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Computer Animation Arts at University of the West of Scotland - UCAS

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2024 - 20252025 - 2026
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Open days

12Dec
Online Undergraduate Info Session
Undergraduate

Course summary

OVERVIEW Develop your technical and artistic abilities with BSc (Hons) Computer Animation Arts.This programme fuses traditional skills with cutting-edge technology, and covers all elements of the animation production pipeline. This degree provides the skills required for work in animation, 3D modelling, visual effects, visualisation, and computer games. It will also encourage you to specialise in a chosen area and stretch your technical and artistic abilities. PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS • As a vital part of the modern entertainment industry, animation offers an exciting, creative and varied choice of employment. • This is a practical and mainly project-based programme, throughout which you will produce a range of digital outputs. • Flexible study options allow you to tailor our studies to align with your interests and career goals. • The degree will equip you with skills that will prepare you for a range of employment in the animation industry and help you focus on your strengths. • Computer Animation Arts is industry recognised by ScreenSkills, the industry-led skills body for the UK’s screen-based industries, and carries the ScreenSkills Select quality-mark which indicates courses best suited to prepare students for a career in the screen industries. PROGRAMME DETAILS The University has extensive computing facilities throughout all campuses, with one hundred and twenty specialist computers for animation, all with the latest versions of the Autodesk teaching software. General computing support is available across the day and into the evening and access to computing facilities is available beyond teaching hours. CAREERS UWS graduates enjoy careers in computer games, animated films and video, visual effects, and architectural visualisation. As well as setting up their own companies, graduates are employed by industry heavyweights and award-winning studios including: • Disney • ILM • Warner Studios • Axis Studios • MPC • Sony Pictures • Rockstar North • Di4D • Hydra Studios • Wild Child Animation • Ammonite • Revenant • Lupus • BBC • STV • The Character Shop • Playground Games • Mental Ltd • Tag Games • Codemasters • Rivet Games • Firebrand Games

Modules

Year 1 You will focus on the principles of animation, planning and practice. You will learn how computer tools are used for artistic representation and work on 2D and 3D animation. Year 2 You will continue to focus on the principles of animation, planning and practice. You will develop further skills in 2D and 3D animation. Year 3 You will focus on advanced modelling and texturing techniques, and on independent, specialist project work. This includes the production of a demo reel and scripting for automation and simulation. Year 4 You will undertake a substantial project, creating a piece of work that showcases your skills and enhances your employability after graduation. You will also study acting for character animation and virtual environments.

Assessment method

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials and workshops. There will also be group work and independent learning to ensure you develop transferable skills such as research, presentation, communication and working as part of a team.

Professional bodies

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

  • ScreenSkills

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:
GW48
Institution code:
U40
Campus name:
Paisley Campus
Campus code:
P

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1
  • Year 2
  • Year 3
  • Year 4

Entry requirements for advanced entry (i.e. into Year 2 and beyond)

Year 2 Entry Scottish Advanced Highers: CCD (112 UCAS Tariff points) including Art & Design T Level: Full T Level in relevant subject with Grade M (120 Tariff points) A Levels: BBC (112 UCAS Tariff points) including Art & Design International Baccalaureate: 28 points, including Art qualification SQA HNC/BTEC Level 4 HNC: Animation subject including a substantial component in animation such as: Filmcraft & Animation; Animation; Computer Arts (must include DW9H34 3D Computer Visualisation, HG5634 Animation: An Introduction and H31E835 2D Computer Animation modules) HND Creative Animation BTEC Extended Diploma: DDM SQA HND/BTEC Level 5 HND: Creative Animation; Visual Communication; Computer Art & Design; Computer Games Development Year 3 Entry SQA HND/BTEC Level 5 HND: Filmcraft and Animation, Animation, 3D Animation; Arts & Animation* Related discipline with significant animation content (3D Animation/ Motion Studies modules)

International applicants

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS: For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. These are shown below.

Entry requirements

Standard Qualification Requirements

Year 1 entry with SWAP (BBB) Access to STEM. NextGen HNC/D qualifications can be considered for entry to Years 1-3, subject to content, with 'Acheived'

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Additional entry requirements

Portfolio

Applicants may be required to submit a portfolio of artwork for entry into Year 3 of this programme.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6IELTS 6.0 with 5.5 minimum in each skill / component.
Cambridge English Advanced176 overall with no sub-test less than 169
Cambridge English Proficiency176 overall with no sub-test less than 169
Trinity ISEPassISEII with the minimum of a Pass in all sub-tests
PTE Academic54An overall score of 54 with no element below 51
TOEFL (iBT)78no sub-test less than: Reading: 17; Listening: 17; Speaking: 17; Writing: 17

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. The reason for this is that it’s essential that you are able to read, speak and understand the English language to get the most out of your time at UWS. All international applicants are required to meet minimum English language standards, with the exception of: // Native speakers of English // Erasmus students (unless advised otherwise) // non-Erasmus students from EU partner institutions (your institution must provide confirmation of your English language ability in the absence of a formal qualification) The qualifications above must have been gained within two years prior to the start of your course at UWS.

UWS's English language requirements

https://www.uws.ac.uk/international/english-language-requirements/

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
85%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
85%
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

Scotland £1820* Year 1
England £9250* Year 1
Northern Ireland £9250* Year 1
Wales £9250* Year 1
Channel Islands £9250* Year 1
Republic of Ireland £9250* Year 1
EU £18000* Year 1
International £18000* Year 1

*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

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

TUITION FEE INFORMATION - SCOTTISH STUDENTS: Eligible Scottish domiciled students can usually apply to have their tuition fees paid for them each year of their studies by the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). If you're not sure about your eligibility, you should contact SAAS. You need to apply to SAAS each year of study to have your tuition fees paid directly to UWS. TUITION FEE INFORMATION - UK, IRISH & GIBRALTARIAN STUDENTS: Eligible students who are domiciled in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland as well as from the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, Gibraltar or the Republic of Ireland will qualify for tuition fees of £9,250 per academic session of study to a maximum of three years if you are studying on a four year bachelor degree course (eg. BAcc (Hons) / BA (Hons) / BEng (Hons) / BSc (Hons)). So, if your degree is four years' duration, you will only be charged tuition fees for three years. Similarly, if you are studying a five year integrated master's degree course (eg. MEng (Hons)) the you will only be charged tuition fees for four years. TUITION FEE INFORMATION - INTERNATIONAL (NON-EU) & EU STUDENTS: These tuition fees apply to all non-EU, EEA, and all other EU students (excluding those from Republic of Ireland and Gibraltar, whose fee level is as per UK (non-Scottish) students - see section above for more details). ADDITIONAL COSTS: The cost of attending university is an investment in your future career. In addition to tuition fees and living expenses, some courses involve extra costs such as consumable study materials, field trips, equipment and uniforms. You may also want to purchase some core texts and technology such as a new laptop etc. Some of these additional costs are optional, some, such as uniforms or safety equipment may be mandatory. Check the course entry on our website for more more information.

Sponsorship information

Visit www.uws.ac.uk/scholarships

Computer Animation Arts at University of the West of Scotland - UCAS