Program start date | Application deadline |
2025-09-01 | - |
2026-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Animation With Foundation Year
Overview
The Foundation Year of this four-year programme aims to provide you with an understanding of the subject to allow you to progress on to the BA (Hons) Animation course.
Attendance
- Full-time
Course
- Four year
Next enrolment
- September 2025
Introduction
The world of arts and media is changing at a phenomenal rate, and there has never been a better time to explore your creativity and the ways in which you can apply it to the world around you.
This Foundation Year provides the perfect opportunity for you to explore the key principles of art, design and media. The course is designed to help you develop your creative skills, it gives you a chance to build a larger portfolio, and provides a good transition period to familiarise yourself with the School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology and life as a student at Salford. You will then be in a strong position to progress onto your chosen degree pathway.
This is a shared Foundation Year across Art, Design and Media disciplines, and will give you a collaborative environment to explore ideas, take creative risks and become confident independent learners. You will be joining a thriving and creative community.
You will:
- Prepare to progress on to your chosen Art, Design and Media degree
- Familiarise yourself with student life
- Develop your creative skills and academic confidence
This is for you if...
- You have good visual communication skills
- You possess creative flare and imagination
- You have the ability to understand 3D form and scale
- You want to explore the creative potential of digital and traditional forms of animation
Course details
All about the course
The Foundation Year will provide you with a dynamic, exciting and collaborative environment in which you will become a confident self-learner, with the underpinning skills and knowledge to apply in your studies. You will be taught with students interested in progressing to different art, design and media programmes, and study modules that will help you increase your knowledge and understanding of basic art and design as well as other aspects of creative thinking.
Our strong connections within Greater Manchester’s thriving creative sector mean you will also hear from practitioners working in the industry right now about their practice, journey into the world or art and design.
In the first term you will study modules that introduce the key concepts, skills and knowledge of art and design. Modules will help you to develop your study skills such as note-taking and structuring reports. In the second semester, you will further develop your creative practice and be introduced to the creative industries.
The assignments are flexible enough to allow you to interpret and tailor your submissions to your preferred area of study. Tutors will help and support you, in creating a portfolio of work to progress onto the BA (Hons) Animation here at the University of Salford. You will be integrated slowly into the degree course with opportunities to meet tutors from the BA and by using our shared collaborative facilities within our vibrant New Adelphi building.
This programme prepares you to study on the three-year University undergraduate programme, meaning the duration of your degree is four years in total. The foundation year is not a standalone qualification.
Following the Foundation Year, you would progress onto BA (Hons) Animation:
Once you have progressed onto the Animation degree, you will produce a strong body of work that will enable you to develop your career in the animation industry. You will learn how to tell visual stories through performance and character developing industry leading skills in a specialised field.
Designed to boost your creative thinking and technical abilities, this course provides a structured pathway in digital animation practice. From the start, you will be hands-on and will learn traditional stop frame animation techniques as you are introduced to the principles of animation and the laws of motion. You'll also learn industry leading 3D animation software.
This course allows you to identify and define your own career prospects with dedicated portfolio modules, which will help you in your preparation for employment.
Animation is one of the fastest growing areas within the UK creative industries providing multiple opportunities for graduates. Based in MediaCity, you'll be right in the heart of this growing creative sector which is focused on developing adaptive, highly skilled, industry ready creatives.
Foundation year
- Digital Media Applications
- Creative Methods
- Introduction to the Creative Industries
- Creative Practice Major Project
- Introduction to Creative Coding
- Creative Risk Taking
Year one
- Animation 101
- Introduction to Creative Play
- Animation Context
- Animation 102
- Storytelling: Script to Screen
- Art of Animation
Year two
- Performance and Character
- Games and Virtual Worlds
- Specialist Animation Studies
- Engagement Challenge
- Motion Design for Visual Communication
Year three
- Negotiated Project - Phase One
- Research Project
- Negotiated Project - Phase Two
- ‘Making Of’ - Negotiated Project
- Showreel and Professional Engagement
What will I be doing?
- 80% Coursework
- 10% Presentations
- 10% Dissertation
Teaching
Whilst there are a variety of teaching and learning methods on this course, the design project forms the basis for the majority of activities. Most modules include lectures, practical workshops or skills sessions, one-to-one tutorials, group seminars and design studio practice.
- Lectures
- Practical workshops or skills sessions
- One-to-one tutorials
- Group seminars
- Design studio practice
Teaching facilities include lecture theatres, computer rooms, the workshop (wood metal, laser cutter), the animation studio and a stop motion studio.
Assessment
There will be different types of assessments but the majority will be project based assessment work.
Employment and stats
When you graduate you will be equipped for a range of careers in the animation industry as well as TV and film.
Recent graduates have started their careers in a variety of areas including animation at local studios, freelance animation for industry and art organisations, storyboarding and pre-production/conceptual art, animation for games, visuals for music videos and independent film companies.
Further study
Graduates from this course could go on to study one of our Postgraduate courses, including:
- MA Animation
- MSc Games and Extended Reality (XR)
Career Links
Our students have worked with the BBC, ITV, Studio Distract and Manchester International Festival and have visited specialists such as Mackinnon and Saunders, an animation production company and puppet makers.
Requirements
This course isn’t suitable for international students. If you are an international student and interested in studying a foundation year, please visit our International Foundation Year course page.
By applying to this Foundation Year you are applying to a four-year programme - the shared Foundation Year, followed by a three-year art, design or media degree here at University of Salford. The Foundation Year is not a standalone qualification.
