| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2024-09-23 | - |
| 2024-09-28 | - |
| 2025-09-23 | - |
| 2025-09-28 | - |
Program Overview
The MA Animation program at the University of Hertfordshire equips students with professional-level animation direction skills through a flexible learning format. The program emphasizes animation production expertise, theoretical understanding, and the creation of a graduation film reflecting contemporary practices. Students gain valuable industry experience through live external briefs and benefit from strong industry connections.
Program Outline
The program offers flexibility, allowing students to opt for online or on-campus learning (applicable to home students only). The curriculum focuses on honing animation production expertise, expanding theoretical and contextual understanding of animation, including its audiences and media culture, and culminating in a graduation film that reflects individual style and contemporary animation practices. Students also gain valuable experience through a live external brief as part of their coursework, providing them with real-world learning and industry insights.
Objectives:
- Develop professional-level, individual approach towards animation direction
- Advance animation production knowledge
- Enhance theoretical and contextual understanding of animation, its audiences and media culture
- Produce a graduation film reflecting individual style and contemporary animation practices
- Strengthen professional-level enquiry, research, creative, invention, project planning and management
- Foster development within a multi-disciplinary environment
Program Description:
The MA Animation program provides a comprehensive learning experience, encompassing:
- 2D Animation: Blends traditional animation techniques with new digital media for innovative content and formats.
- 3D Animation: Explores the possibilities of 3D animation and challenges preconceptions, fostering innovation in the field.
- Interdisciplinary Project: Collaborates with students from other disciplines for experimental and creative work.
- Distributed Groups: Provides opportunities to work in teams with members both on campus and online. This postgraduate program is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the animation industry.
Outline
Content:
- 2D and 3D animation techniques
- Animation production
- Animation theory and history
- Professional practice
Structure:
The program consists of a combination of taught modules, independent study, and a major project.
Course Schedule:
- Full Time: 1 year
- Part Time: 2 years
Modules:
- Practice 1: Developing Skills (30 credits)
- Digital Media: Sources and Significance (30 credits)
- Practice 2: Creative Project Development (30 credits)
- Exploring Professional Practice (30 credits)
- Major Study: Animation (60 credits)
Module Descriptions:
- Practice 1: Developing Skills: Focuses on developing core animation skills.
- Digital Media: Sources and Significance: Explores the history and impact of digital media.
- Practice 2: Creative Project Development: Helps students develop their creative project ideas.
- Exploring Professional Practice: Provides insights into the professional world of animation.
- Major Study: Animation: Allows students to specialize in a particular area of animation.
Assessment
Assessment methods include:
- Coursework assignments
- Presentations
- Portfolio
- Major project Assessment criteria are based on:
- Technical skills
- Creativity
- Originality
- Critical thinking
- Professionalism
Teaching
The program is taught by a team of experienced and qualified animators. The teaching methods used include:
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Workshops
- Supervision The program also benefits from guest lectures and industry visits.
Careers
Graduates of the MA Animation program have gone on to work as animators in a variety of industries, including:
- Film and television
- Advertising
- Gaming
- Education
Other
- Work placement: Students complete a live external brief as part of their coursework, providing them with valuable work-related learning and industry experience.
- Rookies Certified School: The University of Hertfordshire is a Rookies Certified School, recognizing the high quality of its animation programs.
- Entry Requirements: A degree, ideally in a relevant subject, with a minimum of 2.2, and a portfolio demonstrating recent engagement and creative activities in the intended study area.
- Fees:
- Full Time: £9450 for the 2024/2025 academic year
- Part Time: £790 per 15 credits for the 2024/2025 academic year
UK Students Full time £9450 for the 2024/2025 academic year Part time £790 per 15 credits for the 2024/2025 academic year EU Students Full time £16450 for the 2024/2025 academic year Part time £1370 per 15 credits for the 2024/2025 academic year International Students Full time £16450 for the 2024/2025 academic year Part time £1370 per 15 credits for the 2024/2025 academic year
Hertfordshire International College
Overview:
Hertfordshire International College (HIC) is a pathway college dedicated to helping students achieve their career goals. It offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate pathway programs designed to prepare students for prestigious degrees at the University of Hertfordshire. HIC emphasizes a supportive and engaging student experience.
Services Offered:
HIC offers a variety of services to support students, including:
Pre-Sessional English:
A course to improve English language skills for international students.Undergraduate Pathway Programs:
Foundation and first-year level programs in various disciplines.Postgraduate Pathway Programs:
Pre-Master's programs to prepare students for postgraduate studies.Student Life and Campus Experience:
HIC provides a vibrant and diverse campus environment with modern facilities. Students can expect:
Campus Location:
Just 25 minutes from London.Modern Facilities:
Continuously invested in and updated.Supportive Environment:
A welcoming and supportive atmosphere for international students.Student Life Activities:
Opportunities to enhance the international student experience.Key Reasons to Study There:
University of Hertfordshire Affiliation:
Provides access to a reputable university with strong research capabilities.Research Excellence:
Ranked in the top 25% of UK universities for research impact.World-Leading Research:
78% of research considered 'world-leading'.Enterprise Zone Status:
One of only 20 universities with this designation.Top Rankings:
Ranked 1st in the UK for Paramedic Science.Academic Programs:
HIC offers a wide range of academic programs across various disciplines, including:
Undergraduate:
Accounting and Finance, Animation, Film, Games and Creative Media, Architecture, Art, Design and Fashion, Biological Sciences, Psychology and Sport, Business and Economics, Computer Science, Cyber Security and Data Science, Education and Teaching, Engineering, AI and Robotics, English and Linguistics, Geography and Environment, Health, Nursing and Midwifery, Law and Criminology, Media, Journalism and Politics, Music Composition, Technology and Production, Physics, Astrophysics and Mathematics, Tourism and Event Management.Postgraduate:
Animation, Film and Creative Media, Art and Design, Business and Management, Education and Teaching, Finance and Investment Banking, Master of Business Administration, Music Composition, Technology and Production, Tourism and Event Management.Entry Requirements:
EU Home Students:
- A degree, ideally in a relevant subject (2.2 minimum), plus a portfolio demonstrating recent engagement and creative activities in your intended study area is normally expected.
- Accreditation of professional experience may be possible for practitioners without a first degree.
International Overseas Students:
- As above, a degree and portfolio are required.
- Additionally, a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in any component (or equivalent) is required for those whose first language is not English.
Language Proficiency Requirements:
- Minimum IELTS score: 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in any component
- Academic English courses: Available for individuals who need to improve their English language skills.
Note:
- These are the general entry requirements. Specific requirements may vary depending on your individual circumstances.
