3D Modeling Degree
DIPLOMA | BACHELOR OF ANIMATION & VFX
Master the tools and techniques to pursue a career as a 3D modeler
Accredited degree in 3D modeling with training from industry pros
Learn industry quality asset creation, including characters, environments and props for film, TV, virtual production, and video games. Master specialized software, including Maya, ZBrush, and Substance Painter, and delve deep into production pipelines and creative workflows, building industry-relevant skills to prepare you for a successful career in 3D modeling.
Why study 3D modeling with us:
- Gain the creative, technical, interpersonal, and conceptual skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the industry
- Study with more flexibility (100% online)
- Create industry-level work that recruiters will notice
- Graduate in less time than a typical degree - 2 years instead of 3
- Join a global community of 4000+ students, grads, and industry artists

Master Your Skills. Master Your Future.
Our mission is to ensure graduates are the best trained and best prepared for a successful career in their chosen field.
Everything You Need To Know
Our animation degrees and diplomas seamlessly blend academic excellence with practical industry methodologies to help students pave a steadfast pathway to a successful creative career.
Qualification
Diploma (AQF 5)Bachelor's Degree (AQF 7)
No. of Trimesters
Diploma - 2 trimesters Bachelor - 6 trimesters
Program Length
Diploma - 7 months
Bachelor's Degree - 2 years
Part-time study available
Delivery Mode
Online live classesCustom video lectures
Personalised mentor feedback
Course Fees
Diploma - $19,996 USDBachelor - $59,999 USD
Payment options available
Course Structure
Develop industry foundations with our 6 month Diploma, or continue into the full Bachelor's Degree to build more comprehensive skills.

The Bachelor of Animation and VFX majoring in 3D modeling will teach you advanced hard surface and organic modeling techniques while you gain essential interpersonal skills and both practical and conceptual industry knowledge.
- Sculpt a character with hair, clothing, and accessories, bring a creature to life with fur or scales, and build a realistic 3D environment.
- Learn to texture, light, and render your work to create studio-quality turntables and scenes.
- Gain a solid understanding of industry-standard practices, procedures, and workflows.
- Build valuable interpersonal skills such as communication, problem-solving, and leadership.
- Dedicated time to building your professional showreel and getting job-ready.
The below course outline reflects a full-time course load, which comprises three subjects per trimester and three trimesters per year over a two-year duration. Part-time study options are also available.
Develop industry foundations with our 6 month Diploma, or continue into the full Bachelor's Degree to build more comprehensive skills.
Trimester 01
- 3D Art and Asset Production
- Film and Game Principles, Concepts and Innovations: Learning from History
- Industry Overview: Pipeline and Production Processes
Trimester 02
- Character and Environment Modeling
- Art and Design Concepts and Principles
- Communicate! Mode, Purpose and Context
Diploma Exit Point
Students can choose to exit the bachelor's degree after trimester 02 with a diploma or continue their studies through to trimester 06 and earn their bachelor's degree.
Trimester 03
- Creature and Hard Surface Modeling
- Concepts & Principles of Story & Visual Narrative
- Identifying & Solving Problems
Trimester 04
- Advanced Environment Modeling - Production
- Concepts & Principles of Lighting & Cinematography
- Managing Projects & Creative Assets
Trimester 05
- Advanced Environment Modeling - Refining and Polishing
- Leading with Integrity
- Establishing & Sustaining Your Business
Trimester 06
- 3D Modeling Capstone
- Stepping into Industry: Becoming a Proactive Practitioner
- Marketing Yourself & Your Business
Bachelor Degree Point
Download the Course Guide
Your creative journey begins here! Download our comprehensive course guide and discover the exciting educational opportunities that await you.The 3D Modeling Major focuses on teaching students how to create high-quality 3D assets for film, games, and virtual production. The program covers essential skills in areas like digital sculpting, environment and character modeling, and texturing. Students gain proficiency in industry-standard tools such as Maya, ZBrush, Houdini, and Substance Painter.
Key learning outcomes include:
- Asset Creation: Building environments, characters, and props for games and films.
- Sculpting & Texturing: Developing detailed textures and materials to enhance realism.
- Production Pipelines: Understanding how assets move through stages from concept to final output.
- Specialization: Focusing on niche areas like hard-surface modeling, organic forms, or procedural modeling using Houdini.
- Portfolio Development: Creating a professional portfolio with feedback from industry mentors, including guidance on demo reels.
The program also includes career preparation through mentorship, networking opportunities, and job readiness workshops.

