Course Summary

If you are looking to pursue a specialist career path in today's animation industry, this course is perfect for you. You will gain a solid grounding in a range of animation techniques as well as the theory and history of animation, leaving you with a thorough understanding of animation in practice.

Blending theoretical and practical learning that is relevant to today's workplace you will undertake projects led by clients, using our purpose-built studios in the new Centre for the Arts. This will involve working with current software, which will help develop your digital skills.

Throughout the course, drawing is taught as a tool for the expression and communication of ideas. You will progress to a variety of 2D and 3D animation projects, some of which will involve real clients and live projects. You will quickly get to grips with the standards and professional practice required to succeed in the animation industry.

This course will also aid the development of transferable skills that all employers look for, including communication, creativity, critical thinking, team working, research and evaluation skills.

Why choose this course?

After graduating from the course, popular career choices include junior animator, texture artist, compositor, layout artist, visualiser, runner, concept artist, games designer, character designer or freelance animator. A particularly popular further study option is Year 3 of the BA Animation degree.

During the course you will:

• Be given the opportunity to acquire skills needed to work in professional animation studios
• Become familiar with up-to-date industry-standard computer animation software
• Work directly with clients on live projects
• Enjoy a course that blends theory and practice through learning opportunities that are relevant to today's workplace
• Undertake projects led by clients
• Gain experience working independently and as part of a wider team

We strive to deliver the most exciting art and design courses in HE with a number of new and innovative ideas. We also run an Art & Design blog with the latest news and events, you can find that here: wecreatetogether.net

Colin Davies, Head of Art and Division

FDANI-FB

Assessment

Assessment methods will include:

One-to-one discussion of practical work: this allows learners to discuss their work in an informal setting and gain confidence in using and understanding appropriate critical thinking and evaluative terminology.

Peer assessment this will involve learners presenting work to their peers and receiving peer feedback. Learners will learn from viewing each others practical work, hearing each others presentations and considering their own output in relation to this. They will learn how to present and articulate their own views, and to synthesize information.

Exhibitions, presentations and portfolios this will involve learners in presenting their work to a professional standard, and gaining feedback.

Work based learning; assessment strategies will include assessment of an academic report of between 850-1000 words, a skills portfolio detailing prior experience if applicable, reflective diary or journal, professional practice and task management and practical artwork and digital product. Academic staff will use information from direct observation, self evaluation and employer feedback to formulate an assessment decision against the learning outcomes of the work based units. Learners will reflect on the fitness for purpose of their efforts and practical work. In doing this they will receive feedback directly from the employer, and gain valuable skills in communicating and understanding.

Team based assignments; where learners are working in team based projects, they will need to negotiate, confirm and record their individual team role. This information will be recorded on the Individual Learning Agreement, and will form the focus of the assessment of performance. Learners will be assessed against learning outcomes within their own team role. This will allow for individual grades to be assigned, and will negate learner being vulnerable to their own grade being adversely affected by inadequate performance of other learners. It will be important for learners to self evaluate critically their role as a team member, and how the different roles within the team equate to a fully functional team, or otherwise. In this way learners will gain insight and understanding of how teams operate and the skills they will need to acquire and employ in the industry. The overall product or animation from team based work will receive verbal feedback. This will be supervised by academic staff, and may involve elements of peer and employer feedback. However, learners will be formally assessed on their individual roles within the team.

Educational Aims

The course gives a solid grounding in a wide variety of animation techniques as well as the theory and history of animation. Drawing is taught throughout as a tool for the expression and communication of ideas. Learners will progress to a variety of 2D and 3D animation projects using the latest, industry standard computer animation software. Some of these projects will be work based, giving learners the chance to work and liaise with employers and clients on animation projects. All of the projects provide a realistic experience of the standards and professional practice required to work in the animation industry.

The course is designed to allow learners to explore some of the different specialist career paths in todays animation industry and give an understanding of working practice in animation studios. The Final Major Project is an opportunity to develop a personal project showing the best of the skills developed on the course.

Student support

Learners can access the support systems that are available through the Universitys current support whilst you study area. These can include advice and assistance on handing in assignments. Learners can also access the support arrangements at Bedford College, relating to Access, financial support, pastoral care, counselling and additional support.

Learners will each be allotted a personal tutor who will support and guide them through their studies and monitor their progress by using an Individual Leaning Plan (ILP) or Progress File. Learners will have programmed personal and group tutorials, timetabled as part of their studies.

