Animation - MA/Postgraduate Diploma/Postgraduate Certificate

Postgraduate

In Bristol

£ 6,000 + VAT

Description

  • Type

    Postgraduate

  • Location

    Bristol

  • Start date

    Different dates available

This Skillset accredited MA Animation course will help you develop storytelling and craft skills to allow you to gain entry level jobs in the animation industry.
Why study this course?
The course is based at Bower Ashton Campus, part of City Campus, where exceptional facilities and resources include state-of-the-art digital media, production and fabrication workshops offer a combination of traditional tools and the latest technology.
Based in Bristol, a global centre of excellence in animation, film and television production, it attracts students from around the world. Bristol is the place to study animation, home to Aardman Animations, A Productions, Arthur Cox and other internationally renowned animation companies.
The course is taught via practical workshops, a rolling programme of guest lecturers and industry speakers and there are opportunities for work experience within the industry.
Animation students also get to work collaboratively with students on other postgraduate programmes, including MA Documentary and Features and MA Wildlife Filmmaking and with external organisations including the BBC, the BFI and composers from the Royal Academy of Music.
Engaged and industry-led teaching
Practitioners from Bristol's leading animation studios support both the development and delivery of this course, offering professional advice and guidance through workshops and master classes. You will also have the opportunity to be mentored one-to-one by industry professionals.
You will learn from the best in the business, gaining industry insight as well as work experience opportunities and the chance to attend networking events and screenings.
A strong focus on long term employability, ensures you graduate as a multi-skilled lifelong learner, with confidence, connections and a desire to further develop and enhance your practice.
See our MA Animation Flickr gallery for some examples of our student's work.
Watch: The learning and teaching experience

Facilities

Location

Start date

Bristol (Avon)
See map
Coldharbour Lane, BS16 1QY

Start date

Different dates availableEnrolment now open

About this course

Professional accreditation
This course is recognised by Creative Skillset, Sector Skills Council and carries the Creative Skillset Tick for the purposes of indicating courses best suited to prepare students for a Creative Industries career.
Placements
There is no official work placement element but there are opportunities to undertake short periods of work experience in studios at a suitable point in the degree. This is often extended and can lead to a real job on completion of the course.
Fieldwork
You may undertake self-directed industry visits to research and network with...

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Subjects

  • Animation
  • Production
  • Industry
  • Teaching
  • Networking
  • Presentation
  • Learning Teaching
  • Employability

Course programme

Content

The full Master's course comprises of 180 credits divided into three 60 credits stages: Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, and Masters. Students work incrementally through the three stages and must pass all modules at each stage in order to progress to the next.

The course is made up of six modules delivered over three semesters:

  • Developing Practice in Animation (30 credits) - You will develop a range of practical craft skills and techniques relevant to the production of animation in a range of different disciplines through a series of short projects supported by practical workshops, life drawing, seminars and lectures.
  • Pre-Production for Animation (30 credits) - You will produce relevant pre-production material for a film idea. This involves the refinement and development of ideas along with the creation of the necessary pre-production materials in line with future ambitions. The module culminates in you making a presentation 'pitch' of your proposed film ideas to an invited panel of staff and external representatives from the animation industry.
  • Production for Animation (45 credits) - You will produce your film within the context of a production team. This involves the refinement and development of ideas generated during previous modules and the creation of the necessary production materials and footage. This will be undertaken within a discipline appropriate to your stated aims and future ambitions for employment within the industry.
  • Professional Practice in Animation 1 (15 credits) - All students are expected to undertake a period of work experience relevant to their particular practice and engage in appropriate live projects that will enhance their employability status. Self-promotion, networking and research into the creative industries are central to this module.
  • Post Production for Animation (45 credits) - During this module you are expected to edit and complete the project you have developed and made over the last two semesters, including the compilation and/or creation of any other relevant work that will enhance and complement the project.
  • Professional Practice in Animation 2 (15 credits) - An in-depth critical evaluation of your progress on the course and the work completed forms a central part of this module. You will make a presentation of your work to your peer group, tutors, and representatives from industry along with prospective employers. You will also create a show reel, portfolio and other self-promotion material necessary to prepare your work for public screenings, networking events and job interviews.

The University continually enhances our offer by responding to feedback from our students and other stakeholders, ensuring the curriculum is kept up to date and our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for the real world. This may result in changes to the course. If changes to your course are approved we will inform you.

Learning and Teaching

You are taught through a combination of lectures, workshops, seminars, individual and group tutorials, master classes and a rolling programme of guest speakers in areas such as design, animation and cinematography.

There is also time set aside for self-directed studio work with supervision and support from academic and technical staff.

This course will enable you to:

  • Develop existing and acquire new practical craft based skills, increase your range of technical and production skills and experience.
  • Work as part of a production team to develop and produce a short animated film.
  • Undertake relevant research into industry, the roles within production suited to your own creative and professional ambitions.
  • Take on a creative role within collaborative and live projects.
  • Improve your presentation, communication, production management and organisation skills.
  • Benefit from the opportunities generated by the University's links to the animation industry through work experience, networking events and screenings while gaining professional contacts.

For more details see our glossary of teaching and learning terms.

Study time

This 15-month course is delivered as full-time and starts in September and runs to the following January. It is divided into three semesters each comprising a 15-week period of study.

Students have access to studios and technical resources five days a week with two to three days of contact time.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a combination of practical work, presentations and written assignments.

For more details see our full glossary of assessment terms.

Animation - MA/Postgraduate Diploma/Postgraduate Certificate

£ 6,000 + VAT