BA Animation

The BA (Hons) Animation degree course focuses on a multi-skilled approach including the study of narrative, sound design, drawn, stop-motion and production in 2D and 3D techniques involving Computer Generated Imagery (CGI).

You are encouraged to bring your own thoughts and influences to the course to develop originality and independence in your approach. We combine delivery of professional practice with academic excellence and collaborate with professionals from the creative industries to support your career aspirations and your skill and knowledge development.

Throughout the course there are opportunities to engage with industry through live briefs or projects in collaboration with the commercial sector and other institutions. Professional practitioners who work in the animation sector enhance the curriculum through lectures, workshops, briefs and master classes.

This is an established and successful course with a high national profile and a well-deserved reputation within the creative industries. All teaching staff are involved in animation practice or industry-focused research. The course includes sound design in its provision.

Our course philosophy is progressive. We believe it is essential that the course is engaged with current animation approaches, skills and practices to enable students to progress to a range of careers within the relevant creative industries.

Your future

Collaborative and live industry projects are part of the curriculum providing opportunities for student engagement with employers and cultural organisations which have included the BBC.

Visiting lecturers have recently included animation specialists Tim Searle (Babycow Animation), Melanie Coombs (Oscar winning producer, Melodrama Pictures), Nicolette Van Gendt (freelance animator who has worked with Beryl Productions, TH1NG, Dave Unwin and Geoff Dunbar), Lewis Klahr (producer/director), Keith Chapman (Chapman Entertainment), Clare Kitson (Animation Commissioner for Channel 4), Andy Staveley (Studio aka, Head of Computer Graphics) and David Daniels (Director, Tandem Films).

Graduates have found employment in film production companies and games design studios including WETA, Th1ng, Disney, Tandem Films, Electronic Arts, Radical Entertainment, Fox Entertainment, Rare, BBC, Sony UK, Sky TV, Nickelodeon, Warner Brothers, Aardman, Astley Baker Davies, Tiger Aspect and Pearlfisher.

Students who successfully complete their undergraduate studies are able to progress to a range of courses at NUCA in particular MA Moving Image and Sound. Animation graduates have also been very successful in gaining places to study Animation Direction at the Royal College of Art and the National Film and Television School.