# 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 / nuke
Best Nuke courses in 2026: UK learner’s guide.
Nuke is Foundry’s node-based compositor: the Soho VFX standard, the tool every Framestore, DNEG, MPC, Cinesite, Milk, Union and ILM London junior compositor is expected to open on day one. Free for non-commercial use. £398/yr Indie tier for freelance under $500k revenue. £4,290/yr commercial. Steep learning curve, highest UK compositor demand.
Skill level: intermediate to advanced Free non-commercial, £398/yr Indie, £4,290/yr commercial
Typical career use.
Nuke is the compositing pipeline standard at every Tier 1 UK VFX studio: Framestore, DNEG, MPC, Cinesite, ILM London, Milk, Union VFX, Framestore Chennai (which hires UK-based leads). Junior compositor is one of the highest-volume UK VFX junior roles, and it is Nuke-first. If your target is Soho VFX, learn Nuke. Full stop.
UK junior compositor salary sits at £24,000 to £32,000. Mid-level 3-5 yrs: £36,000 to £52,000. Senior 6+ yrs: £50,000 to £75,000. Freelance day rates once you have 24 months of feature credits: £400 to £650/day.
Nuke is not the tool for motion graphics (After Effects), games (in-engine compositing) or indie VFX where Fusion or Blender’s compositor cover most needs. For everything else in UK film and TV VFX, Nuke is the pipeline.
Related courses worth your time.
- Escape Studios VFX Diploma: £11,500, Nuke plus Maya plus Houdini pipeline, London in-person.
- CGMA Nuke for Compositors: 10 weeks, £790, mentor-led per-course.
- CG Spectrum Compositing Diploma: £4,800+, online, part-time viable.
- Foundry Nuke free learn hub: Free. Best zero-cost starting point.