Level: Undergraduate
Study Mode: Full-time / Part Time
Duration: 2 years (full time), 4 years (part time)
Application: To UCAS (full time), Direct to the College (part time)
Application Deadline: 15 Jan 2010
UCAS Course Code: WW26
Institution Code: H18
Validated By: The University of Gloucestershire

As the Creative industries respond to the impact of digital technologies, animation has quickly become an exciting focal point for people who wish to combine their ability to draw and to create images, with new, very accessible technology in order to push their ideas and creativity further by using movement and sound.

The animation industry needs people with innovative and original ideas, who are able to work with a range of processes and formats, and who understand, and are able to respond to the exciting demands of the professional industry.

This course is validated by University of Gloucestershire

Click to view Programme Specification

This course aims to equip students with all the skills necessary to successfully enter the animation, gaming and visual communication industries. We will encourage you to develop ideas in response to a wide range of situations and projects, across a variety of traditional and new media formats.

Throughout the course there are inductions into relevant software and industry standard technology. Emphasis is placed on the development of ideas and skills in response to a variety of set and ‘live’ project briefs.

Year One aims to equip students with an understanding of fundamental aspects of animation. These will include exploring the creative design process and applying design principles in order to effectively communicate through simple sequences of moving images.
Projects are underpinned by an imaginative drawing programme; introductions to a range of animation techniques in our studio, as well as industry standard software packages. Practical classes are supported by a theory programme which will explore issues which inform contemporary animation within the context of media and visual culture.

In Year Two students apply their skills and understanding to more complex animation ideas and are introduced to more advanced skills and techniques in preparation for gaining future employment. At this stage the course will also enable students to engage at a more specialist level in character and narrative development providing a basis for specialisation in areas such as computer animation, 3D modelling and games design. Studio projects involving team working and problem solving are supported by a series of regular 'live' project briefs in which students will work directly with clients, as well as visits to animation studios in order to provide students with an understanding of work experience associated with commercial and professional practice. Intellectual skills are developed through formal lectures and a ‘media arts’ discourse in which ‘real’ and ‘theoretical’ case studies are presented and analysed.

Students who complete this course should be qualified to successfully gain employment within the animation, media and games industries, working as ‘creatives’ developing ideas, characters and narrative sequences, or in the production process as technical support and editors.
Students may also progress onto an appropriate one-year top –up course in order to gain a BA(Hons) qualification.

Minimum age 18
Successful portfolio interview
160 - 200 UCAS Tariff Points
Mature Students with related experience

English as a second language: IELTS score 6.0 or equivalent on enrolment

All applications to our Full Time Higher Education courses should be made via UCAS – for more details on how to apply, click here