Animation Degree Course BA (Hons)

Program Overview

This award-winning Animation degree at the University of Central Lancashire covers stop motion, 2D animation, and 3D digital animation. Combining practical skills and technical expertise, it fosters creative thinking and self-expression. The program offers Toon Boom training and industry connections, leading to careers in animation, model-making, directing, and more.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This is an award-winning Animation degree course that covers stop motion, 2D animation, and 3D digital animation. The program aims to develop practical skills and technical expertise needed to create films. It encourages creative thinking and self-expression, accompanied by a strong technical foundation in current industry practices. Students will learn skills in scriptwriting, character design, storyboarding, animating, VFX, compositing, editing, and sound design.

Outline:

The program is a three-year full-time course delivered in-person at the Preston Campus. It starts in September 2024.

Modules:

Year 1:

• Compulsory Modules:
• Contextual Studies in Animation:
This module provides a conceptual understanding of animation in films and explores film theory. It covers the historical development of animation practice and the design profession, introducing students to research, analysis, and evaluation skills.
• Introduction to Animation: This module encourages research and development of animation projects.
Students will learn the "design process" by recording and analyzing different animations. They will also develop basic conceptual and practical skills in animation, including form, movement, and expression. It also emphasizes safety procedures within a workshop environment.
• Skill Development & Software Training: This module encourages the use of drawing and the "design process" by observing, recording, analyzing, and organizing visual information.
Students will explore various techniques to formulate, express, and develop ideas and concepts in solving production problems.

Year 2:

• Compulsory Modules:
• Focus Studies:
This module allows students to explore animation through self-initiated or market-oriented project work. They will further develop their creative design skills through an exploratory approach to animation, filmmaking, or associated work. This module tests the practical application of ideas through practice-based research.
• Animation Practice: This module builds upon the learning outcomes of the Introduction to Animation and Skill Practise modules.
Students will develop specialist knowledge related to creative 2D or 3D animation. They will understand and discuss the theory behind filmmaking and storytelling, as well as analyze film text using various methodologies.
• Animation Production and VFX: This module develops creative design skills through a personalized approach to formal animation, VFX, and filmmaking techniques and processes.
Students will learn production techniques and progress the application of ideas from the initial concept to the finished output. They will learn about 3D space by developing an environment suitable for animation in various forms, such as stop motion, 3D digital, and VFX in film.

Year 3:

• Compulsory Modules:
It helps students understand, apply, and expand cultural awareness. It fosters self-critical awareness, personal motivation, initiative, and self-reliance. Students will understand and apply research activities based on future design and innovative production methodologies and contexts.
• Honours Project and Promotion: This module allows students to consolidate a distinctive, innovative, and personal approach to areas of interest, such as model making, animation, creative storytelling, and filmmaking.
They will develop knowledge and skills necessary for contemporary animation practice, including understanding clients, markets, users, consumers, business, and finance. It fosters self-critical awareness, personal motivation, initiative, and self-reliance. Students will understand the process of creating an animated series for TV, streaming platforms, and the web. They will also undertake research activities based on future design and innovative production methodologies and contexts.

Assessment:

Assessment is 100% coursework, including group work and formative assessment. Modules culminate in a final assessment where all work is presented.

Teaching:

Teaching is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, and student-centered practice within workshops and filming facilities. Staff contact time is 10 hours per week per double module, and students can access facilities from 8 am to 8 pm daily.

Careers:

Graduates of this program can pursue careers as animators, model-makers, editors, directors, scriptwriters, set designers, and sound designers.

• Students are encouraged to enter the annual Royal Television Society (RTS) student awards and festivals such as Annecy Animation Festival and Manchester Animation Festival.
• The program offers Toon Boom training delivered by an accredited Toon Boom user.
• The program is based in the School of Arts and Media.
• The University of Central Lancashire is a member of the Northern Powerhouse.

UK Full-time £9,250 per year Part-time £1,540 per 20 credits International Full-time £16,500 per year