Frequently Asked Questions

Prospective Student FAQs

General FAQs

Which course should I choose?
If you are a beginner or newcomer to animation, we recommend taking our Introductory Course. This course provides essential foundational knowledge, showing you how to become a professional animator through different training methods, and offers an initial understanding of animation production workflows and techniques.

If you already possess basic animation knowledge, you can apply for our two-year Professional Diploma Course.The program delivers critical technical and aesthetic training required by professional studios for 2D/3D animation and motion graphics workflows. It also provides advanced animation production techniques and visual effects (VFX) training in areas such as motion capture, fire, explosions, fluid dynamics, and compositing. Upon completion, you will acquire essential industry-ready skills and significantly elevate the quality of your professional portfolio to launch your career in the animation and film post-production industry.

If you have any questions about the courses, please email us at info@astroheart.hk or WhatsApp: 9159 9611 to contact our team. We are more than happy to recommend the most suitable course for you.
What makes AstroHeart different from other schools?
Our program aims to help aspiring animators and VFX artists build successful careers in the creative industry. Unlike other schools, our curriculum is highly practical and tactical, equipping you with the professional skills needed for computer animation and digital film effects. Over 320 of our graduates continue to thrive in animation and film studios across Hong Kong and overseas, actively contributing to the creative sector.
How do I enroll in AstroHeart courses?
Enrolling in our courses is simple. For the Introductory Course, just click the "Apply Now" button on the course page and fill in the required information—the process takes only 3–5 minutes! Once we receive your application, our staff will contact you to proceed with the course arrangements. For the Professional Diploma Course, our staff will follow up with you after registration and assist you throughout the entire application process.
What is the typical age range of your students? Are there any academic requirements?
For the Introductory Course, students are generally aged between 16 and 35. However, there is no age limit or academic requirement. We welcome anyone with passion, a drive for success, and a positive learning attitude. Additionally, we offer various summer activities for teenagers aged 12–16 from July to August every year.
How widely recognized is the course?
The animation and VFX professional training programs at our school have been established in Hong Kong for over 17 years. Since 2008, more than 320 graduates have successfully become professional animators in Hong Kong and overseas, making our academy a primary pipeline for talent entering the local industry. Furthermore, many graduates from our two-year training program have gained admission to world-renowned art universities in the UK and Canada for further studies and development.

Our programs deliver completely professional-oriented vocational skill training, placing high emphasis on developing your personal aesthetics, practical skills, observation, and analytical abilities. Students must ensure their portfolios reach strict industry standards to graduate. For more details, please visit our website.
Is AstroHeart’s Professional Diploma equivalent to a Higher Diploma from local tertiary institutions? Is the course registered under the Government's Qualifications Framework (QF)?
No, it is entirely different. Our Professional Diploma strictly bypasses local academic structures and is not registered under the government's Qualifications Framework (QF). We focus entirely on career readiness rather than academic credit tracking. For over 17 years, our qualifications have been fully recognized by top studios, producing countless employed graduates. Additionally, our academy is officially member-certified by The Rookies—the internationally acclaimed creative industry body—ranking us 24th globally and 4th in Asia as a "Best 3D Animation School".

If you are seeking a traditional Higher Diploma or a degree certificate, our courses are likely not suitable for your needs. We recommend exploring programs at other institutions instead.
Can I apply for the Continuing Education Fund (CEF) for this course?
None of our courses are eligible for the Continuing Education Fund (CEF). Standardizing courses under the government's CEF framework requires substantial administrative costs, which would spike overall tuition fees several times over. Most of the student's subsidy would ultimately be spent on the CEF auditing and assessment processes rather than actual training. To ensure affordable continuous education for working adults and youth, we deliberately bypass this framework. Our tuition fees remain highly accessible and are already among the lowest for comparable programs in Hong Kong.

