Animation and Games Art with Integrated Foundation Year BA (Hons)

Overview

The animation, games, and visual effects (VFX) industries are always searching for new talent. BA (Hons) Animation and Games Art allows you to explore and develop both traditional and new techniques, learning key digital skills in 2D and 3D, as well as the core principles of character-led animation.

Why us?

• This course gives a strong foundation in traditional animation principles while also teaching key digital skills in both 2D and 3D
• Our graduates are working in the film, VFX, games, and television industries on projects including Grand Theft Auto, Hey Duggee, Miffy, Corpse Bride, Harry Potter, and The Lord of the Rings
• Our industry contacts, including Game Republic Ltd, provide opportunities to work on live briefs, access placements, studio visits, workshops, and game jams
• You’ll have the creative freedom to work in any medium and technique allowing you to find and develop your personal style

Course structure

Teaching is almost entirely practical and studio-based, supported by lectures, seminars, and tutorials. Our academic team encourage you to express ideas and push the boundaries of creativity. Assessment is mainly through coursework.

In the first year – the foundation year – you'll study five modules. After completion of this foundation, you will then move onto the Animation and Games Art honours degree course.

In your second year, you'll learn classical animation techniques and core digital skills. You'll also learn about the broader context of design with students from other design subjects. In your third year, you'll be introduced to more advanced approaches such as 3D, character rigging, and motion capture. In your final year, you'll build your portfolio and undertake a personal research project that will lead into your final major project. You'll exhibit your work at our Degree Show, which will be visited by industry experts and potential employers.

Course modules

Foundation Year:

• Foundations of Art, Design, Performance and Media Production (40 credits)
• Essential Study Skills (20 credits)
• Foundation Project (20 credits)
• Practical Numeracy Skills (20 credits)
• Introduction to Creative Practice (20 credits)

Year 1 (national level 4):

• Core modules:
  • Fundamentals of Animation (40 credits)
  • Fundamentals of Games Art (20 credits)
  • Creative Exploration (40 credits)
  • Design Theories, Practitioners and Context (20 credits)

Year 2 (national level 5):

• Core modules:
  • Advanced 3D (40 credits)
  • Preproduction Practice (20 credits)
  • Advanced VFX and Motion Graphics (20 credits)
  • Global Challenges and the Ethical Designer (20 credits)
  • Experiencing the Creative Industries (20 credits)

Optional placement year:

• Design: Applied Professional Practice (120 credits)

Final Year (national level 6):

• Core modules:
  • Professional Engagement (40 credits)
  • Design Dissertation (20 credits)
  • Design: Final Major Project (60 credits)

Facilities

The University provides generous studio spaces, well-equipped workshops and excellent facilities for Animation and Games Art:

• Personal studio space for each student
• HTC VIVE and Oculus headsets for VR work
• Motion capture suite
• Shadow Motion Capture system
• Green screen TV Studio
• Digital design suite with 24 Macs and Wacom Cintiqs
• Industry standard sound recording studios and editing facilities
• A dedicated stop motion room with 3 portable workstations, each with Dragon Stop Motion software
• Line-testing room with 6 rostrum cameras, a multiplane camera and light boxes for 2D work on paper, cut-out and other mixed media techniques
• Two 16mm projectors for direct animation
• Software includes: Toon Boom Harmony Premium, Autodesk Maya, Adobe Creative Suite including After Effects, Illustrator and Photoshop, Pixologic Z Brush, Blender and Unity. Our specialist technical staff, including qualified Adobe and Maya Certified Instructors, offer back-up and help you make the most of the software.

Entry requirements

We don’t currently display entry requirements for Ireland. Please contact the Student Admin team on or .

Entry requirements are provided for guidance only and we may offer you an entrance interview which will help us determine your eligibility for your chosen degree. This enables us to consider making you an offer if you're perhaps a mature student who's been out of education for a period of time, or you've gained significant knowledge and skills through employment rather than traditional education.

Eligible entry qualifications:

If you're unsure of whether you think you might be suitable for the course, please contact us.

