# 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.
01 Independent editorial
02 UK salary + career context
03 Affiliate-disclosed on every review
04 Updated 2026
# software / houdini
Best Houdini courses in 2026: UK learner’s guide.
Houdini is SideFX’s node-based procedural system, the industry standard for FX at DNEG, Framestore, ILM London, MPC and Cinesite. It is the software behind almost every big destruction, fluid or crowd sim you saw last year. Steep learning curve. Highest FX pay ceiling in Soho.
Skill level: advanced (intermediate viable with time) Apprentice free, £215/yr Indie, £3,830/yr commercial
Typical career use.
Houdini is the standard for FX artists at every Tier 1 UK VFX house. Destruction, fluids, particles, pyro, crowds, procedural environments, USD scene assembly. If your target is FX at DNEG, Framestore, Cinesite, MPC, Milk or ILM London, Houdini is not optional. Pay ceiling is the highest in the compositor / modeller / FX triangle: senior FX TDs at DNEG land in the £65,000 to £95,000 range and freelance day rates track above that. Houdini also shows up increasingly at Aardman for procedural set-dressing and at Nexus Studios for FX-heavy commercial work.
Related courses worth your time.
- CGMA Houdini FX for VFX: 10 weeks, £790, mentor-led. Solid intermediate step.
- CG Spectrum FX diploma: Full diploma track, £4,800+, part-time viable.
- Pluralsight Houdini foundations: Dated but free with a subscription. Only for basics.
- Udemy: Rebelway/Rohan Dalvi tutorials: One-off buys at £15 to £150 per course. Good for specific plugins or workflows.
- Escape Studios VFX Diploma: Includes Houdini modules alongside Maya / Nuke, £11,500.