Cut scenes/Cinematics

http://www.awesome-robo.com/2013/01/rha.html?m=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tdj1w2OrPn0
Assasins creed 4 black flag

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XH9fCA3dmGc
Elder scrolls online

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPdJdEFilaU
Star wars - The old republic - Short movie

Software

Autodesk software

http://students.autodesk.com/?nd=download_center

Need to make an account, all software free please download Maya, Mudbox.

Zbrush

To buy

http://pixologic.com/retailers/#academic

Networking

These sites are some of the best around for gaining critique on your work, also numerous tutorials dotted around, especially polycount.

Make it a habit in posting WIP's this will improve your artistic eye, communication and your ability to take critique advice, last but not least stay humble always even when others are not.

http://www.polycount.com/forum/

http://cghub.com/

http://www.nextgenhardsurface.com/forum.php?s=f69b2d81e6551a1830caa7d2cb61e690