Why Choose NextGen

Our award-winning qualification offers the most promising students the chance to be part of the next generation of leading talent in the Games, Animation and VFX industries. The course is written by industry to meet their skills needs and is the only industry backed course of its kind.

Listen to industry, tutors, and students share their reflections and experiences of the NextGen course

Industry is at the heart of everything we do

The NextGen / Aim Qualifications Level 3 Extended Diploma in Games, Animation and VFX Skills was developed in partnership with world leading companies including Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe, Microsoft, Ubisoft Reflections, The Imaginarium, Blue Zoo, Framestore, DNEG, Centroid and MPC.

These companies told us what they are looking for in their employees and we worked closely with Aim Qualifications to put all these skills in one course. When a college runs the NextGen course, they are joining forces with these OSCAR and BAFTA winning companies to upskill their students from the age of 16 and upwards.

Benefits to students

NextGen students are inspired by masterclasses hosted by leading figures in the industry. These are requested by the college’s tutors and take place in the classroom. Previous masterclasses have included:

  • HoloLens studio experience – Microsoft
  • Game Design and pitching – Sumo
  • Animated character expression – Blue Zoo
  • 3D modelling – Framestore
  • Employability Skills – Creative Assembly
  • VFX Rotoscoping – MPC
  • Concept Art – Atomhawk

Students can also obtain valuable practical experience by working to real employer briefs and gain insight with real industry feedback.
We also do live streams with industry professionals sharing their skills online. Previous live streams have included:

  • Colour Grading for VFX
  • Green Screen techniques for VFX
  • Lip Synching for 3D character animation
  • Creating key poses for 3D character animation

Whatever the tutors request, we source the industry professionals to make it happen.

Benefits to colleges

Our partnership with industry means NextGen tutors and colleges are offered unique Continuing Professional Development opportunities via our network of employers. Previous tutor CPD sessions have included:

  • 2-day placement at Framestore and Double Negative
  • 1-day bespoke Unity training
  • 3-day VFX Fundamentals bootcamp
  • 3-day Motion Capture and data manipulation bootcamp with Centroid 3D

Progression routes

NextGen students are well placed to go on to university or apprenticeships. We have graduates studying at Abertay, Teesside and many other respected universities. Some graduates choose an apprenticeship in VFX and start working and learning on the job with world beating studios.



Industry is at the heart of everything we do