Animation BA Honours
University of Westminster
Key Information
Select location
Campus location
London, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
3 - 4 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
GBP 15,400 / per year **
Application deadline
Request info *
Earliest start date
Sep 2024
* we urge applicants to apply as soon possible and recommend applicants to apply at least three months before the course starts
** international | UK: £9,250
Introduction
Our exciting specialist course will enable you to develop your imaginative and creative skills while giving you a sound knowledge and understanding of animation processes, techniques and critical theory.
Commercial animation is a rapidly growing and vibrant industry, encompassing a broad range of rewarding and fascinating creative job opportunities. Our strong emphasis on creative practice will help you to develop your skills in drawing and design, along with the imaginative development and innovation of ideas expressed sequentially. These skills, together with the professional practice aspects of the course, will ensure that you have the confidence and expertise to succeed in the industry, whether as a producer, technician, designer or manager. You’ll also develop the transferable and cognitive skills necessary for lifelong personal and professional development.
Throughout the course, there are opportunities for you to take part in national and international competitions and film festivals. Our course is delivered by a large team of experienced animation practitioners, staff and industry visitors, and you’ll work in dedicated specialist animation studios with facilities for blue screen, rostrum animation, CGI, drawing, stop-frame, film, photography, set building, sound and video.
Successful animators need to be flexible and able to adapt to changing cultures and new initiatives, and our course seeks to reflect this fluidity. You’ll rapidly develop your own practice in animation, and will be encouraged to work on shared initiatives. Based at our Harrow Campus – home to the Westminster School of Arts and the Westminster School of Media and Communications – you’ll work alongside students from film, photography, music, fashion and journalism, in a unique creative hothouse.
Top reasons to study with us
- Westminster is ranked top 10 among UK institutions for Communication and Media Studies in the QS World University Rankings 2021
- Master multiple animation methods – You’ll have the chance to master a wide range of animation methods, both traditional and cutting-edge
- Learn from expert tutors – In-depth subject-specific support is provided by our large team of animation tutors, each with their own areas of expertise
- Showcase your animation – Your work will be shown at our Regent Street Cinema – the birthplace of British cinema
- Study in a creative environment – Our Harrow Campus offers opportunities for collaboration with artists, musicians, filmmakers and designers from around the world
Why study this course?
- Industry-standard software
You'll use industry-standard software such as Adobe Suite, Maya, Dragonframe and TV Paint. - A multi-disciplinary creative environment
You'll work alongside students from film, photography, music, fashion and journalism. - Specialist facilities and support
- You'll have access to excellent facilities and a full-time animation technician to support you.
Career Opportunities
Commercial animation is a rapidly growing and vibrant industry, encompassing a broad range of rewarding and fascinating creative job opportunities.
Career development is embedded in the course. Students can work part-time, on placements and enjoy work-related learning across all three years of study.
Our Careers and Employability Service is here to support you to achieve your full potential and has built up a network of over 3,000 employers around the world, helping all our students explore and connect with exciting opportunities and careers.
- Student satisfaction
100% of our Animation BA students were satisfied with the quality of the course.
(Source: Discover Uni - site accessed in November 2020) - Become multi-skilled
You’ll have the chance to master multiple animation methods, both traditional and cutting-edge, opening you up to more career opportunities. - Graduates in work and/or further study
90% of our Animation BA graduates are in work and/or further study 15 months after graduation.
Source: Discover Uni – (site accessed in November 2020)
Industry links
We have links with the Royal Television Society and the British Animation Awards.
Recent guests have included:
- Michael Rosen
- Michaël Dudok de Wit
- Caroline Leaf
- Jelly London (agency)
Work experience
Our students have had regular work experience opportunities at the Royal College of Art and National Film and Television School, and in the past, we've organised an annual masterclass for our animation students at the Aardman Academy.
Our Animation students have also been assisted in securing work experience and internships by our Creative Enterprise Centre
Job roles
This course will prepare you for a range of roles, including:
- Animator
- Art Director
- Character Designer
- Director
- Editor
Graduate employers
Graduates from this course have found employment at organisations including:
- Entertainment One
- Lupus Films
- One of Us
- Weta Digital
- WildBrain
Admissions
Curriculum
You'll learn through high-level, tutor-guided studio practice, and by doing – we actively promote experimentation, reflection and the sharing of enthusiasms and influences.
The unique integrated theoretical elements of the course provide a critical framework within which you can examine animation and related time-based practices, and will significantly support and inform your own practice.
All modules are assessed through coursework, and we offer a range of methods including crits, submitted work, research plans and seminar presentations.
The following subjects are indicative of what you will study in this course.
Year 1
You are introduced to a broad range of concepts in animation and visual design, and you will work both independently and collaboratively. The practice and integrated theory modules are project-led, and all involve elements of research, problem-solving and experimentation with processes and ideas.
Subjects of study include:
- 2D Computer Animation
- Animation Contexts and Approaches
- Animation: Storytelling and narrative
- Digital Arts 1
- Industry 1: Working in Professional Contexts
- Drawing Exploration
- Visual Effects
Credit Level 4
Year 2
You are encouraged to take more individual responsibility for developing your ideas and approaches to animation and to enter your work for external competitions and film festivals. You will begin to develop your own individual approaches to animation production, so practical work has a higher conceptual demand, and you are encouraged to be innovative and experimental.
Subjects of study include:
- 3D Computer Animation
- Digital Arts 2
- Documentary Animation
- Industry 2: Professional Practice and Enterprise
- Sequence and Message
- Brands
- Reality VR, AR, and MR
- Theories of Media and Communication
- UX/ UI Design
Credit Level 5
Placement Year
Between Years 2 and 3, you’ll have the option to spend a year abroad at a partner institution or in employment to progress your career.
Year 3
You will work on self-directed projects within both theory and practice elements of the course, enabling you to intensively focus on personal development, whether you plan to work as an independent animator or within a growing commercial context such as advertising, the animation games industry or interactive design. Integrated 'theory of practice' modules will ensure that you develop the skills and confidence required to operate effectively in a range of professional situations.
The work produced at this level can be used as evidence in support of an application to further study or professional commissions and employment.
Subjects of study include:
- Digital Arts 3
- Industry 3: Professional Practice and Public Engagement
- Major Project (Animation)
- Audio Storytelling
- Contextual Research Project
- Creative Advertising
- Critical Design
- Stop-Motion Animation
- User Experience (UX) and App Design
Credit Level 6
International Opportunities
Many of our courses offer international study and work experiences, and the University provides other global opportunities that all students can apply for - so whatever you're studying, you'll have the chance to go abroad.
Opportunities could include:
- Taking part in a semester or year-long exchanges at institutions around the world
- Attending an international summer school or field trip
- Developing your CV through volunteering or work placements abroad
International experience broadens horizons, boosts self-confidence, and improves global understanding, alongside being fantastic for your career.
Program Tuition Fee
Scholarships and Funding
The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible undergraduate students, which cover all or part of your tuition fees.
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English Language Requirements
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