BA (Hons) Animation

Duration

3 years / 4 years with placement year*

Institution code

L28

UCAS Code

3 years W615 / 4 years W616

An scene featuring an anime-style character facing the side with red hair and a purple scarf blowing in the wind set against a colourful sunset sky with soft clouds.
An scene featuring an anime-style character facing the side with red hair and a purple scarf blowing in the wind set against a colourful sunset sky with soft clouds.

Venus Au Yeung

An animated scene in a kitchen featuring three characters around a wooden table. Two characters stand behind the table, one scowling at the other. In the foreground in a grey character with a walking stick.
An animated scene in a kitchen featuring three characters around a wooden table. Two characters stand behind the table, one scowling at the other. In the foreground in a grey character with a walking stick.

Shania Bowie

An animated scene of two young characters in front of a swamp-like body of water. One character has long red hair and is holding some of the swampy water in their hands. The other character has short red curly hair and kneels and is shovelling the swampy water into their mouth.
An animated scene of two young characters in front of a swamp-like body of water. One character has long red hair and is holding some of the swampy water in their hands. The other character has short red curly hair and kneels and is shovelling the swampy water into their mouth.

Siera Deshishku

An animation of a person with red curly hair falling in front of a large moon, set against a blue background. Their face is in clear view while falling but their body is blurred mid-fall.
An animation of a person with red curly hair falling in front of a large moon, set against a blue background. Their face is in clear view while falling but their body is blurred mid-fall.

Michael Dimsey

A stop motion model of terrace brick houses, with small white trainers hung up by their shoelaces in front of the end house. The text underneath reads: Thou art from this point come to Purgatory.
A stop motion model of terrace brick houses, with small white trainers hung up by their shoelaces in front of the end house. The text underneath reads: Thou art from this point come to Purgatory.

Daisy Lewis and Madgie Hall Dougherty

A row of five painted plasticine models in various colours and poses: a purple bird with outstretched wings, a walrus in a yellow coat holding a blue toy, a figure in a purple hat and cape, a white character in a blue outfit, and a grey spiked figure wielding a light.
A row of five painted plasticine models in various colours and poses: a purple bird with outstretched wings, a walrus in a yellow coat holding a blue toy, a figure in a purple hat and cape, a white character in a blue outfit, and a grey spiked figure wielding a light.

Ducky Hughes and Louis Edgar

An animation of a person in a hat, crop top, and star earrings in a clothing store. Above them is a translucent ghostly figure in pigtails who is shouting at them.
An animation of a person in a hat, crop top, and star earrings in a clothing store. Above them is a translucent ghostly figure in pigtails who is shouting at them.

Athena Handoko

An animated scene of a person with an afro and headband playing drums, their sticks hitting cymbals on a black-and-white drum set. The background features red and black circles.
An animated scene of a person with an afro and headband playing drums, their sticks hitting cymbals on a black-and-white drum set. The background features red and black circles.

Kara Harvey-Hill

An animated still of a small figure in a blue kimono with a pink bow, surrounded by a school of white fish with red markings.
An animated still of a small figure in a blue kimono with a pink bow, surrounded by a school of white fish with red markings.

Elise Illingworth

An animated figure with a large yellow head, wearing an orange jumper, red trousers, and holding a remote control, sits in front of yellow railings on a skate ramp. In the distance are cut out photos of shops and buildings, with blue and pink shapes in the background.
An animated figure with a large yellow head, wearing an orange jumper, red trousers, and holding a remote control, sits in front of yellow railings on a skate ramp. In the distance are cut out photos of shops and buildings, with blue and pink shapes in the background.

Frank Lewis

A stop motion still of a plasticine T. rex dinosaur, standing in front of a microphone.
A stop motion still of a plasticine T. rex dinosaur, standing in front of a microphone.

Annie Nicholson

An animated still of a chef in a white hat and apron, chopping a fish in half with a cleaver.
An animated still of a chef in a white hat and apron, chopping a fish in half with a cleaver.

Olivia Stevens

A stop motion still of a character in a red apron and purple gloves with its arms crossed. It stands against a wooden cabin surrounded by flowers and greenery.
A stop motion still of a character in a red apron and purple gloves with its arms crossed. It stands against a wooden cabin surrounded by flowers and greenery.

Kate Varley

A stop motion still of a purple house on a hill, with a mechanical contraption on its exterior featuring two large chimneys, a pipe, and an aerial. The sky is dark and there is rain in the foreground.
A stop motion still of a purple house on a hill, with a mechanical contraption on its exterior featuring two large chimneys, a pipe, and an aerial. The sky is dark and there is rain in the foreground.

