Graduate Certificate in Animation, Games and Interactivity

Graduate Certificate in Animation, Games and Interactivity

POSTGRADUATE

Become a media professional and bring your vision to life.

Student type:
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

Not applicable

Duration:
Full-time 6 months
Part-time 1 year
Fees:

AU$15,840 (2024 total)

Next intake:
February, July
Location:
Melbourne City
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

See admissions

Duration:
Full-time 6 months
Fees:

AU$19,200 (2024 total)

Next intake:
February, July
Location:
Melbourne City

Overview

The Graduate Certificate in Animation, Games and Interactivity will provide you with the skills and knowledge to further develop your media capability.

Throughout your studies, you will have access to industry-standard technologies, animation and games design studios, and a dedicated postgraduate study space to develop expertise through studio practice. You’ll develop a directorial vision of narrative, visual and interactive media, and build high-level conceptual and practical skills.

Why choose the Graduate Certificate in Animation, Games and Interactivity at RMIT?

Expert educators

Learn from the brightest minds in art, design and animation, with courses that are regularly ranked in the global top 10*.

Industry collaboration

Attend industry events and work with experts from places like ACMI X and the Melbourne International Animation Festival.

Creative connections

Build networks and enhance your skills with our links to creative organisations and world-leading research centres.

*[QS rankings by subject 2024]

Studying with us allows you to develop your network and access industry events and opportunities that include working alongside ACMI X, exhibiting work at the Melbourne International Animation Festival, and collaborate with academic staff, industry practitioners and RMIT research centres. Graduates from animation, games, and interactivity find creative and technical roles in studios around the world.

Details

This graduate certificate builds on more than 20 years of postgraduate teaching and research, focusing on the advanced theoretical and practical aspects of professional production in animation, games, and interactive media.

Learning and teaching

Prepare for a dynamic media career by exploring and responding to a series of theoretical and technical principles in real and simulated situations.

You'll learn from practical and theoretical approaches to animation, games and interactive media problems and solutions through studio practice, and learn from staff who are active practitioners in these fields.

Through studio practice and projects, you will explore concepts, techniques, and modes of communication through the creation of animated linear or interactive productions that focus on current global trends.

Other teching methods will include lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars, problem-based learning, reflective techniques, online and face-to-face presentations and discussions, and group-based learning.  

Assessment methods

Assessment in this graduate certificate will take the form of assignments, portfolio production and presentations, peer and industry review, and investigative projects and presentations.

Learning at RMIT

The types of classes you have will depend on the course you’re studying. Classes are offered in various formats designed to provide meaningful engagement with staff, industry and peers and provide for access and use of spaces where learning can be applied and active, including an array of specialised equipment.

Most RMIT courses do not include passive large-scale classes such as lectures, instead the content traditionally provided in lectures is made available online. This may be in the form of readings, videos or other on-demand learning materials. This content will also support the basis of interactive learning that takes place in on-campus classes.

RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that links formal learning to industry trends and practices.

This graduate certificate has strong connections with creative industries through organisations that include the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) and Film Victoria. It is also connected with a number of RMIT research centres engaged in international, world-leading research, including ACMI X, and RMIT’s Centre for Games Design Research, which includes areas such as the Exertion Games Lab (XGL) and Creative interventions, Art and Rehabilitative Technology (CiART).

Full-time students can expect 12 contact hours per week (either face to face or online), plus a recommended minimum 24 hours of independent study commitment per week.

The knowledge and skills you will acquire throughout this degree and how they can be applied in your career are described in the learning outcomes.

The Graduate Certificate in Animation, Games and Interactivity comprises four subjects.

As part of your studies in this graduate certificate, you will build on your existing undergraduate skills in animation, games or interactivity.

If you choose to pursue further study, The Master of Animation, Games and Interactivity is those for graduates who wish to consolidate their skills in professional research projects and their industry portfolio.

Course structure

Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.

