Programme Specification for Animation and Creative Video Production FdA (Foundation Degree)
|
Final award |
FdA (Foundation Degree) |
|
Intermediate awards available |
Cert H.E. |
|
UCAS code |
E690 |
|
Details of professional body accreditation |
N/A |
|
Relevant QAA Benchmark statements |
Foundation Degrees, Art and Design |
|
Date specification last up-dated |
March 2011 |
Profile
The summary - UCAS programme profile
BANNER BOX:
If you are a creative person that wants to work in CGI, animation, the computer games industry, or as a film maker, then this programme will enable you to develop your creative skills and also build up an understanding of the way the industry is organised through a work placement.
Following a thorough grounding in creative and technical skills you will be able to specialise in one of the following areas: 2D animation; 3D animation; film making; digital editing; digital animation and digital effects.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
You must be at least 18 years of age and have educational attainment equivalent to 120 UCAS points i.e. at least two A levels (grade D) a pass (PPP) at BTEC National Diploma, or DD in a relevant AVCE. A further requirement is the achievement of GCSE English Language at grade C or above, or equivalent key skills qualification in communications.
If you have been out of education for a few years but have relevant vocational experience in animation or creative media, accreditation of prior experience will be considered as an alternative entry requirement in line with UEL’s policy on Accreditation of Experiential Learning (AEL).
If you are an overseas applicant then you are required to show certificated evidence of qualifications that have equivalence using the NARIC system. This must include a written English Language qualification at a level equivalent to GCSE English Language Grade C or above.
You will be required to attend an interview and to present a portfolio of your own creative work that demonstrates engagement in at least one of these specialisms: art, graphic design, media, animation, interactive media, model making or video editing.
ABOUT THE PROGRAMME
What is the Foundation Degree in Animation and Creative Video Production?
The programme is delivered in a supportive environment working within small groups with excellent facilities and highly qualified and experienced staff.
Satisfactory completion of the Foundation Degree will enable you to progress into the third year of the BA (Hons) Moving Image and Animation at UEL. Alternatively you may wish to progress directly into employment.
The Collaborative Partnership between Barking & Dagenham College and UEL
Your Foundation Degree programme will be delivered at Barking & Dagenham College's Rush Green campus. However, you will also be registered with UEL and you will have full opportunities to use UEL’s state-of-the-art libraries, learning resource centers and student union. As part of the induction programme you will visit UEL’s Docklands campus and some joint UEL and Barking & Dagenham College activities will be built into the programme.
Barking & Dagenham College has worked collaboratively with UEL over a number of years on programmes such as the Certificate of Education, and a number of Foundation Degrees.
Programme structure
This is a two year programme with each year divided into two semesters. You will be required to study for a minimum of 35 hours per week – this will be made up of a mixture of lectures, seminars, practical workshops, and independent study, research and project work.
The programme includes two modules from the UEL Skills Curriculum – Skills for Academic Learning and Employability Skills. These units will provide important transferable skills that are relevant to all employment sectors.
Learning environment
Your programme will be delivered in purpose built art and design studios, workshops and IT rooms using industry standard software and dual platform Mac and PC computers. There is a three camera television studio, sound studio, editing suites and an excellent range of location video production equipment including lighting and microphones.
Assessment
The 12 modules that make up the programme have a total credit value of 240. The method of assessment will vary and you will be required to present work for assessment in the form of major animation or video projects: portfolios of written or practical creative work: reports, diaries or essays.
Individual module assessment at the end of each semester.
Work experience/placement opportunities
An important aspect of the Foundation Degree is the work placement element in the second year of the course. Prior to this you will carry out an investigation into the animation industry, computer games industry or another aspect of media production. There are good links between the college and the cultural and creative industry and industry professionals will delivery lectures and facilitate visits to their companies. You will also have many opportunities to visit exhibitions and film festivals in the London area.
Project work
Working as an animator or film maker requires a mixture of effective group communication skills and the ability to exhibit sustained individual concentration. Over the two years of the programme you will be required to work on group projects, which is the standard industry situation. However, there will also be opportunities, principally within the final major project, for you develop extensive individual and independent work.
Project work, both individual and as part of a group, forms a major aspect of the programme. Students will undertake a major creative project at the end of the first year of the programme and in the second year the final major project provides an opportunity for the students to specialise in one particular aspect of animation or creative video production. There is an emphasis in this final project on demonstrating professional working practices. For example you will be required to ‘pitch’ your project proposal prior to the production process.
Added value
Barking & Dagenham College is situated within 15 miles of central London where the largest number of animation and media companies in the UK have their premises. This proximity enables you to build meaningful industry links during your work placement and enables staff to organise regular visits to exhibitions, screenings and festivals.
