Animation BA(Hons)
Bring your ideas to life through the world of animation. We’ll support you in developing original, imaginative stories that come to life with a well-defined understanding and appreciation of the animation production pipeline.
Key details
| Location | Penryn Campus |
|---|---|
| Course Duration | 3/4 years |
| Attendance | Full-time |
| UCAS code | W615/FY23 |
| Contact | 01326 254350 |
Apply now
Introduction
You can choose a pathway in 2D, 3D or stop-motion and develop your own specialism, be that as a director, producer, animator, rigger, texture, concept or background artist. The course has a strong focus on teamwork, the perfect platform for a successful career in animation for film, TV and games.
You will:
- Study as part of a CILECT (The International Association of Film and Television Schools) film school
- Learn from staff with industry backgrounds and experience in film, children's TV, advertising and post-production
- Work in multi-skilled teams, reflecting industry practice
- Identify your strengths and develop your technical and creative knowledge through character animation, storytelling, concept
art and software - Hone your skills in stop motion and Computer Generated (CG) animation, working in professional-standard facilities
- Underpin your creative work with theoretical and historical understanding
- Gain a working knowledge of industry practice
- Graduate with a varied and professional portfolio
The Integrated Foundation Year pathway for this course is new for entry year 2022 and is subject to validation.
Covid-19 update
As we follow the roadmap out of the pandemic, for the academic year 2021/22, the University expects to be able to deliver courses as they were designed. However, the institution must comply with any public health measures that are imposed by Government and may need to vary its delivery at short notice. Examples of amendments we have previously made to modules to comply with government guidance can be found here.
What our students do
Falmouth films shortlisted for BAFTA Student Awards
Students Animate Poem for BBC Spotlight
Animation Team Working with Kung Fu Panda Director
Students bring Jubilee Pool Memories to Life
Animation Students bring Protests to Life
Students Sweep Nominations for RTS Awards
Plasticine Masterclass with Peter Lord
Film Backed by Falmouth University Nominated for Two BAFTAs
Head of Animation Brings Stop Motion to Mumbai
Animation Students Collaborate with Devon & Cornwall Police
What our graduates do
From animators at Aardman to production staff at Passion Pictures, to creating their own companies, our Animation graduates have turned their degrees into exciting careers.
Animated antics: Avy meets Aardman
Falmouth films shortlisted for BAFTA Student Awards
‘It’s a New Life Tomorrow’ selected for Cornish Film Festival
Student Film Up for British Animation Award
Animation Grad Joins American Studio
Animation Alumnus Flourishes As Freelancer
Award-Winning Animation Team Release Cornish-Made Video Game
Dream Comes True for Animation Alumna
Animation Receives Second Nomination
Making it in Animation!
Course details
What you'll learn
Joining our Animation degree, you'll build your real-world abilities, learn to think creatively and produce a range of animations. You'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.
If you choose the Integrated Foundation Year pathway, you'll study five core modules in your foundation year. These are all designed to help you explore the foundational elements of your subject. You'll gain relevant technical skills, learn to experiment and take risks, develop an understanding of professional practice, have opportunities to work across disciplines and collaborate with other students on live project briefs.
By the time you progress into year one of your degree, you'll have a deeper knowledge of your subject, a clear understanding of your strengths, and develop a practical and technical skillset and the confidence to excel in your chosen subject.
Modules
Explore
You'll begin your foundation year by working collaboratively with others to explore themes of the future. You'll take risks, experiment through play and be supported to break through barriers.
Technique
You'll take subject-specific workshops and develop essential technical and practical skills in your area of study. You'll also enhance your analytical and organisational abilities.
Apply
You'll work with your peer group to think beyond discipline by addressing a societal or global issue. You'll then showcase your work to your peers and deliver and accompanying evaluation of your process.
Industry
You'll enhance your creative and practical skills in your subject specialism by responding to typical industry briefs, underpinned by focused research and experiments. You'll also gain industry insights through guest lectures and workshops.
Launch
You'll develop your unique identity in your specialism through the production of a self-initiated body of work. Your final project will be the bridge to your next year, fully supported by evaluative reviews and critical analysis of the work you have created.
The Integrated Foundation Year pathway for this course is new for entry year 2022 and subject to validation.
In your first year you'll get to grips with core animation processes, skills and theories. Working solo and in teams, you'll be immersed in developing your skills in 2D, CG and stop motion animation, storytelling, film language and sound. You'll also attend workshops on life drawing, script development, acting and performance and production management.
Modules
Essential Animation 1: Fundamentals
Animation Context
Essential Animation 2: Competency
Animation Context
Animated Extras
In your second year you'll continue to develop your CG skills and will have the opportunity to specialise and define your role in production teams. Working in multi-skilled teams on live briefs from external clients, you'll be supported to make stand-out films and submit them to national film festivals.
Modules
Essential Animation 3: Proficient
Optional modules
Specialist Options (2D Animation, 3D Animation, Stop Motion Animation)
Specialist Option 1: Stage, Story & Screen
Specialist Option 2: Design for Animation
Specialist Option 3: Production Management
Specialist Option 4: 2D Short Film
Specialist Option 5: 3D Short Film
Specialist Option 6: Stop Motion Short Film
Working with an industry mentor and students from other courses including Film, Television, Post-production and Visual Effects, Music and Acting, you'll showcase your specialist skills by delivering a major animation project. This will be supported by an extended research piece.
You'll also finesse your professional portfolio, showreel and web presence, so you're set to take your skills into industry after graduation.
