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Animation with Foundation Year at Sheffield Hallam University - UCAS

Course options

2025 - 2026
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Sheffield Hallam University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

Open days

24Nov
Sheffield Hallam University - undergraduate open day
Undergraduate
4Dec
Sheffield Hallam University - undergraduate and degree apprenticeship open evening
Undergraduate

Course summary

Please check the Sheffield Hallam University website for the latest information. Course summary

  • Prepare for the degree with an extra foundation year at the start.
  • Work across a variety of forms including 2D drawn and digital-based animation, stop motion and 3D CGI animation.
  • Specialise in your preferred animation discipline for your major project film.
  • Produce a portfolio of project work to showcase your skills to potential employers.
Learn a broad range of techniques and theoretical knowledge underpinning the form, including storyboarding, life drawing and concept art with this practical animation course. You graduate with the experience necessary to work in the animation industry, or in a wide range of other sectors that require creative professionals with animation skills. How you learn All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive. The course is suitable if you don’t meet the entry requirements for our BA (Hons) Animation course, or you want extra preparation before starting degree-level study. You share the first year with other media arts and communication foundation year students, then move on to the degree. Throughout the course you will experience a range of teaching methods, from specialist workshops and media labs to lectures and seminars, individual tutorials and group work. You will be able to develop your own area of interest and specialise in your preferred discipline for your major project film (including 2D drawn, stop motion or 3D CGI animation). You learn through:
  • coursework
  • portfolios
  • projects
  • written reports
  • peer critique groups
In the foundation year, you’ll study wide-ranging media arts and communication topics, while also focussing on your particular subject area and completing assignments in that field. You’ll grow as a creative, and begin developing a professional portfolio. You’ll also become familiar with Hallam’s exceptional facilities and staff, so you’re fully prepared for undergraduate study. Applied learning Work placements You will have the opportunity to arrange a year-long work placement in between your third and fourth years. This gives you a real-world experience to prepare you for your future career. Field trips To help create a stimulating environment and to ensure that you gain the latest industry knowledge, you attend animation festival trips, film seminars and guest lectures by industry experts. Our industry links include Double Negative, Frame Store, MacKinnon and Saunders, Cartoon Saloon, Finger Industries and Mew Lab. Competitions In your fourth year you have the opportunity to submit your work for the Nick Park Award, an annual competition exclusive to Sheffield Hallam students which is judged by the team at Aardman.

Modules

Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page. You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information. Year 1 Compulsory modules Foundation Projects — Developing Creative Practice Foundation Skills & Methods Year 2 Compulsory modules Directing Story: Engaging Audiences Doing Moving: Animation Principles In Motion Year 3 Compulsory modules Animator Elevator: Careers In Animation Future Now: Collaboration In Action Re-Animator: Character In Motion Elective module Study Abroad - Creative Industries Year 4 Optional modules Placement Year Final year Compulsory modules Beyond Imagination: Professional Animation Production Pure Imagination: Professional Concept Development

Assessment method

Coursework

How to apply

29Jan

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Please select a course option – you will then see the application code you need to use to apply for the course.

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Foundation

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

We may also accept you, if you have limited qualifications but can show evidence of ability and a genuine commitment to studying Media Arts and Communication. We treat the foundation year as part of the Media Arts and Communication degree programme. Offers made to students will be for four years of study (or five years of study including a placement). This is made up of the foundation year plus one of our Media Arts and Communication degrees.

Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course

https://www.shu.ac.uk/Courses/Digital-media/BA-Honours-Animation-with-Foundation-Year/Full-time/

Additional entry requirements

Interview

Some applicants may be invited to attend an informal interview with the course leader to ensure that the programme is suitable for themselves and their aspirations.

Other

Please note that this information is subject to change without notice by Sheffield Hallam University.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent.

If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.0 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.

Please click the following link to find out more about English language requirements for this course

https://www.shu.ac.uk/Courses/Digital-media/BA-Honours-Animation-with-Foundation-Year/Full-time/

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

There is no data available for this course. For further information visit the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £9250 Year 1
Northern Ireland £9250 Year 1
Scotland £9250 Year 1
Wales £9250 Year 1
Channel Islands £9250 Year 1
Republic of Ireland £9250 Year 1
EU £16655 Year 1
International £16655 Year 1

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Our tuition fees for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2025/2026 are regulated by the UK government and are yet to be confirmed. For an indication, our tuition fees for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2024/2025 is £9,250 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200. If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found at https://www.shu.ac.uk/study-here/terms-and-conditions-and-student-regulations under student fees regulations. Our tuition fees for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2024/25 is £16,655 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200. Please refer to our website for up-to-date information on costs and fees: https://www.shu.ac.uk/study-here/undergraduate/fees

Sponsorship information

Scholarships, discounts and bursaries may be available to students who study this course.

Animation with Foundation Year at Sheffield Hallam University - UCAS