This postgraduate course gives practitioners a year to create an animated film from start to finish. You will engage in a critical dialogue with practice, theory and the professional aspects of animation. 

The course provides space for the animators to make work of cultural value, but understand commercial practices. The curriculum is designed to allow both individual and collaborative practice to take place. However, we positively encourage collaboration as it is a key part of the animation production process, enabling you to undertake ambitious projects.

The course will provide you with the space to develop animation, think and question what animation has the potential to be and how it communicates to an audience. You will also have the opportunity to explore emerging technologies and new approaches to storytelling such as the use of VR and game technologies.

You will be supported by a team with diverse research and practical interests within animation including 2D and 3D animators, modelmakers, scriptwriters and you will also engage with visiting industry professionals. The course will present you with the opportunities to work with other creatives on the course and across other MA courses within the institution. The objective is to enable students to produce engaging work across all forms of animation from animated shorts, documentary and experimental practices.

The course provides formal opportunities where you will be taught with students from other postgraduate courses. This rich transdisciplinary approach is practice-research led and uses a range of research methods to expand your critical thinking, helping you to deliver innovative creative outcomes. The shared entrepreneurial modules aim to enhance your analytic and presentational skills, giving you the opportunity to position yourself professionally to a range of audiences. 


How to Apply

Use the links below to apply direct to the University for 2023 entry.

Home applicants

Full-time Click here to apply
Part-time Click here to apply

International applicants

Click here to apply

If you need any assistance completing the form please contact the Admissions team at admissions@leeds-art.ac.uk.

Book an open day

course details

Specialist Resources

Students are able to access a range of specialist facilities by arrangement. These include: a stop-motion facility, PCs equipped with graphics tablets and software for 2D and 3D animation, 3D scanning, 3D printing and professional standard digital print facilities.

Course Specification

Click here to view the course specification

Our courses are subject to regular review during which we may adjust aspects of the curriculum to ensure that it is current and reflects development in the subject area. This course is currently undergoing Periodic Review. If you apply for this course we will inform you of any changes at the earliest opportunity.

When and how you will study

Our postgraduate courses are transdisciplinary and underpinned by independent learning. You will be supported with a variety of teaching and learning methods, including individual supervision, group tutorials, live briefs and project proposals, as well as being encouraged to collaborate with students from other postgraduate courses.

Our academic staff are engaged in contemporary practice in their specialism and will support, encourage and challenge you during your studies. You will be taught in a vibrant and bespoke postgraduate suite. All postgraduate students are taught together in research methods and business-related modules.

Postgraduate courses can be studied either full-time over 36 weeks or part-time over 72 weeks. Teaching is broken down into three teaching blocks per year, each comprising 12 weeks.

Students are able to access a range of specialist facilities aligned to their research interest.

Entry Requirements

At enrolment you should normally have achieved:

  • An undergraduate UK honours degree or international equivalent in a subject related to your proposed course of study or;
  • A degree-equivalent postgraduate diploma/professional qualification

You will also need:

  • One reference to support your application from an academic or a creative practitioner
  • A personal statement outlining your intentions for postgraduate study

Applicants who hold a degree from another discipline or have experiential learning in lieu of a degree that can demonstrate appropriate knowledge and skills may also be considered for entry using our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process.

Click here to view our entry requirements

Fees, Funding and Other Costs

Tuition Fees

Click here for our tuition fees

Discounts are available to graduates of BA (Hons) courses at Leeds Arts University directly progressing to a postgraduate course at the University. Visit our Postgraduate Finance page for more information.

Postgraduate loans are available for all taught and research Masters courses in all subjects for students who meet the funding criteria. The loans can be used for tuition fees, living costs and other study expenses as you see fit. Find out more at www.gov.uk/funding-for-postgraduate-study.

Other Costs

The other costs that need to be considered are those associated with the production of work. An MA Animation student must consider the costs of materials, production (including printing costs, creating a portfolio and exhibition costings etc.), processing services and specialist equipment and visits - a suggested sum of £350, however some students may spend less or more depending on their actual project.

Leeds Arts University Postgraduate Scholarships

Home Scholarships

Vice-Chancellor’s Postgraduate Scholarship

A scholarship of £2,000 will be awarded to one home student for one year. The scholarship will be awarded by a panel of staff and comprises of a reduction in tuition fees for the year.

For more information click here

Studio Space Scholarship

The University recognises the challenges that graduates face in finding appropriate studio space in the first few years of their career.  The studio space scholarship will provide suitable working studio space for one home student for the period of their studies.

For more information click here

International Scholarships

Vice-Chancellor’s International Postgraduate Scholarship

Five £3,000 scholarships are available as a tuition fee reduction.

For more information click here

Terms & Conditions and Key Information

Click here to view our Terms & Conditions

The Key Information document for this course will be available soon.

Open Days

We understand deciding to continue your studies to postgraduate level is a significant step in your academic and career development. We aim to give you all the information you need to make the right choice.

How to book

If you are interested in attending an open day for our MA Animation, you can find out more and book your place on our Postgraduate Open Days page.

Order a Prospectus

Duration
One year full-time / two years part-time
Institution Name
Leeds Arts University
Awarded by
Leeds Arts University

Cartoonist Mark Stafford hosts talk for Leeds Arts University students

Mark Stafford, a cartoonist/illustrator working in the field of graphic novels hosted an online talk for students at the University to share his extensive knowledge gained from over 30 years’ experience in the industry. …

Creative and cultural skills take centre-stage in support of LEEDS 2023

Leeds Arts University are proud to partner with LEEDS 2023, a year-long celebration of culture in the city. …

Latest news

More News

Announcing Our Big Big Big Postgraduate Show

Leeds Arts University are excited to announce Our Big Big Big Postgraduate Show, an exhibition of work by the next generation of talented creatives presented in-person for the first time in three years. …

Marvel concept designer and illustrator awarded honorary Masters degree

Adi Granov, a leading illustrator and concept designer is set to receive an honorary Master of Arts degree from Leeds Arts University …

Leeds Arts University achieves significant milestone by receiving the results of REF2021

Leeds Arts University has received the results of REF2021, with the majority of its research being regarded as international, internationally excellent or world leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour. …

Leeds Arts University launches online postgraduate show

Leeds Arts University launches its second online-only postgraduate degree show on Thursday 25 November 2021 showcasing work from 46 graduates presented digitally by the UK’s next generation of creatives. …

Latest Events & Exhibitions

More Events
-

Library Exhibition |…

This academic year, students on the BA Fine Art course were invited to explore Leeds Arts University…