BA (Hons) Animation

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Currently reading: Course overview

Starts: Sept 2023
Duration: 3 years
Mode: Full time
UCAS code: WQ15
Fees: UK: £9,250 / INT: £16,500

Ideal for: creatives keen to harness their skills and connections to thrive in the world of character animation

Bring characters and stories to life.

Can you push the boundaries of animation? On this BA honours animation course, you will develop creative techniques through a range of digital mediums including film, television, games, and online platforms. Utilising the skills of storytelling and forming narratives, you will develop your artistic communication skills and a strong rationale for your ideas. With opportunities for mentorships with top industry players, allow our experts sharpen your natural talent and turn passion into profession.

Undergraduate work on the animation course

Example of student work on the BA (Hons) Animation 2020 course

Why study this animation degree?

Learn within one of the top academic institutions in London, UK
Opportunities to collaborate on live briefs within industry
First-class teaching from experienced staff and industry experts
Work on creative projects that nurture individuals to excel
Excellent location with a host of animation studios on the doorstep
Tap into exceptional industry connections

The UK’s animation industry is a global success story. In a world where visual communication is the norm, animators are in high demand whether in TV, film, gaming, corporate films, advertising or the media.

Through studying this exciting animation degree course, you will acquire the technical skills, insight and platform to apply your creative talent to a successful career in character animation. You will think on your feet, respond to live and self-initiated briefs, and utilise a mix of practice and theory-based learning, including: seminars, workshops, industry masterclasses, individual tutorials and self-directed study.

You will explore a range of character animation techniques, including the fundamentals, body mechanics and performance. You will also adopt digital development skills in asset and rigging creation, together with storytelling techniques, life drawing, physical prototyping, research and idea development, communication and presentation. You will also examine the medium using industry-standard software, including Maya and the Adobe Suite.

Working in a creative environment, you will work collaboratively with other students to tackle creative briefs and bring ideas to life. You will be welcomed into a supportive community comprising industry experts and graduate mentors in a dynamic, creative hub.

During this three-year animation course in London, you will acquire the technical skills and insight to succeed in a career in animation. You will be granted access to industry-quality software and produce an assessed portfolio of work, so you’re ready to enter the professional world of animation with confidence and know-how.

Student voices

Second year student Keith presents to the camera

Screenshot of student's desktop showing animation work in progress

Key study topics

The BA (Hons) Animation degree uses a blend of practice and theory-based learning. You will be introduced to a range of animation practices. These include: conceptualisation, digital development skills, asset creation, character animation techniques, scripting, storytelling techniques and life drawing. It also includes physical prototyping, communication and presentation, research and idea development.

Key topics:

Contemporary culture
Animation fundamentals
Modelling to camera
Human and creature mechanic
Visual narrative
Big ideas and philosophies
Character modelling and rigging
Animation industry

My main interests at school had been art, design and computing, so to discover a place which allowed me to explore all three was so exciting. The course offered the chance to study animation, as well as hone my life drawing, storytelling and editing skills.”

—

Dan Edgley , BA (Hons) Animation graduate

The specifics

There is a year zero option available for this course, which is a preparatory year as part of a four-year BA (Hons) Animation course. This will be ideal for you if you wish to further develop your portfolio skills ahead of degree study.

If you apply via this current page, you will skip the year zero option. If you are interested in this option, you can read more about the animation with year zero extension and apply via that page.

BA (Hons) Animation with Year 0 Welcome Slide — In this video, you will meet Year 0 course leader, Oliver O'Keeffe, who will give you an in depth overview of the Year 0 course.

In year 1, you will study fundamental animation skills, including timing, posing, movement and behaviour. Throughout year 1, you will be encouraged to experiment and improvise with your ideas.

You will gain industry insight from the outset; attending guest lectures, completing tasks set by practitioners and receiving direct feedback on the work you submit.

A blend of skills will be explored throughout the course, including visual language, storytelling techniques and drawing.

