BA (Hons) Animation
Course overview
Start date
September 2021
Subject area
Digital Media
Attendance
Full-time, 3 years
Full-time, 4 years
Part-time
Learning
On campus, dual delivery
Course summary
Study animation at UEL and learn from award winning specialist tutors and animators working in industry.
On our student centred course, you learn your craft in practical teaching sessions, learning to use both core artistic skills and state of the art technology to tell your own stories.
You are encouraged to develop originality, beginning with the traditional foundations of animation and ending with a fully realised graduation film, using your own choice of specialism in 2D, 3D or Stop-Motion animation.
Tutors working in industry help you to prepare for your creative working life after graduation, so that your three years with us is the beginning of a life-long career doing something you love.
Return to campus: dual delivery
In a Covid-secure environment, enjoy learning on our state-of-the-art campuses and flex between online delivery
Find out moreSpecialist practitioners
Studying animation at UEL you are working with specialist practitioners, with years of international animation experience, working in industry, making films and winning awards.
Small class sizes
Small class sizes mean you can develop your own original creative voice, properly supported by technicians and lecturers.
East London
Studying in East London places you in the UK's most diverse, highly dynamic community of artists and designers.
Jess Mountfield, ANIMADE Studios.
The animation course at UEL is an excellent blend of taught sessions and creative freedom. The briefs, teaching and guidance received help students develop skills right across the production pipeline, but leave them plenty of space to choose their direction and find their artistic voice. The focus on employability and industry throughout the course is fantastic - ensuring real connections with the animation world, and practical development of what students need to help them get them animation jobs they'll love.
Fees and funding
Tuition Fee Loan
You can apply for a loan to cover the cost of your tuition fees, which will be paid directly to UEL. There are no up-front fees required. Repayment only starts after you finish your course and are earning over £25,000. If you haven’t finished repaying your loan after 30 years it will be automatically cancelled.
To apply visit gov.uk/student-finance
Maintenance Loan
You can apply for a loan to help with living costs such as food, travel and accommodation. How much you can borrow depends on where you live and study, and whether you are currently on welfare benefits. The maximum loan you can apply for is £12,382.
To apply visit gov.uk/student-finance
Supplementary Grants
The government also offer the following additional support:
- Parent’s Learning Allowance
- Adult Dependants' Grant
- Childcare Grant
- Disabled Students’ Allowance
For further information visit gov.uk/student-finance
All students will receive:
Bursaries Schemes for which you can apply
- Care Leaver and Foyer Bursary - up to £1,500
- Progression Bursary - up to £2,000
- Engagement Bursary - up to £2,000
- Hardship Bursary - up to £2,000
- Helena Kennedy Foundation - £1,500
- Going Global – awards range from £300 - £700
Scholarships Schemes for which you can apply
- Vice Chancellor Scholarship - up to £27,750 over three years
- Dean Scholarship - up to £13,500 over three years
- Civic Engagement Scholarship - £1,000
- EU Scholarship (EU Only) - £1,000
- ELSEF Scholarship - £1,000
- UTC Scholarship - £1,500
- Sports Scholarships - up to £6,000
There are a number of external organisations that offer financial help to
students. Please see the below list to view additional support options.
Alternatively, you can visit the Scholarship Search website.
Please note that the University of East London is not responsible for
the content of these external sites and is not associated in any way
with the funding schemes and their application processes.
Bank Of England Scholarship Programme
European Funding GuideThe Student Disability Association Fund
Some courses offer the option of a placement year, giving you the chance to gain valuable work experience in a relevant industry between your second and third years. If you are an international student on a Tier 4 visa, you are able to undertake a placement if it is an integral and assessed part of your course.
In 2018/19 placement year tuition fees are set at £1,060.
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) are here to help you navigate your finances while you're a student at the University of East London.
We can give you advice, information and guidance on government and university funds so that you receive your full funding entitlement.
Email: study@uel.ac.uk
Phone: 020 8223 4444
Tuition Fee Loan
You can apply for a loan to cover the cost of your tuition fees, which will be paid directly to UEL. There are no up-front fees required. Repayment only starts after you finish your course and are earning over £25,000. If you haven’t finished repaying your loan after 30 years it will automatically be cancelled.
