BA (Hons) Animation
Location
Applicant Type
University Level
Level
Level 6
Subject
Creative Media, Animation & Games Design
Course Overview
UCAS Course Code: W615 - This course is validated by the University of the Arts London (UAL).
BA (Hons) Animation is a practice-led course, where you will develop animation, production, concept art and storytelling skills.
You will:
- Be encouraged to explore hand-rendered, digital and sculptural productions to tell engaging stories.
- Learn, explore and develop industry standard practices and software to meet the demands of the animation, production and concept art industry.
We pride ourselves on providing a welcoming and creative learning environment where students, due to our small class sizes, have continuous access and support from their tutors. Students enjoy the opportunity and freedom to direct a lot of their learning especially when it comes to materials, techniques and concept art, developing their own styles and independence.
Industry weeks provide talks by professionals, companies and previous students to share experiences and expectations in industry and providing networking opportunities.
The first year will provide you with all the animation basics and software as well as fundamental skills in storytelling and concept art. You will develop pre-production and storytelling skills to lead you to the production of a final animation. You will also be studying the historical context of animation.
In the second year you will be enhancing these skills to produce an animation based on an in-depth exploration of your creative ideas. This year will also provide you with an understanding and practical skills of getting into the animation industry, looking at employment and freelance options. You will also be taking part in an industry project, set and reviewed by an industry professional. Furthermore, you will be developing research and academic writing skills by looking at contemporary issues within the industry.
Your third year will consist of self-directed projects, one theory or research based and the other production based. In this third year you will have the option to produce a final signature animation, a concept art book or a pitch bible.
Course Structure
Year One units (Level 4)
- Theory as Practice 1
- Animation & Art Fundamentals
- Storytelling
- Pre-Production 1
- Production 1
Year Two units (Level 5)
- Theory as Practice 2
- Creative Industry Practices
- Performance & VFX
- Pre-Production 2
- Production 2
Year Three units (Level 6)
- Theory as Practice 3
- Creative Industry Brief
- Pre-Production 3
- Production 3
You will need a minimum of 64 UCAS points from one or more of the following:
- A levels
- T levels
- BTEC/UAL Extended Diploma
- Foundation Diploma in Art and Design (Level 3 or 4)
- Or Equivalent EU/International qualifications such as International Baccalaureate Diploma
- Plus, English GCSE passes at grade 4 or above (grade A*-C)
This list is not exhaustive other qualifications may be considered. Entry to this course will also be determined by the quality of your application looking primarily at your portfolio/showreel of work, personal statement and reference.
Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence.
Contact hours: 13 hours per week plus independent study (suggested 30 hours per week).
All assessment on BA (Hons) Animation is via coursework; there are no exams.
Coursework is assessed in a range of different ways to accommodate a variety of learning styles and aptitudes.
You will receive:
- Ongoing feedback as part of your one-to-one sessions with your unit teachers
- Summative feedback on all formal assessments undertaken by coursework
Feedback is intended to help you learn and you are encouraged to discuss it with your unit leader. Feedback can be given in a variety of ways to accommodate different learning styles and aptitudes including group critiques, recorded verbal feedback and written feedback.
The cost of this course is £9,790 for 2027 entry.
The course is eligible for funding through Student Loans England, subject to status.
Fees are per academic year for Home/UK students.
The following course-related costs are included in the fees:
- Guest speakers, visiting lecturers and industry focussed workshops will be included in your course over the three years
- Third Year students will have the opportunity to showcase their final year work at the end of their studies. This may be a local, national or online platform. Event/exhibition costs will be covered by the Faculty of HE. In the past this has included Vertex Conference. Students will be responsible for any additional costs associated with the production of their personal project (ie: printing, materials)
- Annual £20 of printing credit per year
Graduates have gone on to work with leading animation, film, television and creative studios, as well as building successful freelance careers. Industry projects and live briefs help students develop professional portfolios, with some choosing to continue their studies at master's level.
Recent graduates go on to study:
- MA Animation
- MA Illustration
- MA Film and Television
We also provide a Professional Graduate Certificate in Education course.
3 years
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Overall achievement rates (All learners)
90.2%
Ofstead good rating
A safe environment to learn
Qualifications earned per year
18232
Award-winning careers programe
State-of-the-art facilities