Bachelor Degree Tuition
Avg. Cost per Trimester
$8,332 USD
Duration
6 Trimesters Full-time (2 Year Fast Track or Part-time Options Available)
Total Program Cost
Diploma Tuition
Avg. Cost per Trimester
$8,332 USD
Duration
2 Trimesters Full-time (Part-time Options Available)
Total Program Cost
Don't Put Your Future On Hold
With CG Spectrum’s expert training, you can develop the skills and connections you need to thrive in the competitive film and game industries.Learn Directly From Film & Game Mentors

Aaron Villarreal
Aaron Villarreal has spent 16 years building 3D assets at studios including Bethesda, Arkane, Raven Software, and Blizzard, with credits across Dishonored 2, World of Warcraft, Redfall, and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. As a CGSI 3D Modeling mentor, he helps students push their work past hobbyist polish into the topology, UVs, and detail discipline that production game art demands.
Known for Indiana Jones

Abraao Segundo
Abraao Segundo brings 16 years of game art experience from studios including ILM, DICE, Avalanche, Respawn, The Coalition, and Warner Bros. Games. His credits include Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, Battlefield 2042, Gears 5, Marvel's Avengers, and Injustice 2. He mentors CGSI 3D Modeling students with a focus on the asset standards major studios actually expect on day one.
Known for Star Wars Jedi: Survivor

Anna Beganskaya
Since 2015, Anna has worked as a 3D character artist at Riot Games, Sirship Syndicate, and Blizzard, on titles including League of Legends (merch), Darksiders Genesis, Heroes of the Storm, and Ruined King.
Known for Heroes of the Storm

Anton Tenitsky
Anton Tenitsky dreamed of working in the CG field from the age of 15 and went on to realise that vision after graduating from Massey University in New Zealand. Following his graduation, he built an industry career by working as a texture artist for Nickelodeon's Penguins of Madagascar and various other cartoon series, later transitioning into the casual gaming market as a 2D/3D artist for industry giant Gameloft. Most recently, he worked as a 3D concept designer on the AAA game Marvel Rivals. Today, he channels this extensive studio background into his role as a CG Spectrum mentor, where he guides aspiring artists through industry-standard workflows, providing the personalised feedback and practical skills needed to break into the professional gaming and animation sectors.
Known for Marvel Rivals

Bobby Rice
Bobby Rice has spent 21 years building game environments and assets at Rockstar, Pandemic Studios, Ready at Dawn, and Activision's Elsewhere Entertainment. His credits include Red Dead Redemption 2, Grand Theft Auto V, Grand Theft Auto VI, and The Order: 1886. He mentors CGSI 3D Modeling students at the standards expected on some of the most demanding open-world pipelines in the industry.
Known for Red Dead Redemption II

Chris Flynn
Chris has worked in the 3D industry for 12 years and is now a Senior 3D Lead Artist at Dekogon Studios where he leads teams of artists ranging from 2 to 30 at any given time.
Known for Werewolf: the Apocalypse

Dylan Ekren
Dylan Ekren has spent 11 years modelling for Walt Disney Animation Studios and Netflix, with credits on Frozen, Wreck-It Ralph, Ralph Breaks the Internet, Big Hero 6, Zootopia, and Encanto. He mentors CGSI 3D Modeling students on the precision, story-driven design, and topology discipline behind feature animation pipelines.
Known for Ralph Breaks the Internet

