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
Duration
- 3 years full-time
- 4 years sandwich
Start month
September
UK/international 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 visit us
You can find out a lot about a university online, but to really get a feel for what it's like to live and study here you should come and visit. Come take a look at our historic campuses in London and Kent.
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
- 112 UCAS points from A-levels, plus GCSEs in English (language or literature) and Mathematics at grade 4 or above (grade C or above under the A*-G system).
General studies is not usually accepted.
We also accept:
- BTEC/National Diploma
- International Baccalaureate
- Advanced Vocational Certificate of Education.
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
Applicants may need to present a creative portfolio in an interview.
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
Teaching
In a typical week learning takes place through a combination of:
- Lectures
- Seminars
- 1-to-1 tutorials
Further details to be confirmed.
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. Contact hours may fall between 9am and 9pm, depending on your elective courses and tutorials.
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.
Each course has formal assessments which count towards your grade. Some courses may also include ‘practice’ assessments, which help you monitor progress and do not count towards your final grade.
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.
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.
2019/2020 fees
| Full-time (per year) | Part-time (per 30 credits) | |
|---|---|---|
| View fees |
2020/2021 fees
TBA
* For full fees information please visit our fees information pages.
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.
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 gain relevant work experience if possible, including internships. Students are responsible for finding their own internships, though we will support you through the application process.
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.
Each School also has its own Employability Officer who provides specific opportunities relevant to your own course. They work closely with professionals in industry to ensure you are well-prepared for the workplace and have already begun to build your professional network by the time you graduate.
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.
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.
Creative arts at the University of Greenwich
Study creative arts at Greenwich and you’ll learn your craft in state-of-the-art studios and teaching spaces, supported by expert studio technicians and lecturers.
Visit our creative arts subject page.
End-of-year VFX showreel, 2019
See examples of our students' work. Popular career options for graduates include VFX and video games companies, advertising, and digital interactive media.
Creative arts courses
Creative arts subject page Subject page Search our creative arts courses All undergraduate courses