Tom Bracke

Choosing the University of South Wales to study Visual Effects

I chose to study Visual Effects at USW because I’d always enjoyed the post-production side of film. During college, I focused on editing and realised VFX was where I wanted to take my skills. After researching university courses, USW stood out because of its practical focus on post-production and the opportunities they offered. 

The Open Day sealed the deal for me. I toured the green screen room, Mac labs, and industry-standard facilities, and seeing the software we’d get access to, like Nuke, After Effects, and Cinema 4D, showed me how well-equipped they were to teach us the skills the industry needs. It was hands-on, too—we got to see the workspace and even try out some equipment. 

The guest lectures have been a highlight. For example, one of the directors from Sex Education came in to share their experiences, and having insights from someone working in the industry made me even more excited about my career path. 

Life as a student in Cardiff 

Living in Cardiff has been a brilliant experience; it’s a major media hub but without the chaos of London. It’s got everything you’d need for student life, with plenty of creative inspiration from the city itself. 

For anyone interested in VFX, I’d definitely recommend USW. They really encourage you to explore the different roles in post-production, and the lecturers are incredibly supportive, sharing their own industry experience to guide us in finding our own paths.