Fees and finance

The annual fee for this course is £9,535 if you're from the UK/Ireland/EU settled/pre-settled.

Undergraduate fees are set according to rules from Government in line with forecast inflation. The fee for your first year of study for 2025/26 will be £9,535. You will pay tuition fees for every year of study. Fees may increase every year based on the Retail Price Index.

If you're a full-time UK/Irish/EU settled/EU pre-settled student, you may be eligible to receive financial support to cover your fees for the full four years. UK and EU settled students may also be eligible to receive a maintenance loan.

Please note, this course isn't available to international students.

Career ready

Our graduates have gone on to work throughout the film, special effects, games, and television industries, and worked on projects including The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Grand Theft Auto, Creature Comforts, Miffy and Hey Duggee.

Recent employers have included:

• Animation studios such as Cartoon Saloon, Aardman, and Studio AKA
• TV companies such as Cartoon Network, CBeebies, and CITV
• Games companies such as Rockstar, Ubisoft, and Sumo Digital.

Placements and visits

You'll have opportunities to apply for internships and we actively encourage you to build up a compelling creative portfolio. We also encourage you to participate in competitions and award schemes.

In addition, you'll be encouraged to attend annual animation festivals such as the Manchester Animation Festival (MAF), as well as visits to arts venues across the UK and in cities such as Barcelona, Amsterdam, and New York.

Guest speakers

Through our links with industry, we attract professionals in animation to come into the University and give talks. These help you gain valuable insights and contacts in the world of work.

Past visiting speakers include quadruple-BAFTA award-winning Jardone Sage (CITV) (a graduate of the course), Curtis Jobling (creator of Bob the Builder), Susannah Shaw (Aardman), Barry Purves (Lord of the Rings), alumni and award-winning Catherine Salkeld (Story Artist and VR director at Blue Zoo Studios), and Andy Davies (Sony Games).

Work experience

All students studying on-campus undergraduate Animation and Games Art courses can take up a CV-enhancing work placement, a University-led industry initiative, or a professional and business development boot camp.

By the term placement, we mean we're offering you a taste of the industry which might last anything from two days to four weeks on a part-time basis.

Creative Industries Week

Creative Industries Week gives everyone in the Faculty of Arts and Creative Industries the opportunity to participate in a range of projects, workshops, talks, industry visits, and career events. This exciting week encourages interdisciplinary working and broadens your experience to build your confidence and help develop your career path.

Degree Overview: BA (Hons) Animation and Games Art with Integrated Foundation Year

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Overview:

The BA (Hons) Animation and Games Art with Integrated Foundation Year is a four-year program designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary for a career in the animation, games, and visual effects (VFX) industries. The program combines traditional hand-drawn animation techniques with digital studio practices, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the field.

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Objectives:

• Develop strong foundations in animation principles and digital skills.
• Gain expertise in industry-standard software such as Toon Boom Harmony Premium, Autodesk Maya, Adobe Creative Suite, and more.
• Create professional-quality animation and games art projects.
• Prepare students for employment in the animation, games, and VFX industries.

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Additional Details:

• The program is affiliated with Game Republic Ltd, providing opportunities for students to work on live briefs, access placements, studio visits, workshops, and game jams.
• Students have the creative freedom to explore various animation and games art techniques and choose their areas of focus.
• The program includes a strong emphasis on transferrable skills crucial for employability in the creative industries.
## Outline:

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Year 1:

• Foundation Year:
• The foundation year provides students with a solid grounding in the fundamental concepts of art, design, performance, and media production.
• Students will explore a range of topics such as communication, celebrity, new technology, and identity.
• They will also develop essential study skills and complete a project related to their chosen area of interest.
• Year 1 (National Level 4):
• Core modules include Fundamentals of Animation, Fundamentals of Games Art, and Creative Exploration.
• Students will learn how to create 2D animation using traditional and digital techniques.
• They will also develop their skills in game design and character creation.
• Students will participate in a project to create a short animated film for a student-led competition.

