BA (Hons)/MArt The Art of Computer Animation (3D)

Breathe life into characters and creatures, and create entertaining performances for the world to enjoy.

Do you dream of working in the animation industry or even starting your own studio? Advancements in technology and the boom of the VFX industry have made computer animation one of the fastest growing industries. Our animation degree has been developed in collaboration with top practitioners to provide you both the professional skills and knowledge that the industry is looking for.

Bring your characters to life from day one - working in industry-style studios using the latest tools and techniques and working as part of a team on high-quality creative projects. You'll have intensive, hands-on tutorials with industry-trained tutors who, alongside practising animation professionals, will provide regular feedback on your work.

You'll graduate studio ready, with a professional portfolio of work to show employers, and a degree awarded by the University of Kent.

See more student work

UCAS code: I700 (BA) - I701 (MArt)
Institution code: P34
Location: London campus
Start date: September
Fees: (See Fees and Funding section)
£9,250 per year for 2022/2023 entry
Mode of study: Full time
Programme duration: BA 3 years, MArt 4 years
Entry requirements: Entry by portfolio and Creative Workshop, plus being predicted a minimum two passes at A Level or equivalent

Awarded by

Apply via UCAS

Visit us

Contact us

Why choose this course

All-round creative skills - you'll study common modules in your first year to gain all-round creative skills.
Team work - you'll work on projects as a team, just as you would in the studio, providing you with a good understanding of the animation pipeline by sharing skills across disciplines.
Industry-standard studios - you’ll work in a studio environment that mirrors current industry practice from day one, using professional software such as Maya, to give you a true taste of life in a studio.
Soft skills - you'll learn soft skills such as team work, organisation, giving and receiving feedback to prepare you to the real world of work.
Expert tutors - you’ll have intensive, hands-on tutorials with industry-trained tutors such as our Dean of Animation & Visual Effects, Alex Williams, who has over 25 years of experience in the industry working on projects for Disney and DreamWorks. All our tutors can help turn your passion for animation into a practical studio-ready skillset.
Industry briefs - in the studio, you'll work on industry-standard briefs, similar to those you'll get in a professional studio. You'll experience real-life scenarios, such as dealing with briefs with varying requirements, deadlines and resources.
Developed with industry professionals - this programme has been developed in collaboration with experienced industry leaders such as cutting-edge visual effects specialists DNEG and Framestore, industry expert Hugo Sands (independent animation consultant, producer and manager) and advisory board member Tara Saunders (Studio Head at PlayStation London Studio).

Module information

All our Escape Studios undergraduate students study common modules in their first year. This will, help to give you the all-round skills you’ll need to begin your journey to becoming a professional.

First year (level 4)

Creative Foundations - Project (30 credits)

This module presents students with a studio-relevant challenge in their first year of studying at Escape Studios, providing a real understanding of team collaboration throughout the creative process. The module requires students to respond to creative project briefs as part of a small team - imitating the professional set-up found in industry.

The success of the team is dependent on realising a shared vision whilst making the most of the individual strengths of each member. Each team will work towards a controlled approach in their planning and resourcing, to ensure that they effectively deliver the project, whilst still being on time and on budget. Teams will be required to pitch their concepts before moving to the development stage - which eventually leads to the team's final product that is ready to be showcased to the client. This module demonstrates how each individual student can make a genuine contribution to a professional team in a creative environment.

Creative Foundations - Craft (30 credits)

This module is the chance for students to develop a hands-on understanding of different industry-relevant styles of visual representation. There is a learning focus within three key areas: communicating ideas and concepts in visual forms, the meaning behind an image in context and the way light behaves and interacts with surfaces.

By the end of the module, successful students will benefit from an essential knowledge of key concepts of working in the creative sector, including the study of visual conventions and narratives, the development of traditional creative skills, such as drawing and photography, and the analysis of visual material of aesthetic value and communication content.

