Foundation/Pathway · Arts & Design
Diploma of Screen and Media
South Metropolitan TAFE, Perth, WA, Australia
About this program
This diploma runs with named specialisation streams rather than a single generalist screen production pathway. Options at South Metro TAFE have included animation, gaming, visual effects and immersive media production on one hand, and specialist make-up services for film, television and live theatre events on the other, which is a wider spread than most screen diplomas offer under one course code. Students effectively pick a lane early rather than sampling broadly across all of screen and media production.
Full-time study runs at roughly three days a week of scheduled attendance, but the college is explicit that students should expect an additional 25% of self-directed work on top of that: portfolio pieces, render time for animation and VFX work, or practice sessions for make-up students, none of which fits neatly into scheduled class hours the way theory-based subjects do.
The training environment is built around industry-standard software and equipment rather than education-only tools, which matters in a field where employers screening entry-level hires often look directly at a demo reel or portfolio rather than a transcript. The diploma's value is largely in what students can show, not just what units they completed.
Cost & duration
English test scores
Verified southmetrotafe.wa.edu.au ↗
Course structure
5 terms of coursework
- Core units: screen and media industry practice, pre-production and concept development, digital production techniques, project management for screen and media
Specialisation stream (varies by intake): Animation, Gaming and Visual Effects
- 3D modelling, animation principles, compositing and visual effects, game asset development
OR Specialist Make-Up Services
- character and creature make-up, prosthetics, make-up for film/TV and live theatre production
- Capstone: portfolio or showreel project demonstrating specialisation competencies
- Study load: approximately 3 days/week scheduled attendance plus an additional 25% self-directed work (portfolio development, render/practice time)
Admissions
Completion of Year 12 or equivalent
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