Program Overview

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Animation - MA

2025/26 Full-time Postgraduate course

Award:

Master of Arts

Faculty:

Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

School:

Belfast School of Art

Campus:

Belfast campus

Start date:

September 2025

Overview

Storytelling and skills building through animation production

Summary

Northern Ireland’s vibrant animation industry and community make it a highly desirable destination for study, networking and career advancement. This programme focuses on the three core components of animated production: Narrative, Character and Performance. Students will develop their skills in narrative construction, character development, animation and advanced production techniques, allowing them to explore the unique opportunities and challenges computer animation brings to storytelling.

About this course

About

Please note this programme is currently undergoing revalidation.

Building on the success of the BDes Hons Animation programme, which is already impacting local and global industry with graduates being honoured at the Prime Time Emmy Awards for their “Contribution to the Emmy Award winning achievement—Outstanding Special Visual Effects” on the HBO series “Game of Thrones”, the MA Animation programme aims to further establish Ulster University’s Belfast School of Art as the regional, national and international centre of excellence in CGI (Computer Generated Imagery), Animation for education, research and industry.

Semester One

• Timing for Animation Students develop their core skills in animation, developing a deeper understanding of timing and animation principles in action.
• Experimental Design This module considers the importance of the pre-visualisation stage of the pipeline and provide the students the opportunities and space to experiment, test, and develop the required skills and knowledge to build the foundations of their projects.

Semester Two

• Design Research and Development Students investigate theoretical, practical, contemporary, and cultural issues in Animation, Visual Effects and creative industries.
• Animation Production Students will develop a broader understanding of computer animation pipelines and their implementation in a commercial production environment. From concept through animation, compositing and editing, students will develop the skills needed to see their projects through to completion.

Semester Three

• Portfolio Project Students will develop a body of work specific to their chosen area of animation production.

Attendance

Attendance is available in part-time and full-time modes.

Start dates

• September 2025

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Attendance and Independent Study

As part of your course induction, you will be provided with details of the organisation and management of the course, including attendance and assessment requirements.

Calculation of the Final Award

The class of Honours awarded in Bachelor’s degrees is usually determined by calculation of an aggregate mark based on performance across the modules at Levels 5 and 6.

Academic profile

The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff.

Modules

Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.

Year one

• Timing for Animation Year: 1 Status: C Since the MA Animation course will be accepting students both with and without prior animation experience, this first module will be flexible enough either to provide an initial framework from which an understanding of animation fundamentals will be developed, or to provide the space to revise, build and develop specialization.
• Animation Production Year: 1 Status: C This module will enable students to consolidate their animation skills in a semi-professional context.
• Portfolio Project Year: 1 Status: C The purpose of this module is to enable the student to consolidate and demonstrate the knowledge and skills that have been acquired through the master's programme.
• Design Research and Development Year: 1 Status: C Students complete this module having obtained a clear understanding of how to conduct a post-graduate level research.
• Experimental Design Year: 1 Status: C This module considers the importance of the pre-visualisation stage of the pipeline and provide the students the opportunities and space to experiment, test, and develop the required skills and knowledge to build the foundations of their projects.

Standard entry conditions

We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must hold a degree (with at least 2:2 Honours standard) or equivalent or demonstrate their ability to undertake the course through the accreditation of prior learning.

• i) Applicants should normally hold a good honours degree in any Animation, Computer Science, Engineering, Design practice, Visual Arts or cognate subject from a University of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, from the Council of National Academic Awards, the Higher Education and Training Awards Council or from an institution of another country which is recognised as being of an equivalent standard.
• ii) Applicants may be interviewed along with the presentation of a body of work that can take the form of, but is not limited to, a portfolio and/or showreel and proposal.
• iii) Applications are welcomed from diverse backgrounds however where there is a discipline shift the applicant must represent a coherent rationale for this shift and evidence prerequisite knowledge, skills and experience.

English Language Requirements

• English language requirements for international applicants The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5.

Careers & opportunities

This programme is designed to prepare students for a career in a range of animation related fields such as TV & Feature film animation and games animation.

Fees and funding

10% Alumni Discount

Are you a graduate of Ulster University? Did you know you could be eligible for a 10% fees discount.

Tuition Fee Loans Available

Students domiciled in Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and UK students can apply to Student Finance NI for a Tuition Fee loan of up to £6,500 (subject to eligibility).

Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and EU Settlement Status Fees

£7,240.00

International Fees

£17,810.00

Annual Increase Disclaimer

Important Notice: Annual Fees Increase

Fees illustrated are based on academic year 25/26 entry and are subject to an annual increase.

If your study continues into future academic years your fees are subject to an annual increase. Please take this into consideration when you estimate your total fees for a degree.

Additional mandatory costs are highlighted where they are known in advance. There are other costs associated with university study.

Visit our Fees pages for full details of fees.

Correct at the time of publishing. Terms and conditions apply.

Additional mandatory costs

Field trips may incur additional costs.

It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.