Barking town centre receives regeneration funding and is within the exciting Thames Gateway development with planned expansion of the transport infrastructure, new housing, and educational, employment and cultural opportunities.
IS THIS THE PROGRAMME FOR ME?
If you are interested in...
- Animated films
- Short and experimental films
- Video art and installations
- Computer games
- Advertising and marketing
- CGI
If you enjoy...
- Developing creative ideas
- Working in groups and as an individual
- Using computers for animation, design and video editing
- Using video cameras
- Drawing and using a range of art materials
- Scripting, pre production and planning
- Developing 3D moving characters
If you want...
- To develop and apply visual skills within the field of animation and creative video production
- To be equipped to join other creative practitioners within the field of film, 2D & 3D animation and CGI
- To participate actively in group working at college and in practice
- To be able to, potentially, contribute to the growing visual culture based in London
Your future career
Career opportunities include media, interactive media and image related industries; commercial and independent video, television and film animation, advertising, games industry, music industry and research.
How we support you
You will be well supported through an effective tutorial system and staff will focus on your individual needs as a learner. A range of professional services are available including: careers advice: learning support: counselling and health advice. The college library provides study skills workshops and in addition to book and non-book resources there is a quiet study area that is prioritised for higher education students. You will have excellent access to ICT equipment including a range of high quality specialist facilities in art, design and interactive media.
Bonus factors
- Close proximity to the media and animation industry in Central London
- You will have opportunities to submit work to local, national and international short film and animation festivals
- Close links with UEL
- Opportunity to progress onto the third year of the BA (Hons) Moving Image and Animation programme at UEL
- World class art galleries, museums, exhibition venues and festivals
Outcomes
Programme aims and learning outcomes
What is this programme designed to achieve?
This programme is designed to give you the opportunity to:
- Develop practical, historical and theoretical understanding of animation and creative video production
- Provide a platform for students to access their imagination and develop their creative identity
- Establish key transferable and employability skills and develop a multi tasking and multi skills approach to professional practices.
What will you learn?
Knowledge
- Understand industry standard software
- Historical, theoretical and ethical positions in response to contemporary media
- Understand the relationship between traditional skills and developing technologies
- Understand the creative potential of animation and experimental video and film production
Thinking skills
- Self reliance and self evaluation
- Self reflection / analysis and critical awareness
- Creative thinking and convention
- Visual research skills
Subject-Based Practical skills
- Production and studio practice
- Technical aptitude
- Pre planning and production organisation
- Presentational skills
Skills for life and work (general skills)
- Time management - participation and working to deadlines
- Working within groups and independently
- Work experience
- Interpersonal skills - client awareness
Structure
The programme structure
Introduction
All programmes are credit-rated to help you to understand the amount and level of study that is needed.
One credit is equal to 10 hours of directed study time (this includes everything you do e.g. lecture, seminar and private study).
Credits are assigned to one of 5 levels:
- 0 - equivalent in standard to GCE 'A' level and is intended to prepare students for year one of an undergraduate degree programme
- 1 - equivalent in standard to the first year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
- 2 - equivalent in standard to the second year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
- 3 - equivalent in standard to the third year of a full-time undergraduate degree programme
- M - equivalent in standard to a Masters degree
Credit rating
The overall credit-rating of this programme is 240 credits.
Typical duration
The expected duration of this programme is 2 years when attended in full-time mode.
How the teaching year is divided
The academic year begins in September, running through until June and is split into two equal semesters with assessment points at the end of each semester. A Foundation Degree student will complete six 20 credit modules per year.
