Animation, BA (Hons)

Course summary

Our specialist course is designed for passionate students focussing on a career in animation production. Join others who share your ambition of becoming a professional animator across film, TV, games or other exciting industries.You will study practical and technical skills across a range of traditional and digital animation. By gaining a solid grounding in animation and related theories and concepts, you can make an informed choice as you begin to specialise in a chosen area. Learning is reinforced by practical experimentation. Our hands-on programme nurtures creative collaboration, both at course level and across subject areas at the University. This can include live briefs and international competitions, helping you develop your specialism within animation. The professional practice elements of the course are vital in giving you a broad understanding of the sector. Industry speakers provide career development and professional insights, alongside supported work experience opportunities and fascinating studio visits. Utilising our established industry contacts, visiting experts include animators, model makers, sound designers, scriptwriters, producers, and directors. Representatives from global brands such as Aardman Animation, Mackinnon and Saunders, Blue Zoo, Warner Media, Golden Wolf as well as independent animators Joseph Wallace, Lizzie Hobbs, Bianca Ansems and Maryam Mohajer have inspired previous degree cohorts. Wherever possible, we encourage you to gain real-world experiences. We support you to network, collaborate, and find new career opportunities and clients, giving you the edge when seeking employment in this rapidly evolving industry.

Year one – Develop a comprehensive understanding of the principles of animation, from idea generation to end production processes. Exploration of the animation cycle covers research, narrative development, worldbuilding, character design, storyboarding, background/layout, and innovative media and animation techniques. Learn skills across 2D, 3D computer-generated, and stop motion animation. You’ll consider the practical, conceptual, and theoretical pathways open to you as an animator. Year two – Collaborate with others to develop your own specialist practice using briefs and self-identified projects. You will focus on critical thinking, pre-production, animation, or post-production techniques as you progress. This enables you to further understand job roles and your interests within the animation production pipeline. Competitions, live briefs, and teamwork teaches you essential social, communication, professional, employability and entrepreneurial skills. Year three – Using your new knowledge, you will focus on your own creative ambitions and develop a strategy for becoming a professional animator. You’ll be involved in practice based research, negotiate your own projects, participate in competitions, attend conferences, and meet visiting professionals. Year three focusses on building a striking and unique portfolio that reflects the skills you have to offer any future employer or client, setting you up for a successful career in the industry.