Course summary

Develop the creative and technical skills behind the latest Hollywood blockbusters and learn from award-winning studio professionals on our BA (Hons) Animation and Visual Effects degree course. On this future-looking course, you will develop skills that prepare you for the increasing demand for animation and visual effects expertise: from the screen industries to architecture and urban design; scientific visualisation to creative design and virtual reality. Working side-by-side with single honours Animation students in your first year, you will acquire skills across the range of animation and visual effects expertise; from character creation to the use of green screen, to digital matte painting, to lighting, texturing and rendering to build your imagined worlds. You’ll have the opportunity to attend FMX, the biggest and best animation, visual effects, games and immersive media conference in Europe. You’ll also have access to a subsidised commercial version of Nuke, the industry standard software used in major studios, with a licence that even extends for one year after graduation. As you become an expert “world builder”, creating seamless life-like, believable photo-real worlds, you’ll use visual effects to create character designs, enhance stories, working with directors or filming your own shots, helping to develop a portfolio that could fast-track you into the animation and visual effects industries. This course includes a Year Zero, which promotes developing practical, technical and creative skills and confidence for the following three years. Building on your prior experience, you will be introduced to some of our workshops to assist your skill development, with an increasing emphasis on professional standards and independent study. The course places emphasis on your personal commitment to study, while supporting you in your progression.