Ehsan Ebrahimzadeh
Ehsan has built environments for games since 2009, on titles including Shadow Blade: Reload, Redfall, and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. He is currently a Senior Artist at Bethesda Game Studios.
Known for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

Fiona Wong
Fiona is a Lead Environment Artist at Framestore in Canada, working in feature films and TV with over 7 years of experience in the industry and most recently, on Thor: Love and Thunder.
Known for Thor: Love and Thunder

Greg Smith
Greg Smith has spent 16 years building game environments and assets at studios including Bethesda, Arkane Studios, and Dekogon, with credits on Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Redfall, Remnant II, Sons of the Forest, 7 Days to Die, and Open Roads. He mentors CGSI 3D Modeling students on the asset craft and pipeline discipline that ships in modern AAA and AA productions.
Known for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle

Hong Lim
Hong Lim mentors CGSI 3D Modeling students, bringing 21 years of game and film art experience to the asset craft and pipeline discipline expected at production studios.
Known for Overwatch

John Olofinskiy
John Olofinskiy mentors CGSI 3D Modeling students, drawing on nine years of game art experience to help them lift their work to production-ready standards.
Known for Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom

Matteo Sala
Matteo is a Senior Character and Creature Modeler at Framestore, London. With a background in traditional sculpture and creature design, he can bring a character from the concept stage to a final, production-ready asset.
Known for The Batman

Mersad Fazeli
Mersad Fazeli has spent 14 years working in game art at studios including Remedy Entertainment, 11 bit studios, and Silkroad Studios, with credits on Frostpunk 2 and The Alters. He mentors CGSI 3D Modeling students on the asset craft and visual cohesion that defines studios with a strong creative identity.
Known for Frostpunk 2

Nick Barone
Nick Barone has spent 16 years building game art at Turtle Rock Studios, Wargaming, Relic Entertainment, and Phoenix Labs, with credits on World of Tanks. He mentors CGSI 3D Modeling students on the asset standards and pipeline discipline that competitive game studios expect.
Known for World of Tanks

Rudy Massar
Rudy Massar brings 26 years of high-end VFX and game art experience from ILM, Sony Imageworks, Framestore, MPC, Massive Black, and Sony PlayStation. His credits run across Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, The Mandalorian (with a VES nomination for animated character work), ABBA Voyage, Mufasa: The Lion King, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Ready Player One, Cinderella, Aladdin, the Killzone franchise, Independence Day: Resurgence, and Godzilla. He mentors CGSI 3D Modeling students at the standard set by some of the world's most demanding pipelines.
Known for The Mandalorian
Get The Education You Deserve
"Having a mentor definitely helped! It was awesome to have someone I could reach out to when I was stuck.
Getting the weekly feedback also helped in terms of what to improve and what to focus on next. In Term 3, we learned Unreal Engine; I implemented the knowledge I gained in that course to my Advanced 3D Modeling Course to create some additional renders that demonstrated my understanding of using and integrating game-ready assets into an actual game engine.
Benjamin O | 3D Modeling
"CG Spectrum seemed too good to be true. Looking back, it was the best decision.
Every mentor and staff member has been so hands-on and directly involved in my learning. Co-Directors of top box office movies and supervisors of major Netflix TV shows are giving me feedback on my projects. Students also have access to a strong community, and an awesome career class to prepare you for your dream job."
Stephanie S | 3D Modeling
"I got a job offer at a major feature film studio before even graduating!
Studying at CG Spectrum gave me the opportunity to network with industry artists while I was learning, and coupled with the amazing course, I was able to secure a position in the industry. Now I'm working on amazing projects in my dream job!"
Andi E | 3D Modeling
"Having unlimited access to industry experts offers a treasure trove of learning opportunities for aspiring artists.
Learning new or different software is not the hard part. What matters is making the most of whatever tools you know in the most effective manner. That is how my education helped me in my career, delivering results in the smartest way possible with whatever options available."
Danish A | 3D Modeling
"I highly recommend signing up with CG Spectrum!
I was looking for a final push to bump my skills and finally start applying for jobs as an artist. Shortly after finishing my Advanced 3D Modeling Course I landed my first job as Junior Environment Artist, which was my dream!"
Kasia P | 3D Modeling
Join Our Alumni at World Class Studios
Our mission is to train highly skilled graduates ensuring they are prepared for a successful career. Take the first step towards joining our alumni at world-class studios creating work that inspires.












