Diploma of Screen and Media - Animation

Overview

Bring moving images to life with the Diploma of Screen and Media – Animation. We’ll teach you the creative and technical skills for storyboarding, video and sound design as well as 3D modelling. Graduate with an enviable set of creative, analytical and practical skills sought after by film and television professionals.

Upon successful course completion students will be issued with the award qualification title - CUA51020 Diploma of Screen and Media - or upon request an award with a specialisation title of Diploma of Screen and Media (Content Creation).

Get a copy of our course guide

This is a nationally approved vocational course that is recognised throughout Australia.

Are you in high school?

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Skills you’ll learn

Concept development
Pre-production
Production
Screen writing

Your career opportunities

2D animator
3D animator
Motion graphic designer
Production designer
Storyboard artist
Compositor

Further education

Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media - Animation

Key codes

Hawthorn VTAC code

3400278984

International student visa

International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.

Location options

Hawthorn

Professional accreditations

Toon Boom Center of Excellence

Student work: Diploma of Screen and Media - Animation

Check out this showreel to see projects by Swinburne's Screen and Media - Animation students.

Admissions

There are no entry requirements, however we recommend a satisfactory completion of Year 12 or equivalent in addition to the skills and knowledge in:

Basic computer use
Drawing and visualisation
Basic design principles

or attainment of

CUA41220 Certificate IV in Screen and Media
CUA41215 Certificate IV in Screen and Media

Applicants without these skills and knowledge, may choose to complete the Certificate IV in Screen & Media to gain the foundational skills.

Successful completion of Australian Year 12, or equivalent overseas qualification.

Assess your eligibility for entry to Swinburne

Other requirements

Technical Requirements

To engage fully in your studies, you are required to purchase or access the following equipment and technologies.

Computer
Headphone with microphone
Camera through a computer connected to the internet to use “Collaborate Ultra” within the CANVAS Learning Management System
Internet access
External Hard Drive (1TB minimum)

When purchasing or accessing a computer we highly recommend the below specifications are considered either Apple Macintosh or Windows PC.

Computer recommendations:

Component	Minimum Performance	Top Performance
GPU	1080p: 4GB VRAM or 4K: 8GB VRAM	6K-8K: 20GB VRAM
CPU	4 Cores	18 Cores
RAM	HD: 16GB 4K: 32GB	6K-8K: 64GB
Internal Storage	1TB SSD	4TD: SSD

Admission requirements

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.

English language requirements

Satisfactory completion of one of the following:

IELTS overall band of 6.0 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 65%, all skills 65% or above
or equivalent measures available at English language requirements.

Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.

Book your Pearson Test of English

Credit transfer

Credit transfer is the recognition of academic credits gained through formal study (i.e. units of competency) completed either at another institute or in another qualification. The total amount of credit will vary from individual to individual, based on the unit/s that have been successfully completed.

Learn more about credit

Recognition of prior learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is the process of transferring the skills and knowledge that you have acquired over your lifetime (irrespective of how they were obtained) against the requirements of the unit.

RPL is an assessment process that requires you to provide evidence that demonstrates how you meet the requirements of the unit/s. The amount and types of evidence you will need to provide will depend on the unit requirements.

Learn more about RPL

Finding your fit

At Swinburne, we recognise that not one size fits all. If this course doesn’t meet all your study criteria, check out these alternatives.

Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media - Animation

Discover more (Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media - Animation)
Diploma of Screen and Media - Film and Television

Discover more (Diploma of Screen and Media - Film and Television)

Course structure

Students must complete the four core and eleven elective units listed.