Video Game Art - Core (15 credits)

This module allows students to get to grips with the fundamentals of developing assets for use in video games - boosting students from zero experience to a core foundation where artistic talents can be used to create video game content. Students will be given intensive projects which will test teach and improve their ability to use the latest 3D software and techniques, including: modelling, texturing and lighting basic assets for a modern game engine.

The two main outcomes that students can expect from this studying module is a developed understanding of producing game assets for the mobile platform and a grounding in the basics of game art, for students to make informed decisions in directing their career journeys.

Computer Animation - Core (15 credits)

This module reveals a modern understanding behind the Twelve Principles of Animation - providing students with an overview of theory and practice relating to the creation of animation in a wide range of digital media. Students get hands-on with the latest software and techniques surrounding animation principles, movement and cinematography.

The main purpose of this module is to provide an excellent range of transferable skills for use in a professional animation environment. A range of industry-standard 3D and 2D animation techniques will be covered, alongside animation mechanics that include locomotion, flexibility and weight. Students who start with a limited understanding of animation will finish with the ability to engage with the challenges of contemporary animation.

Compositing for VFX - Core (15 credits)

This module introduces the theory and role of Compositing in VFX production and where it sits within the overall creative industries. The content of the module provides students with the opportunity to realise the fundamentals of layering multiple image elements in an efficient workflow. The industry-aligned projects give the students a chance to learn compositing, colour correction and keying with the latest software and techniques.

Successful students will begin to understand Compositing in the same light as studio professionals. Moving forward, students will be able to place the role of Compositing alongside their wider understanding of visual effects.

3D for VFX - Core (15 credits)

This module provides students with a core understanding of the role of 3D in VFX production. Students will evaluate 3D tools, techniques and approaches used by the modern day production of a final rendered image.

Successful students will have the ability to place the appropriate 3D tools and techniques to a specific creative objective. Innovative projects within this module provide students with a challenge, as well as an opportunity to showcase their newly developed techniques in modelling, texturing, lighting and rendering. Explore contemporary 3D theory and concepts with a truly unique studio learning experience.

For more details about modules, see the full module specifications.

Second year (level 5)

From your second year, you’ll start to specialise in 3D computer animation and work in teams on industry-style projects.

Computer Animation (3D) - Pro (30 credits)

Take your animation skills to proficient level with this exciting second year module. Bringing a digital object or character to life is the fundamental purpose of computer animation, this module sets the challenge of turning pixels into personality. Students will learn how to combine the elements of animation, including lip movements, body and gestures, through constant trial error and feedback.

The aim of this module is to boost students’ understanding and technical know-how of character animations. By the end of the course, successful students will be able to use techniques required in a professional animation environment. Students will also benefit from a new comprehension of animation industry pipelines including creative development, character development and technical processes.

Computer Animation (3D) - Advanced (30 credits)

This advanced module in computer animation approaches the theory and practice in creating creature animation for the visual effects industry. As the scale and complexity of the demands for creature animation continues to expand, students will acquire the skill to create animal effects that are both engaging and realistic.
The priority of this module is to develop students’ niche understanding and expertise surrounding animation techniques and the creation of animals and creatures for professional use in a visual effects environment. From discovering this specialist area within animation, students will get a better understanding of the challenges that professional computer animators face on a daily basis. Successful students will not only be observant of the techniques involved in creature creation, but will also demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of visual effects industry pipelines - including the use of the green screen and the ability to work with live action plates.

Specialism (15 credits)

This module complements the Industry Studio Project and gives the students a chance to delve into the craft that they have developed over the duration of their course, relating to the contemporary context of the theory and techniques surrounding their specialism. Tutors will aid students to propose what their specialism will be and industry professionals will support students with critical feedback. Through this module, students will be in a stronger position to realise their own personal development and what they can offer to their allocated team in the Industry Studio Project.

Industry Studio Project (45 credits)

This module prepares and challenges students to complete a studio project collaboratively, to the same standard as found in a practising studio environment. This is a chance for students to work together to showcase the pinnacle of their talents and techniques. Students are expected to direct their project with good project management and task allocation to create, acquire and select top material content. Students are required to demonstrate their ability to evaluate the outcome with a 20-minute presentation to a panel of industry professionals.

