Course summary
You are a creative storyteller with an obsessive passion for animation. You want to develop your technical skills and you love working with the latest technology. If you think this applies to you, then you should apply for this course. This degree is an amalgamation of animation and illustration. When we created the course we spoke to our contacts in the industry and asked them what the course should cover. As well as both 2D and 3D animation, the industry wants people who can draw and they seem to be in short supply. For that reason, in the first year you will gain a solid grounding in illustration for animation. The drawing skills developed in this year will lay a strong foundation for the digital work to come. Using light boxes and rostrum cameras you will explore the traditional methods of animation, including the twelve principles of animation that have guided generations of animators. Creative thinking, storyboarding and story structure are all covered and within the first year you will put everything into practise with your own 30 second traditional animation. In the second year you will transfer your animation skills into 3D. Using the industry standard software package Maya, you will learn how to recreate the 12 principles in 3D space and create your first short film in 3D. You will learn 3D modelling, including how to make props and characters from scratch, as well as video edition and motion graphics. An industry-set brief is introduced in the second year to give you real world experience working for a client. You will also continue to illustrate, producing a set of creative responses to briefs and, in the second semester, a graphic novel or illustrated story book. In the third year your teaching will become more self-directed, allowing every student to pursue their own creative path. You will create a short film, made in the medium of your choice, and an honours project which could be anything from modelling to illustration, animation to concept art. Your learning journey will be guided throughout by tutors who have worked in the industry so that your projects, as well as being personally rewarding, will also provide you with a professional portfolio and showreel for the time you graduate. Motion capture is also taught on third year, as are interview skills, networking and how to land your first job in the industry. The main activities within the programme will take place within a classroom/studio/online setting. This will allow you and the staff to develop a mature and informative relationship concerning your study. Not only is this a supportive and welcoming environment but it mimics the professional arena where you will be expected to organise your working patterns based upon set goals. It is important to note that this is not a distance learning / online course. Online activity will be a part of the course in addition to onsite studios and labs as it is an important transferable skill you will need in industry. Students leave the programme being highly employable, and our course stats reflect this.
Modules
HE Level 4 (Year 1): Fundamentals of 2D Animation (20 credits) Year 1 Animation Project (20 credits) History of Animation and Illustration (20 credits) Fundamentals of Illustration (40 credits) Pre-production (20 credits) HE Level 5 (Year 2): Fundamentals of 3D Animation (20 credits) Year 2 Animation Project (20 credits) Post-Production and Motion Graphics (20 credits) Contemporary Animation and Illustration(20 credits) 3D Modelling (20 credits) Applied Illustration (20 credits) HE Level 6 (Year 3): Motion Capture (20 credits) Personal Portfolio Development (20 credits) Honours Project (40 credits) Year 3 Animation Project (40 credits)
Assessment method
We want to do everything we can to prepare you for working within the creative industries, and this is reflected in the way we teach and assess you. The course is mostly coursework based, which means your tutors will be able to give you constant, constructive feedback. Presentation techniques will give you valuable experience of how to present your thoughts and ideas successfully and enthusiastically, so you are better at selling your ideas to prospective employers. The written work is an important part of assessment and will improve your communication skills. A combination of lectures, tutorials, peer reviews, discussions and observations will ensure that you’re industry ready. External trips will present you with a wider range of topics and the opportunity to expand your portfolio, whilst guest speakers will help you to understand the world of animation and illustration, how it works and how you can make your mark on it.
How to apply
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
- Course code:
- W216
- Institution code:
- F98
- Campus name:
- Futureworks (Manchester)
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Year 3
International applicants
We are able to accept applications from students requiring a Student visa. An administration fee of £1500 will be charged on application for applicants who require a Student Visa.
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 104 - 120 points
A level - BCC
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DMM
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
Additional entry requirements
Interview
Interviewer: Joe Darlington (Programme Leader) If your application is successful, you will be invited to an interview where you will have the opportunity to talk about your work, influences and interests. Ideal applicants will have a keen interest in animation, illustration, and production. You will be asked to bring any relevant examples of work with you, in the form of a portfolio.
Portfolio
For your portfolio we recommend including some observational drawing, ideally life drawings. Experience in digital working and animation is not necessary prior to starting the degree, but if you have explored any of these avenues already then we'd love to see them. Other than that, bring in any work you are particularly proud of, between 8 and 10 pieces in total, and be prepared to talk through your working process in the interview.
English language requirements
GCSE level 4 & above or equivalent
Student Outcomes
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
Republic of Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
England | £9250 | Year 1 |
Northern Ireland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Scotland | £9250 | Year 1 |
Wales | £9250 | Year 1 |
Channel Islands | £9250 | Year 1 |
EU | £17000 | Year 1 |
International | £17000 | 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
Provider information
Futureworks
Riverside
New Bailey Street
Manchester
M3 5FS
Clearing contact details
Enquiry formAdmissions
0161 214 4602
Additional information
If our Admissions team are not available please email [email protected].