I have a background in graphic design and 3D modeling and decided to go back to school so I can study visual effects. I’ve been working on and off in the entertainment industry for about 4 years primarily in administrative positions. I’d like to eventually work as a VFX Producer. After trying Digital Tutors for a year, I decided I’d prefer spending the time to go back to school rather than learning on my own.
Right now my three choices are the University of Kent (MSc Digital Effects), SCAD (MFA Visual Effects), and Vancouver Film School (Animation & VFX diploma). I’m hoping to get in touch with former students of these schools (hopefully as recent as possible) to get help with my decision.
I could save a bit of money by going to SCAD because I have relatives I could live with and would save on living expenses. Also it’s a two year program which would allow me to intern over the summer and would be less intensive than VFS. But I’m not crazy about the location, and have seen some not to positive reviews of the school (pretty old reviews so things may have changed?). Studying at VFS or UKent would put me closer to where I’d eventually like to work.
I liked UKent because it’s an hour or so away from London (my second favorite city next to NYC!), and they have connections to vfx companies there. This is also a one year Master degree program AND is less expensive than SCAD and VFS even with the currency difference.
VFS seems great because it’s in Vancouver, highly recommended by a friend (working at HBO), appears to have a great reputation and the portfolios are stunning. My ONLY concern is that the tuition is nauseating, even with them giving me a scholarship, and I would not be eligible to use US Federal loans for the program. Spending $40k in private loans for a diploma is hard for me to swallow… I know the portfolio is more important than the degree in this field, but I feel that it’s still risky to come out with almost $50,000 in private loans for a diploma… I also was told that graduating from VFS doesn’t make international students eligible for the post graduation work permit.
In a nutshell if there are any recent graduates of these programs I’d really appreciate any input on these three schools. I spoke to admissions but I’m hoping for some unbiased opinions, and the reviews online are quite old.