Questions? We Have Answers
Details for both domestic and international applicants can be found on our Entry Requirements page.
CG Spectrum Institute is registered with the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA).
All CGSI degrees and diplomas are accredited, providing students with credible and recognized qualifications.
About TEQSA:
TEQSA stands for the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency. It is an independent regulatory body in Australia responsible for assuring the quality and standards of higher education institutions.
TEQSA-accredited qualifications are widely recognized, allowing students to pursue further studies or employment opportunities around the world.
Your studies will require you to download and get acquainted with a variety of software, including:
Core Subjects:
3D Modeling Major:
- Autodesk Maya - one-year educational license (renewable)
- Adobe Substance Painter - one-year educational license (renewable)
- Zbrush by Maxon
- Houdini Apprentice - education license
- Unreal Engine - free license
You will need a computer with a minimum of 32GB RAM and a compatible graphics tablet with a stylus (see Digital Art Equipment for some recommendations).
See below for more info on hardware specifications for the software you will use throughout your course.
General:
3D Modeling Major:
- Autodesk Maya
- Adobe Substance Painter
- Zbrush by Maxon
- Houdini Apprentice
- Unreal Engine
Please note: As the software we use is regularly updated, please check the specs against the latest available version at the time of enrollment.
CG Spectrum Institute ensures that individuals can access high-quality education and professional development without significant financial barriers, empowering them to achieve their goals and excel in their chosen fields.
Australian Students:
All higher education AQF Award Courses offered at CGSI are supported by the Australian Government’s FEE-HELP program.
Domestic students who meet specific eligibility criteria can access FEE-HELP, which allows them to borrow money for all or part of their tuition fees and repay the loan through the tax system once their income reaches a certain threshold.
For more information, please head to the Financial Aid on our website.
International students:
There is a range of financing options suited to your situation and country. Please contact our friendly admissions team for more information on how we can support your learning journey.
On completion of the Bachelor of Animation & VFX, you will have greater confidence in your abilities and a portfolio to show employers.
You will also have personalized career services with our Career Development Manager which can help when applying for junior 3D modeling jobs such as:
Discover more about these 3D modeling jobs, tips, and salary expectations on our careers page:
We cannot offer guaranteed employment as the film and game industry is competitive, and there is no way of knowing what the market will demand.
The students who experience the greatest success are those who take responsibility for their career, put in the hard work to get their skills and portfolio up to industry standard, leverage their mentor's invaluable expertise and the networking opportunities provided through the CG Spectrum community, and take advantage of every opportunity to excel.
To help students find employment, we have a range of career services and a dedicated Career Development Manager who regularly hosts exclusive career-focused webinars, Q&As, artist interviews, and workshops for students and alumns and is available to answer career-related questions.
Degree students receive additional 1-on-1 career support, CV/portfolio reviews, and help with application/interview preparation. And their final trimester is dedicated to getting them job-ready.
If you have any questions about our career services as they relate to your personal career goals, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Ready to take the next step toward your future? Head to our application page to get started. Whether you're looking to learn something new, build on your existing skillset, or nurture your creative side, begin your application today to start your creative journey with us!
Looking For Something Else?
Check out our full range of courses with study options for all skill levels, from short introductory courses, specialized industry tracks and accredited degrees and diplomas