If you are choosing a program specifically to apply for the Continuing Education Fund (CEF), our courses may not meet your needs. We suggest exploring alternative programs elsewhere.
Can I apply for the Non-means-tested Loan Scheme (NLSPS/NLSFT) for AstroHeart courses?
No, we do not provide these loans—and we strongly discourage students from taking on debt. As explained in points 6 and 7, our academy completely bypasses the local government education system. Furthermore, most of our students work part-time to self-fund their evening studies. This working-student path ensures they truly value the hard-earned professional skills they acquire.
Can I enroll in multiple courses at the same time?
We do not recommend taking more than one course at a time. Each program requires a significant amount of homework and research time, making a double workload overly challenging for working students.
What is the class size? Do I need to bring my own laptop to class?
Each class is limited to a maximum of 20 students. You do not need to bring your own computer, as our classrooms are fully equipped with professional workstations for every student to use.
If I have to miss a class due to sudden work commitments, are there any makeup class arrangements?
We require a minimum attendance rate of 85% to pass. For example, in the Introductory 3D Animation Course, students are permitted to miss a maximum of two classes. If you must be absent, please notify your instructor in the WhatsApp group in advance. You can watch the lesson playback on the Student Page of the school website that same evening; however, this will not count towards your attendance rate. Note that video playbacks are only available for classes with live recording. For courses without live recording, if you miss a class due to sudden emergencies or valid reasons, please contact your instructor to discuss if a makeup arrangement can be made.
Are there assignments in the courses?
For our regular Introductory Courses, there will be short home exercises assigned in each class. At the end of every course, you must complete a personal animation project and submit it within one month of the program's completion.
Will I receive a graduation certificate upon completing the course?
Yes, certificates are provided for all courses at our academy. For example, in the Introductory Course, students will receive their Graduation Certificate after maintaining an 85% attendance rate and submitting their final personal project.
What is your refund policy?
All paid tuition fees are strictly non-refundable. If a course is cancelled or postponed due to exceptional circumstances, students can choose to transfer to an alternative class or defer their enrollment to the next intake.
What are the class arrangements during inclement weather or typhoons?
For detailed arrangements regarding inclement weather and typhoons, please refer to our Academic Affairs page.

Professional Diploma Course FAQs

How should I prepare for the Professional Diploma interview?
Don't worry too much about the interview. The instructor is simply looking to understand your passion for the program. It is actually more like a casual chat to find out what skills and knowledge you currently have. For our evaluation, we focus strictly on your potential and attitude—so do not worry if you cannot draw well or lack a related background or experience.
How long will it take to hear back about my application result for the Professional Diploma?
After your interview, the academy requires 2 to 3 weeks to process your application. During this period, you are welcome to contact us to check your admission status.
Is there an application deadline for the Professional Diploma?
Yes, there is a deadline, but it is updated based on enrollment status. Once qualified applicants are accepted and the intake hits our annual student capacity, applications close immediately. Therefore, interested applicants should submit their applications as early as possible during the open enrollment period.
Is every applicant guaranteed admission?
No. The instructor will evaluate your learning motivation, goals, current skills, and personal circumstances during the interview to determine your suitability for our long-term program. Additionally, they will provide professional advice to help improve your skills. Regardless of whether you are admitted, the interview will give you a clearer understanding of your own needs.
Is the Professional Diploma eligible for government subsidies or tuition loan schemes?
To closely align with the rapid pace and demands of the global industry, our curriculum updates remain free from the regulations and limitations of the local education system. All our programs are fully self-funded and are not included within the scope of government-subsidized courses. Over the past 17 years, more than 80% of our Professional Diploma students have been working youths, most of whom completed their studies through a part-time work-study format. Consequently, upon graduation, they deeply treasure the knowledge and skills they have acquired, knowing they were truly hard-earned.
What are the career prospects and pathways for graduates of the Professional Diploma?
Our academy has been running professional computer animation training programs in Hong Kong for over 17 years, making us the longest-running private educational institution in the animation and visual effects sector. We maintain long-term, close relationships with various animation and film VFX studios in Hong Kong, acting as a primary pipeline for fresh talent. To date, over 320 graduates have successfully become professional animators and creative artists. Many have been in the industry for over a decade, advancing to department heads and senior animators, while others have moved overseas to continue their careers at world-renowned VFX studios.

In the 2023-24 Professional Diploma cohort, multiple graduates successfully used their personal portfolios to secure admissions into world-renowned animation and VFX universities in Japan, the UK, and Canada, launching their global careers.

Hardware & Software FAQs

What computer specifications do you recommend for learning?
We do not recommend buying a computer right before the course starts, as the academy provides suitable computers for you to use in class. The entry requirements for Maya and Blender are highly accessible, and both 3D software programs can be downloaded from their official websites. Your instructor will guide you step-by-step through the setup process during the very first lesson, so there is no need to worry.

Regarding computer specs, 5 to 8-year-old computers on the market can generally handle the needs of the Introductory Course. The minimum recommended requirements are as follows: CPU: Intel i5 or above; RAM: 8GB or above; GPU: NVIDIA RTX 2060 or above; OS: Windows 10 or above.

Professional Diploma students will be provided with remote desktop access to school computers during late nights and weekends.
For the Introductory Course, due to the large volume of new students enrolling each month, the academy is unable to provide remote computer access for security reasons. In terms of course requirements, a standard home computer is generally sufficient to handle the workload.
I use a Mac at home. Can I use Maya or Blender on a Mac?
Yes, you can. Although the academy uses PCs for classroom instruction, students can still use a Mac for learning, as both Maya and Blender provide official software versions for macOS.