For more details about modules, see the full module specifications.

Third year (level 6)

By your third year, you’ll be working in a team just like a fully-functioning independent studio, alongside developing an in-depth knowledge of your chosen specialisation.

Advanced Specialism (30 credits)

This module offers the opportunity for students to engage with the advanced theories, principles and tools at the forefront of 3D computer animation. On successful completion of the module, students will have developed an impressive mix of transferable skills, including: the ability to communicate in-depth the technical and creative issues within their community of practice and a matured awareness to self reflect on their own professional development.

Students will be refined in their professionalism by the support of both tutors and industry professionals. This module will benefit students in their ability to employ a high level of expertise in their personal and studio practice. The final project will be assessed by an incorporation of both tutors and industry.

Professional Practice (30 credits)

This module allows students to showcase what they do best and is largely focused on creating an individual work on a personal development portfolio. Students have the chance to showcase their specialist area within their field, as well as providing and receiving support from fellow students to move forward in their development from the lessons they have learned at Escape Studios over the last two years.

Students will be challenged to create personal audits and plans, including a series of mock interviews mid-way through. Tutors and industry professionals will provide valuable and formative feedback to direct students' progress. Successful students will finish this module to efficiently work in a team and fluently communicate their skills and ability in a professional setting, including interviews and assessment meetings.

Professional Studio Project (60 credits)

This module combines the three-year efforts of the student, bringing together preparation, training and experimentation of the previous two stages. The course is the pinnacle of the students' learning experience, which ensures that graduates are ready to advance to either a career within industry or the demands of the final MArt year.

There are two core assignments within this module: individual retrospective, where the student is required to create an enquiry into their own work, and the team project, where students are required to work to the standard of a professional studio team and give a presentation providing a concise retrospective of their project. Successful completion of this module is dependent on the student's ability to thrive in a studio environment in order to advance their knowledge, skills and understanding through practice-based learning, experimentation and reflection.

For more details about modules, see the full module specifications.

Fourth year (level 7 - integrated masters students only)

If you’re doing the four-year MArt programme, in this final year you’ll develop entrepreneurship and the skills needed to manage your fledgling studio as a real business, taking it to the next level of professionalism. Students will be asked to organise themselves to work as a digital studio, working on projects that will be viable and to a commercial standard. The four modules of this final year will cover the crucial aspects that will define your studio's success.

Art and Design (30 credits)

The primary focus of this module is to create products and services that have exceptional aesthetic and a strong brand identity. It investigates the visual language used within the contemporary world and looks into the way that society interacts with products, services and with each other through digital interfaces that have been crafted by experts with industry-standard tools. There is an expectation within this course that a student's output must retain an audience with a seamless usability and engage them with their work's beauty. Students will also learn that functionality is no longer enough in today’s world.

At the end of the module, successful students will be able to present aesthetically pleasing, intuitively designed, well branded products and services that meet their business goals.

Craft (30 credits)

The outline of this module’s syllabus covers industry-standard software and hardware, SaaS development, technical innovation for the creative industries and distribution platform innovation. The overall objective of this module is for students to strive for technical excellence in all that they do, including creating products, services and everyday user experiences.

The challenge of this module is to work within realistic technical constraints to create something that is feasible and viable within animation. This module will challenge students to expand their technical skills beyond what they currently know and is accepted practice and to learn new skills and collaborate with fellow students. Through a series of lectures, seminars and the failures and success of work, students will learn how to make technically and visionary excellent animations.

Process (30 credits)

This module challenges students to engage, understand and begin to redefine the development process at an advanced level. This course looks at the evolution of digital products, services and experiences that are created on the course. Furthermore, you will look into how to adapt the working process to accommodate this evolution, as well as how it shapes the business that you run.

The module has wide-reaching lessons that can benefit most professionals within the creative industries, focusing on essential qualities of agile production and understanding this within a global context. Students will be expected to present their working methodology surrounding the creation of animations with their final outcome, including a demonstrated reflection on the benefits and drawbacks of the process they have created. Students will learn independently and within their teams how to structure and implement an innovative production process within the animation industry and the wider creative industries.

