13May
UndergraduateCourse summary
Our Animation and VFX degree programme offers an exciting opportunity to bring your creative visions to life. This course covers both the creative and technological developments in the field, including animated and virtual production design elements. By studying with us, you will have the chance to build a strong portfolio of studio production work, focusing on both Animation and VFX preparing you for a promising career in this dynamic industry. Throughout the course, you will learn to manage the entire production cycle of digital animation and visual production artefacts. This will expand both your practical knowledge and intellectual knowledge of the subject. You will explore contemporary opportunities in Computer Animation and VFX creatively and imaginatively, considering the social and cultural context in which these works communicate. Our dedicated Computer Animation facilities, featuring industry-standard software like MAYA, Z-Brush, and Unreal, support your learning with workshops on various production stages. Your lectures and learning process will focus on developing your intellectual skills. This includes analysis, inventiveness, and critical assessment. These are designed to examine ideas and theories that will enhance your artistic abilities and technical skills. The course covers a broad range of topics, providing you with creative skills and the ability to understand and apply technological developments. You will work on animation and VFX-focused work, which will be integral parts of your portfolio. These experiences will prepare you for professional practice in the games industry, film, and television. You will also have opportunities to engage with virtual production design and animated content creation. This course ensures you develop problem-solving abilities and a comprehensive understanding of the production process, from initial concept to final product. Our Animation and VFX programme equips you with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in this dynamic field. By the end of the course, you will have a portfolio of work, showcasing your abilities in digital animation and visual production, ready to pursue a successful career in Animation and VFX.
Modules
Our Philosophy We believe in a holistic approach to learning and teaching that combines creative exploration with technological mastery. Our goal is to equip students with both practical skills and intellectual insights, fostering innovation and professional development throughout their studies. Our staff are passionate artists and animators, dedicated to providing the best support to help your work stand out. We offer opportunities to bring your imagination and storylines to life, find your passion, and realise your dreams. Whether you are interested in film, conceptual design, modelling, or any form of animation, we help you find what you love and bring it to life. Whether 2D, stop frame, 3D — it’s all-immersive in digital animation. Year 1 In your first year, you’ll build a solid foundation in animation and VFX through modules such as Visual Studies and Introduction to Character Animation. You will explore virtual production, 3D modelling, and environment design, while also developing your academic and professional skills. You will gain insights into animation perspectives and the positive impact of VFX. Visual Studies (20 credits) Introduction to Virtual Production (20 credits) Introduction to Character Animation (20 credits) Environment Design (20 credits) Academic and Professional Development (10 Credits) Introduction to 3D Modelling (10 Credits) Animation Insights and Perspectives (10 Credits) VFX for Positive Impact (10 Credits) Year 2 The second year focuses on advancing your skills with modules like Advanced Character Animation and Body Mechanics and Creature Animation. You will explore virtual production design, experimental animation techniques, and visual effects, while evolving your creative craft. Sound design will complement your visual work, enhancing your overall production quality. Advanced Character Animation (20 credits) Body Mechanics and Creature Animation (20 credits) Virtual Production Design (20 credits) Evolving your Creative Craft (20 Credits) Experimental Animation Techniques (10 Credits) Visual Effects (20 credits) Sound Design (10 Credits) In your final year, you will undertake an Independent Project to showcase your abilities. You will study emerging trends and advanced character performance, while also focusing on personal portfolio development. Advanced lighting and rendering techniques will refine your technical skills, preparing you for a career in the industry. Year 3 Independent Project (40 credits) Emerging Trends (20 credits) Advanced Character Performance (20 Credits) Personal Portfolio Development (20 Credits) Advanced Lighting and Rendering (20 Credits)
Assessment method
A lot of the briefs and coursework and submissions ask you to create something fresh, new, inspiring — and all industry leaning. You have creative input on new worlds and imaginings. Visually enriched tutorials, lectures, presentations, overviews and exercises — always with an eye on concept; always thinking on how to extend this work for showreels. Feedback can often be illustrated and/or filled with more visual tips and guides to help with alternative designs, movements, narrative structure, etc, etc. We ask you to engage with some amazing kit. We harness technology — we control it - via drawing, cintiqs, model-making, 2D and 3D software, production techniques and skillsets. We provide a lot of the basics, with specific challenges to get you off the ground — and in HE — ask you to fly high.
Qualified teacher status (QTS)
To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
- Course does not award QTS
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
- Course code:
- AVF1
- Institution code:
- T80
- Campus name:
- SA1 Waterfront Campus, Swansea
- Campus code:
- T
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa. For courses of more than six months’ duration you will require a Student visa. International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. For full information read our visa application and guides. Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 120 points
English language requirements
If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.
Acceptable Evidence of English
https://www.uwtsd.ac.uk/apply/international-applications/english-language-requirements
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
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
| England | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9535 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9535 | Year 1 |
| EU | £15525 | Year 1 |
| International | £15525 | 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 students have access to a diverse range of equipment and resources, which in most cases are sufficient to complete their programme of study. We provide the basic materials necessary for students to develop their practical work within our extensive workshop and studio facilities.
However, it is likely that art and design students will incur some additional costs to extend their investigation of their personal practice. For example, purchasing their own specialised materials and equipment, joining in optional study trips, and printing.
Students are expected to bring their own personal art and design equipment with them when they commence the course. We can advise on the correct equipment needed for your programme of studies and signpost appropriate suppliers if you wish to purchase essential items before or during your studies.
A basic ‘art and design kit’ will cost approximately £100 but you may well already have much of the equipment required so check with us first. Also, although we have extensive dedicated digital design studios (PC and MAC) for you to undertake your coursework you may wish to bring your own digital devices, again check with us first before making a purchase.
Depending on distance and duration, optional study visits can vary in cost from approximately £10 to visit local galleries and exhibitions to £200+ for overseas visits – these costs cover things like transport, entry to venues and accommodation and are normally at reduced rates for our students.
Provider information
University of Wales Trinity Saint David
College Road
Carmarthen
SA31 3EP