Animation BA Hons
University of Portsmouth
  • Mode of Study : FULL Time
  • Duration : 4 years sandwich with work placement
  • Start Month : September
Price: GBP18,100 Per year
International student course fee

About the Courses

Course highlights

  • Practise the techniques that animators use in the film industry, such as the performance capture process used in the film Avatar
  • Learn industry-standard software and production methods and use professional animation equipment including Adobe Creative Cloud, Autodesk Maya, TV Paint, and Wacom Cintiq digital drawing displays
  • Meet prospective employers and industry contacts by showcasing your work at our student screening in London
  • Gain valuable industry experience and knowledge by taking an optional placement year – either with a company or as self-employed
  • Demonstrate your technical proficiency to industry peers by earning Adobe Certified Professional (ACP) accreditation
  • Impress the public and potential employers by showcasing your final-year work at our annual Graduate Shows
  • Course highlights

    • Practise the techniques that animators use in the film industry, such as the performance capture process used in the film Avatar
    • Learn industry-standard software and production methods and use professional animation equipment including Adobe Creative Cloud, Autodesk Maya, TV Paint, and Wacom Cintiq digital drawing displays
    • Meet prospective employers and industry contacts by showcasing your work at our student screening in London
    • Gain valuable industry experience and knowledge by taking an optional placement year – either with a company or as self-employed
    • Demonstrate your technical proficiency to industry peers by earning Adobe Certified Professional (ACP) accreditation
    • Impress the public and potential employers by showcasing your final-year work at our annual Graduate Shows
    • Put your artistry and skills to prize-winning test by taking part in our annual University Game Jam

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Modules

Year 1

Core modules

Introduction to 2D Animation - 20 credits

An introduction to the craft of 2D animation.

Introduction to 3D Animation - 20 credits

An introduction to the latest industry tools and techniques used in animation production.

Introduction To Visual Research For Animation - 20 credits

You'll learn drawing, colour and texture as visual research and exploration.

Narrative - 20 credits

Develop an understanding of film language, camera angles, composition, lighting, mise-en-scène, editing and sound design.

Signs and Meaning in Animation - 20 credits

Focus on questions of meaning, spectatorship and representation and highlights how animation fits within the wider context of contemporary visual culture. 

Modelling for Animation and VFX - 20 credits

Establish your skills to be able to build worlds, props and characters for you own animated projects, films and games. 

Year 2

Core modules

Animation Group Project Introduction - 20 credits

Work in a group to research and develop animations.

Animation Group Project Production - 20 credits

On this module, which follows on from the 'Animation Group Project: Introduction' module, you'll continue working in your group to produce and present animations.

Experimental Animation - 20 credits

Explore the visual research methods that will improve your skills in the pre-production stage of animation.

History and Theory of Animation - 20 credits

Develop analytical skills and critical thinking in animation, building on what you learned in year 1. 

Optional modules

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Engaged Citizenship through Interdisciplinary Practice - 20 credits

Develop your creative, intellectual and interpersonal attributes by engaging in interdisciplinary work, developing an appreciation of other creative disciplines and understanding how professionals collaborate.

Intermediate 2D Animation - 20 credits

Develop your animation principle skills and learning animation techniques for big studios, executing tests which involve stretching, weight and anticipation..

Intermediate 3D Animation - 20 credits

Develop skills and knowledge in character animation and use technical, performance, illustrative and narrative techniques to create a 3D animated sequence..

Modern Foreign Language (Institute-Wide Language Programme) - 20 credits

Study 1 of 8 modern languages on the University's free Institution-Wide Language Programme.

Professional Experience - 20 credits

This module gives you the opportunity to gain credit towards your degree from paid/unpaid work, volunteering, research placements, internships and other work-related learning.

Real-Time Animation and VFX Project - 20 credits

Create an animated and VFX film utilising cutting edge real-time and virtual technology.

Sound and Visualisation - 20 credits

  Learn how to visualize and develop ideas in a non conventional form, experimenting with mixed media.

Student Enterprise - 20 credits

Learn about both the ideation process and the feasibility of marketing, manufacturing, and selling a new creative business.

Visual Effects - 20 credits

Understand the job of an effects animator or director in the VFX industry. 

Sandwich Year 

Optional units

CCI Self-Employed Placement Full Year - 40 credits

This optional year-long module gives you experience in setting up and running a small business during the placement year of a sandwich degree.

CCI Work Placement Full Year - 40 credits

This optional year-long placement module gives you relevant industrial or commercial experience during the placement year of a sandwich degree.

Creative Technologies Study Exchange - 60 credits

This module gives you the opportunity to do a study placement in a Higher Education institution outside of the UK. It allows you to enhance your learning experience by adding a global dimension to your studies.

CCI Placement Plus - Full Year - 40 credits

This optional year-long placement module gives you relevant industrial or commercial experience, while also developing your entrepreneurial skills in freelancing, setting up your own business or social enterprise.

Creative Technologies Study Abroad - Full Year - 120 credits

An opportunity to undertake an optional study abroad placement with an agreed Higher Education Institution outside of the UK.

Year 3

Core modules

Employment Preparation - 20 credits

Prepare yourself for applying for jobs in the industry.

Major Project: Part 1 - 20 credits

Apply your professional animation skills to an animation-related brief.

Major Project: Part 2 - 20 credits

Develop a professional animation, continuing their project production from Major Project: Part 1.  

Written Project - 20 credits

Bring together the ideas and concepts you've studied during your degree. 

Optional modules

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Advanced 2D Animation - 20 credits

Develop technical animation skills in classical animation and create a showreel with technical 2D animation to a professional standard.

Advanced 3D Animation - 20 credits

Develop your 3D animation skills.

Advanced Pre-Production Methods - 20 credits

Prepare for your major project by developing a preproduction dossier that focuses on your strongest skills.

Advanced Visual Effects - 20 credits

Explore the VFX core skills needed for the integration of 2D, 3D and live-action elements to high-end visual effects standards.

Intermediate Visual Effects - 20 credits

Develop strong understanding of visual effects elements, creating the fantastical and elements for the entertainment industry.

Motion Capture Applications - 20 credits

An introduction to the principles of performance capture techniques focusing on current industry standards and applications.