones who do some film work as well as a lot of TV work (commercials, series, etc). I'd say the industry in London is pretty good. Some other UK cities also have studios but London has the most. As for how easy it is to break in, that depends on the quality of your work and whether studios are hiring. Bournemouth do have a good relationship with a lot of these studios though, and every year some graduates do get hired. Quite a lot of my colleagues went to Bournemouth.

Regarding courses, I'd recommend the BA Hons Computer Animation Arts.

[MrConterno]

Thanks.. What do you advice.. should i go for the two year program or the three year one??

That would depend on how good your traditional work is. If you have a secure traditional background then the two year. The three year will give you a comprehensive foundation in both traditional and CG, while the two year is only for CG.

[leigh]

MrConterno, you might want to read my first reply in this thread. Going to Gnomon isn't necessarily the best idea since after graduating, he wouldn't be eligible for a work permit.

[MrConterno]

I'm just replying to his question about it.

[meleseDESIGN]

Unless you find a girl-/boyfriend during studying in the US and marry with her/him, then you would have the opportunity to get a Permanent Resident Card.


This is because the US is very difficult to get a work permit for - your student visa only allows you to stay in the US while you're studying, and allows you to do certain kinds of work during that too, but once you've graduated, you'd need a H-1B work permit, which you need a degree for. So you can see why it's not a good idea.

[leigh]

Yeah but seriously, what are the chances of that happening within a two year period? ;-)

[meleseDESIGN]

Oh, I know a young couple that has married after 6 month after they met each other the first time.
The OP seems to be a nice, smart and extrovert person.
Beeing around a university with lots of singles are good requirements as well.
I heard there are also many lonely India singles living in New York. ;-)


Yeah but seriously, what are the chances of that happening within a two year period? ;-)

[workaholicmind]

Hi I am an Autodesk certified professional for autodesk maya and have been working for the last 10 months as production manager animations in a reputed organisation. However, I am not satisfied with my current education as I took a part time course of one year duration which was not enough, there is stil a LOTTTT that i dont know. So I have a few options, please help me out where should I go... I have an inclination towards VFX and Animation.

p.s. I am from India (so there might be visa issues) and money is no problem (though i want to spend it well)

Option 1: Gnomon 2 years Digital Production OR 3 Year Digital Production and Entertainment design.

The Good thing about gnomon is that it has good brand value, it is situated in the heart of the industry and gives me the exposure, they have good placements and their course structure is good. The quality of their courseware is evident from their tutorials. and it finishes up in two years.

Bad thing is there might be some visa issues, I might not get a work visa after i complete my course there, there is no degree associated, so if i want to do a masters from say SCAD, i cant.

Option 2: Bournemouth University

The second option is that i go for a proper university degree to a university which is well known for its CG education(can anyone name some- in UK only).

The advantage here is that it is much cheaper than gnomon, i get a degree, I get 3 years student visa plus 2 years work visa, i can pursue a masters and Research if i wish to later on.

The bads, its not in USA and I gather that good studios are up there(?). UK is cold and gloomy and people are not oo friendly (i have been told), I am not sure how is the reputation of the universities and their placements and also are the couses up to date and relevant???

Please advice as i am about to spend something like 5 million rupees(thats a lot of money, you can buy a house with that :) ) and 3-4 years of my life on this..

Thanks all

p.s. Getting a student visa for US is very tough for me right now...

The Universities in UK that i have shortlisted are:

Bournemouth University
Staffordshire University
Sunderland University
Bedfordshire
Greenwich University
Sheffield Hallam
De Montfort University

Well i guess i am best to answer your query as i am from Delhi too and was keen to join gnomon but i guess you already made the research about it gnomon online provide M1 visa so you can't go for work permit in that so again forget about the placements as you won't get work visa.coming to Bournemouth well to be honest i was keen to go to Canada and USA. So did'nt made research about the universities in other countires but i heard Bournemouth is good institute in UK.But Uk will be more expensive then USA so even have a look at that.well one recommendation i have for looking at your budget and seriously you don't have problem with year of course either you can go to Ringling college of arts and design,USA.(its beat as per as my knowledge) it fees would be around 20 lakhs per year and its provide four year Major course so you would be spending upto one crore in it totally.

But one thing i was keen to ask you was do u wanna come back to india after work over there.even though i would not recommend you to spend such amount as you might know what will you be earning here ?..so i won't suggest you to go in debt.I am apply for VFS, its only 1 year course though but its one of prestigious institute.

One more thing are you graduate if no then seriously don't go aboard if your looking forward to work over there too but because if you are not a graduate you won't get work visa anyways.One more thing if work Visa is a issue to you like it was for me too you can think of any good college in canada its hard to get work visa over there but its much easy to get PR( permanent residency ),You can talk to any career councelor about that i am sure they can guide you with PR thing.

I hope i might have helped you a lil bit.Cya

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