BA (Hons) in Animation with placement year, De Montfort University

Leicester,

48 Months

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About this course

This Animation course offers students a comprehensive grounding in both 2D and 3D animated practice, with a focus on storytelling, technical skills, and artistic style. You’ll develop your own distinctive voice and style, supported by excellent facilities such as dedicated animation and sound studios, graphics studios, computer suites, and Cintiq stations. The course emphasizes hands-on learning through demonstration, practical workshops, and industry-standard software like Maya, TVPaint, and After Effects. Students work on major projects, participate in competitions and festivals, and exhibit their work at the DMU Degree Show. The teaching approach is primarily block-based, meaning you study one module at a time which enables faster feedback and a more streamlined academic experience. Industry experts regularly visit to offer critiques and support your professional development, helping you prepare for a career in the animation industry.

Why this course is highly recommended

This course is ideal for students passionate about animation and storytelling who want to develop both their creative and technical skills in a professional environment. The course’s strong industry links, including regular visits from professionals and opportunities to enter competitions and festivals, help students gain real-world experience. Facilities are state-of-the-art, and the course encourages innovative approaches, helping students push the boundaries of animation. Graduates have gone on to work with major companies like Disney, Double Negative, and MPC, contributing to high-profile films and series. The focus on practical skills, portfolio development, and industry preparation makes this a compelling option for aspiring animators.

Specialisation

Students can choose to specialise in either 2D or 3D animation in the advanced animation modules. They will learn new creative methods and expand their skills in character performance, puppet and rigged animation, and exploring different narrative and artistic styles. The course aims to develop your professional portfolio by focusing on both technical and creative aspects of each pathway, with dedicated modules for portfolio development, industry practice, and final project creation.

Course fees

Application fees

1st year tuition fees

17.68L

Living cost

Degree requirements

Applicants are expected to have 104 UCAS points from at least 2 A levels or equivalent, with Art and Design at grade C or above, or a BTEC National Diploma/Extended Diploma at DMM. Five GCSEs at grade C or above, including English, are also required. Alternative qualifications include a pass in the QAA accredited Access to HE Art and Design course with a minimum of 15 credits meriting in Art and Design, an IB score of 24+ points with Art and Design at higher level grade 5, or a Merit in T Levels. A portfolio review is necessary, but no interview is required.

English language test

DUOLINGO

PTE

IELTS

TOEFL

Career prospects

Recent graduates work as animators, VFX technical directors, lead technical runners, compositors, modellers, and designers. They have secured roles with renowned companies such as Brown Bag, Studio SOI, Disney, Double Negative, and others. Work opportunities include TV series, films, and commercial projects in companies like MPC, Jagex, Blue Zoo, and Ragdoll Productions. Graduates have contributed to major productions including 'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,' 'Batman: The Dark Knight Rises,' and ‘Thor: The Dark World,’ showcasing the course’s strong industry reputation and the employment potential for students.

FAQs

What are the entry requirements for this course?

You need 104 UCAS points from at least 2 A levels or equivalent, with Art and Design at grade C or above, or a BTEC National Diploma/Extended Diploma at DMM. Additional qualifications and a portfolio review are also required.

Is an English proficiency test required?

Yes, if English is not your first language, an IELTS score of 6.0 overall with 5.5 in each band is necessary.