Program Overview

BA (Hons) Animation and Visual Effects

Overview

The BA (Hons) Animation and Visual Effects course is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge required to succeed in the animation and visual effects industry. The course focuses on developing industry-relevant skills and techniques, while also exploring research-informed creative practice, critical thinking, and graduate employability.

Course Structure

The course is structured to evolve students' skills progressively, starting with foundational knowledge, advancing to specialized techniques, and culminating in a final project that showcases their unique artistic voice.

Year One

• Animation and VFX Pipelines: Gain a fundamental understanding of studio pipeline production.
• Digital Narrative and Concept: Develop and enhance generalist skills in creating dynamic characters and constructing interactive scenarios.
• Virtual Stagecraft: Learn to manipulate and augment real-world footage using digital computer-generated imagery.
• Cultural Contexts: Explore the cultural, historical, and social contexts of creative work.
• Collaborative Practice: Develop skills in effective discussion, critical thinking, problem-solving, leadership, and team-working.

Year Two

• Script, Storyboard & Previs: Introduce concepts and techniques in visual storytelling and preproduction for animation design and VFX.
• Experimental Narrative & Concept: Explore and experiment with visual form and break down traditional ways of making and conceptualizing projects.
• Animation and VFX Cinematography: Prepare for the creative and professional challenges of real-world practical effects and animation.
• Shot to Screen: Adapt a pre-existing story form into animated and digitally recreated scenes.
• Professional Development: Develop skills in industry-led live briefs, project development, and team projects.

Year Three

• Research Brief: Carry out research and preproduction for graduate production, consolidating learning from the course.
• Production Review: Prepare for the creative and professional challenges of pitching an elemental idea or production concept to a professional audience.
• Professional Studio Project: Consolidate practical and conceptual skills to create a project that reflects contemporary thinking, industry practice, and discrete subject skill sets.
• Festivals & Exhibition: Perfect skills necessary to identify and successfully engage with the media industries post-graduation.

Teaching & Assessment

The course will be delivered via a blended approach, using a range of contemporary teaching approaches that offer students the freedom to access course materials at the time of their choice. Teaching activities and tools include:

• Video lectures
• Podcast-style lectures
• Interactive Flipped Classroom (with Gamification at its core)
• Practical workshop and masterclasses
• Screening of work
• Production tasks
• Small group seminars
• 1:2:1 tutorial
• Team projects

Assessment types include:

• Module Work Book, bespoke eBooks (electronic handbooks and project record/document)
• Presentations/Pitching
• Seminars & Project Surgeries
• Review of portfolio/blog/screenings of ‘dailies’

Entry Requirements

• 104-120 UCAS Tariff Points
• A-levels: BCC-BBB
• T-levels: P (C+) – M
• Access to HE: 30 Credits at Distinction, 6 at Merit and 9 at Pass
• CACHE Technical Level 3 and Level 3 Extended Diploma: B
• OCR Cambridge Technical & Edexcel/Pearson BTEC Level 3 (National) Extended Diploma: MMM - DDM
• Scottish Highers: BBBC - AABB
• Irish LC Highers: B1, B2x3 – A2, B1x3

Tuition Fees

• £9,535 - UK (2025-2026)
• £14,900 - International (2025-2026)

Additional Costs

• Books: £50 - £100 per year
• Stationery: £30 - £40 per year

Location

• Carlisle - Brampton Road Campus

Institute

• Institute of Education, Arts and Society

UCAS Code

• W286

Delivery Style

• In-Person

Course Duration

• Full-time: 3 Years

Course Start Point

• September

Award

• BA (Hons)