Core units

Elective units

Diploma

Course hours are estimated and may change based on study mode, unit choice, credits, or enrolment adjustments, total indicative nominal hours: 1010

Your units

Animation

Units of study	Unit code
Core units
Provide freelance services Core unit	CUAIND412
Enhance professional practice using creative arts industry knowledge Core unit	CUAIND512
Realise a creative project Core unit	CUAPPR411
Establish and maintain safe creative practice Core unit	CUAPPR515
Elective units
Create 3D digital animations Elective unit	CUAANM302
Create 3D digital models Elective unit	CUAANM313
Create digital visual effects Elective unit	CUAANM412
Shoot different screen content Elective unit	CUACAM411
Implement design solutions Elective unit	CUADES511
Refine digital art techniques Elective unit	CUADIG518
Create storyboards Elective unit	CUAPPM417
Develop and discuss ideas for own creative work Elective unit	CUAPPR415
Realise a body of creative work Elective unit	CUAPPR511
Implement sound designs Elective unit	CUASOU505
Develop storylines and treatments Elective unit	CUAWRT512

2025 fees

Full fee* ($AUD)

$21,450

Skills first government-subsidised place* ($AUD)

$15,690

2025 fees

Fees are estimates only

Fees published on this page are estimates only and are subject to change depending on individual circumstances at the time of enrolment. The above fees apply for units studied in 2025 only and may change for units studied in future years. There may be additional costs related to learning material and equipment.

Fees are estimates only

The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year, based on a standard study load per year. Fees are assessed according to actual study load each semester, with variations to study load resulting in tuition fee adjustments. These fees generally include the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and are subject to annual review. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.

Skills first government-subsidised place

This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding. To qualify for a government-subsidised place, you must meet various eligibility criteria. The course you’ve applied for must also be offering government-subsidised places. Swinburne will determine your eligibility by conducting a full assessment of your eligibility during the course application process.

Learn more about Skills first government subsidies

How do I pay my fees?

You can pay your Swinburne fees in person, via credit card, BPAY, or at Australia Post. Check to see if loans and employer sponsored training are also available.

Find out more about fees

International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.

To pay your fees:

log in to My Financials
check your Australian bank account details are correct
check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe
pay using your preferred payment method.

Learn more about paying your fees

Eligibility for VET student loans (VSL)

If you apply for a VET Student Loan, Swinburne must first verify your identity. If you are eligible, we will provide your enrolment information to the government so you can complete the application within their eCAF system.

The VET Student Loan amount for this course is capped. You must start repaying this loan once you earn above the compulsory repayment threshold.

Learn more about VET student loans

Concessions rates for vocational students

Concession rates for Diploma and Advanced Diploma programs are also available if you self-identify as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent and qualify for a government-subsidised training place under the Indigenous Completions Initiative.

The eligibility criteria are set by the Victorian Government and assessed by Swinburne in accordance with government directives, which are subject to change at any time.

Learn more about concession rates

Student services and amenities fee

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

From 1 January 2024, all courses at the Diploma level and higher will contribute to the Student Services and Amenities fee.

Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

This amenities fee is included within your annual tuition fee listed above. The fee shown is the capped amount for 2025.

Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$365.00

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$365.00

Learn more about SSAF

Scholarships

Scholarship applications for 2025 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals.

Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.

Learn more about scholarships

When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 30 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.

Learn more about scholarships

Apply directly

Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online! Remember, you cannot apply direct if you have an active VTAC application.

Course code

CUA51020

Apply directly

Apply through VTAC

International students currently studying Year 12 in Australia must apply through VTAC. VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria.

VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria.

Hawthorn VTAC code

3400278984

Apply through VTAC

Start dates

Location

Last date to apply

Start dates

Location

Start dates

Upcoming events

A Day in the Life of a Swinburne Student | Creative

08-April-2025

A Day in the Life of a Swinburne Student | STEM, Aviation & Health

09-April-2025

A Day in the Life of a Swinburne Student | Social Impact and Innovation

10-April-2025

Overview

Entry requirements

Study structure

Fees & Scholarships

How to apply

Overview

Are you in high school?

Skills you’ll learn

Your career opportunities

Further education

Key codes

International student visa

Location options

Professional accreditations

Toon Boom Center of Excellence

Student work: Diploma of Screen and Media - Animation

Admission requirements

Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

Animation

Fees are estimates only

Fees are estimates only

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

SSAF fee* ($AUD)