Visual effects, often called VFX, are a key element in film production and video animation. This discipline involves the process of creating or manipulating imagery, such as computer-generated images, to integrate into live-action footage. An essential aspect of the entertainment industry, VFX presents an enticing avenue for study for those interested in the world of movies and television. Canada is a top study-abroad destination that’s home to multiple world-class institutions – including colleges that offer VFX courses. Here are some VFX colleges in Canada that upGrad GSP can connect you with.
LaSalle College Vancouver
LaSalle College Vancouver is an applied arts and design school located in an 80,000- square-foot, state-of-the-art learning space with modern facilities. It boasts small-sized classes taught by leading experts in the fields of film and television, video games, graphic design, fashion and culinary arts, among others. The college aims to provide excellence in knowledge building and skill development to help students achieve their career goals. The school is set to move to a larger campus in 2024.
The VFX courses in Canada offered by LaSalle College Vancouver include:
- Diploma in Animation Art & Design
- Diploma in VFX for Film & Television
- Diploma in Digital Film and Video.
Fanshawe College
Fanshawe College is one of Ontario’s largest colleges with campuses in London, Simcoe, St. Thomas and Woodstock. It offers over 200 programs at different educational levels and 86.7% of its graduates are employed after college. The college also boasts a 65.1% graduate rate and a 75% graduate satisfaction rate.
Fanshawe College offers the following programs for students interested in VFX:
- Ontario College Graduate Certificate in Advanced Filmmaking
- Ontario College Graduate Certificate in Visual Effects and Editing for Contemporary Media.
Centennial College
Ontario’s first community college, Centennial College is one of Canada’s most culturally diverse institutions with nearly 100 ethnocultural groups and 80 languages spoken in campus. It offers over 250 diploma, certificate and degree programs on a full-time or part-time basis. These programs promote experiential learning through laboratory instruction, co-op education and industry placements. Students can choose between the following VFX-adjacent programs at Centennial College:
- Ontario College Certificate in Art and Design Fundamentals
- Ontario College Diploma in Animation – 3D
- Ontario College Diploma in Digital Visual Effects.
Durham College
Durham College (DC) has a lot of accolades under its belt. It’s a top Greater Toronto Area employer, is one of Canada’s greenest employers and is a Top 50 Research College in the country. DC is dedicated to forming students to be career-ready graduates through personalised support, access to award-winning in-campus organisations and extra-curricular and research initiatives. Students wanting to learn VFX can take DC’s Advanced Diploma in Animation – Digital Production program.
Canadore College
Canadore College takes pride in creating the best learning environment by focusing on student success, program and service excellence, community connection, sustainability and innovation. It boasts outstanding facilities, including an innovative health training facility (called The Village, the first of its kind in Canada), a 75,000-square-foot Aviation Technology Campus and more than 150,000 square feet of premium skilled trades lab training space. VFX students can pursue their Diploma in Digital Visual Effects program.
Conestoga College
Conestoga College is one of Ontario’s fastest growing colleges, with a focus on polytechnic education. It delivers career-focused education, training and applied research programs to prepare students for success while promoting prosperity in the local community. Conestoga enrollees can enjoy high-tech labs, project-based courses, field and clinical experiences, international exchange, applied research and co-op opportunities.
Is VFX a good career in Canada? Conestoga College seems to believe so, as they provide students multiple program choices in this field:
- Diploma in Animation
- Graduate Certificate in 3D Computer Animation
- Graduate Certificate in Computer Animation – Motion Graphics.
Cambrian College
Cambrian College is the largest college in northern Ontario with over 4,000 full-time students studying from a catalog of more than 75 programs. It’s one of the country’s top 50 research colleges and has won the national silver award for Indigenous Education Excellence from Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan).
Cambrian College offers 700 scholarships and bursaries to students annually, as well as degree pathways for all diploma and advanced diploma programs. A program for an Advanced Diploma in Animation is available for students interested in VFX.
St. Clair College
St. Clair College is among Ontario’s largest post-secondary educators of health science students. It provides state-of-the-art tech in its Centre for Applied Health Sciences, which is designed to simulate a real hospital environment. Its dedication of excellence doesn’t just stop at this field; St. Clair College also offers over 120 diplomas, advanced diplomas, degrees and graduate certificates in technology and trades, business and IT, social justice services and media, art and design. This includes the following for those interested in VFX:
- Ontario College Advanced Diploma in Animation 2D/3D
- Ontario College Advanced Diploma in Child and Youth Care.
Help students achieve their VFX education goals with upGrad GSP
upGrad GSP is proud to be a partner of all these featured VFX colleges in Canada. Contact our business development experts to find out how you can connect your students to these institutions and help them achieve success in promising VFX careers.
