Animation and Visual Effects BA (Hons)

Program Overview

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Animation and Visual Effects BA (Hons)

Develop the creative and technical skills behind the latest Hollywood blockbusters and learn from award-winning studio professionals.

Key Information

• Course duration: 3 or 4 year options
• Course options: Integrated Foundation Year, Diploma Year
• Typical offer: 104-120 UCAS Tariff Points
• Annual fees:
  • Home (full-time): £9,535
  • Overseas (full-time): £18,500
• UCAS code: W618 (3 Year), W617 (4 Year)
• Institution code: N39
• Course start: September 2025

Course Overview

BA (Hons) Animation and Visual Effects offers a perfect balance between mastering the fundamental principles of animation, visual effects, and breakthrough techniques. As you become an expert ‘world builder’, you’ll use visual effects to create character designs, enhance stories, work with directors or film your own shots, helping to develop a portfolio that could fast-track you into the animation or VFX industries.

Why Study with Us

• Explore the major animation and visual effects techniques including digital 2D, 3D, and compositing to underpin your visual effects projects.
• Develop an understanding of audience, context, film language, and the elements of compelling storytelling.
• Learn about a range of processes such as look development, lighting, texturing, rendering, and compositing.
• Attend masterclasses and guest lecturers from major studios and artists.
• Learn in a collaborative studio-based environment.
• Opportunities to engage with industry events such as FMX and the London VFX festival.
• Access education versions of industry-standard software such as Autodesk, Maya, Houdini, Unreal, Adobe Substance Painter, and Nuke during your study.
• Develop critical creative thinking skills through your course practice and expanded opportunist to engage with thought provoking lectures (VC talks), cross university activities (Interchange), and specialism linked essay tasks.

Course Details

Integrated Foundation Year (optional)

• Integrated Foundation Year (optional)
• Year 1
• Year 2
• Diploma Year (optional)
• Final Year

Integrated Foundation Year

Our Integrated Foundation Year is designed to equip students with the necessary skills, knowledge and confidence to thrive in their chosen degree subject. The course provides a comprehensive introduction to various disciplines, blending critical thinking and creative problem-solving with practical hands-on experience. This year serves as a bridge to undergraduate studies, allowing students to explore their interests within a supportive and inspiring environment, while familiarising themselves with the campus, workshops, and tutors.

Year 1

• Core Units:
  • Creative Learning (40 credits)
  • Explore and Experiment (80 credits)
• Core Projects:
  • Wayfinding Week
  • Make it Manifest(o)
  • Interchange Week

Year 2

• Core Units:
  • Global Contexts (80 credits)
  • Collaboration (40 credits)
• Core Projects:
  • Wayfinding Week
  • Make it Manifest(o)
  • Interchange Week

Diploma Year (optional)

• Level 5 Diploma (120 credits)
• Students have the opportunity to spend a year after the second of their degree (or the third year if studying for a degree with an Integrated Foundation Year) enhancing their employability options through a Level 5 Diploma.

Final Year

• Core Units:
  • Research and Preparation (40 credits)
  • Resolution and Career Development (80 credits)
• Core Projects:
  • Wayfinding Week
  • Make it Manifest(o)
  • Interchange Week

Learning and Teaching

This course is taught through a mixture of learning and teaching methods including:

• Group briefings
• Academic tutorials
• Group tutorials
• Workshops
• Critiques (crits)
• Seminars
• Lectures

Assessment

Assessment for this course is entirely coursework-based, meaning there are no exams. Your progress will be evaluated through the projects and assignments you complete for each unit. Throughout the year, you’ll receive ongoing feedback to help you refine your work and develop your skills. To support your learning and ensure you achieve the course outcomes, we use a variety of assessment methods, including:

• Finished pieces of work
• Presentations
• Written work
• Your research
• A reflective journal

Entry Requirements

• Home:
  • A/AS Levels (GCE): 3 A-level qualifications at grades BCC (104 UCAS Tariff points) or above.
  • BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF or RQF): Distinction, Merit, Merit in an art, design or media related subject.
  • UAL Extended Diploma: Merit
  • UAL Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design: Pass
  • UAL Level 4 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design: Pass
  • Foundation Diploma in Art and Design: Pass
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma (Art and Design): Pass
  • International Baccalaureate Diploma: A minimum of 26 points
• International:
  • We accept qualifications from all over the world.
  • English language qualifications: Most international students are required to hold an English language qualification. Applicants are required to have a minimum UKVI approved IELTS exam score of 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each section.

Fees and Funding

• Home:
  • Tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year: £9,535 per year
  • Fees for subsequent years: Tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation, subject to government regulations.
• International:
  • Tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year: £18,500 per year
  • Fees for subsequent years: For Overseas students starting in 2025 inflation will be applied to your fees in later years.

How to Apply

• All applications for undergraduate courses will need to be made via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
• You’ll need our university UCAS code (N39) as well as your course code which you’ll find on your course page.
• When you register with UCAS you will need include your previous and current qualifications information, personal statement, and reference.

Related Courses

• Animation BA (Hons)
• Film and Moving Image Production BA (Hons)
• Games Art and Design BA (Hons)
• Games Development BSc (Hons)