AAS College

MA Animation

Thessaloniki, Greece

DURATION

13 Months

LANGUAGES

English

PACE

Full time

APPLICATION DEADLINE

29 Jun 2025

EARLIEST START DATE

06 Oct 2025

TUITION FEES

Request tuition fees

STUDY FORMAT

On-Campus

Introduction

Vibrant animation industry and community make it a highly desirable destination for study, networking and career advancement. This programme focuses on the three core components of animated production: Narrative, Character and Performance. Students will develop their skills in narrative construction, character development, animation and advanced production techniques, allowing them to explore the unique opportunities and challenges computer animation brings to storytelling.

The MA Animation course will provide multiple opportunities for graduates from degree programmes linked to the creative visual arts, both with and without prior animation experience. Graduates with a background in animation will be able to hone their animation skills through an extra top-up year focused on industry practice and principles. Graduates from other disciplines will be able to develop a skills base that will facilitate their crossover into animation. The intended outcome for all graduates will be a demo reel of work that displays high-quality professional and technical animation skills that will facilitate access to work or further research. In light of the fact that the central rationale for the creation of the programme is hinged on the industry's need for professional, skilled graduates, there will be a heavy emphasis on technical skills acquisition and professional practice throughout the programme. For example, students will be invited to research contemporary animated production practices through engagement with external organisations, both companies and individuals. They will work with their peers on team projects and have opportunities to work on briefs set by external parties from the animation industry.

Admissions

Curriculum

Semester 1

Timing for Animation

Since the MA Animation course will be accepting students both with and without prior animation experience, this first module will be flexible enough either to provide an initial framework from which an understanding of animation fundamentals will be developed, or to provide the space to revise, build and develop specialisation. The content is therefore designed to contain a basic introduction to the essential elements of animated movement and studio production practices, which can be attempted either at a basic, intermediate or advanced level.

Experimental Design

This module considers the importance of the pre-visualisation stage of the pipeline and provides the students the opportunities and space to experiment, test, and develop the required skills and knowledge to build the foundations of their projects. Students will be encouraged to explore different possible pathways and design strategies to problem solve and translate abstract concepts into a visual medium that defines the feasibility of a project, its timeline, as well as its art style.

Semester 2

Design Research and Development

Students complete this module having obtained a clear understanding of how to conduct post-graduate level research. By introducing them to different research methods relevant to their topic and research inquiry, students will expand their knowledge in specialised areas through their self-directed research project.

Animation Production

This module will enable students to consolidate their animation skills in a semi-professional context. The presence of external agents creates a situation where students act as creative content providers for a client’s brief. The students will experience and develop the ability to work in a team towards a creative goal. The students will also complete an individual development project demonstrating their understanding of animation practice, production and pipelines. This module gives students a targeted insight into the needs of the animation industry.

Semester 3

Portfolio Project

The purpose of this module is to enable the student to consolidate and demonstrate the knowledge and skills that have been acquired through the master’s programme. It is therefore an open brief which will allow each student to prepare for the world of work. There will be significant time dedicated to seminars and tutorials to allow the student to get targeted feedback and develop their practice. Students will present their work throughout the module and should demonstrate a professional understanding of the animation industry and employment requirements.