Animation, BA (Hons), with industry placement

This specialist course equips passionate students for careers in animation production across film, TV, games, and beyond. It builds practical and technical skills in traditional and digital animation, grounded in theory and concepts, allowing informed specialization. Hands-on learning emphasizes experimentation, creative collaboration through live briefs and competitions, and professional insights from industry speakers, studio visits, and experts from renowned brands like Aardman Animation and independent animators.The curriculum progresses through modules: Year one covers animation principles, from idea generation to techniques in 2D, 3D, and stop motion. Year two focuses on specialist practice via briefs and teamwork, enhancing employability skills. Year three involves self-directed projects, portfolio development, and optional placement for real-world experience, preparing graduates for the 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. *If you choose to study this course over four years, this will include a placement year (also known as a sandwich year, work placement, industrial placement, or year in industry), which provides a fantastic opportunity to enhance your employability and gain practical experience in your field of study. The placement year typically occurs after year two and before year three.