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Higher Diploma in Animation and Visual Effects

Full-time S6 or above Higher Diploma

Programme Code DE114110

Higher Diploma in Animation and Visual Effects

Programme Edges

Promising Career Prospects

Graduates may be employed as animator, art director, motion graphic designer, graphic designer, animation character designer, visual effect artist, etc.

Promising Career Prospects

Graduates may be employed as animator, art director, motion graphic designer, graphic designer, animation character designer, visual effect artist, etc.

Basic Information

The programme aims to nurture aesthetic and art sense associated with professional knowledge and hands-on skills, with a goal to prepare students to become animation and visual effects professionals. The programme provides training regarding state-of-the-art knowledge of animation, art direction, character design, scene design, visual effects design and storytelling skills, enables students to adapt to new trends for their career development and articulation.

The programme is designed with an emphasis on generic, language and communication training, whole-person development and workplace experience to better prepare students for further studies and employment after graduation.

Mode of Study Full-time

Duration of Study 2 Years

Offering Campus(es) / Venue(s)

HKDI

Programme Stream

Students may choose one of the following streams so as to enhance professional knowledge and skills in specific areas:

Higher Diploma in Animation and Visual Effects (Art Direction)
Higher Diploma in Animation and Visual Effects (Character Animation)
Higher Diploma in Animation and Visual Effects (Visual Effects)

The 1^st semester is a common semester. Students will progress to the streams in the 2^nd semester, subject to their stream choice, academic performance and study place availability in specific streams.

Professional Recognition

Students are eligible to apply for student or affiliate membership of the Hong Kong Association of Motion Picture Post Production Professionals (AMP4), the Hong Kong Designers Association (HKDA), the Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association (HKDEA) and the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (Hong Kong Section).

Remarks

The programme information is applicable to local applicants. For non-local applicants, please visit here.
Students may be required to attend classes on other VTC campuses. VTC reserves the right to cancel any programme, revise programme title, content or change the offering institute(s) / campus(es) / class venue(s) if circumstances so warrant.

Entrance Requirements

HKDSE

Chinese Language 2

English Language 2

Core/Elective Subject 2

VTC Diploma of Foundation Studies; OR
VTC Diploma of Vocational Education / VTC Diploma of Vocational Baccalaureate; OR
Diploma Yi Jin / Diploma of Applied Education; OR
Relevant and substantial work experience and/or prior qualification(s) obtained in or outside Hong Kong (e.g. assessed through recognition of prior learning and credit accumulation and transfer), with demonstrated ability to undertake sub-degree education; OR
Equivalent

Remarks

Applicants can use HKDSE Applied Learning (ApL) subjects (except ApL Chinese) for admission purpose. An "Attained", "Attained with Distinction (I)" and "Attained with Distinction (II)" in an ApL subject (Category B subjects) are regarded as equivalent to an HKDSE subject at "Level 2", "Level 3" and "Level 4" respectively for admission purpose.
For 2024 HKDSE and before, a "Grade D or E" and a "Grade C or above" in an HKDSE Other Language subject (Category C subjects) are regarded as equivalent to an HKDSE subject at "Level 2" and "Level 3" respectively; From 2025 HKDSE onwards, Language Proficiency Level A2 or above in French / German / Spanish, N3 or above in Japanese and TOPIK II: Grade 3 or above in Korean are also recognised as one of the five HKDSE subjects in fulfilling the general entrance requirement. Recognition of Urdu Language subject in 2026 HKDSE Other Language subject (Category C subjects) will be announced later. For details, please click here. One Other Language subject can be counted for admission purpose.
An "Attained" in HKDSE Citizenship and Social Development is regarded as equivalent to an HKDSE subject at "Level 2" for admission purpose.
If one of the five HKDSE subjects is Citizenship and Social Development, the general entrance requirement would become "Attained" for Citizenship and Social Development and Level 2 or above in four other HKDSE subjects including Chinese Language and English Language. Besides, Level 2 or above in Mathematics Extended Part (Module 1 or Module 2) is also recognised as one of the five HKDSE subjects in fulfilling the general entrance requirement. If applicants have taken both Module 1 and Module 2, either one of the modules (with a higher level) will be counted for admission purpose.
Applicable to holders of Diploma in Vocational Education / Diploma of Vocational Education (DVE) (students admitted to DVE in AY2017/18 or before are required to complete prescribed further studies modules).
Upon completion of the Diploma of Vocational Baccalaureate (DVB) programmes, students can progress to Higher Diploma programmes in VTC, subject to their BTEC and IGCSE results.
Applications with work experience and/or prior qualification(s) submitted will be assessed individually by the departments concerned.

Articulation / Employment

Articulation

Graduates may articulate to the Degree programmes offered by Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi):

BA (Hons) in Cinematic Arts and Technology
BSc (Hons) in Multimedia Technology and Innovation

Graduates may pursue for admission to relevant Degree programmes offered by local or overseas universities. They are eligible to apply for admission to the top-up Degree programmes offered by the following university in collaboration with the School for Higher and Professional Education (SHAPE):

University of the West of England, Bristol, UK: BSc (Hons) Digital Media^# (Registration Number of Non-local Higher and Professional Education: 252421)
University of the West of England, Bristol, UK: BA (Hons) in Illustration^# [only applicable for Art Direction Stream](Registration Number of Non-local Higher and Professional Education: 253265)

^# It is a matter of discretion for individual employers to recognise any qualification to which this course may lead. Please refer to the corresponding programme page in the website of SHAPE.

