BA (Hons)/MArt The Art of Computer Animation (2D)

Bring pen strokes and colours to life to tell a story and create emotions.

In recent years, 2D animation has experienced a significant revival, as studios including Blue Zoo, Aardman Animation and Brown Bag Films are creating wonderful films and experiences using the latest tools. The industry demand for more 2D Animators has recently gone through the roof.

This degree has been developed in collaboration with top Animators to give you the technical, creative and soft skills that the industry is looking for. You’ll also start building your experience and professional network and will graduate with a killer showreel to help open the doors to your dream studio.

Our experienced tutors who’ve worked on the likes of The Lion King, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Godzilla and Doctor Strange, will teach you a range of animation techniques through intensive hands-on tutorials in our London industry-standard studios.

See also BA (Hons) The Art of Computer Animation (3D)

  • UCAS code: I704 (BA) - I705 (MArt)
  • Institution code: P34
  • Location: London campus
  • Start date: September
  • Fees: (See Fees and Funding section)
    £9,250 per year for 2023/2024 entry
  • Mode of study: Full time
  • Programme duration: BA 3 years, MArt 4 years
  • Entry requirements: Portfolio and creative workshop, plus predicted two passes at A Level or equivalent 

Awarded by


Why choose this course

  • Ranked 2nd in the UK – and 10th in the world for Animation Excellence by The Rookies
  • Ranked 3rd in the UK – and 8th in Europe in the Animation Career Review’s school ranking
  • Based in London – home to some of the best animation studios in the world
  • Industry briefs – work on industry-standard briefs and experience real-life scenarios, just like in a professional studio
  • Successful alumni – you'll join our community of thousands of Escapees, many of whom have gone on to work at some of the world’s top studios. 47 Escapees worked on Avengers: Endgame, 28 on Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore and 16 on Stranger Things
  • Industry-standard studios – study in a studio environment that mirrors current industry practice, using professional software such as Maya, ToonBoom Harmony and Blender
  • Professional input – our advisory board of experts, from the likes of DNEG (Avengers: Endgame and Oscar-winning Dune), Cinesite (Iwájú and Thor: Love and Thunder) and Netflix, help keep this degree up to date. You will also receive feedback on some of your work from industry professionals
  • All-round creative skills – study common modules in your first year to gain an understanding of animation, visual effects and game art and and how the pipelines cross over
  • Soft skills – learn soft skills such as teamwork, organisation and giving and receiving feedback to prepare you to the real world of work
  • 2D specialism – follow 2D specialist modules, focusing more on traditional drawing skills and how to leverage them with new digital tools. With modules including sketch-visualisation, backgrounds, lighting and shading, concept Art
  • Our student short films have been nominated and won several international awards over the years, including Jerich0 being shortlisted for the Student BAFTA Awards
  • Our Storyboarding Tutor Iliana Franklin was appointed Toon Boom Ambassador for 2022.

In recent years, 2D Animation has experienced a significant revival, as studios adopt new software such as ToonBoom Harmony.

Alex Williams, Dean of Animation & Visual Effects

Next Steps

Five students socialising in kitchen area

Open Days

Bookings for our next undergraduate open day are now open!

Book now for Saturday 22nd April 2023

3D animation pink alien with 'Get a taste of animation, game art and VFX' graphic

Taster Days

Test-drive the industry software taught on our degrees.

Book now for Saturday 13th May

3D animation boy jumping from a building with Get Ready For Take-Off tagline

Prospectus

Get ready for take-off and discover how we'll help you follow your creative dreams.

Download now

Game environment scene of a Moroccan riad

Visit Us

Come visit us at an Open Day or Taster Day or book a personal tour to explore our campus.

Find out more

Why Escape Studios?

Animated Pikachu standing on a man's shoulder

Industry partners

Our industry partners, including DNEG, Framestore, Industrial Light & Magic and PlayStation London Studio, influence everything we do, helping design our degrees to keep them relevant to current practice. You’ll have regular contact with the industry, from master classes to creative briefs and regular feedback from professionals.

Find out more

View of a studio classroom with students' heads and monitors

Industry-expert tutors

Our tutors are actively involved in industry, so they'll be able to give you real insight into your chosen career. They have worked at studios including DNEGWalt Disney Animation, EA, Rebellion and Framestore and their credits include Captain America, Black Mirror and Bond: Spectre.

Meet our tutors

Escape Studios reception

STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITIES

Our central London campus is surrounded by world-leading studios and fully equipped with high-end hardware and the latest software, so you learn in a real studio environment.

Find out more

Don't just take our word for it...

Ask a student ambassador