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Year 2:

• Year 2 (National Level 5):
• Core modules include Advanced 3D, Preproduction Practice, Advanced VFX and Motion Graphics, and Global Challenges and the Ethical Designer.
• Students will learn how to create 3D animations, develop their skills in pre-production for games and animation projects, and explore advanced VFX techniques.
• They will also consider the ethical implications of design and develop their research skills.
• Students will participate in a live project or competition brief as part of their learning.

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Optional Placement Year:

• Students may choose to undertake a one-year placement in industry to gain valuable work experience.

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Final Year (National Level 6):

• Final Year:
• Core modules include Professional Engagement and Design Dissertation.
• Students will work on a chosen live brief or personal project to showcase their skills and build their portfolio.
• They will also complete a dissertation on a research topic relevant to their chosen area of specialization.
• Students will exhibit their work at the final year Degree Show.
## Assessment: The program uses a variety of assessment methods, including:
• Coursework assignments
• Practical projects
• Written examinations
• Presentations
• Portfolio development
Assessment criteria are designed to measure students' understanding of key concepts, their ability to apply skills and knowledge in a practical setting, and their creativity and originality. ## Teaching: The program is taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops, and studio-based learning. Students benefit from the expertise of a dedicated academic team who encourage creative expression and push the boundaries of creativity. ## Careers: Graduates of the program have gone on to work in various roles within the animation, games, and VFX industries, including:
• Animator
• Games artist
• Visual effects artist
• Character designer
• Storyboard artist
• Motion graphics designer
They have worked on projects for companies such as Grand Theft Auto, Hey Duggee, Miffy, Corpse Bride, Harry Potter, and The Lord of the Rings. ## Other:
• The program provides access to excellent facilities and resources, including dedicated studio spaces, well-equipped workshops, industry-standard software, and a motion capture suite.
• Students have the opportunity to participate in industry-led briefs and competitions, such as Encounters, RTS awards, 11 Second Club, and E4 Stings.
• The program offers opportunities for international experiences, including visits to arts venues across the UK and cities such as Barcelona, Amsterdam, and New York.
## Conclusion: The BA (Hons) Animation and Games Art with Integrated Foundation Year is a comprehensive and industry-focused program that provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary for a successful career in the creative industries. The program offers a strong foundation in animation and games art principles, combined with opportunities for practical experience, industry networking, and personal development.

University of Sunderland

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Overview:

The University of Sunderland is a public university located in Sunderland, England. It offers a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines. The university has a strong focus on providing a supportive and inclusive learning environment for its students.

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Services Offered:

The University of Sunderland provides a comprehensive range of services to its students, including:

Academic Support:

Access to libraries, learning resources, and academic advisors.

Student Support:

Counseling, mental health services, and disability support.

Accommodation:

On-campus and off-campus housing options.

Career Services:

Career guidance, job search assistance, and internship opportunities.

Student Life:

A vibrant student union, clubs, societies, and social events.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

The university boasts a diverse and inclusive campus community where students can connect with people from different backgrounds and cultures. Students can participate in extracurricular activities, engage in personal and professional development opportunities, and enjoy a vibrant social scene.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Top-Quality Facilities:

The university has modern facilities, including a state-of-the-art library, sports facilities, and dedicated learning spaces.

Inclusive Culture:

The university fosters a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students.

Vibrant City:

Sunderland is a dynamic city with a rich history and a low cost of living.

Strong Industry Links:

The university has strong connections with local businesses and industries, providing students with valuable career opportunities.

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Academic Programs:

The University of Sunderland offers a wide range of academic programs, including:

Arts and Design:

Fashion, Photography, Fine Art, and Graphic Design.

Sciences:

Pharmacy, Nursing, Medicine, and Biology.

Business and Law:

Business Management, Finance, Law, and Tourism.

Computing and Engineering:

Computer Science, Software Engineering, and Electrical Engineering.

Education and Social Sciences:

Education, Psychology, and Social Work.

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Other:

The university has campuses in Sunderland, London, and Hong Kong, offering students a global learning experience. It is also recognized for its commitment to sustainability and equality, diversity, and inclusion.