What you will study when
| LEVEL | TITLE | CREDITS | STATUS SINGLE | UEL’s Skills Curriculum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Film and Animation Studies – Skills for Academic Learning * |
20 |
Core |
Yes |
|
1 |
Introduction to Animation and Video |
20 |
Core |
No |
|
1 |
Computer Applications in Animation and Video Production |
20 |
Core |
No |
|
1 |
Creative Skills for Animation and Video Production |
20 |
Core |
No |
|
1 |
Vocational Investigation |
20 |
Core |
No |
|
1 |
Animation / Creative Video Project |
20 |
Core |
No |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
Digital 2D Animation |
20 |
Core |
No |
|
2 |
Digital 3D Modelling and Animation |
20 |
Core |
No |
|
2 |
Digital Video Editing and Compositing Techniques |
20 |
Core |
No |
|
2 |
Professional Practice – Employability Skills * |
20 |
Core |
Yes |
|
2 |
Critical Approaches to Animation, Film and Video Art |
20 |
Core |
No |
|
2 |
Final Major Project |
20 |
Core |
No |
Requirements for gaining an award
Foundation Degree classification
Where a student is eligible for a Foundation Degree, the award classification is determined by calculating the arithmetic mean of all marks obtained for modules at level 1 or higher contributing to the programme and applying the mark obtained as a percentage, with all decimal points rounded up to the nearest whole number, to the following classification
|
70% - 100% |
Distinction |
|
55% - 69% |
Merit |
|
40% - 54% |
Pass |
|
0% - 39% |
Not passed |
Assessment
Teaching, learning and assessment
Teaching and learning
Knowledge is developed through
- Workshops and demonstrations
- Lectures, tutorials and seminars
- Professional practice talks
- Personal research and independent study
- Exhibitions and gallery visits
- Screenings of films
- Using learning resources and the internet
Thinking skills are developed through
- Tutorials and seminars
- Independent creative practice
- Project work
Practical skills are developed through
- Practical workshops
- Working to project briefs
- Professional practice talks
- Study visits
- Use of computers
Skills for life and work (general skills) are developed through
- Professional practice talks
- Work placements
- Group projects
- Personal and team presentations
Assessment
Knowledge is assessed by
- Oral presentation of ideas during seminars, tutorials and at the end of each module
- Essays, reports and research folders at the end of each module
- Breadth and depth of research work
Thinking skills are assessed by
- Oral presentation of ideas during seminars, tutorials and at the end of each module
- Essays, reports and research folders at the end of each module
- Innovation and lateral thinking displayed in realisation of work in relation to project briefs
Practical skills are assessed by
- Continuous monitoring of workshop progress
- Presentation of portfolio at the end of the module
Skills for life and work (general skills) are assessed by
- Participation in workshops, seminars, tutorials and meetings
- Time management in relation to meeting project deadlines
- Engagement in professional practice components of the programme, work placement, and group activities
Quality
How we assure the quality of this programme
Before this programme started
Before the programme started, the following was checked:
- there would be enough qualified staff to teach the programme
- adequate resources would be in place
- the overall aims and objectives were appropriate
- the content of the programme met national benchmark requirements
- the programme met any professional/statutory body requirements
- the proposal met other internal quality criteria covering a range of issues such as admissions policy, teaching, learning and assessment strategy and student support mechanisms
This is done through a process of programme approval which involves consulting academics and experts including some subject specialists from other institutions.
How we monitor the quality of this programme
The quality of this programme is monitored each year through evaluating:
- external examiner reports (considering quality and standards);
- statistical information (considering issues such as the pass rate);
- student feedback.
Drawing on this and other information, programme teams undertake the annual Review and Enhancement Process which is co-ordinated at divisional level and includes student participation. The process is monitored by the UEL’s Quality Standing Committee.
Once every six years UEL undertakes an in-depth review of the whole field. This is undertaken by a panel that includes at least two external subject specialists. The panel considers documents, looks at student work, speaks to current and former students and speaks to staff before drawing its conclusions. The result is a report highlighting good practice and identifying areas where action is needed.
The role of the programme committee
This programme has a programme committee comprising all relevant teaching staff, student representatives and others who make a contribution towards the effective operation of the programme (e.g. library/technician staff). The committee has responsibilities for the quality of the programme. It provides input into the operation of the Review and Enhancement Process and proposes changes to improve quality. The programme committee plays a critical role in the UEL quality assurance procedures.
The role of external examiners
The standard of this programme is monitored by at least one external examiner. External examiners have two primary responsibilities:
- To ensure the standard of the programme;
- To ensure that justice is done to individual students.
External examiners fulfil these responsibilities in a variety of ways including:
- approving exam papers/assignments
- attending examination boards
- reviewing samples of student work and moderating marks
- ensuring that regulations are followed
- providing feedback to the UEL through an annual report that enables us to make improvements for the future
Listening to the views of students
The following methods for gaining student feedback are used on this programme:
- module evaluations
- student representation on programme committees
- project critiques and tutorials
Students are notified of the action taken through:
- posting information regularly on the college’s VLE (e-campus)
- circulating the minutes of the programme committee
- providing details on the programme notice board
Listening to the views of others
The following methods are used for gaining the views of other interested parties:
- conferences and research
- consultancy
- industrial liaison committee
- placements
- visits
Further Information
Alternative locations for studying this programme
| Location | Which elements? | Taught by UEL staff | Taught by local staff | Method of Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Where you can find further information
Further information about this programme is available from:
- The UEL web site
- The Barking & Dagenham College website
- The programme handbook
- Module specifications, teaching notes, assignments, scheme of work and student handbook > e-campus LEARN
- UEL Manual of General Regulations and Policies
- UEL Quality Manual
- Regulations for the Academic Framework
- UEL Guide to Undergraduate Programmes
- UEL School web pages
- Current External examiners
- External examiner reports (available from UEL virtual learning environment (UELPlus or Moodle))
