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Animation BA (Hons)

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Key Facts

  • UCAS Code

    BA: I710
    BA with Foundation: I711

  • Level

    UndergraduateUG BA (Hons)

  • Duration

    Full Time: 3 years
    Full Time Foundation: 4 years
    Part Time: 4 - 6 years

  • Starting

    September

Updated 19/12/2024

Apply Now Open Days

Updated 19/12/2024

Get in touch

For questions regarding study and admissions please contact us:

UK STUDENTS ENQUIRIES

study@northampton.ac.uk
0300 303 2772

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ENQUIRIES

international@northampton.ac.uk
44 (0)1604 892134

Overview

The BA Animation degree at the University of Northampton focuses on preparing students for a career in animation, including specialist areas such as motion capture, visual effects, storyboarding, 2D and 3D animation for video games and narrative development. You will be introduced to the key points in the creative process, from initial concepting through to the production of final animations. Animation degree students will also develop the technical skills required to create professional standard animations for a variety of digital media formats, such as film, TV, video games and augmented or virtual reality.

Highlights

  • Up to date workstation hardware and software, including Wacom Cintiq Pros.
  • Opportunities to take part in live projects and competitions for BA animation students.
  • Guest lectures that provide the opportunity to meet with industry specialists. Recent visitors have included: Aardman Animations, Naughty Dog, Rare, Unity, Splash Damage, Playground Games, Codemasters, Ubisoft, and Sony.
  • Opportunities to visit digital industry events such as EGX Rezzed and take part in national student competitions such as Brains Eden or Tranzfuser
  • Course and module support via the course web site and University Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)
  • A supportive approach to tuition with small class sizes (<20) and approachable tutors with practical industry experience.
  • Practical working environment with emphasis on a hands-on learning experience
  • Guaranteed paid internship with the Northampton Employment Promise.
  • HP laptop and software included with this course for eligible students (see Eligibility criteria and Terms and Conditions)
Student wearing a virtual reality headset, with the screen they are seeing behind them on a large screen on a wall. They have two devices in their hand.

Student using a virtual reality headset, as part of their class work during Animation or Games.

Academic pointing to a large screen on a wall, showing a 3D animation of a person with colourful blocks and shapes. Three students are in the room sitting at desks, working on desktops.

Class session, where academic is teaching class about animations with a visual demonstration.

Student using a touch pen to touch a screen next to their desktop for their work

Students use a mixture of software including touch screens for their design work.

Academic and students discussing games design on two desktop screens during a tutorial

Academic talking to three students during a class session, using the computers and real work for discussion

Group of students sitting at desktop computers in a computer suite.

Example of the computer suites for Game and Animation courses.

Academic and four students working on desktops

Example of the type of academic and group discussion that takes place in Animation and Games classes

Entry Requirements

A typical offer to study our BA Animation course is:

  • BCC at A Level or,
  • DMM at BTEC/Cambridge Technical or,
  • Pass (C and above) at T Level

All selected applicants will be invited for a portfolio review and discussion. We welcome applications from students with a mix of A levels and BTEC/Cambridge Technical qualifications.

For more information on how to make an application, please visit our How to Apply page.

For more information on how to apply as an International student, please visit our How to Apply page.

  • Admission to the Animation degree foundation course is normally:

    • DEE at A Level or,
    • MPP at BTEC or,
    • Pass (D or E) at T Level

    However, we would also like to hear from you if you have professional or industry experience instead, a range of other qualifications or self-developed subject knowledge that relates to the course you wish to study.

  • All International and EU students applying for a course with the University of Northampton must meet the following minimum English language requirements:

    • IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 5.5 in all bands
      for study at undergraduate level

    For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.

    If you would like information on making an application, please see our How to Apply page

Course Content

  • Throughout your BA Animation degree, you will focus on the production of professional standard animation and visual effects for a variety of digital media, such as film, tv, web-based marketing and video games. You will also be exposed to the whole life cycle of animation production from the initial ideas process, through narrative development, to creation of the final production. You will work with industry-trained tutors to ensure you understand the requirements of animation production processes for specific media platforms and markets.

    Studying a degree in Animation at UON will give you the creative and technical software skills, and the industry knowledge required by leading animation and video game studios. You will produce a personal portfolio of your work to reflect industry and professional practice needs, informed by historical and contemporary references.