Business (30 credits)

This module covers business modelling, start-up basics, a financial and legal outlook, how to create a purpose-driven business and the art of pitching to investors. Through inspiring lectures, seminars and weeks of experimentation in the studios, students will get to grips with how to establish a business that supports their visions and innovations.

This module is all about empowering students with the ability to make their company sustainable and profitable. Successful students engage with the world-dominating digital technologies, and business models that are constantly adapting to the creative industries. The lessons learned on this course give students the education to use business expertise to push their talents in the creative industries.

For more details about modules, see the full module specifications.

Assessment information

How will your work be assessed?

Formative assessment

The majority of modules contain at least one piece of practice or ‘formative’ assessment for which you receive feedback. Formative assessments are developmental and do not count towards your overall module mark.

Summative assessment breakdown

Level 4 and 5
For Level 4 and 5 modules, your assessment will be split into two parts:

75% Product - You will be required to create a product (short computer animation, rendered image of a 3D object composited shot, etc.) to a specified brief, then present it in front of a panel and demonstrate how you have met the learning outcomes in your work.
25% Retrospective - You will be required to write a reflective analysis and present this for moderation and assessment.

Level 6
One module will be assessed just like level 4 and 5 modules; for two other modules (Advanced Specialism, Professional Practice), 100% of the mark will be based on a self-evaluative portfolio.

Level 7
If you’re doing the four-year MArt programme, you will be required to complete Level 7 modules. The assessment of these modules will be split into four parts corresponding to four stages of the project - Explore, Ideate, Accelerate, and Incubate. Each stage will be equal to 25% of the final mark.

Progression
In order to progress to the next stage (from first to second year, and from second to third year), you will have to achieve 120 credits at the end of the academic year.

For further information, please see the Student Handbook.

Teaching and learning

Your overall workload will be divided between teaching sessions and independent learning.

During your course, you’ll be able to develop your knowledge and skills in a number of ways. Some of this will be closely directed/supervised by your tutors, at other times you’ll be free to organise your own study with guidance. All your scheduled studio time, except for some information sessions and presentations, will be in groups of around 30.

For many of your projects, you’ll be working in smaller teams, collaborating to meet a shared brief. This should give you ample opportunity to get the support and assistance that you need. The craft modules will usually have a higher contact time, as this is where you will be learning the knowledge and skills associated with your particular subject, directed and informed by your tutors’ expertise and experience. These will normally involve a large part of each day in the studio with your tutor and studio assistant, following demonstrations and working on set exercises to help you develop your craft.

The project modules will have a lower contact time, with your tutors taking on the roles of supervisors or studio leads. You’ll still meet with them regularly (usually every working day) to get feedback and help you stay on the right path, but these modules are much more about you managing the learning experience to meet your objectives. The majority of the projects will be team-based, and you’ll have the opportunity to take on different roles in a number of teams during your studies. Again, you’ll be expected to work in the studios for a significant part of each day, and attendance will be recorded, but outside those times you’ll be free to organise your work as a team to best suit your project requirements.

Each module has its own area on the Online Learning Environment (OLE) where you will find all the information about the module and the resources that are provided to support your learning. Some of this information will be dedicated to the module, other elements may be shared across different modules and some may be external assets that can help with your further study. There may be links to videos, online journals and e-books, and you should take advantage of these to enhance your development and take it beyond the studio experience. Tutors may highlight some of these during their sessions, so make sure you listen out and follow up on their advice!

Overall workload

The academic year consists of three terms: Autumn, Spring and Summer. Students on a typical 3 year degree attend classes during the Autumn and Spring term, for a total of 30 weeks, and will normally not attend during the Summer term, unless they have to re-attempt assessments.

Per week, your overall workload will be approximately 40 hours. Each week, you will spend 15 hours in Workshops and Practicals and 20-25 hours on self-study learning and working on your projects. More information can be found in our Learning and Teaching Strategy.

For more details about modules, credits and workload, see the full course specifications.