Graduate Certificate in Animation, Games and Interactivity
Program code: GC205

Title
Location
Duration
Plan code
CRICOS
Graduate Certificate in Animation, Games and Interactivity
City Campus
0.5 years full-time or part-time equivalent
GC205
110719A
Location
City Campus
Duration
0.5 years full-time or part-time equivalent
Plan code
GC205
CRICOS
110719A
Graduate Certificate in Animation, Games and Interactivity
City Campus
0.5 years full-time
GC205
110719A
Location
City Campus
Duration
0.5 years full-time
Plan code
GC205
CRICOS
110719A

Career

Graduates of RMIT’s animation, games, interactive media programs are equipped with the practical skills, knowledge and professional networks to launch a global career.

After graduating, you will be able equipped with the capabilities and expertise to pursue careers in:

  • 2D or 3D animation
  • motion graphics design
  • interaction design
  • visual effects
  • games development
  • web design
  • character design
  • pre-production art
  • app and web development
  • VR and AR projects.

You are encouraged to progress to the Master of Animation, Games and Interactivity.

Admissions

You need to satisfy all of the following entry requirements to be considered for entry into this degree.

You must have:

  • Successfully completed an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification),

OR

  • At least three years of professional experience in the animation, games, interactivity and/or digital media area.

To have your professional experience considered you must submit with your application a CV and a personal statement detailing your experience.

*If your qualification was completed more than 10 years ago you will need to provide evidence of ongoing professional work and/or professional development in the same discipline as the program for which you are seeking entry to be granted credit.

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

Semester 2, 2024

You must complete and submit the Graduate Certificate in Animation, Games and Interactivity selection task. Please click the apply button to submit your direct application. The link to submit your selection task will appear on the applicant dashboard after you have submitted your application.

The selection task is for you to show the selection committee who you are, what you are passionate or curious about, what your trajectory is, and to give them a sense of the kind of practice you would like to continue or discover in your studies.

Entry into this program is competitive, and applications are assessed in the order that they are received until the selection task date, if places are still available. For your best chance at admission into this program, you are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Selection task dates

Applicant type Register and submit the selection task by
All applications 19 July 2024

Selection task requirements

Outline why you wish to study this program, what you hope to achieve in your time at RMIT and where you think it might lead you in terms of a career and/or personal development (maximum 300 words).

Please outline a new, original potential project that you might undertake if you are offered a place in this program. It is important for this project to be a new piece of work that could be made within a three-month timeframe. It should not be a proposal previously written for an existing work.

Your project outline should include:

  • the concept rather than simply describing the production process;
  • the themes you are addressing in your new project;
  • the form the project will take (film, game, installation, etc);
  • a clear context of the project through your own rough images or diagrams and/or referencing works and/or practitioners within your field.

You will not be expected to make this proposed project if you are accepted into this program. This project proposal is for you to demonstrate the practices you are interested in, and the strength of your conceptual and creative communication skills.

This proposal should be one page at a maximum and uploaded as a single PDF (maximum size 5MB). 

Provide a folio comprising up to 30 pieces of your work.

The folio should contain a variety of work in relevant fields of art, design, performance, narrative, media or scholarship that demonstrates your interests and creative thinking as well as your conceptual, design, technical and communication skills.

Examples of work to include in your folio are drawings, paintings, graphic designs, photographs, motion graphics, digital images, models, sculpture, video, interactive media, games, websites, short writing pieces, and/or 2D and 3D animation. Include links to animated or interactive works if you have been practicing and studying in these areas. In addition to your finished work, you may include development work. You may provide a short caption or annotation of each work or groups of work.

If your work is a collaboration, please also detail clearly and precisely your specific role and the role of the collaborator/s (maximum 200 words).

Submission instructions

Images must be formatted as PNG or JPEG. QuickTime movies are acceptable, however, please ensure that the files are built or exported and open independently of the creator program. Files must be no larger than 10MB.

