Diploma of 3D Design and Animation
UndergraduateTUA-DDA-DIP2025
Course information for 2025 intake View information for 2024 course intake
Create life-like characters and worlds
Build a base of 3D knowledge. Learn animation principles and practices. Bring it all together to tell stories on screen. You’ll gain insights from creative experts, working on industry-standard software and briefs. Start to think about specialising.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- Approx. 1.5 years full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 12
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Diploma of 3D Design and Animation
About this degree
As one of Australia’s fastest growing universities, we take a progressive approach to learning. Our courses are co-designed, developed and delivered with industry, giving you confidence that you’ll graduate job-ready.
During this course you will:
- Build a strong foundation of cutting-edge 3D principles and practice.
- Learn the foundations of procedural modelling and animation from a Houdini-certified school.
- Develop 3D skills and pipelines to work with game development and real-time animation workflows.
- Work with industry-standard creative processes, advanced challenges and briefs.
Develop a portfolio to show off your creative potential and help you start your career in the design sector. Under the mentorship of our academic team and industry partners you'll learn how to tell stories, bring characters and digital worlds to life and respond to client briefs. You'll also develop a theoretical and technical base of knowledge of general 3D principles and practice, along with an introduction to specialist areas within the field.
Tailor your study to your lifestyle thanks to our innovative digital learning system, accessible from anywhere with 24/7 personalised support. With all your course materials online, and the option to study full or part time, on-campus, online or a blend of both it's all about flexibility.
Course duration: 18 months full time, 2 years part time, 12 months accelerated.
Recommended study pattern
The course structure comprises 12 core subjects over levels 100 and 200.Award requirements
To be awarded the Diploma of 3D Design and Animation, students must complete 120 credit points (12 core subjects outlined in the course structure). Each subject has a value of 10 credit points.Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative first year fee
$18,853
Indicative total fee $28,280
The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.
Fees may vary depending on:
- the subjects you choose
- credit from previous work experience
- your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.
To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.
At Torrens University Australia you can tailor your study to suit your lifestyle. Thanks to their innovative digital learning system you’ll gain the ultimate in flexibility, and still receive personalised guidance from academics and access to work placement, mentorship and internship opportunities. Online you can attend live classes or view recorded sessions, connect with lecturers and fellow students, and access content on-demand 24/7.
Learn more about Torrens.
Explore Torrens courses.
How to apply
Torrens University Australia manages enquiries and applications for this degree.
Complete your details and we'll make sure your enquiry is sent to Torrens University Australia who will contact you to discuss this degree.
Don't worry, we're still here to help you - you'll receive a personalised follow-up from an Open Universities Australia student advisor to make sure you have found the right degree for you.
Entry requirements
Torrens University Australia offers flexible entry options and study pathways, whether you’re finishing school, pursuing career progression or looking for a change. Entry requirements for this course includes:
- Successful completion of a Higher Education qualification.
Year 12 (Australian secondary school certificate) or equivalent.
Successful completion of a Vocational qualification (AQF Level 4), or above.
Work life experience demonstrating the ability to undertake study at the required level.
Don’t meet the entry requirements? We have numerous pathway programs to get you started. Contact our Future Student Advisors to learn about alternative entry options.
Standard English language requirements apply.
- Torrens University offers pathway opportunities to further your learning. If you have already completed a qualification you may be able to credit this against a degree with Torrens University, even if it’s from another institution. This is called Recognition of Prior Learning. Under Torrens University's Recognition of Prior Learning policy, you may be eligible for a reduction in tuition costs if you have previous study and/or work experience. Our Future Student Advisors will happily walk you through the application process.
Career opportunities
The course is a stepping stone towards an exciting career in 3D design and animation as well as an entry point into one of our Bachelor degrees. You can find opportunities within a dedicated film or broadcast postproduction, animation, visual effects or game studio environment, or alternatively as an in-house specialist working for organisations in a range of industries.
Potential career paths include:
- 2D/3D Concept Artist
- 3D Animator
- 3D Concept Artist
- 3D Games Artist
- 3D Generalist
- 3D Modeller
- Digital Matte Artist.
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
Role | Earnings | Employment change |
|---|---|---|
Game and Multimedia Developers | N/A^ | N/A^ |
Graphic and Web Designers, and Illustrators | $75K to $93K | Down 9% |
Multimedia Specialists and Web Developers | $93K to $120K | Up 22.5% |
^ There is no data available