For information visit gov.uk/student-finance
Please note EU students can only apply for their funding using a paper application form.
To download a form visit www.gov.uk/student-finance-forms
All students will receive:
Bursaries Schemes for which you can apply
- Care Leaver and Foyer Bursary - up to £1,500
- Progression Bursary - up to £2,000
- Engagement Bursary - up to £2,000
- Hardship Bursary - up to £2,000
- Helena Kennedy Foundation - £1,500
- Going Global – awards range from £300 - £700
Scholarships Schemes for which you can apply
- Vice Chancellor Scholarship - up to £27,750 over three years
- Dean Scholarship - up to £13,500 over three years
- Civic Engagement Scholarship - £1,000
- EU Scholarship (EU Only) - £1,000
- ELSEF Scholarship - £1,000
- UTC Scholarship - £1,500
- Sports Scholarships - up to £6,000
There are a number of external organisations that offer financial help to
students. Please see the below list to view additional support options.
Alternatively, you can visit the Scholarship Search website.
Please note that the University of East London is not responsible for
the content of these external sites and is not associated in any way
with the funding schemes and their application processes.
Bank Of England Scholarship Programme
European Funding GuideThe Student Disability Association Fund
Some courses offer the option of a placement year, giving you the chance to gain valuable work experience in a relevant industry between your second and third years. If you are an international student on a Tier 4 visa, you are able to undertake a placement if it is an integral and assessed part of your course.
In 2018/19 placement year tuition fees are set at £1,060.
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) are here to help you navigate your finances while you're a student at the University of East London.
We can give you advice, information and guidance on government and university funds so that you receive your full funding entitlement.
Email: study@uel.ac.uk
Phone: 020 8223 4444
At UEL, we understand that studying in another country is a big financial commitment. If you apply early for an undergraduate, you may be entitled to a scholarship of up to £3,000.You can find out more about the international scholarships here.
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) also run an Emergency International Fund to assist international students in hardship.
You can contact our SMART team on 02082233333 or study@uel.ac.uk
As part of the Tier 4 student visa requirements, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) estimate that you will need £1,265* per month to cover your living costs. It includes expenses for accommodation, food and drink, travel within London, text books, entertainment, clothing, toiletries and laundry. Most Tier 4 students are required to show they have sufficient funds to cover the first nine months of the course before they start- a total of £11,385- in addition to the tuition fees. You can find more information about the specific requirements of the Tier 4 student visa here. The amount that you will spend can vary depending on your lifestyle. The UKCISA International Student Calculator can help you plan and manage your money.
* Please note the Immigration Rules are subject to change and this figure is likely to be increased by UKVI year on year. Please therefore check our ISA pages (www.uel.ac.uk/isa) for more information at the time of preparing your visa application.
Deposits and paying by instalments
International students are required to pay a deposit prior to being issued a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
Your remaining balance will be paid in five monthly instalments over your first term. The first of these instalments must be paid when completing your enrolment on arrival at UEL. Please follow the payment instructions here.
After the required payment has been made, you will be asked to complete the online International Student Reply Form to confirm your acceptance of our offer and of our terms of admittance and fees policy.
Our International team at UEL are available for advice and guidance on studying in London, fees, scholarships and visa requirements.
Email: international@uel.ac.uk
Entry requirements
- September 2021
-
Degree
96
New UCAS Points
Access to HE Diploma (QAA approved) with 60 credits overall and 45 credits at Level 3
We will also consider the UEL New Beginnings pre-entry course
The portfolio should show evidence of observational drawing, the development of an idea through to a completed illustration, and techniques and processes that you have worked with. We are particularly interested in seeing your sketchbooks / journals to see how you develop your ideas.
At interview you should be prepared to discuss your work, ideas and ambitions. You should also be able to discuss graphic artists, illustrators or animators who influence you.
Overall IELTS score of 5.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking (or recognised equivalent).
If you do not meet the academic English language requirements for your course, you may be eligible to enrol onto a pre-sessional English programme. The length of the course will depend on your current level of English and the requirements for your degree programme. We offer a 5-week and an 11-week pre-sessional course. Find out more here.
