Animation & Visual Effects BA(Hons)
Develop the skills to succeed in the booming animation and visual effects industry; work on live briefs, and hone your art and digital skills with our state-of-the-art kit and facilities to create films that will launch your career.
Key details
| Location | Penryn Campus |
| Course Duration | 3 years |
| Attendance | Full-time |
| UCAS code | WG64 |
| Contact | 01326 254350 |
Introduction
We'll support you to originate and develop imaginative stories, master directing and producing techniques and learn the patience of stop motion and the complexity of rigging and modelling. You’ll play in 2D and 3D, in physical clay and the digital world, to produce films that make a mark.
You will:
- Work on live briefs for globally renowned organisations.
- Have the opportunity to submit second-year films to national festivals.
- Benefit from industry mentors in your third year with the likes of Tim Searle (Head of Animation at Beano Studios), Tony Farquhar–Smith (Isle of Dogs) and Nico Cotta (VFX Coordinator).
- Pitch your third-year project to an industry panel.
- Have the chance to work on our in-house micro-budget feature films.
What our students do
Head of Animation Brings Stop Motion to Mumbai
Andy Joule, Head of Animation & Visual Effects...
Animation Students Collaborate with Devon & Cornwall Police
Students from BA(Hons) Animation &...
Student Animation Up for National Award
Towels by Prawta Annez and Camilla Kjaerne has been nominated for a Royal Television Society (...
Students Make A Splash with Jubilee Pool Animations
Animation & Visual Effects students have been...
Students Sweep Nominations for Royal Television Society Awards
Students from the School of Film &...
Student Animation Receives Industry Acclaim
The support, insight and connections of industry leaders can be critical in building a career in...
Animation Filmmaker comes to Falmouth
Animation students welcomed Kung Fu Panda director, John Stevenson, to Falmouth this week to...
Team Egg's VFX Victory
Team Egg, a group of Animation & Visual Effects students, have been...
Animation Projects Featured at Tea Festival
Films produced by Animation & Visual Effects...
What our graduates do
From animators at Aardman, to VFX Coordinators at MPC, to production staff at Passion Pictures, to creating their own companies, our graduates have turned their degrees into exciting careers.
Animation Alumnus Flourishes As Freelancer
27% of Falmouth University students go on to set up their own business or work freelance after...
Award-Winning Animation Team Release Cornish-Made Video Game
Building on the outstanding success of their final-year film, Giacomo “Jack” Ghigo and Leonie...
Animation Receives Second Nomination
Towels by Prawta Annez and Camilla Kjaerne has been nominated for Best Student Production (...
Making it in Animation!
Steph Jee, 2D animator at Jumbla was delighted to return to Falmouth recently to share her...
Next Step for Animation Award Winners
I AM DYSLEXIC, a short film produced entirely by ...
Graduate Scoops American Award
Animation graduate Erin Morris has been awarded the Best Short Film Award at the 21st...
Course details
What you'll learn
Building your real-world abilities, you’ll learn to think creatively and produce a range of animation and visual effects. We’ll work to industry standards, collaborating in multi-skilled teams and using professional processes to solve complex problems. And by taking a critical look at your work and working methods, you’ll build the independent judgment skills crucial to your career.
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Working as an individual and in teams, you'll develop your core animation skills in 2D, CG and stop-motion. Learning through practical workshops, lectures and tutorials, your first year expands your understanding of storytelling, animation history, film language and sound. You’ll also study life drawing, sound development, timing, character production management and acting, and performance and production management.Modules
The Forge – learning the principles of movement, drawing & performance
The Foundry – creating your first group film
Mainframe 1 – developing your CG skills
Mainframe 2 – refining your CG skills
Animation Perspectives – an introduction to history and theory
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Year two is designed to put your work on the international stage. This is where you’ll specialise as an animator or visual effects artist, honing your skills and aligning them to your specialism. Working in teams, you’ll learn how to collaborate with students on other courses, and how to succeed at festivals by making films for the public. Your second year also gives you the opportunity to study abroad with one of our international partners.
