Program Overview

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Course Overview

This programme is unique to the midlands campus as no other educational provider offers a programme combining both animation and illustration at undergraduate level in Ireland. Graduates of the BA (Hons) in Animation and Illustration will have the capacity to apply their knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of illustration and principles of animation to a broad range of areas within the animation and illustration sector in Ireland and internationally. Our students develop the capacity for independent learning as well as producing work collaboratively. Solid analytical and IT-related skills, as well as high levels of critical reasoning through the twin emphasis of both animation and illustration, are vital to creating strong, visually appealing and imaginative artwork.

Additional Information

Portfolio Guidelines

• Your portfolio should reflect your enthusiasm for studying within the artistic areas of animation and illustration.
• You should demonstrate a high level of draughtsmanship, creativity, and experimentation through a wide range of media including, but not limited to, pencil, paint, mixed-media, photography, animated experiments.
• Do not include fan art. We do not need to see copies of other artists' work.
• All artwork that you submit must be your own original artwork.

What to Include in Your Portfolio?

• A minimum of one full sketchbook
  • Applicants must submit one completed sketchbook.
  • Applicants who have additional sketchbooks may submit up to 5 sketchbooks in total if they wish.
• 8-10 pieces of completed artwork
  • These pieces are your main portfolio of completed work outside of your sketchbook.
  • Try to have a variety of work in this section of your portfolio.

Portfolio Submissions

• The portfolio submissions portal will open for online upload from March 14th 2025 and close on March 28th 2025.
• Applicants will receive information on how to login to upload their portfolio when the CAO have processed their application.

Contact Details

• Dr. Yvonne Hennessy
  • Programme Co-ordinator

What are the Entry Requirements?

Leaving Certificate

• Grade H5 in two subjects, plus Grade O6 in four other subjects.
• Two of these subjects must be Mathematics and a language (English or Irish)
• Note: An F2 in Foundation Level Mathematics will be accepted as meeting the minimum Mathematics requirement.

QQI

• QQI applicants to this programme must hold one of the following awards:
  • Art (6M4029)
  • Cartoon Animation (6M5545)
  • Interior Design (5M5054)
  • Design (5M2208)
  • Creative Craft (5M1981)
  • Art, Craft, and Design (5M1984)
  • Art (5M1985)
  • Creative Media (5M5048)
  • Multimedia Production (5M2146)
  • Graphic Design (5M1995)
• Distinctions are required in 3 modules.

Mature Applicants

• Candidates applying as mature applicants may be required to attend an interview and may be requested to take an aptitude test to prove their suitability for a place on this programme.

International Applicants

• International applicants should apply directly to the International Office at TUS, allowing plenty of time for completing the visa process.
• Applications for September start should be made by 1st June at the latest to ensure visas are processed in time.
• You should familiarise yourself with visa processing times for your country of origin to ensure you make a timely application.

Course Modules

Year 1 – Semester 1

• Illustration 1.1 (5 credits)
• Animation 1.1 (10 credits)
• Life Drawing 1.1 (5 credits)
• Critical and Contextual Studies 1.1 (5 credits)
• Environment Design 1.1 (5 credits)

Year 1 – Semester 2

• Illustration 1.2 (5 credits)
• Animation 1.2 (5 credits)
• Life Drawing 1.2 (5 credits)
• Critical and Contextual Studies 1.1 (5 credits)
• Environment Design 1.2 (5 credits)
• Sequential Art and Illustration 1.2 (5 credits)

Year 2 – Semester 1

• Life Drawing 2.1 (5 credits)
• Animation 2.1 (5 credits)
• Illustration 2.1 (5 credits)
• Critical and Contextual Studies 2.1 (5 credits)
• Storyboarding 2.1 (5 credits)
• Scriptwriting 2.1 (5 credits)

Year 2 – Semester 2

• Life Drawing 2.2 (5 credits)
• Animation 2.2 (10 credits)
• Illustration 2.2 (5 credits)
• Critical and Contextual Studies 2.2 (5 credits)
• Placement Preparation 2.2 (5 credits)

Year 3 – Semester 1

• Illustration 3.1 (5 credits)
• Animation 3.1 (5 credits)
• Life Drawing 3.1 (5 credits)
• Environment 3.1 (5 credits)
• Studio Preparation 3.1 (5 credits)
• Critical and Contextual Studies 3.1 (5 credits)

Year 3 – Semester 2

• Studio Production 3 (10 credits)
• Critical and Contextual Studies 3.2 (5 credits)
• Work Placement 3.2 (15 credits)

Year 4 – Semester 1

• Life Drawing 4.1 (5 credits)
• Dissertation Development 4.1 (5 credits)
• Project Management 4.1 (10 credits)
• Project Management 4.1 (10 credits)

Year 4 – Semester 2

• Project Production 4 (20 credits)
• Dissertation 4.2 (10 credits)

What Can You Do After This Programme?

Career Opportunities

We have had graduates who have gone on to work with internationally acclaimed and Oscar nominated animation studios as well as producing print and digital illustration for the global market. Our graduates have established their own companies and some are working independently on original content.

Further Study

There is the opportunity to go on to further studies at Level 9 and Level 10 after graduating from this our 4-Year Level 8 programme.

Industry Relevant Information

The Athlone Campus animation programme hosts the annual National Talent Academy for Animation, Animation Fair. This event brings over 15 studio representatives to campus where they engage in round tables discussions and provide 1-to-1 portfolio interviews with students who are seeking to expand their networking and gain employment upon graduating.

Additional Information

• How to Apply
• CAO FAQs
• Student Finance
• Other CAO information

Similar Courses

• Graphic Design – BA
• Graphic and Digital Design – BA (Hons)
• Animation and Illustration – BA
• Music and Sound Engineering – BSc (Hons)