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programming for games and vfx 

Programming for Games and VFX short course

Apply now (14 weeks)Apply now (21 weeks)

Course Details

Location

London campus or live online

Start date

September 2025

Duration

14 or 21 weeks

Contact time

2.5 days per week

Entry requirements

  • Be over 18

  • Have a good understanding of written and spoken English

  • Feel comfortable using a computer

Fees

14 weeks - London campus: £7,845

14 weeks - Live online: £6,100

21 weeks - London campus: £11,080

21 weeks - Live online: £8,590

Apply now

September 2025:

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Course overview

Our Programming for Games and VFX short course gives you the opportunity to study the first 14 or 21 weeks of our MSc Programming for Games and VFX degree. This option is suited to students who want intensive training without academic qualifications. You'll complete the first 2-3 modules of the programme and gain an introduction to programming and graphics systems, games development and design.

Our Programming for Games and VFX cutting-edge short course will enable you to develop and refine your skills with individual specialisms. You'll have rich and varied opportunities to develop experience in teamwork, as well as the soft and technical skills that developers look for in Programmers.

Why choose this course

  • Designed with industry - this course has been created with industry professionals.

  • Learn from our expert tutors who bring industry experience to the classroom.

  • Receive feedback from industry professionals - an opportunity to level-up your work and build connections, ready to embark on your creative career.

  • Get to grips with the good practice, hardware, software and programming languages relevant to industries this course encompasses.

  • Aftercare package - we'll help you polish your portfolio and find the right job, with access to our studios and showreel clinics for 12 months.

Course modules

Programming fundamentals

  • Mathematics for programmers

  • Logic, control and flow

  • Functions and operators

  • Software/hardware

  • Object-oriented programming (Encapsulation, Inheritance, and Polymorphism)

  • IDE’s

  • Source and version control

  • 2D graphics (coordinates, transformations, image formats, synthesis, processing)

  • 3D graphics (coordinates, transformations, models, projection, shading, rendering)

  • Introduction to Graphics Software and Hardware (Operating Systems, CPU, GPU)

  • The use of graphics libraries (OpenGL/Direct X)

  • Real-time rendering and optimisation

Gameplay

  • Game mechanics

  • Proto-typing and playtesting

  • Games engines, APIs and libraries

  • Platforms (Desktop / Mobile Development)

  • Feature set, API and libraries

  • Data Structures & Management

  • Rendering and Shading

  • Game Architecture and Design Patterns

  • Input Handling (Control Schemes)

  • Audio

  • Performance and Memory Management

Introduction to distributed systems

  • Network architecture and systems security (encryption, intrusion detection)

  • Scalability, balancing and resilience

  • Data management and distribution

  • Quality of Service (QoS) for real-time

  • Case Studies in Games and VFX Pipelines (e.g. multiplayer games and render farms)

  • Cloud Systems

  • Streaming and Real-time Data Processing

  • Monitoring and Debugging Tools

More Information

Minimum requirements

We welcome and encourage applications from students with a variety of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

To study this short course, you must:

  • Be over 18

  • Have a good understanding of written and spoken English

  • Feel comfortable using a computer.

If you’d like to discuss your circumstances before applying, contact us!

Non-UK students

We accept international students for our short courses, with no difference in course fees or administration costs. 

The Standard Visitor visa allows students to come to the UK to study for a course of up to six months at an accredited institution. Depending on your nationality, you may need to apply for a standard visitor visa prior to departure from your home country. For more information visit:  

Contact us on admissions@escapestudios.ac.uk or +44 (0) 204 570 5091 for any questions.

We can provide remote access to our workstations during teaching time. Due to availability restrictions, we highly advise you to have your own set up at home to study in your own time.

More things you’ll need:

  • A strong internet connection

  • Cloud storage or external hard drive to back up your work, 1TB+ recommended

  • A three-button mouse or graphics tablet. Please note, the Wacom Intuos Pro range of tablets have the best support for our remote desktop software and provide the best experience.

  • A computer microphone (and optionally a webcam)

  • Note-taking materials.

If you have any questions about learning online or if you need help with what to buy, get in touch at hello@escapestudios.ac.uk.

To apply, complete the relevant online application form linked below.

September 2025:

Our Admissions Team will get in touch to take you through the next steps.

If you have any questions about your application or our entry requirements, get in touch!

As part of the application process, you will need to agree to our terms and conditions for your place on the course to be secured.

Fees 

14 weeks - London campus: £7,845

14 weeks - Live online: £6,100

21 weeks - London campus: £11,080

21 weeks - Live online: £8,590

Payment plans

We offer payment plan options for all courses. Following an initial deposit at registration stage, your chosen payment plan will break down your remaining fees into up to three instalments, to be paid before the end of the course.

Visit our admissions page for any questions about fees, funding and payment plans.

You will develop and apply the theoretical understanding, skills, knowledge, and competences required to excel in many different technical roles within the creative industry, such as a Programmer. 

Check out our Careers Guide for more information about career opportunities and progression routes.

Why Escape Studios?

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