BSc (Hons) Animation
Bradford, United Kingdom
BSc
DURATION
3 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
This rare BSc degree in Animation is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills and vocational experience needed to enter this dynamic and rapidly growing industry.
With access to high-tech facilities such as our six-camera Motion Capture Studio, you’ll use innovative techniques and practices to create professional standard digital animations and develop a strong foundation of knowledge in areas such as:
- classical animation techniques
- storytelling
- still and moving image capture/manipulation
- design, cinematography, modelling and animation
- concept art
- digital sculpting and compositing
- CGI lighting
This comprehensive programme is part of Screen Yorkshire’s prestigious Connected Campus initiative and carefully blends creativity and conceptual development with technical theory to produce talented multi-skilled graduates who are primed to embark on exciting and stimulating careers within the world of animation.
With opportunities to collaborate with partners in Qingdao (China), attend workshops and talks by award-winning professionals like James Butler (Animator, Peppa Pig), Iki Ikram (VFX Artist, Last of Us, Uncharted) and Ben Smith (Director, StarDog and TurboCat), as well as the chance to work on a bespoke studio project in your final year, you’ll develop into a competent and confident professional all set to enjoy a fulfilling career in animation.
What you will study
All module information is for 2023 entry and is subject to change.
First-year
Core
- Creative Studio Production
- Introduction to 3D Computer Animation
- Drawing for Production
- 3D Character Modelling and Animation
- Conventions of Animation
- Story and Scriptwriting
Second year
Core
- Advanced Character Animation
- Classical Animation
- Advanced Drawing for Production
- Facial Modelling/Animation
- 3D Character Creation
Option
- Look Development, Environment Creation, Lighting and Rendering
- Digital Compositing and Post Production
- Motion Capture
- Simulation Effects for Animation and Games
Final year
Core
- Individual Project 1
- Group Project
- Individual Project 2
Option
- Look Development, Environment Creation, Lighting and Rendering
- Digital Compositing and Post Production
- Simulation Effects for Animation and Games
- Motion Capture
Learning and assessment
Learning takes place in a wide variety of formats. Some days you will be in lectures and seminars, others you will be having personal tutorials, having a casual chat in a group project, or even having a transatlantic discussion with an industry professional.
All modules require you to undertake independent study, supported through distance learning technologies such as our Virtual Learning Environment.
Reading lists and suggested resources for independent study provide further direction, and regular contact hours and informal feedback throughout the course provide you with ongoing guidance and support. Assessments for modules mostly take the form of practical coursework, lab tests and written
Career prospects
This course will prepare you for a successful career in computer animation. We are very proud of our graduates: they have gone on to work in the UK and overseas for organisations including the BBC, Warner Brothers, Vicon, MGM, Industrial Light and Magic, Disney, Universal, Weta Digital, Pixamundo, Dreamworks, Andy Serkis’ Imaginarium and many others.
Our graduates have worked on blockbuster movies including Avatar, Hugo, Gravity, Inception, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Warhorse, The Dark Knight trilogy and all of the Harry Potter films as well as numerous games.
Career support
The programme has been designed to meet the needs of industry.
We have regular industry student engagement, and as many of our staff still work on their projects and commercial work they are best placed to offer advice on the best way to approach industry to secure employment.
The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes.
Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the Careers website. Discussing options with specialist advisers helps to clarify plans through exploring options and refining skills of job-hunting.
In most of our programmes, there is direct input by Career Development Advisers into the curriculum or through specially arranged workshops.