- Study Mode: Part Time
- Location: Distance Learning
- Duration: 18 Months
- Start Date: September 2022
Do you have a keen interest in 3D Animation? Whether you want to create animation for TV, film, social content, the web, or in games, this course can help you develop the vital skills you need, using cutting edge software, to succeed in this sector.
Our creative briefs and projects will help you bring to life stories through the form of 3D animation and upon graduation make your portfolio shine.
Application guide
For information on how you can boost your career-prospects and apply for our postgraduate courses, follow our application guide.
Postgraduate Open Days
Join us for a Postgraduate Open Day where you can discuss your options and chosen course with our course leaders.
Why study this subject?
The animation industry is growing from strength to strength, with more brands, organisations and mediums using animation in everyday life. This course includes both academic and practical elements, giving you the edge, you need to impress employers.
Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?
Our 3D animation MA is a one-of-a-kind course. It is delivered exclusively online, allowing you to fit in your studies around your personal and professional commitments.
At Buckinghamshire New University we focus on preparing you for work in the industry, helping you to stand out to employers when you graduate. With the right teaching and learning opportunities, it’s possible to turn your passion for animation into a rewarding and successful career.
Led by our enthusiastic and dedicated team of industry-savvy practitioners and experienced academics, you will have the freedom to explore all areas of animation. During your time with us you may also get access to guest lectures and could benefit from live project briefs and master classes.
Our contacts include many of the relevant post-production/animation houses in Soho, London, such as FrameStore and Cinesite. We also have an education/industry partnership with leading motion capture company Centroid, based at Pinewood and Shepperton Studios, England, along with good contacts in California studios with Walt Disney and Pixar.
We're proud to partner with the online animation school Animation Apprentice, founded by award-winning animator Alex Williams, whose film credits include Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, The Lion King, The Iron Giant, and the last three Harry Potter films.
At BNU we offer small classes across the board, meaning you gain a close-knit community and plenty of one-on-one contact and support with your tutor. Despite this course being delivered online, we offer various study channels and chat channels so you will be supported and feel a part of the wider BNU community when studying with us.
What facilities can I use?
Just because the course is online it doesn't mean you won't interact with us here at BNU. We'll support you throughout your MA and supply engaging material to enhance your learning.
On our course there’s the chance to join online sessions where you can engage in discussions and interact with learning resources in specially created forums. You'll also have access to textbooks, journal papers, electronic databases and other self-study and e-learning materials.
Whilst studying with us you will also use our AppsAnywhere web service, which provides access to many of the software applications you use for learning and studying. AppssAnywhere can be used from your own device or from a University owned PC or laptop, from any location.
You will have access to our specialist software via BNU Anywhere. This includes Maya, Zbrush, Nuke, Marvellous Designer, Adobe suite, Cinema 4D, Dragon Frame amongst others.
What will I study?
We place a strong emphasis on character and creature animation in a digital environment. With a focus on cutting edge technical and creative skills, you'll learn how to develop original creative content.
You'll also gain an awareness of current challenges facing the animation industry, with an opportunity to conduct your own research in this exciting and rapidly developing field.
By the end of the course, you'll be a skilled animator and have a deeper academic understanding of the industry. When you graduate, you'll have an impressive portfolio of work and we'll make sure that the skills you learn will impress future employers.
How will I be taught and assessed?
Our BNU teaching team are industry-professionals, with years of experience working in the sector and training future generations of animators. Through their support, and the course, you’ll gain the skills and knowledge you need within the industry.
You will receive a set of pre-recorded video lectures each week which will contain the learning content as well as a guidance document on how to use the material. You will be able to complete these at times convenient to yourself.
You will be able to submit your progress at regular intervals for feedback from the lecturer. There will also be a scheduled group online discussion each week where the lecturer will introduce the topic and invite students to discuss and ask questions.
Other assessment methods on this course will include:
- practical reports
- online presentations of research
- pre-production work that will demonstrate academic rigor
- a dissertation
- practical project work
- animation productions
- problem-solving exercises that will develop an array of animation techniques
What are the course entry requirements?
We look for students with a minimum of 2:2 degree classification from an animation degree programme or from a related discipline. We also accept applications on an individual basis and will consider industry professionals who have developed the right skills through work.
All students will need to submit an online portfolio of work to support their application. We also ask prospective students for an interview - either face-to-face, phone or online.
For further details of our international English entry requirements, please visit our international pages.
Modules
This provides a guide of the modules that make up your course. You can find more information about how your course is structured on our Academic Advice section.
Year 1 Modules
Animation 1 - Locomotion and Mechanics
Animation 2 - Character Performance
Animation 3 - Animals & Creatures
Animation 4 - Final Project & Demo Reel
Research Techniques and Dissertation
What are the tuition fees
Home
Home, Academic Year 2022 - 2023
£8,000 per year
International
Overseas/International, Academic Year 2022 - 2023
£8,000 per year
What are my career prospects?
Employers are looking for animators and digital artists to fill their ever-growing art teams. Your MA shows that you are not just an excellent practitioner, but also that you can engage in critical thinking at an advanced level and understand the theory behind the craft. The skills you learn on this programme are transferable to any kind of animation.
Our graduates have gone on to work in production houses, visual effects companies and some have even started their own companies.
Course leader
