Visual effects apprenticeships (2024 Guide)

Your Gateway to a Creative Career

Hey there, future wizards of the screen! Ever watched a movie and thought, “Wow, how’d they make that dragon look so real?” or “I wish I could make superheroes fly!” Well, guess what? With a Visual Effects Apprenticeship, you can be the creative behind those jaw-dropping moments!

So, let’s dive into the amazing world of VFX careers, shall we?

What’s a Visual Effects (VFX) Apprenticeship, Anyway?

A Visual Effects Apprenticeship is your VIP pass to the behind-the-scenes magic of movies, games, and even those catchy ads that make you want to buy stuff you don’t need.

You’ll be learning from the pros at big-name companies like Framestore. And get this—you’ll be earning money while you’re at it! It’s like being a magician’s apprentice, but instead of pulling rabbits out of hats, you’re pulling dragons out of computers!


Framestore design the movie magic behind some of the biggest franchises in the world.

Skills? You Mean Superpowers!

So, what do you need to take your skills to the next level and land a VFX apprenticeship?

  1. Art Skills: Can you draw more than stick figures? Great, you’re already ahead!
  2. Techy Stuff: Know your way around a computer? Bonus points if you have experience with 2D or 3D design software.
  3. Eagle Eyes: Spotting tiny details is your game. You consider yourself a pixel detective and love catching errors when watching your favourite movies or tv shows.
  4. Problem-Solver: If you can solve a Rubik’s Cube or find Waldo in under a minute, you’re golden.
  5. Team Player: Can you play nice with others? Awesome, because teamwork makes the dream work in the world of VFX.

What Are the Entry Requirements?

Now for the serious bit. If you’re considering applying for a Visual Effects Apprenticeship, there are several key requirements you’ll need to meet:

Educational Background

Visual effects apprenticeships are available as level 4+ qualifications. This means they are equivalent to completing A levels in the UK.

In order to land one of these roles, you’ll need to ace your GCSEs, ensuring that you get at least a C grade or better in Maths, English, and a science subject.

Portfolio

A portfolio is essential for showcasing your skills and experience in visual effects or related fields. This collection should include your best work, whether it’s digital art, animations, or even short films.

Your portfolio serves as an example of your abilities and can set you apart from other applicants.

Relevant Experience

While not strictly necessary, any experience in artistic or technical fields can be beneficial. This could range from doodling and sketching to creating digital art or videos. The more you can demonstrate your passion and aptitude for visual effects, the stronger your application will be.

Other things you might need to know

Travel the world.

A career in visual effects offers the chance to work internationally. Whether it’s Hollywood, Tokyo, or London, your skills can take you across the globe.

It’s a competitive industry

Visual Effects Apprenticeships are highly competitive. To stay ahead, it’s crucial to update your skills and stay informed about industry trends.

Lifelong Learning

The visual effects industry is constantly evolving with new technologies and techniques. To succeed in this dynamic field, a commitment to ongoing learning is essential.

Are you ready to embark on a journey into the captivating world of visual effects? With a Visual Effects Apprenticeship, you’re not just aiming for the stars; you have the opportunity to create them.

Relax. We’ll send the jobs to you.

Reckon you know what you want to do, but can’t find the perfect role? Most companies hire their apprentices in a ‘recruitment window’. This means many great jobs are only available for a short time once or twice each year.

Sign up for our job alerts service, and we’ll send you any jobs that fit your search criteria.