Animation, BA Hons
Our degree in animation is designed to provide all the skills you need to get into the film, TV, visual or video game industries.
This animation degree covers a range of subjects, from 2D and 3D animation and storytelling to the technical computing skills you need for animation practice. Optional 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, advertising studios, and digital interactive media.
UCAS points
112 (full requirements below)
Course/institution codes
GW42 G BA/3DDD
Department
Campus
Duration
- 3 years full-time
- 4 years sandwich
Start month
September
Home/international fees
2021/2022 fees
What you should know about this course
What you will study
About the course team
You will be taught by an experienced team of senior academics, artists, practitioners with extensive industry experience and technical demonstrators. At times you may also be taught by trained postgraduate researchers. Teaching is informed by our research, external creative practice and writing.
Come and meet us
Given the current situation with Covid-19, we are offering virtual events so that you can still experience how Greenwich could be the right university for you.
Next Open Days
Got a question?
To find out more about our Open Days and Campus Tours or if you need any assistance, please email opendays@gre.ac.uk.
Entry requirements
If you are
For entry in September 2021, you will require:
- 112 UCAS points from A-Levels (we also accept UCAS points from alternative Level 3 qualifications including: BTEC Nationals, the International Baccalaureate and Scottish and Irish Highers)
AND YOU WILL ALSO REQUIRE:
- GCSE English (Language or Literature) AND GCSE Art & Design at grade 4/C or above. (Note: GCSE Maths is recommended but is not a requirement).
For more information, contact courseinfo@greenwich.ac.uk or 020 8331 9000.
You can also read our admissions policy.
The University of Greenwich accepts a broad range of international qualifications for admission to our courses.
For detailed information on the academic and English language requirements, please find your country in our directory.
Alternatively, please contact us:
- By telephone: +44 (0)20 8331 8136.
- By email: international@gre.ac.uk.
Further information about entry
Please note: Applicants to whom the University wishes to consider making an offer will first be required to submit a portfolio and/or undertake an assessment AND will also be interviewed.
If you have any query on - and for more information about - our entry requirements, please contact courseinfo@greenwich.ac.uk or call 020 8331 9000.
You can also read our admissions policy.
Available to overseas students?
Yes
Can I use prior learning?
You should have a background in traditional or digital art, or have experimented with creative production of some kind, such as photography, drawing or video work.
For entry: applicants with professional qualifications and/or four years of full-time work experience will be considered on an individual basis.
For exemption: If you hold qualifications or courses from another higher education institution, these may exempt you from courses of this degree.
How you will learn
This section helps you understand more about how you’ll learn based on standard delivery of teaching and learning on campus.
However, as a response to COVID-19 we are currently operating a ‘blended model’ of teaching and learning. This means a combination of face-to-face sessions on our campuses with online lectures. There is additional support for any students who are unable to attend campus because they are ill or shielding. We’ll continue to offer blended learning to all our students, in line with government guidelines, for as long as we are advised to. If government or local authority rules require it, we may be limited to offering online-only learning but will return to blended learning as soon as we are safely able to do so.
You can find out more about how we are supporting our students.
Teaching
In a typical week teaching takes place through a combination of timetabled and independent learning.
You can view more information about how each module is taught within our ‘What you will study’ section.
Each course has formal assessments which count towards your grade. Some courses may also include ‘practice’ assignments, which help you monitor progress and do not count towards your final grade.
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.
Assessment
On this course, students are assessed by:
- Examinations
- Coursework
Further details to be confirmed.
Students are assessed through a combination of course work, exams and practical assessment where relevant. You can view more information about how each module on this course is assessed within our ‘What you will study’ section.
Seminars 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 elective courses and tutorials.
Feedback summary
We aim to give feedback on assignments within 15 working days.
Dates and timetables
The academic year runs from September to June.
Full teaching timetables are not usually available until term has started. For any queries, please call 020 8331 9000.
Full time
Fees and funding
Your time at university should be enjoyable, rewarding, and free of unnecessary stress. Planning your finances before you come to university can help to reduce financial concerns. We can offer advice on living costs and budgeting, as well as on awards, allowances and loans.
2021/2022 fees
| Full-time (per year) | Part-time (per 30 credits) | |
|---|---|---|
| View fees |
Accommodation costs
Whether you choose to live in halls of residence or rent privately, we can help you find what you're looking for. University accommodation is available from just over £100 per person per week (bills included), depending on your location and preferences. If you require more space or facilities, these options are available at a slightly higher cost.
Funding your study
There is a range of financial support options available to support your studies, including the Aspire@Greenwich award for study resources that many full-time students will receive.
Discover more about grants, student loans, bursaries and scholarships. We also provide advice and support on budgeting, money management and financial hardship.
Other costs
Trips: Any compulsory field trips are funded by the school.
Resources: For Architecture, Landscape and Design courses, you will produce portfolios of large format plots plus CNC/3D printed models etc. Costs will vary but could reach £250 a year for printing, £100 for model making, and £50 for visiting the sites.
Software: We provide Adobe software and Lynda.com online video tutorials. You will also have access to Nvivo, SPSS Modeler and SPSS Amos. Any licenses for software outside of our range will come at your own cost.
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.
Support and advice
Academic skills and study support
We want you to make the most of your time with us. You can access study skills support through your tutor, our subject librarians, and our online academic skills centre.
Where appropriate, we provide support in academic English and mathematics. If you need to use particular IT packages for a specific module, we provide training for this.
Accommodation information
Not quite what you were looking for?
We've got plenty of other courses for you to choose from. Browse our undergraduate prospectus or check our related courses below.
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