MA (Animation)

Our ma in animation is designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills to apply innovative and efficient production processes into your animation projects which could be 2d, 3d and stop motion, or hybrid of techniques. You will explore traditional production skills but the course will encourage you to experiment with cutting edge creative industry developments and new ways of storytelling in collaboration with game and digital technologies. 

• The course will help you develop contemporary storytelling and transmedia techniques within your body of work, and/or to deepen your knowledge of a specialist role with a Creative Industry (e.g. Storyboard Artist, Art Director, Character Designer).
• As a future facing programme of study we will encourage you through collaboration, to explore contemporary ‘expanded cinema’ (i.e. Extended Reality (XR)  experiences, Projection Mapping, Immersive Installation and Park Rides) and offer opportunities to see the value of your transferrable and potentially entrepreneurial skills.  
• Underpinning the curriculum you will be challenged to investigate and apply sustainable and ethical practices to your productions and processes and explore diversity and inclusivity in their story worlds and characters. 
• We have a campus at MediaCity, one of the fastest-growing creative technology centres in the UK. The Greater Manchester region is one of the key areas of UK animation industry production, with an ecosystem of large to small companies –from globally leading companies such as Factory and Mackinnon & Saunders, to smaller boutique studios like Kilogramme and Flipbook Studio. The region has excellent industry networking opportunities with Manchester Animation Festival and other regional networking groups like Film Hub North.

You will:

• Have access to a wide range of state-of-the-art animation resources and equipment
• Be part of a vibrant community of peers and tutors to help develop and explore your practice, challenging you to experiment, collaborate and embrace new technologies
• Be encouraged through collaboration to produce professional executed work to take to the next stage of your career
• Develop industry contacts in Greater Manchester, one of the key areas of UK animation industry production

All about the course

• The programme will be delivered across three trimesters using a combination of practical workshops,  lectures, and tutorials. Through practical and theoretical modules, you will gain confidence and in-depth understanding of the technologies and techniques used in effective Animation Production and Visual Storytelling.
• You will have access to a wide range of state-of-the-art animation resources and equipment including a specialist Stop Motion Room, Wacom Cintiqs, Makerspace, Digi Lab with XR facilities, and craft workshops at New Adelphi. Computer Labs have industry software such as Toon Boom Harmony, Autodesk Maya and Dragon Frame.

If you study part-time your modules will be split across two years.

Trimester One

• Animation Exploration
• Professional and Cultural Contexts

Trimester Two

• Pipelines and Technologies
• Exploring Collaborative Practice

Trimester Three

• Major Project

What will I be doing?

• Based on both our Mediacity and Peel Park campuses, this course uses a range of teaching and learning methods, including lectures, practical workshops, seminars and tutorials (group and individual). In combination, these methods will progressively build your situated understanding of technical, theoretical and practical topics, developing your professional identity and specialism.  
• At Master's level, a degree of self-direction and independent pursuit is expected. Tutors will guide you through complex topics, encouraging you to take ownership of your process and decisions.  

Assessment

• Assessment methods include written examinations and a range of coursework assessments such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations and your final year major project. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark. 

Be a part of a creative and supportive community

• All our Creative Digital Media and Gaming courses are delivered by the School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology. We are a creative community with a focus on creating a collaborative environment where you can thrive and gain the skills needed to pursue your dreams. 
• Our Engagement Team coordinates school-wide events such as the Create Student Awards, academic conferences, networking and volunteering opportunities, welcoming and wellbeing fairs and exhibitions like our annual Degree Show. 
• For non-course matters, you will have access to our university-wide support service askUS, who will support and guide you to be successful in all aspects of your life. 
• Throughout your time at Salford, you’ll be mentored and supported by experts. And once you graduate, it won’t end there. You’ll join a thriving alumni network across Greater Manchester and beyond, meaning you’ll be supported professionally and personally whenever you need it.

Facilities
Our MediaCity and Peel Park facilities are industry-standard, so much so that they are used by our industry partners themselves. 

When you study with us on this Animation course, you’ll learn from our experienced tutors and demonstrators, who’ll teach you how to use our facilities. These include: 

• Digital labs – use the latest XR equipment in a space especially designed for virtual and augmented reality development. 
• Fabrication labs - bring your designs to life using 3D scanners and printers, power tools and a range of art and craft materials.   
• Computer Suites and Editing Studios – our computer suites are equipped with the latest industry-standard software. You’ll learn from our experienced demonstrators, who’ll teach you the skills needed to turn your concepts into a reality. 
• Green screen facilities - these allow you to create effects such as those you see on weather reports and incorporates a camera system and 3D graphics software.   
• Equipment stores - we have a fully equipped equipment store available for you to use in your projects. 

Career Links

• This postgraduate degree course benefits from established partnerships and links with creative industries in the UK, which have been working with us at several levels, ranging from guest lecturers, live briefs, placement opportunities and extra-curricular activities. These include the Factory Creative, Kilogramme, Flow Creative, Bearded Fellows, Fuzzy Duck, and Carbon Digital, among others.