BSc (Hons) Computer Animation Arts

Develop your technical and artistic abilities. The BSc Computer Animation Arts combines traditional and digital animation techniques, and covers all elements of the animation production pipeline.

• Computer animation, modelling and effects require both artistic and technical approaches to complex visual problem-solving.
• Fusing traditional skills with cutting-edge technology, this dynamic and innovative course provides you with the skills to work in a wide range of areas within the computer animation industry.
• This course provides the skills required for work in animation, 3D modelling, visual effects, visualisation, and computer games. It will also encourage you to specialise in a chosen area and stretch your technical and artistic abilities.

Computer Animation Arts Projects

• The BSc Computer Animation Arts is a practical and mainly project-based course and throughtout the course you will produce a range of digital outputs. From Year 3 onwards, you can specialise in a range of different areas including film, TV and games and your Year 4 Honours project allows you to specialise in a a specific area of interest.

Practical Focus

• The BSc Computer Animation Arts also provides opportunities in Year 3 to undertake a work-based learning placement with digital production companies. This allows you to apply your learning in real-world business environments.

Job opportunities

• UWS graduates enjoy careers in computer games, animated films and video, visual effects, and architectural visualisation. Graduates are employed by industry heavyweights and award-winning studios including
• Disney, ILM, Warner Studios, MPC, Sony Pictures, Rockstar North, Di4D, Hydra Studios, Wild Child Animation, Ammonite, Revenant, Lupus, BBC, STV, The CharacterShop, Playground Games, Mental Ltd, Tag Games, Codemasters, Rivet Games and Firebrand Games. Graduates have also set up their own companies.

Further study opportunities

• Students have progressed to postgraduate study in animation, architectural visualisation, Web and media on completion of the Honours degree.

Access to leading facilities

• You will have access to extensive computing facilities throughout your studies with one hundred and twenty specialist computers for animation, all with the latest versions of Autodesk and Adobe teaching software.

Course details

• The BSc Computer Animation Arts involves mainly project-based assessment, geared towards the production of material that showcases your abilities to employers. From Year 3 on, you can specialise in a range of different areas including film, TV and games.
• The course is highly practical, concentrating on skills, with appropriate theory mainly assessed through practical output. You will also develop a range of transferable written and practical graduate skills useful for employment inside and outside of the animation and media industries.
• 96% of Computer Animation Arts students were satisfied overall with the course (National Student Survey 2024).

Study abroad

• It is always possible to augment your studies and broaden your horizons by learning a new language and prepare for the best international opportunities. Contact us to find out more on learning a language and studying abroad.

Computing at UWS

• UWS has been delivering career-focused computing degree courses for nearly 50 years. Computing courses at UWS are designed in collaboration with leading companies to produce work-ready graduates with the skills that industry needs.
• We work with major industry leaders to give our students work-based learning opportunities to put their knowledge into practice. Our students graduate ready for career success in this fast-changing, dynamic industry.

Year 1

• You will focus on the principles of animation, planning and practice. You will learn how computer tools are used for artistic representation and work on 2D and 3D animation

Year 2

• You will continue to focus on the principles of animation, planning and practice. You will develop further skills in 2D and 3D animation.

Year 3

• You will focus on advanced modelling and texturing techniques, and on independent, specialist project work. This includes the production of a demo reel and scripting for automation and simulation.

Year 4

• You will undertake a substantial project, creating a piece of work that showcases your skills and enhances your employability after graduation. You will also study acting for character animation and virtual environments.

Teaching and Assessment
You will be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials and workshops. 

• There will also be group work and independent learning to ensure you develop transferable skills such as research, presentation, communication and working as part of a team.

Career Prospects
Job opportunities

• UWS graduates enjoy careers in computer games, animated films and video, visual effects, and architectural visualisation. 

Graduates are employed by industry heavyweights and award-winning studios including:

• Disney, ILM, Warner Studios, MPC, Sony Pictures, Rockstar North, Di4D, Hydra Studios, Wild Child Animation, Ammonite, Revenant, Lupus, BBC, STV, The CharacterShop, Playground Games, Mental Ltd, Tag Games, Codemasters, Rivet Games and Firebrand Games. Graduates have also set up their own companies.

Further study opportunities

• Students have progressed to postgraduate study in animation, architectural visualisation, web and media on completion of the Honours degree.