    We teach our Animation university course in a practical, studio based environment, with hands-on tutorials led by industry-trained tutors who, alongside practising animation professionals, will provide regular feedback on your work.

    Module information can be found on the Award Map

  • At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.

    If you join our full-time BA Animation degree at Northampton, you will receive a laptop when your course begins*. The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home.

    Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd. We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.

    To check out the full list of perks, visit our Student Perks page or dedicated International Perks page.

    *UK fee payers only (see Terms and Conditions for further details).

  • The Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) offers a new and exciting route into studying for a degree, attracting ambitious and driven students who are willing to learn and advance.

    If you have non-standard qualifications or do not quite meet the admissions requirements, we can offer you a fantastic opportunity to study a four year programme which includes an Integrated Foundation Year. The Integrated Foundation Year will help you develop the theoretical/practical and academic skills you need, in order to successfully progress to the full award on the Animation degree course.

    Our four year courses will enable you to successfully follow the degree pathway of your choice while gaining essential study skills. The foundation year of your chosen degree will be studied on a full-time basis and is aimed at supporting the transition to higher education. Years two, three and four are then studied as a standard degree programme.

  • How will I learn on the BA Animation Degree?

    All teaching occurs in classroom tutorials of up to 25 people. We as staff demonstrate the objectives and tasks from the ground up so it’s very practical

    How am I assessed on the BA Animation course?

    All assessed work is primarily portfolio based with reflective reports and essays.

    What skills do I need to be an animator?

    The following skills would generally be required:

    • Ability to work to client briefs and self-management
    • Excellent understanding of animation principles
    • Production and presentation to industry standards
    • Knowledge of diverse processes for producing unique animative content
    • Specialism in a wide range of animation software
    • Technical knowledge regarding optimisation
    • Working both individually and as part of a team
    • Analysing and critiquing of own work and work of others
    What software might I use on the BA Animation course?
    • Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Photoshop, Substance Painter/Designer, Premiere Pro, Animate, After Effects.
    • Blender
    • Autodesk Maya
    • Houdini
    • Unreal Engine
    • Toon Boom
    • ZBrush

Fees and Funding

2025/26 Tuition Fees

Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 25/26 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • UK – Full Time: £9,535*
  • UK – Part Time: £1,585 (per 20 credit module)
  • UK – Integrated Foundation Year: £9,535* as part of a four year programme (subsequent years will be charged at standard BSc rate)
  • International – Full Time: £15,700
  • International – Integrated Foundation Year: £15,700 as part of a four-year programme (subsequent years will be charged at standard BSc rate)

* The 2025/26 annual tuition fee for undergraduate courses has not yet been confirmed by the Department for Education but is expected to be £9,535 for year one. UON will adjust fees annually in line with government policy.

  • There are no additional costs for our BA Animation university course for students beginning their studies in September 2023. Should this change, applicants and students will be contacted by the university with details of the costs.

  • Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 24/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

    • UK – Full Time: £9,250
    • UK – Part Time: £1,540 per 20 credit module
    • UK – Integrated Foundation Year: £9,250 as part of a four year programme (subsequent years will be charged at standard BSc rate)
    • International – Full Time: £15,200
    • International – Integrated Foundation Year: £15,200 as part of a four-year programme (subsequent years will be charged at standard BSc rate)

Staff

Vikaas Mistry, Senior Lecturer in Games Design

Senior Lecturer in Games Design
Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology

Vikaas Mistry
Daniel McCaul, Senior Lecturer in Games Art

Senior Lecturer in Games Art
Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology

Daniel McCaul
Andrew Debus, Senior Lecturer in Games Design

Senior Lecturer in Games Design
Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology

Andrew Debus
Lewis Sanderson, Senior Lecturer in Computer Games Development

Senior Lecturer in Computer Games Development
Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology

Lewis Sanderson

Careers and Employability

Graduating with an Animation BA degree from the University of Northampton will open up a range of career opportunities, including:

  • Animator
  • Technical Animator
  • Rigging Artist
  • Compositor
  • Cinematic Artist
  • VFX Artist
  • Storyboard Artist

Is this course for you?

Apply Now
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