Entry requirements

Minimum requirements

You'd usually have GCSE English and Maths at grade C/4 or equivalent and have/be predicted to pass 2 A Levels or equivalent. If you are still studying, then we base conditions of offer around your predicted grades. If you don't have traditional qualifications, please contact the Admissions Team by emailing admissions@pearsoncollegelondon.ac.uk or calling +44 (0) 207 190 4013 and we'll be happy to discuss your options with you.

Creative portfolio and workshop

Once we've received your UCAS application you’ll be invited to:

share your portfolio of creative work to be reviewed by our expert tutors. We take students who have the talent to succeed and we know that the best way to judge this is by looking at your portfolio, not just a set of academic grades. Check out some guidance for putting your portfolio together.
attend a Creative Workshop. Offers onto Escape Studios undergraduate courses are made following completion of a Creative Workshop. You’ll take part in an interactive group task, and your portfolio of creative work will be reviewed by our expert tutors. Your performance at the creative workshop will determine whether we can offer you a place.

Travel bursary

At Escape Studios, we’re committed to admitting the best students regardless of their background. Because of this, we offer travel bursaries for students who meet our eligibility criteria.

International students

We are currently unable to accept international students onto undergraduate courses who require a student visa to study in the UK.

English Language requirements

If your first language is not English you may need to complete an English language test, such as a Pearson English language test (PTE Academic) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test, to demonstrate you have the language skills needed to complete your degree. All our courses are taught in English.

Qualification	Score required
IELTS	6.5 IELTS (with a minimum of 6.0 in Reading and Writing and 5.5 in Speaking and Listening)
PTE	62 including 60 in each subtest
Cambridge English: Advanced & Proficiency	176 (with a minimum of 169 in Reading and Writing and 162 in Speaking and Listening)
Internet-based TOEFL	90 Overall including at least 22 in Reading, 21 in Writing, 17 in Listening and 20 in Speaking

How to apply

You should submit your application via UCAS. Our institution code is P34. As we are part of Pearson College London, our UCAS listing is named 'Pearson College London (including Escape Studios)'.

If we make you an offer for a place on the programme, it will be subject to our terms and conditions.

Take a look at our application and admission process.

Where will this get me?

You’ll graduate with a degree and a professional portfolio of work put together with advice from tutors and industry professionals, and ready to present to employers in the creative industries.

Our students go to work as both specialist and generalist artists in the Animation industry, including 3D animation for films, TV shows, games, and commercials. See some of our Escape Studios animation success stories here.

Some of the junior opportunities you will be able to consider on completion of your degree include:

Junior Animator
Editorial Assistant (Animation)
Junior Character FX

If you’ve studied our integrated masters course, you’ll learn more entrepreneurial skills to start your own studio.

As you develop more experience and your skills develop further, the pool of roles you will be suitable for will grow. For more information about career opportunities, download our Careers Guide.

Fees and funding

Visit our finance pages for more information on fees, funding and scholarships.

2022/2023 academic year entry

Additional costs

In addition to your tuition fee, you will need to budget for your living costs and some other costs associated with your studies.

An additional re-attendance fee of £750 per 15 credit module is charged if you need to repeat a module.

Computers are available at our London campus for you to use to work on your projects and coursework during the College opening hours. It is not, therefore, essential for you to purchase your own computer and software. However, many students prefer to have a computer at home as well, so we have prepared some guidance on the specifications to choose.

At our London campus, you will have the benefit of access to free printing and photocopying facilities. However, you will have to purchase notebooks and other ordinary stationery items. You may wish to purchase your own copies of the recommended textbooks, but please note that all textbooks are available to students in electronic editions.

If you will not be living at home, you will need to pay for accommodation. For more information about accommodation options, go to our Accommodation page. You will incur transport costs travelling to your classes and to events, such as industry workshops, which may take place elsewhere in central London. Details of public transport costs are available from the Transport for London website. There may occasionally be an optional opportunity for you to attend an event outside central London, for which you would need to pay the transport costs, should you choose to attend.