Your work or documentation of your works can also be hosted on online platforms such as YouTube or Vimeo. If your folio is hosted online, you must supply the host URL (with the username and password if applicable).

Folio presentation

Most applicants will be selected based on their selection task and will not be required to attend an interview. If further information is needed to make a selection decision, you will be invited to a folio presentation.   

Semester 1, 2025

Selection task details and submission dates will be available early August 2024.

You must complete and submit the Graduate Certificate in Animation, Games and Interactivity selection task. Please click the apply button to submit your direct application. The link to submit your selection task will appear on the applicant dashboard after you have submitted your application.

The selection task is for you to show the selection committee who you are, what you are passionate or curious about, what your trajectory is, and to give them a sense of the kind of practice you would like to continue or discover in your studies.

Entry into this program is competitive, and applications are assessed in the order that they are received until the selection task date, if places are still available. For your best chance at admission into this program, you are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Selection task dates

Applicant type Register and submit the selection task by
All applicants TBC

The selection task requires:

Selection task details and submission dates will be available early August 2024.

You must meet the University's minimum English language requirements to be eligible for a place in this program.

You need to satisfy all of the following requirements to be considered for entry into this degree.

You must have:

  • Successfully completed an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification),

OR

  • At least three years of professional experience in the animation, games, interactivity and/or digital media area.

To have your professional experience considered you must submit with your application a CV and a personal statement detailing your experience.

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

Pre-selection kit: You must submit a completed pre-selection kit (PDF 1.2Mb) along with your application.

Interview: If shortlisted, you may be required to attend an interview (either in person or by phone/video call).

To study this course you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:

  • IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0)
  • TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 79 (with minimum of 13 in Reading, 12 in Listening, 18 in Speaking and 21 in Writing)
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 58 (with no communication band less than 50)
  • Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 176 with no less than 169 in any component.

For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.

Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Advanced Plus Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.

Pathways

You can gain entry to this graduate certificate from a range of RMIT undergraduate programs, if you meet the entry requirements.

Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce your study load by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience.

Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.

Upon successful completion of this program, you can continue your studies in MC232 Master of Animation, Games and Interactivity, subject to the program's entrance requirements and receive 48 credit points of advanced standing into the master program.

You can gain entry to this graduate certificate from a range of RMIT undergraduate programs, if you meet the entry requirements.

Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce your study load by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience.

Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.

Successful completion of this program guarantees entry in MC232 Master of Animation, Games and Interactivity, with 48 credit points of advanced standing (equivalent of 0.5 year full-time study).

Fees

2024 indicative fees

  • Full-fee places: AU$15,840* (2024 total).

Additional expenses

  • Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$351 maximum fee for 2024*.
  • Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.

Annual fee adjustment*

Amounts quoted are indicative fees per annum, and are based on a standard year of full-time study (96 credit points). A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.

*Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.

Defer your payment

This program is offered on a full-fee paying basis only. If you are offered a place, you will need to pay the full tuition costs of your program. However, eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.

Paying your fees and applying for refunds

For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.

In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.

The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2024 is $351.  

For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.

You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.

FEE-HELP loans

Eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.

SA-HELP Loans

You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.

How does a HELP loan work?

If your FEE-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to 100% of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.

You only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.

For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.

You may be eligible to apply for income tax deductions for education expenses linked to your employment.

See the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for more information.

This program is approved for income support.

You may be eligible for student income support payments from the Commonwealth Government if you are undertaking a graduate certificate, graduate diploma or an approved professionally oriented masters by coursework program. For more information see Income support for Masters students.

If you are enrolled in an eligible program you will also need to satisfy all other student payment eligibility requirements. You can contact Centrelink or Services Australia for further information about student income support entitlements, your eligibility and how to apply.

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

The total indicative tuition fee for 2024 commencement is AU$19,200.

In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:

You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.

Find out more details about how fees are calculated and the expected annual increase.

Applying for refunds

Find information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student.

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Looking for answers or more general information?

Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.

aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.