3D Modelling and special effects

Hertfordshire have one of the oldest and most succesful animation courses in the country. They are going to set you up well - they have lots of successful grads and great industry connections so i'm sure they have regularly visitors from the animation and games' industries. I don't know too much about their other opportunities - most universities have some kind of global scheme, but you may need to be proactive about reaching out and asking questions about it.

On my Game Art course (DMU) we did do some outings to do observational drawing, but I don't know if this is consistent everywhere.

Bournemouth's BFX festival is great, for sure. I know Bournemouth Uni has a very established and well-recognised animation course - AUB I know a lot less about, I believe they are a bit newer. Ultimately it comes down to what you want out of university a bit - if having some of the "university experience" is really important to you, I can understand why that would make you want to pick AUB. I think Herts is likely to be the "safer" option for you in terms of quality of teaching, but that's not to say AUB is bad - I don't know much about the course and it's difficult to say as they don't have much student work displayed on their website.

I hope this is somewhat helpful at least 🙂

Hi, anyone already studied 3D modelling and special effects course with Hertfordshire...I have offers for both Hertfordshire and AUB and wondered whether Herts has opportunities to visit galleries or a visit abroad etc as part of their course.

Bournemouth has a lot more to offer in the area itself and I wasn't sure if this would be a downside, if indeed art visits are even a thing at University.

OP isn't asking about animation but physical modelmaking
see https://modelshop.co.uk/Content/DynamicMedia/cms-uploaded/files/NB24_brochure.pdf and https://www.flickr.com/photos/newblades/albums/ for examples of final year work from both universities at the New Blades modelmaking show/awards. AUB students won over half the awards in 2024 - but the most important thing is a course where YOU will be happy and thrive.
Both AUB and the Herts modelmaking courses are excellent so think about where you think you'll be able to do your best work and also be happy and motivated to get involved with things beyond your studies
Have you visited both?

Oh, my mistake PQ! thanks for the info

no problem
(and AUB animation work is available on vimeo https://vimeo.com/animationaub - it's a very broad course with a heavy focus on drawing and lightbox work in year 1 before there's opportunity to expand - although they've also worked with models made by the modelmaking first years to do some stop motion in year 1 in the past)