Program Overview

Animation BA (Hons)

Overview

If you are passionate about starting a creative career in animation for film, TV, or games, then our course is perfect for you.

Course Details

Course Structure

Year 1 Core Modules

• Animation Principles: The principles of animation are the foundation stone for any animator. Originally created by Disney, they have been used by generations of animators to create convincing animation across movies, TV series, games, and commercials.
  • Fundamentals of 2D animation
  • Fundamentals of 3D animation
  • Animation in context
• CG Essentials: You’re introduced to the 3D asset production, look development pipeline, and the creation of production-ready 3D assets using industry-standard techniques and software.
  • Asset creation
  • 3D texturing
  • CG lighting
  • Rendering
• Technical Animation: You are introduced to a variety of technical areas of animation and VFX production.
  • Character and prop rigging
  • Motion capture
  • Visual effects
• Visual Development for the Moving Image: When planning and visualizing sequences for animation and live action, you need to understand the pre-production process and the tools and techniques you can use.
  • Cinematography and film language
  • Character and storyboard development
  • Digital compositing

Year 2 Core Modules

• 3D and VFX Techniques: Explore techniques in performance capture and the VFX and compositing pipeline.
  • Performance capture
  • Mocap production pipeline
  • Visual effects and compositing pipeline
• Animated Effects: This module is delivered in two parts; the first part introduces you to course-specific topics, the second part introduces motion graphics and motion design tools and techniques and enables you to apply them using industry-standard software.
  • Character and creature animation
  • Effects animation
  • Motion graphics and motion design
• Professional Research and Development: You get the opportunity to experiment in a specialist area of your choice in animation, games, and visual effects. Develop your independent learning skills and take ownership of your chosen direction through the assessment.

Optional Modules

• Journeyman: You work with students from across all the games courses to develop a game slice in a team. Experience working in a production environment, and focus on specific skills in your own field of study while gaining valuable teamwork skills.
• Moviola: You work in a team to produce an animation or visual effects sequence based on an industry-style brief. Experience working in a production environment with industry input and feedback, and target specific production skills in your chosen field of study.

Optional Work Placement Year

• Work Placement: You have the option to spend one year in industry learning and developing your skills. We encourage and support you with applying for a placement, job hunting, and networking.

Final-Year Core Modules

• AVFX Project: Work alongside your project supervisor to develop a large-scale piece of individual work relating to your chosen specialism and career aims.
• Creative Industry Briefs: You choose from a selection of briefs which reflect specialist industry roles, such as realistic creature animation, effects simulation, or puppet making. Explore your specialism and develop your professional skills such as pitching ideas, costing and scheduling, working to a tight brief, and responding to client changes.

Optional Modules

• Beta Arcade: Experience working as a member of a games development team, in a setup that is as close to industrial practice as possible. You work in groups to construct a working game demo in a current game engine. You consider standard industry practices that consider multiplayer gaming threats, user safety, cheating, and data security.
• Kino: You work in a team to produce a short film or visual effects sequence in a style of your choice. It could be a high-end visual effects sequence, a motion graphics title sequence, or a short film. Each member takes on a production role to mimic the industry pipeline. You gain experience of teamwork, and a showpiece for your portfolio.

How You Learn

You learn in our dedicated animation studios equipped with industry-standard software, as well as our onsite performance-capture studio, soundstage with motion control, and recording studio.

How You Are Assessed

We believe it is essential for you to learn through the experience of doing. Assessment for all modules is through practical projects, which you work on throughout the year.

Entry Requirements

• 96-112 points plus a portfolio if your Level 3 qualifications do not include a creative subject such as art, design, drawing, animation, or games art/design.
• Your portfolio should demonstrate fundamental drawing skills, such as life drawing and observational drawing, alongside showing us your creativity.

Employability

Our graduates are working in major studios around the world including Rockstar Games, The Imaginarium Studios, and Industrial Light & Magic. They have worked on feature films including Spiderman Far From Home, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and Deadpool 3, and on AAA games including Red Dead Redemption II, Spiderman: Hidden Agenda, and Baldur's Gate.

Information for International Applicants

• International applicants - find out what qualifications you need by selecting your country below.

Tuition Fees

• Full-time: £9,535 a year (UK applicants), £17,000 a year (international applicants)
• Part-time: £4,635 (120 credits) (UK applicants)

Other Course Routes

• Foundation Year: Study this course with a foundation year if you need additional preparation or if you don't have sufficient grades to join Year 1.
• Work Placement: Study this course with an optional work placement year, at no extra cost. Alongside this, you can gain valuable experience and engagement with the sector through our shorter work placements, internships, and work experience opportunities.