BA (Hons) Animation

Why study an animation degree at solent university. Bring your creative ideas to life using traditional, stop-motion or cgi animation techniques and gain professional experience through industry connections. 

• Solent is in the top 15 for drama, dance and cinematics studies (out of 94 institutions) (Complete University Guide 2025)
• Solent is 12th in the UK for student experience in drama, dance and cinematics studies (out of 94 institutions) (The Times Good University Guide 2025)
• Students have access to Toon Boom Harmony, software used by the largest animation and gaming studios from around the world. The all-in-one, end-to-end 2D animation software allows animators to create cut-out and paperless animation in every style.
• You'll be taught by an industry-active course team with a wealth of first-hand experience to share.
• Industry projects are embedded into the course enabling you to gain vital experience during your studies.
• Students have access to a range of specialist facilities, including traditional lightboxes, special effects workshops and green screen rooms.
• Our in-house creative agency, Solent Creatives provides you with the chance to pitch for paid work with commercial clients – past clients have included Bear Grylls, the BBC and Southampton Airport.
• A creative, multi-disciplinary environment for world-leading research in media, culture and the arts – you will learn from experts in their field.
• Join our active student animation society.

Course overview

• You will bring your concepts to life using industry-standard animation facilities - learning the full production process from first draft storyboarding to advanced filmmaking techniques.
• This three year programme also gives you the time and support necessary to create a varied professional portfolio that’s perfectly suited to securing paid positions after graduation.
• You’ll have the option to undertake industry projects both within our freelance modules, and alongside the course.

Course features

• Foundation year available- If you're not quite ready for a full undergraduate degree, there's alternative entry through one of our foundation years
• Further studies- After successfully completing your studies, there's an opportunity to continue your studies at Solent
• Top-up option- If you have an appropriate Level 5 qualification, you can top it up to a degree in just a year
• Specialist facilities- This course has access to specialist facilities

Who is this course for?

• Solent’s Animation programme is ideally suited to students who want to bring characters to life on the screen. Applicants should have a keen interest in drawing, making things move, and cinema generally.

What does this course lead to?

• The classical animation training on this course provides a springboard into any of the animation and related industries after graduation. Whether it’s animating explosions on the latest video games, or creating a quirky character in adverts, or TV. It is all built upon a solid, classics approach.

What you'll study

Year one
Core modules

• Animation Principles- On this module you will learn the fundamental tools of creating 2D content from paper to screen and the pipeline in between. Through this module you can begin to know when/where to apply the appropriate principles and techniques to start to make your animation more believable and fluid.
• Introduction to 3D- On this module you will learn the fundamental tools of 3D content creation, using industry standard software. You will develop your skills in 3D modelling, texturing, lighting and rendering in the context of current industry practices.
• Observation- On this module you will learn to focus on the visual research from observation, which is core to all animation studies.
• Animation Practice- This workshop led module takes the skills you learned from the Animation Principles module and introduces the concept of more complex tasks, within a team dynamic.
• 3D Animation- On this module you will get your first real opportunity to demonstrate, and evolve your transferable skills, by not only exploring different software, but with the space to take your animated works from 2D, to 3D.
• Animation History- In this module you will look at the historical progression of animation techniques such as basic cinematography and technologies that have evolved the way animation is created.

Year Two
Core modules

• Production Pitch- This module is about preparing you for the processes involved in pitching an animation idea. You will research into various areas of the pitching process such as, character design, aesthetic research and choices, creating schedules and budgets and constructing a proof of concept.
• Production Design- This module will introduce you to various pre-production techniques. You will learn how to create a production document as intended for industry which would effectively communicate between various departments to create a coherent production.
• Animation Production- This module is about proving that you are able to animate a substantial, sequential, project through to completion. You will tackle a task whilst paying close attention to the animation principles and strong performance animation you have practiced in the previous modules.
• Cinematography for Animations- This module will begin to cement your visual vocabulary, by covering not only the theory of the screen, but provide practicable skills, to enable you to quickly put together content for the screen.
• Freelance Animation- This module is a simulation of what it means to work as a freelance/team animator within the often-challenging parameters of short form client work.

Optional modules
Please note: Not all optional modules are guaranteed to run each year.

• Animation Techniques- This module will introduce you to more complex animation practices within the character animation parameters.
• Stop Motion Techniques- You will learn professional animation production processes and pipelines and apply them to your own production practice alongside relevant supporting media techniques.

Final Year
Core modules

• Animation Final Major Project Proposal- This module invites you to formally propose your final major project. The emphasis is on proving the legitimacy of the end product, and will form the foundation for subsequent stages of production.
• Animation Final Major Project Pre-Production- During this module you will be expected to produce a comprehensive directory (Production Bible) which includes everything a production team would need to successfully complete the product in line with the director’s (your) vision.
• Animation Marketing- Throughout this module you will learn various skills and practices that will prepare you for gaining employment within industry. You will also create an online presence as an artist and have the skills to maintain it.
• Animation Final Major Project- The module is predominantly one-on-one tutorials, but with the addition of occasional graduate skills masterclasses, in the more high-end aspects of production.
• Animation Final Major Project – Behind the Scenes
• This module is your opportunity to show off the hard work that has gone into your final major project. Sharing your process, and the artist responsible, ensures there is added value to your product, and that none of your creative vision is overlooked.