Course options

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Course summary

With our two year fast-track BSc Animatronics Design degree, you’ll be designing, building and creating realistic and lifelike props and objects, that bring stories to life. You’ll specialise your skills and knowledge in animatronics design and fabrication. Degrees at BNU are designed to offer a broader and more flexible education by giving you the opportunity to try a range of subjects before specialising. Even if you know exactly what you want to do, with most of our courses you can choose to study additional subjects to enhance your education. Why study this subject? Do you want a career which could take you all over the world? Working towards your career aspirations, you could take on several roles across the globe in key areas such as; animatronics, elements involving mechanical or electronic engineering, animation, model-making, sculpture, product/ industrial design, and manufacturing. This course could help you get your dream job as being part of the team that work endlessly behind-the-scenes. Why study at BNU? With a history of delivering expert craft, art and design education for more than 130 years, Buckinghamshire New University is the perfect place to start your creative career. As part of the Art, Design and Performance School at BNU, you’ll benefit from a practiced-based course, supported by contextual studies. Led by a dedicated and experienced course team, you’ll benefit from their industry knowledge and the industry links they bring to the course. Many of our guest lecturers are specialists based at various studios all over the country. The University also has a teaching base at the iconic Pinewood Studios, which means there could be opportunities to engage with the community there. With London on our doorstep, you’ll be near the world’s best cultural centres, such as theatres, museums and galleries, where you can find a range of inspiration. What facilities can I use? Our industry standard facilities are here to help you produce your most creative ideas. Our specialist resources including:

  • CNC and laser cutter technology
  • highly equipped engineering & modelmaking workshops
  • 3D design studios
  • computer suites
  • electronics/ control and plastic fabrication labs
  • prosthetics lab
  • 3D printing technology.
At every step you’ll be supported by a dedicated team of technicians who will provide you with advice, technical assistance and support to realise your assignment briefs and final project. What will I study? The BSc (Hons) Animatronics Design course enables you to focus your studies towards the design and fabrication of animatronics models using engineering technology. This taught practical-based course is industry-focused and will provide opportunities for you to engage with a broad range of skills and techniques required within animatronics production for special effects film and TV and associated creative industries. All modules are designed to develop the practical, theoretical/ critical approaches applied to individual specialism, and will facilitate the design, prototyping and production of polished functional animatronics models for inclusion to an essential portfolio of work. The course embraces new and emerging techniques and technologies, maintaining currency and diversity through well-established links and communications with the creative industry. What are my career prospects? The multidisciplinary nature of the course will prepare you for a range of career possibilities. Using the skills and knowledge learnt on this course, you could find yourself performing the following roles all over the world:
  • Animatronics Designer
  • Prosthetics fabricator
  • SFX technician and/ or assistant
  • Props & Modelmaker
  • Structure Engineer
  • Computer Programmer
  • Control & Signal writer
  • Pre-visualisation Artist
  • Technical Director (TD)
  • Rig-builder.

Modules

Term 1 Core Modules Computer Aided Design Introduction to Programming SFX Character Design 2 3D Modelling & Simulation Pre-production Opportunity Modules 2 x 10 credit Level 4 and 2 x 10 credit Level 5 Opportunity modules Term 2 Core Modules 2D Visualization Introduction to Animatronics Engineering Control and Signal Writing Animatronics Engineering System Design Professional Practice & Business Management Dissertation Term 3 Core Modules SFX Character Design 1 Chemical Studies and Technological Applications Advanced Prosthetics Production SFX Rigging & Manufacturing Final Major Project

Assessment method

Taught by industry-professionals, you’ll benefit by learning from lecturers with real sector experience and an insight into working-life. You could also benefit from access to our network of guest speakers, industry experts and successful alumni. You will be assessed in a variety of ways, from studio projects and workshop and media outcomes to group and individual case studies and written assignments.


How to apply

Application codes

Course code:
AN01
Institution code:
B94
Campus name:
Buckinghamshire New University
Campus code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

For information about applying to Buckinghamshire New University as an International applicant, please visit https://www.bucks.ac.uk/study/international

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements for the three-year undergraduate programme, or those who do not feel fully prepared for a degree course, can apply for a four-year programme including a Foundation Year.

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

https://bucks.ac.uk/applying-to-bucks/general-entry-requirements

Additional entry requirements

Interview


Unistats information

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 £15000* Year 1
International £15000* Year 1

*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

Additional fee information

Most courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. You could benefit from financial support through a bursary or scholarship during your time as a student. For more details visit our financial support, bursaries and scholarships section.

Sponsorship information

Buckinghamshire New University offers a range of bursaries and scholarships. For more information, please visit https://www.bucks.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding/financial-support-bursaries-and-scholarships

Animatronics Design at Buckinghamshire New University - UCAS