Graduates may apply for admission to relevant Degree programmes of local universities:

City University of Hong Kong: BA in Creative Media
Hong Kong Baptist University: BCOMM (Hons) in Game Design and Animation
Hong Kong Metropolitan University: BFA (Hons) in Animation and Visual Effects
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University: BA (Hons) Scheme in Design

Upon admission to relevant Degree programmes, graduates may apply for credit exemption. The level of exemption will be considered on an individual basis.

Career Prospects

Graduates may be employed from entry level to become animator, art director, motion graphic designer, graphic designer, character designer for animation / film, visual effect artist, producer assistant, video editor, etc.

Curriculum

Animation Principles
Character Drawing
Filming Studio
Story Ideation
Aesthetics and Sustainability
Essential Workplace Communication: Effective Oral Interaction
Mindshift: Achieving Personal Growth & Effectiveness
Information Technology Essentials – Design

Higher Diploma in Animation and Visual Effects (Character Animation) :

Cross-Dimensional Style Pipeline
Humanoid Robot Creation
Lighting and Texturing for Futuristic Character
Story Development
Cultural Studies
Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Conversation and Reports
Essential Workplace Communication: Digital Written Correspondence
Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement

Higher Diploma in Animation and Visual Effects (Visual Effects):

Camera Tracking with Virtual Elements
Chronological Effects Design
Scene Design and Extension
Story Development
Cultural Studies
Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Conversation and Reports
Essential Workplace Communication: Digital Written Correspondence
Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement

Higher Diploma in Animation and Visual Effects (Art Direction):

Art Direction for Animation and Film
Science Fiction Scene Design for Movie
Visual Styling Studio for Animation
Story Development
Cultural Studies
Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Conversation and Reports
Essential Workplace Communication: Digital Written Correspondence
Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement

Higher Diploma in Animation and Visual Effects (Character Animation):

Character Posture Design
Previsualisation
Creative and Design Thinking
Professional Workplace Communication: Storytelling and Job Search
Enrichment Module A

Higher Diploma in Animation and Visual Effects (Visual Effects):

Visual Effects Proposal and Planning
Previsualisation
Creative and Design Thinking
Professional Workplace Communication: Storytelling and Job Search
Enrichment Module A

Higher Diploma in Animation and Visual Effects (Art Direction):

Digital Prop and Scene Making
Previsualisation
Creative and Design Thinking
Professional Workplace Communication: Storytelling and Job Search
Enrichment Module A

Higher Diploma in Animation and Visual Effects (Character Animation):

Martial Arts Motion Design
Multi-Character Combat Choreography
Project Development for Animation and Visual Effects
Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Presentations and Promotional Text Writing
Professional Workplace Communication: Proposal and Report Writing
Enrichment Module B

Higher Diploma in Animation and Visual Effects (Visual Effects):

Robotic Elements for Visual Effects Production
Visual Effects Compositing Workshop
Project Development for Animation and Visual Effects
Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Presentations and Promotional Text Writing
Professional Workplace Communication: Proposal and Report Writing
Enrichment Module B

Higher Diploma in Animation and Visual Effects (Art Direction):

Mise-En-Scene
Story Motion Design and Production
Project Development for Animation and Visual Effects
Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Presentations and Promotional Text Writing
Professional Workplace Communication: Proposal and Report Writing
Enrichment Module B

Higher Diploma in Animation and Visual Effects (Character Animation) :

Post-Production for Animated Film
Graduation Project: Animation and Visual Effects
Professional Workplace Communication: Pitching and Persuasive Presentation
Enhancing Competencies in the 21^st Century Workplace

Higher Diploma in Animation and Visual Effects (Visual Effects) :

Post-Production for Visual Effects Film
Graduation Project: Animation and Visual Effects
Professional Workplace Communication: Pitching and Persuasive Presentation
Enhancing Competencies in the 21^st Century Workplace

Higher Diploma in Animation and Visual Effects (Art Direction):

Post-Production Studio
Graduation Project: Animation and Visual Effects
Professional Workplace Communication: Pitching and Persuasive Presentation
Enhancing Competencies in the 21^st Century Workplace

Industrial Attachment

Tuition Fees

The tuition fees for the AY2025/26 is listed below for reference. The tuition fees for AY2026/27 will be announced at a later stage.

1st Year Tuition Fees (HK$)

$33,310

2nd Year Tuition Fees (HK$)

$33,310

Remarks

The study duration of Higher Diploma programmes is normally 2 years. The tuition fee is payable in two installments each year.
In addition to tuition fees, students will be required to pay other fees, such as caution money and students’ union annual fees. Students of Higher Diploma programmes will be required to pay the study package fees for Chinese & Putonghua modules.
Some students may be required to study bridging modules or enhancement programmes to support their study; or to attend additional training, industrial attachments, public examinations for which separate fees will be charged.
Tuition fees are subject to annual review. The tuition fee levels for 2nd Year will be reviewed subject to inflationary adjustments and other relevant factors.
The information listed above is only applicable to local students.