Applicant Profile
In your personal statement (up to 4,000 characters), we would like to know more about why you are interested in Animation, what motivates and inspires you, and what you hope to gain from the Foundation Year.
As part of the selection process, you may be invited to submit an online portfolio of your work. You may then be invited for an interview with our tutors. If you are called for interview we will send you further guidance well in advance.
Standard entry requirements
- GCSE: English Language and Maths at grade C/level 4 or above (or equivalent)
- UCAS tariff points: 64 tariff points from A-levels (or equivalent) to include an Art & Design qualification preferred
- A level: 64 tariff points from A-levels (or equivalent) to include an Arts & Design qualification preferred
- T Level: Pass: D or E in core subject
- BTEC National Diploma: MPP including Art & Design
- Access to HE: Pass Level 3 Acess to HE Diploma with 64 points, including Art & Design
- Scottish Highers: 64 points including Art & Design
- Irish Leaving Certificate: 64 points including Art & Design
- International Baccalaureate: 24 points including Art & Design
- European Baccalaureate: Pass Diploma with 60% overall (relevant subject)
Alternative entry requirements
- Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)
We welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully. Once we have received your application we will assess it and recommend it for SAES if you are an eligible candidate.
There are two different routes through the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme and applicants will be directed to the one appropriate for their course. Assessment will either be through a review of prior learning or through a formal test.
How much?
Your tuition fees are regulated by the UK government who has proposed changes to tuition fees for UK students studying in England from 1 August 2025. The fee stated reflects this proposed change, but remains subject to parliamentary approval. Your tuition fees may increase in your first and each subsequent year of your programme to the maximum amount permitted by UK law or regulation for that academic year.
- Type of study: Full-time home
- Year: 2025/26
- Fees: £8,505 for Foundation Year and £9,535 for subsequent years
- Year: 2026/27
- Fees: £8,505 for Foundation Year and £9,535 for subsequent years
Additional costs
You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.
Program Outline
Degree Overview: The curriculum emphasizes creative thinking, technical abilities, and industry-leading software proficiency, preparing graduates for diverse opportunities within the rapidly growing animation sector.
Objectives:
- Develop fundamental animation principles and skills in character animation and performance.
- Master industry-standard 3D animation software.
- Refine creative thinking and risk-taking within a digital design process.
- Cultivate strong storytelling skills for animation production.
- Understand and apply animation production practices and workflows.
Program Description:
The program begins with a Foundation Year designed to introduce students to the key concepts and skills of art and design.
It provides a strong foundation in digital media applications, creative methods, and exploration of the creative industries. Students will build a portfolio showcasing their abilities and preparing them for progression onto the BA (Hons) degree.
The BA (Hons) Animation degree
delves deeper into animation principles, character animation, performance, and storytelling. Students will gain proficiency in industry-leading 3D animation software and explore areas such as games and virtual worlds, scriptwriting, concept work, and storyboarding.
The program emphasizes reflective practice and the art of the "making of," encouraging students to document and analyze their creative processes throughout the course.
Students will also engage with client-based projects, live briefs, and simulated employment relationships to gain real-world experience.
Outline:
Year One:
- Animation 101: Fundamentals of animation, including physics, timing, spacing, and stop motion animation.
- Introduction to Creative Play: Exploring risk-taking and innovation in the digital design process.
- Animation Context: Developing reflective practice and awareness of contemporary animation through research and analysis.
- Animation 102: Advanced character animation techniques, including performance, body language, and character walks.
- Introduction to the 'Making of': Recognizing the importance of documenting creative practice in design and animation.
Year Two:
- Performance and Character: Expressing emotions and personality in animated characters.
- Games and Virtual Worlds: Learning about gamification and designing virtual interfaces.
- Specialist Animation Studies: In-depth exploration of a chosen area of animation production (scriptwriting, concept work, etc.).
- Engagement Challenge: Producing a high-quality animation prototype for a client or responding to live briefs.
- 'Making of' Integrated Practice: Applying and building on reflective practice in creative outputs.
Year Three:
- Negotiated Project - Phase One: Planning and development of a professional-standard project, including story development and asset creation.
- Research Project: Refining visual concepts, developing production plans, and demonstrating advanced competencies in a chosen specialization.
- Negotiated Project - Phase Two: Production phase of the project, working in a studio environment with expert guidance.
- 'Making Of' - Negotiated Project: Reflecting on the creative journey and documenting the project development.
- Showreel and Professional Engagement: Creating a professional portfolio showcasing expertise and enhancing presentation skills.
Assessment: Assessment methods vary throughout the program but primarily focus on project-based work. The majority of modules include practical assessments, presentations, and dissertations. The teaching staff provides ongoing feedback and support throughout the course.
Teaching: The program offers a diverse range of teaching methods, including lectures, practical workshops, one-on-one tutorials, group seminars, and design studio practice. Students benefit from industry-experienced tutors, demonstrators, and access to cutting-edge facilities such as TV studios, green screens, audio production studios, a MakerSpace, stop-frame studio, computer suites, and editing studios.
Careers: Graduates are equipped for careers in animation, TV, film, and related industries. Recent graduates have secured positions in local studios, freelance animation, storyboarding, pre-production, concept art, animation for games, visuals for music videos, and independent film companies.
- Students have access to industry-standard facilities, including TV studios, green screens, audio production studios, a MakerSpace, stop-frame studio, computer suites, and editing studios.
- Graduates benefit from strong career prospects with opportunities in animation, TV, film, and related industries.