Course Details

At our School of the Arts, we offer creative, student-focused courses that employers value, underpinned by the knowledge and industry experience of our high-quality staff. We update our programmes frequently to ensure they keep up with new and emerging trends and provide the tools and techniques you'll need to progress into your chosen area of employment.

The University of Bolton's BA (Hons) Animation and Illustration degree offers commercial understanding and supports you in developing high-level technical skills and knowledge. Our expert team will guide and encourage you to work to professional standards in the creative use of a wide range of illustration, animation, and digital software programmes.

Building on an introduction to the basics of animation and illustration, the second half of the course offers you increasing levels of choice to specialise in either area, exploring digital and experimental means of image making. We'll also support you in gaining lifelong learning skills, which will help you take ownership of your professional development for the future, maximising your potential for success.

Our diverse team are highly experienced, with both professional and academic qualifications. They have extensive experience in the animation and illustration industry and have worked for several broadcasting companies, including the BBC and Granada Television.

Highlights

• By studying for your honours degree with us, you can develop your understanding and skills in animation and illustration while experiencing life at our supportive, student-focused, multicultural campus in the heart of the North West of England.
• We'll support you to specialise in pursuit of a specific career destination, such as digital animation or children's book illustration if you wish.
• We'll encourage you to enter national and international competitions, such as the Penguin Cover Design Award and The Macmillan Prize for Illustration.
• We'll invite you to participate in study visits to animation festivals, galleries, museums, exhibitions and conferences. In the past, these have included The Bradford Animation Festival, Thought Bubble, Alice in Wonderland at the Portico Library, Manchester Art Gallery and Tate Liverpool, and the Manchester Animation Festival.
• Students have also benefited from trips abroad and have visited, in previous years, Barcelona, Berlin, New York, Paris and Tokyo. There is also an opportunity for a limited number of exceptional graduates to exhibit at Design and Art Direction in London.