BA (Hons) 3D Animation and Visual Effects

What's the course about?

We deliver a mix of teaching methods, from project work to software and art-based workshops and lectures. You’ll be assessed on group and individual project work. We’ll ask you to submit portfolio submissions, sketches, storyboards, CGI artwork and presentations. Plus, you’ll develop your analytical thinking, critical curiosity and easy writing skills.
In your first year, you’ll benefit from common modules within the wider animation programme, gaining valuable knowledge of the digital media industry. You’ll study alongside peers on comics and concept art, 2D animation and games, expanding your network from day one. You’ll practice life drawing, designing characters and environments. You’ll explore animation and film history, bringing cultural context to your craft. You’ll gain experience as a 3D artist, gaining confidence in modelling, texturing and shaders. We’ll teach you specialized VFX skills. At the end of this year you’ll have the choice to switch to a different animation degree course if your passion has led you in a new direction.
In your second year, you’ll choose from a range of elective projects. This is your chance to focus on what interests you. Whether it’s cinematography or character concept art, you’ll start turning your passion into expert knowledge. Start packing out your CV with specialist skills including matte painting, rigging and coding. Gain a thorough understanding of FX simulations, working with destruction techniques, hard and soft body collisions and pyrotechnics. Whether you want to hone your skills in compositing 3D renders into live action plates or filming live action, this is the year to experiment. You’ll work on live industry projects and make your first short 3D or VFX film. We’ll encourage you to use this team project to identify the job role you want to work towards. Wherever you see yourself, we’ll be with you every step of the way.
In your third year, you’ll write your dissertation on an area of popular culture, linked to 3D animation and visual effects, that fascinates you. You’ll choose your area of specialism and immerse yourself in real world practices. This is the time to make sure you’re fully prepared for employment. You’ll get stuck into an ambitious final film project. Put your learning into practice and achieve great things. You’ll guide your idea through every stage of production to showcase your talent, your skills and your potential to succeed. Your final film project will be screened at our Animation Exposé show where you can enter it for different awards, judged by a panel of industry experts. Plus, we’ll encourage you to enter your work into international competitions like The Rookies. Previous students have won The Rookies Visual Effects Game of the Year, in 2020 and 2019. You’ll graduate with a showreel and professional website to launch your career. We saw your potential from day one, now it’s time for others to see that too.

Your main campus is College Lane 

This is where the creative arts, science and health-related subjects are based. This means you’ll share the campus with future nurses, scientists, artists and more. You can use the common rooms to relax with friends, work out in the 24-hour gym or have a drink in our on-campus pub or cafes. We also have restaurants for you to eat in or grab something on the go. Our Learning Resources Centres are open 24/7, which means you can study whenever suits you best. Want to pop over to the other campus? You can take the free shuttle bus or walk there in just 15 minutes.   

What will I study?

Degree programmes are structured into levels, 4, 5 and 6. These correspond to your first, second and third/final year of study. Below you can see what modules you’ll be studying in each.

Level 4

Module

• Introduction to CG
• Applying CG
• Creativity, Concept & Story
• Animated Thinking
• Introduction to CG - HIC
• Applying CG - HIC
• Creativity, Concept & Story - HIC
• Animated Thinking - HIC

Level 5

Module

• Progressing 3D and Visual Effects
• Creative Project
• Pre-Production & Professional Practices
• Moving Visions

Level 6

Module

• Pre-Production for 3D and Visual Effects
• Professional Practices & Degree Project
• Concepts in Motion: Articulated Research & Writing