Computer Graphics Training

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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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01 Independent editorial

02 UK salary + career context

03 Affiliate-disclosed on every review

04 Updated 2026

# academies / cg-spectrum

CG Spectrum review 2026.

Australian online academy pitched at UK learners who cannot relocate to London. Diploma tier £4,800 to £6,400, mentor-led, part-time viable. This review checks whether the price and outcomes hold up against Escape Studios and CGMA.

# TL;DR

  • What it is: Online CG academy, Sydney head office, mentor-led diploma programmes in animation, 3D, VFX, games and concept art.
  • Who it is for: UK learners who cannot move to London, part-timers with 15 to 20 hours a week, career switchers.
  • Who should look elsewhere: London-based learners chasing a Framestore / DNEG runner role: Escape Studios is closer to that pipeline.
  • Current price band: £4,800 to £6,400 for the diploma tier, monthly payment plans available.
  • Our alternative pick: CGMA for per-course mentor-led work, Animation Mentor for character animation.

Recommended for remote UK learners Verified 2026-01

Six-point rubric.

CriterionScore /10Notes
Curriculum depth7Strong on animation, games, VFX foundations. Lighter on Nuke and Houdini than Escape.
Price transparency8Published fees in GBP on the UK page, monthly plans documented.
Career outcomes7Alumni at Weta FX, Framestore, ILM, Sony Pictures Imageworks. Weaker Soho footprint than Escape.
Instructor bench honesty8Named mentors, mostly working artists from Weta, Pixar, DNEG.
UK learner fit8Time zones handled via async feedback, live sessions recorded.
Portfolio-readiness7Final term is a portfolio piece with mentor sign-off.

Price transparency.

Diploma tier lists at £4,800 to £6,400 in 2026, depending on discipline and payment plan. That is roughly half the Escape Studios diploma fee and less than a UK BA year of rent. Add the software cost stack (£215/yr Houdini Indie, Nuke non-commercial free, Maya student free) for a realistic total. CG Spectrum runs a UK-specific promo page most quarters: check dates against the last-reviewed stamp above before you commit.

Honest weaknesses.

  • Nuke coverage is thinner than the Foundry-native Soho pipeline demands. Add a Rebelway or CGMA Nuke course in year 2.
  • Mentor rotation depends on production schedules at partner studios. Cohort quality can vary term to term.
  • AUD to GBP exchange means the sticker price shifts. Check the GBP page on the day, not last week’s screenshot.
  • No student-loan pathway. Payment plans only.

Alternatives to consider.

  • CGMA per course: Mentor-led, £550 to £790 per 10-week course. Best for a focused specialisation stack.
  • Animation Mentor: Character animation deep-dive, £1,600 per term, industry-standard for feature animation.
  • Escape Studios: London in-person, £8,900+, better fit if you can move to London.

Related reading.