Frank Lewis, Amy Craig and Karina Young

An animated scene of a small figure in a brown fedora hat and smock, standing in front of a green door. The character wears a mask over their eyes and is wielding a knife.
An animated scene of a small figure in a brown fedora hat and smock, standing in front of a green door. The character wears a mask over their eyes and is wielding a knife.

Corina Young

The Course

Our specialist course is designed for passionate students focussing on a career in animation production. Join others who share your ambition of becoming a professional animator across film, TV, games or other exciting industries.

You will study practical and technical skills across a range of traditional and digital animation. By gaining a solid grounding in animation and related theories and concepts, you can make an informed choice as you begin to specialise in a chosen area.

Learning is reinforced by practical experimentation. Our hands-on programme nurtures creative collaboration, both at course level and across subject areas at the University. This can include live briefs and international competitions, helping you develop your specialism within animation.

The professional practice elements of the course are vital in giving you a broad understanding of the sector. Industry speakers provide career development and professional insights, alongside supported work experience opportunities and fascinating studio visits.

Utilising our established industry contacts, visiting experts include animators, model makers, sound designers, scriptwriters, producers, and directors. Representatives from global brands such as Aardman Animation, Mackinnon and Saunders, Blue Zoo, Warner Media, Golden Wolf as well as independent animators Joseph Wallace, Lizzie Hobbs, Bianca Ansems and Maryam Mohajer have inspired previous degree cohorts.

Wherever possible, we encourage you to gain real-world experiences. We support you to network, collaborate, and find new career opportunities and clients, giving you the edge when seeking employment in this rapidly evolving industry.

*The placement year is subject to approval.

The Structure

Develop a comprehensive understanding of the principles of animation, from idea generation to end production processes. Exploration of the animation cycle covers research, narrative development, worldbuilding, character design, storyboarding, background/layout, and innovative media and animation techniques. Learn skills across 2D, 3D computer-generated, and stop motion animation. You’ll consider the practical, conceptual, and theoretical pathways open to you as an animator.

Course Facilities

Equipment for BA (Hons) Animation students includes industry-standard professional production equipment, comprising of high specification PCs and Wacom Cintiqs. Industry standard software for 2D, 3D and stop motion animation is provided and the course has a dedicated stop motion studio and equipment that includes stages, cameras, lenses, lighting and grip equipment.

Students will have access to a wide range of resources with a drop-in facility so work can be undertaken, provided resource inductions have been completed. For Animation students this could include 3D resources housed in dedicated workshops providing students with a hands-on experience over five main areas; wood, metal, laser-cutting and plastics, casting, ceramic and glass; professional-standard, large-format digital printing and print finishing.

Animation students will also be able to borrow a range of photography equipment including digital SLR cameras for still and moving image, lighting, and a range of support equipment, which can be used in our lighting studios or off-site. Computer suites house networks of Apple Mac computers featuring regularly updated, industry-standard software for a wide range of creative applications that support all our courses and a purpose-built specialist library which includes including special collections of artists’ books, photobooks and illustrated books as well as the University archive. Self service facilities are available throughout, supported by a dedicated and experienced team of library staff.

BA (Hons) Animation

Virtual Tour

Video showcase

Order a prospectus

Study Abroad

Studying abroad can help Leeds Arts University students gain valuable experience, broaden their horizons, develop international networks and experience their practice from a different perspective. Leeds Arts University has a global network of international partner universities in 15 different countries. Students can apply for a semester abroad in their second year of study.

Accolades

Recent student successes include:

  • Nahemi – Eat our Shorts Official Selection 2023

  • Inked In - Stop Trik Official Selection 2023

  • Royal Television Society - Student Award for Best Production Design 2022

  • Kodak/Nahemi Student Commercial Award – Craft Award for Animation 2021

Career Opportunities

Our graduates work as industry professionals within animation companies and across the broader related industries. Graduate jobs include concept artist, character designer, production assistant, storyboard artist, animator, model maker, set designer, environment artist, 3D artist, CG, and visual effects designer. Graduates may also continue to postgraduate study.

Academic Staff

1

/4

Michael Smith

BA (Hons) Animation and MA Animation - Course Leader

2

/4

Robert Allen

BA (Hons) Animation - Senior Lecturer

3

/4

Adam Cadwell

BA (Hons) Animation - Senior Lecturer

4

/4

Ben Simpson

BA (Hons) Animation - Senior Lecturer

*Please note that our courses are subject to an annual review process in order to maintain their quality and enhance the student experience. As a result, Course Specifications may be amended for the coming year.

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