Animation (BA Hons)

Our degree in animation is designed to provide all the skills you need to get into the film, tv, visual fx or video game industries. This animation degree covers a range of subjects, from 2d and 3d animation and storytelling to the technical computer graphic skills you need for animation practice. 

Our modules help you develop specific skills for work in games, VFX, film and television. These skills are also useful for other industries, such as design, advertising, or architecture and medical imaging.

To join this degree, you should ideally have a background in art/design and have attempted creative production of some kind, such as photography, video or fine art. The key is to show great visual communication skills. Popular career options for animation graduates include VFX and video games companies, animation and advertising studios, and interactive media companies.

What you should know about this course

• Gain the key skills and practices of animation in a collaborative setting, and learn more about the entire production process
• Combine general animation with the specialist skills you need for the VFX, games, film and TV industries
• Develop creative aesthetics across multiple areas of general animation, such as character design, 3D modelling, motion graphics, etc.
• The course reflects the multidisciplinary nature of the animation industry. It will suit a variety of backgrounds in traditional / digital art and design
• The degree offers interrelated subjects in 3D modelling and animation, 2D animation practice, digital sculpting, and software / hardware skills.

What you will study
Full time

Year 1
Students are required to study the following compulsory modules.

• Animation Principles (30 credits)
• Experimental Studio Practices (30 credits)
• Design and Modelling (30 credits)
• Storytelling for Animation (30 credits)

Year 2
Students are required to study the following compulsory modules.

• Animation Practice (30 credits)
• VFX Principles (30 credits)
• Innovative Storytelling (30 credits)
• Game Design Principles (30 credits)

Year 3
Students are required to study the following compulsory modules.

• Animation Studio (30 credits)
• Animation Research Project (60 credits)
• Professional Practice and Portfolio (30 credits)

Sandwich
Year 1
Students are required to study the following compulsory modules.

• Animation Principles (30 credits)
• Experimental Studio Practices (30 credits)
• Design and Modelling (30 credits)
• Storytelling for Animation (30 credits)

Year 2
Students are required to study the following compulsory modules.

• Animation Practice (30 credits)
• VFX Principles (30 credits)
• Innovative Storytelling (30 credits)
• Game Design Principles (30 credits)

Year 3
Students are required to study the following compulsory modules.

• CPDA Professional Practice Placement

Year 4
Students are required to study the following compulsory modules.

• Animation Studio (30 credits)
• Animation Research Project (60 credits)
• Professional Practice and Portfolio (30 credits)

How you will learn

• Teaching Learning takes place through a combination of timetabled learning and independent study.
• You can view more information about how each module is taught within our 'What you will study' section.
• Seminars and workshops enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups. You will also be able to meet your personal tutor. Timetabled learning may fall between 9am and 9pm depending on your courses and tutorials.
• Class sizes- The typical student intake per year averages 35-40. Lectures are normally attended by larger groups, and seminars/tutorials by smaller groups. Students may be in a module that has a cross-school intake, however, so they may be in lectures of 100-150 students depending on the module.
• Independent learning- Outside of timetabled sessions, you are also expected to dedicate time to self-study. This may involve further reading and research for preparing coursework and presentations. You can use Stockwell Street Library and online resources to support you in these activities.

In addition, during the week you can also:

• Attend additional support classes in some modules
• Attend guest lectures from industry experts
• Take part in employability and enterprise workshops
• Join student societies.

Overall workload

• If you are studying full-time, you should expect the workload to be similar to a full-time job. For part-time students, this will reduce in proportion with the number of courses you are studying.
• Each module you study towards this degree is worth 30-credits except for one 60-credit module in the final year. These represent around 300 or 600 study hours respectively.
• If you receive 72 contact hours for a 30-credit module, you should expect to commit 228 hours to independent study to complete it successfully.

Careers and placements
Will I have a work placement?

• This course can be taken in sandwich mode, which means you can take a year to work in industry between your second and final years of study. Sandwich placements are relevant to your degree subject and are paid roles. It is the very best way of preparing you for successfully finding a job quickly when you graduate.

How long is my placement?

• Sandwich placements last for between 9-13 months. Work-based learning module placements are normally one day a week for either one or two terms depending on the number of credits available from the module.

What are the financial arrangements?

• Sandwich placements are paid roles whereas work-based learning module placements are normally unpaid.

What sort of careers do graduates pursue?

• The growth of digital media and the computer arts industries has created a high demand for talented designers and animators. Our animation graduates work in a range of creative industries. These include VFX for film and TV, the video game industry, and areas such as product design and visual imaging.
• This degree also prepares you well for other design-related fields that need 3D skills, such as product or urban design, architecture or landscape. You may also choose to specialise in digital animation, digital arts, post-production or visual effects.

Are internships available?

• Students are encouraged to take up Summer internships during the Summer holidays, though it is up to the student to find them. Support is available to students from the Employability and Careers Service when applying for placements and internships.

Do you provide employability services?

• Employability activities take place all the time at Greenwich and students are encouraged to take part in as many opportunities as possible. The central Employability and Careers Service provides support for students preparing to apply for placements and graduate roles, such as CV clinics, mock interviews and employability skills workshops. In addition, your School has a dedicated Employability Officer who will be organising work-related activities throughout the year which will help you to build you industry knowledge and networks.