INTERNATIONAL

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

CRICOS Code: 108455E
National Code: CUA51020

2025 2026

Description

Take your place in the exciting world of computer gaming and film visual effects with this comprehensive Diploma. Be tutored in a wide range of content creation applications and find your future as a specialised digital artist in these in-demand industries. You’ll gain a sound understanding of industry workflows as you perfect your hands-on skills as a digital artist. You’ll learn and study at our multi-disciplinary Adelaide College of the Arts and work with the latest industry-standard software and technologies.

Duration (incl. holidays)

Semester(s)

Teaching Duration

Print Course Page

52 weeks

40 weeks

International Applications

Campus / Location

Study Mode

Contact Hours

Study Load

Commences

Scheduled

Adelaide College of the Arts

On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.

21 hours per week

Full Time

January

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On Campus/Location

On campus/location – learn in a classroom environment that gives you the opportunity to interact with your lecturer and fellow students in person.

Full Time

Full Time classes

Day Classes

Day time classes

Evening Classes

Evening time classes

Course Admission Requirements
(for International Applications)

Academic IELTS score of 6.0 Overall with minimum of 5.0 in all bands or equivalent.
Satisfactory completion of Year 12 or overseas equivalent .

Fees

These course fees are for international students only.

Duration

Tuition Fees

Incidental Fees^*

Semester 1

AUD $10360

Semester 2

AUD $10360

Fee Totals

AUD $20720

Total Course Cost

AUD $20720

Note: TAFE SA course tuition and other fees/costs are subject to regular increases and are reviewed annually. TAFE SA accepts applications for courses commencing beyond the current year, course, tuition and other fees/costs for these years will apply once published. TAFE SA and their agents reserve the right to alter, amend or delete any fee, course, admission requirement, mode of delivery, duration or other arrangement without prior notice. If the study duration is extended beyond the period of the student’s visa the student will be liable for visa and related costs, eg medical examinations, OSHC and living expenses.

Overseas Students Health Cover

All overseas students are required to have Overseas Students Health Cover (OSHC) insurance for the entire duration of the course. The health cover rate will vary depending on the personal circumstances and duration of stay in Australia. Read more about Overseas Students Health Cover.

Employment Outcomes & Skills Covered

Employment Outcomes

Outcomes cater for employment in the computer game or film/TV visual effects industries or further study in specialised skills for either industry. Possible job roles include animator, modeler, texture artist, lighter, roto artist, tracking, real time environment design, 3D environment artist, motion graphics, dynamic/simulation effects, compositor and many more including emerging roles in areas such as VR.

Note: Completion of a TAFE SA course does not guarantee an employment outcome. Formal requirements other than educational qualifications (eg licensing, professional registration), may apply to some occupations.

Qualifications & Skills Covered

Diploma of Screen and Media (Animation, Gaming and Visual Effects) (CUA51020)
Start your career in the Game and Visual Effects Industries. Content covers industry referenced skills and technologies in the creation of a wide variety of Game and VFX digital content on multiple platforms. This qualification will give you a sound theoretical knowledge base and skills in a range of specialised, technical competencies. To complete the qualification you are required to complete all 4 core units and 11 elective units.

90%*
of TAFE SA graduates are satisfied with the overall quality of training.

87%*
of TAFE SA graduates would recommend their training.

* 2023 NCVER Student Outcomes Survey findings

Course Units

Below is a list of all units that TAFE SA can offer in this qualification. The selection of elective units you will be enrolled into depends on the campus you attend, and the qualification packaging rules described on www.training.gov.au.

Not all elective units listed below must necessarily be completed to achieve your qualification.

Core

Name	Nominal Hours	Subject Code	National Code
Enhance professional practice using creative arts industry knowledge	60	DABGY	CUAIND512
Establish and maintain safe creative practice	40	DABEH	CUAPPR515
Provide freelance services	40	DABDB	CUAIND412
Realise a creative project	90	DABEC	CUAPPR411

Elective

Name	Nominal Hours	Subject Code	National Code
Apply digital texturing for the 3-D environment in digital games	30	TABYH	ICTGAM551
Conduct research	30	DABHT	CUARES412
Create 3D digital animations	75	DAAKF	CUAANM302
Create 3D digital environments	60	DABGA	CUAANM512
Create 3D digital models	75	DABFW	CUAANM313
Create advanced 3D digital models	50	DABFX	CUAANM411
Create digital visual effects	80	DABFY	CUAANM412
Create observational drawings	60	DABDK	CUAACD532
Create titles for screen productions	30	DABFZ	CUAANM413
Design digital applications	60	DABNN	CUADIG512
Shoot different screen content	90	DABGD	CUACAM411

Living in Adelaide

The city created for students

You will never find another city like Adelaide. With welcoming locals, it is the perfect place for you to study, live and enjoy.

A student city

Adelaide is home to over 30,000 international students and has a strong and growing reputation as an education city. In addition to TAFE SA, Adelaide is home to six world-leading universities: The University of Adelaide, the University of South Australia, Flinders University, Carnegie Mellon University, Torrens University Australia and CQ University Australia.

Safe

Adelaide’s crime rates are the lowest in the country and for that reason, Adelaide has previously been named the safest city in Australia.

Beach Culture

Adelaide’s pristine sandy beaches are just a 20 minute tram ride from the city centre. On hot summer days, you can study in the day and take the tram to have dinner at the beach and watch the sunset with friends.

Live centrally

Accommodation is more affordable in Adelaide than in other cities in Australia making it often possible for students to live in the heart of the city or just outside. This means more time is spent studying and less time travelling.

Delicious!

Adelaide is known for its cafe culture, with more cafes and restaurants by population than any other city in Australia. In recent years, Adelaide has also developed a vibrant and varied bar scene. The city is big enough that you will struggle to visit all of the places you would like to drink and eat in during in your first year of study. Our mix of cultures means there’s likely to be a supermarket that sells food from your home country too.

Easy to get around

Adelaide is a flat city so it is ideal for walking or cycling. Its grid layout makes it almost impossible to get lost! There are free trams and buses around the city centre. International students can show their ID to get cheaper tickets.

Festivals

Adelaide is known for its festivals, which are famous around the world. WOMADelaide, the Adelaide Festival of Arts, Fringe Festival and Cabaret Festival are just some of the international arts and music festivals that keep the city buzzing

Everyone agrees – Adelaide is a great place to live and study

Adelaide is recognised as one of the world’s most liveable cities. In 2014, Lonely Planet’s Best of Travel book ranked Adelaide in the global top ten. For the last four years Adelaide has been ranked one of the most liveable cities in the world by The Economist Intelligence Unit.

Beautiful weather

Adelaide has four distinct seasons, with moderate winters and warm to hot summers. In winter you will need woolly jumpers and jackets and in summer, shorts and t-shirts. The heat in South Australia is dry, rather than humid.