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# UK CG training

Learn 3D, VFX, animation, and motion graphics.

Independent UK reviews of Blender, Maya, Houdini, Unreal Engine, Escape Studios, CGMA, and every serious CG course in 2026. Read before you spend a pound.

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Blender viewport rendering a 3D character with wireframe overlay, Cyan glow bloom, Deep Purple studio backdrop.

01 Independent editorial

02 UK salary + career context

03 Affiliate-disclosed on every review

04 Updated 2026

# careers / 3d modeller

How to become a 3D modeller in the UK.

3D modeller splits into three UK career tracks: character modeller (VFX + games), hard-surface / environment modeller (VFX + games + arch-vis), and asset modeller for cinematics / TV. Different tools, different studios, different pay. Pick the track early, then build a portfolio that proves you know it.

# UK salary band

Junior: £23,000 to £30,000. Mid (3 to 5 yrs): £34,000 to £50,000. Senior (6+ yrs): £50,000 to £75,000. Lead modeller / asset supervisor: £75,000 to £110,000.

Three required skills.

  • Topology and edge-flow: the first thing every UK modelling supervisor checks. Clean quads, deformable loops, no ngons on organic surfaces. This is not glamorous, and it is the difference between a junior offer and a rejection.
  • Software stack for your track: character = Maya + ZBrush + Substance Painter + Marvelous Designer. Hard-surface / environment = Maya (or 3ds Max) + ZBrush + Substance + occasional Houdini for procedural sets. Asset = Maya + Substance + a stable UV workflow.
  • A portfolio of 3 to 5 pieces at target-studio quality: full turntables, wireframe passes, UV layouts, textures and a final beauty render. Match the finish of a Framestore or DNEG in-house asset. Under-cooked pieces sink an application faster than missing pieces.

Typical 3-year progression.

  1. Year 1: junior modeller or asset runner at a Soho VFX house (Framestore, DNEG, MPC, Cinesite, Milk), an animation studio (Aardman, Blue Zoo) or a UK games studio (Sumo, Creative Assembly, Rockstar North). Freelance-first for VFX, PAYE more common in games.
  2. Year 2: mid-junior. Credited on shipped features, series or games. Specialisation deepens (creature vs environment vs prop). Salary band moves to £30,000–£40,000. Freelance day rates £280–£380.
  3. Year 3: mid-level modeller. PAYE at a Tier 1 studio, or established freelance rota. Beginning of lead-asset responsibility and pipeline decisions (retopo standards, UV chart standards, LOD strategies).

Related reading.