Modules
Essential Animation 4: Industry
Optional modules
Specialist Option 1: 2D Animation
Specialist Option 2: 3D Animation
Specialist Option 3: Stop Motion
AnimationAnimation Production
Internship
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.
From module information to course aims and assessment criteria, discover the full course details.
We are making changes to our curriculum framework for courses starting in 2022. Modest amendments to our course module structure will provide you with new opportunities to collaborate and co-create with students from across disciplines during your studies.
This course page will be updated when these changes have been finalised and applicants will be notified.
How you'll learn
On this practice-based course we combine theory, creative experimentation and technical tuition to meet the demands of the animation industry. 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, be that as a director, producer, animator, rigger, texture, layout or background artist.
On top of lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials, you'll take on live briefs from industry clients, attend guest lectures and work with an industry mentor in your third year.
If you choose the Integrated Foundation Year pathway for this course, you'll gain a foundational knowledge of your subject through digitally enhanced learning before progressing onto the full degree.
How you'll be assessed
We employ a variety of assessment strategies over the course of this degree. These include the submission of portfolios of practical work, presentations, essays, written or verbal reports and a major research project. In your first year, you'll also have the chance to take part the process of peer group assessment.
Your summative (final) assessments occur at the end of each module, usually at the end of the study block. However, you may have interim formative assessments part way through a module as well. These assessments help ensure that you remain on track with your work.
You'll receive continuous feedback on all your work throughout the year. This will be delivered through tutorials and while you are working in the studio. At the end of a module, you'll receive detailed written feedback and will have the chance to discuss this with your assessor.
If you choose the Integrated Foundation Year pathway for this course, all assessments within your foundation year will be 100% coursework based.
Staff
Our staff members are award winning experts with multiple awards to their name. From working in 2D, 3D & stop motion in directing, production, design, layout and animation, the academic team have extensive industry-wide experience.
We pride ourselves on our industry partnerships which reach beyond the UK to some the best animation studios around the world. This provides essential networking opportunities for our students and alumni and helps inform and shape our curriculum.
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-action...
Andy Joule
Andy is Head of Animation, Prosthetics & Effects in the CILECT School of Film & Television and...
Rosa Mulraney
A Senior Lecturer at Falmouth University specialising in post-production, visual effects and...
Richard Butler
After graduating from Nottingham Trent University in 1998 with and HND in Electrical and Electronic...
Peter Felstead
I joined the University in 1991 when I moved to Cornwall. My first role was to run the photography...
Duncan Hendry
I joined Falmouth University in September 2008 having moved from Swindon, I have over 40 years...
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, sculpture...
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 at Falmouth University, Katharine’s professional...
Ann Owen
My passion for animation production lies in stop-motion, a form of animation that I have practiced...
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 his...
Michael Faherty
I have worked professionally for more than 20 years in animation, CG and visual effects. My...
“Falmouth is one of a very select group of universities we work with as part of the Envy Academy. Due to the quality of the teaching curriculum and the high calibre of their teaching staff, they are regularly producing extremely employable talent.”
Tom Morgan, Head of Client Services, Envy Post Production
Facilities
The multi-million-pound, industry standard School of Film & Television offers professional facilities including:
- 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 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.
- 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
Apply via UCAS
Ready to join us? You can apply for September 2022 through UCAS Apply and Track. You'll need to reference the University code (F33) and course codes below.
- BA(Hons) 3 year course code: W615
- Integrated Foundation Year BA(Hons) 4 year course code: FY23
Applying as an international student?
International students can apply for a course through UCAS, via an agent or directly with the university. For more information about how to apply as an international student, visit our International applications page.
Application advice & interview information
We consider all applications on their own individual merit and potential. We invite all applicants to an interview day or audition to give them the opportunity to demonstrate this along with what inspires and motivates them in their field. Applicants will also be able to show their portfolio or give a performance depending on the course. We welcome applications from all subject backgrounds, whether you’ve specialised in STEM, the arts or humanities.
As a guide our typical offer at undergraduate level is 104 – 120 UCAS Tariff points, primarily from Level 3 qualifications such as but not limited to A-levels, a BTEC/UAL Extended Diploma or a Foundation Diploma.
For applicants whose first language is English we require you to have or be working towards GCSE English Language Grade 4 (C), or equivalent.
If English is not your first language you will need to meet the same standard which is equivalent to the IELTS Academic 6.0 overall score, with at least 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. We accept a range of in country equivalencies and approved tests.
If you need a student visa to study in the UK, you'll need to take a recognised language test that is approved and vouched for by the University. You can read our English Language Requirements for more information.
UK applications: 26 January 2022 (for equal consideration)
Late applications will be considered if there are places available.
International fee payers can apply throughout the year. But we recommend applying as early as possible, to make time for visa and travel arrangements.
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
£9,250 per year - full-time UK
£16,950 per year - full-time EU/international
£9,250 per year - full-time UK
£17,460 per year - full-time EU/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.
Additional typical course costs for Integrated Foundation Year pathway
- £250 for materials
- A laptop/desktop computer
- Adobe Creative Suite
In order to participate in our digitally enhanced learning approach, you'll need to have a personal laptop/desktop computer. Depending on your specialism, you may need a specific type of computer. You can find out more about the type of machine you'll need on your course specialism page. If you're unsure about what you might need, please contact our course advisors.
The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs
Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.
Funding
For information about funding available, please visit our undergraduate funding page
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