Modules
Reboot 1 – focusing your CG skills
Reboot 2 – mastering your CG skills
Research & Proposals – define and articulate your area of researchOptional modules
Short Film 1 – team-based animation production
VFX Widescreen – team-based VFX production
Short Film 2 – team-based animation production
VFX Resolution – team-based VFX production
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Working in your chosen specialist role, you'll complete a major team-based animation or visual effects practice project spanning the whole year. Working with an industry mentor, you’ll continue to collaborate with specialists from other subject areas, including film, television, music and acting. You’ll also support your practice project and prepare for the industry with an extended research project, and by refining your portfolio, showreel and web presence - fully priming you for a successful career.
Modules
Extended Research – focusing your area of research
Professional Outlook – preparation for employmentOptional modules
Animation Pre-Production – team-based animation pre-production
VFX Pre-Production – team-based VFX pre-production
Animation Production – team-based animation production
VFX Production – team-based VFX production
The modules above are those being studied by our students, or proposed new ones. Programme structures and modules can change as part of our curriculum enhancement and review processes. If a certain module is important to you, please discuss it with the Course Leader.
How you'll learn
The course combines theory, creative and technical tuition to meet the demands of today’s animation and visual effects industries. By starting as an individual and quickly migrating to working in creative teams, you’ll mirror life as an industry professional. You’ll also develop your own specialism and career direction, with the option of an animation or visual effects pathway in your second year. Visual effects teams will collaborate with animation or live-action peers to produce high-quality creative work.
On top of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials, you’ll take on live briefs from industry clients, attend guest lectures, work with an industry mentor in your third year, and have the opportunity to study abroad with one of our international partners.
How you'll spend your time
Year | Timetabled teaching and learning activity | Guided independent study | Placements |
1 | 38% | 62% | 0% |
2 | 29% | 71% | 0% |
3 | 21% | 79% | 0% |
How you'll be assessed
Year | Written exams | Practical exams | Coursework |
1 | 0% | 0% | 100% |
2 | 0% | 0% | 100% |
3 | 0% | 0% | 100% |
Assessment methods
- Peer group assessment in your first year.
- Continuous assessment.
- Assignments including practical work, presentations, essays, written or verbal reports and a major research project.
Staff
You’ll be taught by a multi-award-winning group of experts in 2D, 3D, stop motion, visual effects directing, production, design, layout and animation. Their connections to some of the best animation and VFX studios in the world provide unique opportunities for you to network and launch your career.
Some members of staff only teach on specific modules, and your course might not feature every member shown here.
Derek Hayes
Derek Hayes is an award-winning director, specialising in animation, with sidelines in live-...
Andy Joule
Andy is head of Animation & Visual Effects in the School of Film & Television and...
Rosa Mulraney
A Senior Lecturer at Falmouth University specialising in post-production and visual effects with...
Richard Butler
After graduating from Nottingham Trent University in 1998 with and HND in Electrical and...
Peter Felstead
I joined the University in 1991 when I moved to Cornwall. My first role was to run the...
Duncan Hendry
I joined Falmouth University in September 2008 having moved from Swindon, I have over 40...
Dr Jem Mackay
Dr Jem Mackay is a filmmaker/artist who has been exploring collaborative systems within creative...
Julian Wright
From a young age Julian has had a fascination with the creation of imagery, be it stills,...
Richard Milligan
Richard is an animator and 3D artist with ten years of professional experience. Children's TV...
Katharine Nicholls
As a Senior Lecturer on BA(Hons) Animation and VFX at Falmouth University, Katharine’s...
Ann Owen
My passion for animation production lies in stop-motion, a form of animation that I have...
Doug Smith
I graduated from the University of Hull in 2002 after taking a BA in Music Technology. Music...
Luke Smith
Before I joined Falmouth University in January 2016 I had spent 20 years working in the British...
David Smithers
After graduating with a degree in History and Media from the University of Leeds, David started...
Michael Faherty
I have worked professionally for more than 20 years in animation, CG and visual effects. My...
Facilities
- Four animation software studios, containing powerful Dell Precision Workstations with Cintiq 24” & 27" pen displays. Software available includes Autodesk Maya (3D), TV Paint (2D), and Foundry Nuke Studio (VFX Compositing), as well as Adobe Creative Cloud Suite.
