Study Animation, why & how to study

Create visual worlds with the skills you develop during an Animation course. Through practical experience, you'll prepare for work in the entertainment industry.

CHOOSING A COURSE POSTGRADUATE UNDERGRADUATE

Stephanie Butler 12 Feb 2024

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Hand sketching animation ideas on storyboard

What’s Animation?
What Animation degrees can you study?
What do you need to get onto an Animation degree?
What topics does an Animation degree cover?
How will you be assessed?
Why study Animation?
What do Animation graduates earn?
What jobs can you get as an Animation graduate?
What are the postgraduate opportunities?
Similar subjects to Animation
Have any questions?

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What’s Animation?

Animation is the process of creating moving visuals with drawings, designs or puppets.

Study Animation to learn how to create animated works. This could be through using 2D and 3D techniques, cameras, CGI and other software and equipment. You’ll learn about things like storyboarding, character development, scriptwriting and cinematography.

Degrees set you up for a career creating animations for computers, games, TV, film and more.

Animation falls into the broader subject area of Art & Design. Take a look at the university league table for Art & Design.

What Animation degrees can you study?

Undergraduate Animation degrees are usually awarded with a Bachelor of Arts (BA). You will also come across Bachelor of Design (BDes) degrees.

Examples of degrees:

Animation BA/BDes

This degree gives you a broad foundation in the subject, covering most areas of animation theory. You’ll develop creative skills through practical projects.

Search for Animation courses.

Illustration with Animation BA

Learn the principles of both animation and illustration and how each complements the other. This may suit you if you’re interested in visual storytelling and expression.

Find Illustration with Animation courses.

Graphic Design and Animation BA

If you’re interested in both areas, you can learn how to apply principles of graphic design to animation projects. You’ll use different software packages and learn various techniques.

Search for Graphic Design and Animation courses.

Game Animation BA

Specialise in animation for video games and create characters, virtual locations and special effects. The course will prepare you for work in the gaming industry.

Find Game Animation courses.

Other options

Many universities offer an integrated foundation year or industry experience. You may even have the chance to study abroad as part of the course.

What do you need to get onto an Animation degree?

Most undergraduate Animation courses ask for around 96–120 UCAS points. Not every university will base an offer on UCAS points. Some courses may have lower or higher requirements. You can get UCAS points from one of the following:

A Levels: BBB–CCC
BTECs: DMM–MMM
Scottish Highers: BBBB–ABCC
International Baccalaureate: 32–26
Universities will usually ask that you have studied a creative arts subject

Other good subjects to have studied include:

Art and design
Graphic design
Media
English
IT
Creative writing
Film
Computer science

Experiences that would look good on your application:

Volunteering or work experience with an animation, computer games, broadcasting or advertising company
Knowledge of CAD and computer software programmes
Illustration or other creative arts courses
Membership of an animation-focused community

Other requirements for this subject include:

You may be invited to an interview to show a portfolio of work, demonstrating your drawing, storytelling and character design skills

What topics does an Animation degree cover?

Typical modules on a course in this subject include:

Structure and narrative
Visual language
Contextual and theoretical studies
Animation strategies
Character animation
Process and production
2D and 3D techniques
Cameras and CGI

How will you be assessed?

Depending on your modules, you could be assessed through:

Showreels
Portfolios
Presentations
Essays
Reports
Final-year dissertation

Why study Animation?

Courses often have partnerships with industry organisations like the BBC, Channel 4, the National Trust, MTV, the Tate and Nickelodeon.

Career-specific skills:

Handmade and digital animation
Drawing and illustration
Model making
2D and 3D
Film
Stop-motion
Kinetic technology

Transferable skills:

Time management
Attention to detail
Creativity
Project management
Communication
Problem-solving
Interpersonal
Teamwork
Presentation

Professional accreditations:

CILECT (the International Association of Cinema, Audiovisual and Media Schools)
Adobe Certified Associate (ACA)

What do Animation graduates earn?

When starting as a graduate animator, you can expect an entry-level salary of around £14,000.

The average salary for an animator in the UK is around £24,500. Salaries can be higher than £36,000 for those with lots of experience in high-level positions.

What jobs can you get as an Animation graduate?

Many graduates work in the entertainment and digital industries, working on films, TV, advertising, computer games and other media. Examples of roles that graduates go into: