Looking for a career creating visual products for the film, animation or games industry? Benefit from our strong industry links to achieve your goals.
If you enjoy animation, animated films and visual effects, this course will help to train you for a career in this exciting and expanding industry.
This course will provide you with industry-relevant training and skills while also introducing you to the core principles of creative film-making and visual storytelling.
The UK has a globally competitive animation and vfx industry based in Soho, London, along with other centres of excellence such as Aardman Animation in Bristol.
You will learn the vital practical and technical skills which provide a firm foundation for jobs in the animation and visual effects industry. We recognise that this is a technology-driven medium which also requires exceptional creative talent.
You will have the opportunity to use the latest software, and graduate with a broad range of creative and technical skills.
The course will be particularly attractive for students who may want to explore a career in animation, working on films, TV, games, web animation, online & mobile content and advertising.
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This course provides a solid grounding for students who want to pursue careers in the animation, games and visual effects industry. The course is uniquely placed to offer a BA in animation with an emphasis on digital character and creature animation, taking advantage of established links with leading industry partners.
This course gives students practical digital skills training; contextual knowledge and understanding, and an appreciation of research methods. It also includes modules on creativity and enterprise; these will help prepare students to work both as employees and also as independent, self-reliant, freelance digital artists.
This course is focused on the present and future needs of a rapidly changing industry. The practical modules include research and design skills, video and audio training. Students will also learn modelling, rigging, texturing, lighting, digital cinematography, 3D digital graphics, design and drawing.
The purpose is to give aspiring animators and 3D artists a core understanding of the complete digital pipeline. By the end of the three years, students will be proficient character and creature animators with a broad range of complementary digital and creative skills.
In addition, students will also learn about contemporary film-making, independent film and video production and the economics of the industry. During the course students will create a website or blog and will build a portfolio of work which will ultimately be edited into a demo reel (or series of demo reels) so that they can demonstrate their potential to prospective employers. We recognise that an excellent demo reel is of vital importance in finding employment.
Industry links
Throughout the course, visiting speakers, including animators, modellers, riggers and other visual effects artists will give students invaluable first-hand knowledge of the industry which will further help prepare students for their careers. Visiting speakers and tutors will be drawn from leading companies such as Cinesite, Framestore and MPC.
Students will also be encouraged to gain experience during their studies by, for example, taking short internships with animation and visual effects companies, and taking on small freelance projects.
There are three key elements to this degree course.
In year one, students will learn a broad range of animation and digital skills.
In year two, students will dig deeper into character and creature animation, becoming proficient and skilled, while learning a complement of creative and technical skills.
In year three students will be encouraged to work on short film projects, mimicking the team effort of an industry production. The goal is to make short films of high quality that can be successfully entered into international festivals and competitions.
Year one
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CGI Foundation.
This module introduces students to all the core vfx skills including polygon modelling, cameras & lenses, UV mapping & texturing, lighting & rendering, and compositing 3D objects into a photographic plate.
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2D Graphics & Animation
This module focuses on motion graphics, animated text effects, and animated film & TV titles.
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CGI Animation Foundation
Here students will learn the foundations of animation principles, including locomotion, walk cycles, run cycles, weight and flexibility.
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Previs & 3D Layout
Previsualisation (“previs”) is one of the most exciting and growing areas of digital film-making. Students will learn design, storyboards, concept art, 3D layout, cameras, editing, sound effects, motion capture (“MoCap”) and directing.
Year two
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Animation - Character Performance
Here students will dig deeper into character animation and performance, learning acting, dialogue, lipsync and motion capture.
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Animation - Animals & Creatures
The creature animation module focuses on animating photo-realistic animals including quadrupeds, birds, insects, fish, monsters dinosaurs and other creatures.
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Intermediate CGI Modelling & Rigging
Here students will gain deeper expertise in the core skills of modelling, rigging, texturing and lighting.
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CG VFX
This module exmplores the CG (computer graphics) live action workflow, including dynamics, particles & fluids.
Year three
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Short Film Project - Pre-Production
The third and final year begins with a self-directed solo or group project - a short film. Students will complete a script, storyboards, visual development & design, and record voices into a full story reel or animatic. The goal is to produce quality work capable of entering and winning international student film festivals.
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Short Film Project - Production
This principle phase of the third year film project includes modelling, texturing, animation and lighting. Finally, students will add music and sound effects.
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Digital Practice
This vital final module involves preparing students for the all-important job market. Students will take a close look at the industry, complete a live project for a client, work on their website or blog and polish their demo reel to perfection.
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Dissertation
The final dissertation focuses on the theory and practice of the Short Film Project, exploring the ideas behind it and the challenges to completion.
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Academic
The course incorporates important academic elements, which will complement the practical modules. Academic studies will include Research Methods, Film Theory, Design, Media, Lifestyle & Culture.
Start date: September
Duration: Three years
Attendance: An average attendance of three days per week can be expected. Specific days and times of study vary and formal timetables are usually issued a month prior to your course start date. Please note that this information is intended as a guide and is subject to change.
Applicants will typically be A level students who achieve 200-240 UCAS points, or BTEC students with equivalent grades. Applicants must also have GCSE Maths and English at grade C or above, good artistic and technical skills and an interest in animation and visual effects.
Fees for 2013-14 entry
Fee code for Home and EU students: C4
To find the fee for this code please refer to our downloadable fee grid.
Fee code for International students: To be confirmed
To find the fee for this code please refer to our online fee grid.
If you would more information on fees and finance, please take a look at our money module.
Fees quoted are for the next intake and are subject to change. Fee costs for subsequent years are subject to rises in inflation or course delivery costs.