In year 2, you will advance your skills in animation through acting workshops and exploration into dialogue and emotions. This will be teamed with the development of skills in rigging and preparation for industry. In your second year, you will be given the opportunity to work on live projects with mentors there to assist you.

You will also start to work independently, exploring your own individual area of interest and building an understanding of which sector your unique skill set is best placed within.

Industry guests will continue to support the modules in year 2 through a series of masterclasses and workshops. There will also be an opportunity to engage in either a live brief or work placement at the end of year 2.

In year 3, you will focus on enhancing your chosen specialism in preparation for employment. You will focus on how to brand yourself, prepare for life as a freelancer and develop a showreel which is relevant to the sector of your choice.

You will be encouraged to collaborate with fellow course mates and work alongside those in other courses such as Games Design, Illustration and Music and Sound Design.

Over the three years, you will be taught how to develop creative responses to all your modules, while integrating both theory and practical workflows to bring out a strong and individual creative vision.

You will also be taught the importance of building both personal and professional life skills, to adapt to the opportunities and the challenges of today’s world of work.

Students will be expected to have five GCSEs (grade C/level 4 or above) or equivalent (including English), and hold at least one of the below or equivalent UK/international qualifications.

Qualifications accepted:

Two A levels, grade C or above
Four AS levels, grade C or above
Two vocational A levels, grade C or above
Level three Foundation Diploma or National Diploma
Advanced Diploma, grade C or above
International Baccalaureate, 24 points or above

Selection criteria:

Students should ideally have a background in art, creative media or design. Applicants are expected to submit a portfolio of work which shows a range of their skills and demonstrates why they would be a good fit for the course.

We may also consider a combination of portfolio and academic qualifications and take into consideration progress made during studies and/or relevant work experience.

UK students

Simply select and click your chosen start date and mode via the 'Apply now' dropdown at the top of this page, and you will be directed to the appropriate page inside the UCAS portal.

The entry requirements for this course is found in the above accordion item. You will also need the course UCAS code, which is located in the course overview module near the top of this page.

The UCAS website will guide you through the process, which is simple and easy to complete. You can also apply through your school or college using the UCAS Apply system.

Learn more: how to apply for an undergraduate degree course

International students

International students can apply directly via our Online Applicant Portal. Please see bespoke advice for international students in the dedicated section below.

For information on study routes, visa requirements, studying in England, language and entry requirements, application requirements and access to international agents, please visit our international section.

Quick links:

Admission onto this course is also subject to successful completion of an interview and portfolio (or showreel).

If you wish to study our BA (Hons) Animation degree course, we will need to see examples of previous art, new media and/or design work that showcases your suitability for the course.

This page offers great tips for completing your portfolio/showreel and preparing for your interview. It also details our specific requirements.

You can’t learn in a vacuum. At Ravensbourne University London, industry connection is ingrained into everything we do. We will equip you for success in the creative and digital industries, ensuring you are truly industry ready upon graduation. Our tutors are respected academics and practitioners with substantial experience and industry links.

You will be part of a diverse community of creatives, working collaboratively to explore new professional practices. Ravensbourne have strong industry links with a range of high-profile companies, including: Apple, Barclays, the BBC, European Space Agency, Marks & Spencer, Museum of London, the Royal Shakespeare Company, Samsung and many more.

Animation is an increasingly widespread form of media and good animators are becoming more sought after in film, television, visual effects (VFX), gaming and the web.

Animation graduates often go on to secure work as 3D/2D generalists or specialists in areas such as: concept, modelling, animation and VFX production.

Past Ravensbourne University London animation graduates have been employed in roles within film and television, VFX, advertising, post-production, apps and games.

Lecturers

Dan Dalli

Sanjay Sen

I've just watched all of these wonderful animations from the very talented Ravensbourne students for A British History In Weather and they are lovely - moving, subtle and beautifully done. What a wonderful partnership”

—

Clare McGinn , Head of BBC Radio and Music Production

Read more