- Dedicated Stop-motion animation studio equipped with Canon EOS camera bodies, Nikon lenses, manfrotto grip and Dragonframe capture software.
- Life drawing studio and craft area.
- Nine Mac Pro edit suites with Avid Media Composer, Adobe Creative Cloud Suite & Da Vinci Resolve.
- Two specialist grading suites featuring DaVinci Resolve and 4K preview screens.
- Four large production studios:
- Production Studio 1: multipurpose studio equipped with three Sony HXC-FB80 studio cameras, chromatte grey screen and full lighting rig. Integral live gallery includes 4-input Tricaster Ultra HD production system.
- Production Studio 2: multipurpose studio and support area for studio 1.
- Production Studio 3: multipurpose studio with lighting rig.
- Production Studio 5: Specialist green screen studio with infinity cove & 360 degree subject lighting rig. Access to Xsens motion capture kit and VR/AR/MR equipment.
- Two 28 seat ‘Post Hubs’ for post-production software training - equipped with dual screen Apple iMacs. Software available includes Avid Media Composer, Adobe Creative Cloud, Da Vinci resolve and Pro Tools. Production management software is also available.
- 25-seat dubbing theatre with Avid S6 mixing desk and Pro Tools Ultimate.
- Three further post-production audio suites – all equipped with Pro Tools Ultimate.
- Foley/ADR suite with access to wide range of mics, foley traps and props.
- All post-production suites network-linked to Avid NEXIS shared storage system for seamless access and integration of projects.
- Digital cameras (HD to 4K) including Arri Alexa, RED, Sony, Canon, Blackmagic, Panasonic alongside Arri SR3 and Bolex 16mm film cameras. Odyssey 7Q+ External Recorders are also available.
- Wide range of hot and cold (LED) lighting equipment including systems by Arri, Dedo & Kino Flo alongside traditional blondes and red heads.
- Grip and gimbal systems available include Free-Fly Movi M5, Wally Dolly, Indie Dolly, PD1 Dolly, Koolertron Sliders, Glidecam 2000, Libec and Camcrane Jibs.
- Audio equipment includes Sound Devices 633 mixers, recorders and an extensive range of microphones.
- 129-seat cinema, with Christie M Series 2.5k projection and 7.2 surround sound.
How to apply
Entry requirements
104 - 120 UCAS points, primarily from Level 3 qualifications like A-levels, a BTEC Extended Diploma or a Foundation Diploma.
Check how many points your qualifications are worth
We’ll also consider you based on your individual merit and potential. So get in touch if:
- You’re predicted points below our requirements
- You’re thinking about transferring from another institution
- You have other qualifications or professional experience
Language requirements
GCSE English Language Grade 4 (C), or equivalent.
We also accept qualifications equivalent to the IELTS Academic 6.0 overall score, with at least 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.
If you need a Tier 4 student visa to study in the UK, you’ll need to take an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT).
Apply via UCAS
Enter these codes at UCAS Apply and Track
- University code F33
- Course code WG64
Deadlines
UK/EU applications: 15 January
Late applications will be considered if there are places available.
International fee payers can apply after the deadline. But we recommend applying as early as possible, to make time for visa and travel arrangements.
Next steps
Once you’ve applied, you’ll receive a Falmouth Applicant Portal login, where you’ll find more details about these requirements.
What we're looking for
We want someone who:
- Can present creative thoughts and responses through a range of media, and articulate the thought processes that led to the final outcome.
- Understands the medium and its cultural and historical contexts.
- Can articulate their desire and decision to take on a sustained period of study at higher education level.
- Knows how the course is delivered and how the curriculum aligns with their ambitions.
- Understands key modern cultural or historical paradigms.
- Is self-motivated, hard-working, resilient, persevering and a strong team player.
Fees, costs & funding
Tuition fees 2019-20
£9,250 - full-time UK/EU
£15,000 - full-time international
Typical course costs
£70 - Recurring annual costs
£530 - One-off costs in Year One
£450 - Optional study visits and placements for the course duration
If you need to bring equipment or materials with you, these will be outlined in your Welcome Letter.
The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs
Funding
For information about funding available, please visit our undergraduate funding page