Level 2 equivalences such as Level 2 Functional Skills in English / Maths, Level 2 Key Skills in Communication / Application of Number and Level 2 Adult Literacy / Adult Numeracy
Please note that some courses require applicants to meet the entry requirements outlined on the course page. Our pre-entry Information Advice and Guidance Team are able to provide further advice on entry requirements and suitability for study.
What you'll learn
Studying animation at UEL you’ll develop your skills, starting with core animation techniques, building into your own unique way of working. You’ll learn to tell original stories that hold your audience like no other medium can.
In practical workshops you’ll learn both traditional skills and digital practice, beginning with core skills that will always set you apart from others who haven’t studied at this level.
You will have the opportunity to develop your traditional skills in life-drawing, 2D drawn animation, stop-motion model animation plus more unusual alternative strategies like paint-on-glass, cut-out paper and sand on glass animation and new hybrid technologies like 3D printing and laser cutting.
You’ll learn to combine these analogue craft skills with digital skills, like digital 2D and 3D animation techniques including Adobe Photoshop, Animate and After Effects, Maya and TV Paint, and become comfortable using graphics tablets to draw digitally.
Alongside this you will learn how to tell your own stories through animation, designing characters and environments, searching and researching, structuring and producing animated stories that will captivate, inspire, educate and entertain.
You’ll learn put all these skills together in an original way that will make you a unique voice in your chosen field.
What you'll study and when
We consistently review our courses to ensure we are up-to-date with industry changes and requirements from our graduates. As a result, our modules are subject to change.
- Professional Life (Mental Wealth)
- Art & Design Workshops, Processes & Skills
- Art & Design Studio Practice & Portfolio
- Art & Design Specialist Workshops, Processes & Skills
- Art & Design Specialist Studio Practice & Portfolio
- Art & Design Contextual Studies
- Documentary 1: Documentary and Representation
- Experimentation and Application 1A (Animation)
- Aesthetics & Technologies: Practice as Research
- Narrative 1: Narrative Fiction
- Experimentation and Application 1B (Animation)
- Mental Wealth: Agency 1
- Documentary 2: Experimental Documentary
- Advanced Experimentation and Applications (Animation)
- Animated Short Film
- Narrative 2: Advanced Narrative
- Advanced Practice (Animation)
- Mental Wealth: Agency 2
- Animation Pre-Production
- Final Project: Development
- Aesthetics & Technologies: Professional Practices
- Animation Post-Production
- Final Project: Completion
- Mental Wealth: Agency 3
How you'll be assessed
How you'll learn
You’ll learn animation entirely by hands-on, practical workshops, exercises and assignments. The modules and projects are carefully structured to build up your knowledge and confidence in animation craft, storytelling and characterisation.
You learn the fundamentals of animated movement, moving from simple techniques to expanding your visual language, we introduce you to the most contemporary methods, giving you a toolkit that provides you with the widest creative options to find your creative and professional path.
The academic team who’ll teach you these skills are approachable and knowledgeable leaders in their field. Course leader William Bishop-Stephens and Senior Lecturer Pooja Pottenkulam studied animation together at the internationally respected postgraduate school the Royal College of Art. They are specialist practitioners, with years of international animation experience, working in industry, making films and winning international awards.
We have visiting lecturers who work the rest of the week in the heart of London’s thriving animation industry. In our Agency modules, you’ll experience working in teams on real world professional briefs.
With an excellent staff-to-student ratio and your own academic advisor, you’ll receive the attention your efforts deserve- something that is lacking in courses with much larger class sizes.
As you learn, through practical exercises and exploring the subject with personal projects and interesting assignments, you’ll also start developing your professional practice by responding in teams to client briefs and live projects. You’ll develop your professional independence as you begin to identify the working practices that will work for you in the future.
By learning how to make short animated films you learn everything about how animation works and how you can bring something new to it. Your final-year graduation film is your own choice of project, using the methods you have developed during the first two years of your degree to showcase your skills and your unique vision to the world.
Your future career
Graduates from BA Animation at UEL have gone on to enjoy success in various fields, setting up studios, co-operatives, working as freelance creatives or working with London commercial studios like Nexus, Blink and Passion Pictures.
Explore the different career options you can pursue with this degree and see the median salaries of the sector on our Career Coach portal.