Team working

Within the field of animation, practitioners are involved in a large amount of team based work, so the ability to be able to function as a team member is important. You will be taught how to recognize the roles in teams, how ideas and views are shared and discussed, critical analysis and decision making in teams and the reflective skills needed to work effectively, such as responsibilities. The two modules Digital Design, Visualization and Animation and the FMP will involve you operating within a team working to a work related or client led brief. The modules Motion graphics and Sound Production and Character Design and Character Animation will also feature a range of team working opportunities.

Career Management Skills

Through working on the assignments, you will learn how to assess and evaluate you own planning and personal skills. You will be asked to contribute alongside your tutor in a partnership to the completion of your individual learning plan or progress file. This will identify the strengths and development areas in your work and propose actions agreed with you and your tutors on how to develop these areas. You will be asked to reflect on your personal skills profile and see how that matches your career aspirations.

Learners will be introduced to available resources such as MyFuture through the colleges study support centre.

Career/Further study opportunities

Career:

Career in animation: Junior Animator; Texture Artists; Compositors; Lighting TDs / Lighters; Layout Artists; Visualiser; Rigger; Runner; Concept Artist; Games Designer; Character Designer; Motion Graphics; Freelance Animator

Further study:

On completion of this course learners are likely to progress onto the following areas:

Level 3 (Year 3) of the BA Animation at University of Bedfordshire.

Employment as a runner, Junior Animator, Layout or Concept Artist etc, within the animation industry.

Freelance based employment within animation.

Entry

Additional:

Portfolio Interview.

UK students Undergraduate entry requirements

Standard entry requirements for Foundation degrees (FD/FdSc)

A foundation degree will be of particular interest if you have completed a Modern Apprenticeship, vocational A levels, BTEC National or equivalent.

Foundation degrees are also particularly suitable if you want to qualify while working.

• As a guideline, a typical offer would require you to obtain a UCAS tariff score of between 80-120 points, based on your level 3 studies.

Many students studying for foundation degrees come to us through work-based routes so you can apply for a foundation degree even if you don’t have traditional academic qualifications.

We welcome applicants with relevant work experience.

Standard entry requirements for Undergraduate degrees (BA/BSc)

We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for both breadth and depth in your current studies as well as enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.

The general requirement is one of the following:

• UCAS Tariff Score greater than 200, which should include either two A level passes or an AVCE Double Award
• An Access qualification
• Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, Scottish Highers, International Baccalaureate or BTEC National Diploma

Students from the European Union

Entry requirements

As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.

We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications.

How to apply

International students

• Undergraduate applications (BA/BSc) can be made direct to the University or via our representatives in your home country. If you intend to apply to more than one university in the UK you should apply via UCAS. If you want to apply to the University of Bedfordshire only you should apply directly using our international application form (link below) or via our representatives in your home country
• Postgraduate applications should be made directly to the University using our international application form (link below) or via our representatives in your home country
• Healthcare, nursing and midwifery students Many of these courses are not available to overseas students due to UK immigration law in regard to bursary funding. Please contact international admissions to find out if you are eligible to apply
• BA Nursing Studies Level 3 (with or without Overseas Nursing Programme) is available to overseas students - please contact International Admissions by email at international-admissions@beds.ac.uk for further information

(Please note that applicants on a full student visa are not eligible for part-time study)

Course application form for international students

We recommend that you apply directly to the University where possible, as this allows us to offer the quickest turnaround time for your application.

• Course application form for direct applications [PDF]

How to complete your course application

Please read the Direct application instructions before completing the course application form.

Application forms for accommodation in the student halls at Bedford campus and Luton campus are available in the Student life section

Accreditation of prior certificated learning (APL)

APL is available for international students applying for undergraduate (Bachelor degree) study. Please do not use this APL form to apply for postgraduate courses.

Use the APL form to tell us about any non-standard qualifications and/or work experience you have that you think should be taken into consideration with your application. `

The APL form should be submitted at the same time as the course application form.

We regret we are unable to process APL forms from students who have not submitted a formal course application form.

• APL application form for International students [100Kb] updated 041007

What next?

Return your completed application to:

University of Bedfordshire
International Admissions
Park Square
Luton
Bedfordshire
LU1 3JU
United Kingdom

Contact International Admissions

T: +44 (0)1582 489326 (non-EU Students)
F: +44 (0)1582 743469
E: international-admissions@beds.ac.uk

Awarding institution

University of Bedfordshire

Professional, Statuatory and Regulatory Body Accreditation

N/A

Students with disabilities

The course team welcomes applications from disabled learners. However, students with severe vision impairment would not necessarily enjoy the course or find it helpful.

Skills Development

Communication

To help with the development of this you will:

Learn how to explain your work and the development of your idea. You will do this through presentations to tutors, peers and employers. You will learn how to use appropriate terminology and evaluative skills, in modules such as Digital Design, Visualization and Animation, and Introduction to animation. You will learn how to present your own work confidently and to justify the ideas and thinking in your work.

Information Literacy

To help with the development of this you will:

Learn how animation has developed and how it is anchored in many of the creative industries. You will learn how to synthesize information and to apply critical thinking and creativity in using information to develop both skill levels and solutions to design briefs. These will feature in modules such as Visual effects, character design and character animation and in motion graphics and introduction to animation.

Research and Evaluation

To help with the development of this you will:

Learn how to extend your knowledge about the history and development of animation through the introduction to animation module. You will learn how to develop your understanding and application of Personal Development Planning (PDP) by evaluating and learning about your systems for tackling projects and the way that you plan your work.

This continues throughout all modules on the course and will be used by both you and your tutors to help improve your ability to plan and manage a range of different tasks.

Creativity and Critical Thinking

To help with the development of this you will:

Learn how to approach a design or animation problem from a variety of different angles or viewpoints. You will need to be able to evaluate and analyse examples of your own animations and the work of others and to make decisions about how to develop work. To do this you should develop your existing skills in analysis and critical awareness. These skills will feature in all of the modules and will inform the FMP Project Planning and Professional Practice, through keeping your attention focused on the creative elements in your work.

Improving learning and performance

The course team is committed to you developing your skills and understanding throughout the course. To do this we will:

• Set clear assignments using language that you can understand


• Teach you through using clear examples, demonstrations and feedback


• Talk to you about your work at assessment, explaining what you have done well, what isnt as strong and how you can improve this


• Provide you with regular tutorials and opportunities to be assessed in a variety of ways verbal, artefact and on screen, for example


• Make sure that you have all the study support you need to be able to achieve the qualification to your full potential


• Ask you to help in assessing each others work so you can learn more about critical analysis and thinking


• Provide you with opportunities to resubmit work for assessment if mitigating circumstances apply

Progress files

You will be developing your progress file as you go through the course. This is a plan and record of your learning, skills and profile that you can use to plan job applications, record your academic and wider skills profile and base items such as your CV on the information it contains. It will also act as a record of your progress through the course. It is available for you to look at whenever you want and will be located on the 2nd floor of the Arts Centre in the staff Office. Arrangements will be made to place an electronic version in your personal IT account.

Professional standards

We want you to be successful and to get the most out of your studies here. To make this happen, we ask students to observe the following standards:

• Observe the colleges studentship standards (held within the Bedford College Student Charter) and observe the requirements shown in the student handbook (including plagiarism of any fellow students work or other source for any aspect of your studies (this will involve disciplinary action)


• Show a professional approach to team based aspects of your studies through positive team building, working to meet deadlines, communicating clearly and acknowledging your responsibilities and contribution to the team as a whole


• Show respect and consideration to employers and places of work, to include strict observance of all health and safety, access and appropriate employment legislation and proper conduct in the workplace when working on placement, meeting clients and presenting work on client based briefs


• Treat all aspects of your studies with importance, and include appropriate time for your personal reflection and Personal Planning and Development work


• Maintain sound working relationships with your tutors, through attendance at specific tutorials, prompt presentation of work and healthy exchanges of views


• Develop a range of enterprise skills through work based or work related learning, to include managing time, presenting work, communicating, managing budgets, negotiation skills and so on


• Strive to be successful in applying the full range of knowledge and skills learnt throughout the programme in their workplace


• Develop effective communicate skills to manage information, deploy arguments and analysis, in a variety of forms, to specialist and non-specialist audiences, and deploy key techniques of the discipline effectively in their field of study and in a work context


• Undertake further training, develop existing skills, and acquire new competences that will enable them to assume responsibility within organisations


• Adopt a professional approach when presenting your work, to clients, in work based learning or in animation showreels, events or end of year shows, through careful handling and manipulation of materials and technology

Strategy for developing and embedding the professional standards

You will be introduced to the standards through an initial induction. At certain points thereafter issues such as legislation, respect for others views etc, will be introduced and discussed according to opportunity. You will have the opportunity to discuss aspects that are personal to you through one-to-one tutorials if you wish.