Course Summary

The world of computer animation is rapidly expanding, and this exciting course offers the opportunity to learn the skills required to work or embark on further study in this field. It brings together the two fields of computing and media art, allowing you to develop core skills in computer animation and computer-generated imagery (CGI). The course offes a hybrid of creative and technical approaches to learning, where you'll have access to high-quality facilities as well as our new computer laboratories.

On this course, you'll work with teams of artists, animators and programmers, benefitting from the experience of staff across the main disciplines and meeting a wide range of industry requirements for computer animators, film production and games development. You'll have access to high-quality animation production facilities, as well as a range of industry standard commercial software, two motion capture rigs, optical and mechanical rigs and 3D sculpting software. The course also builds on the work of our highly regarded Centre for Computer Graphics and Visualisation (CCGV).

Why choose this course?

The skills and knowledge you will acquire on this course will make you highly employable in the fields of film and TV production, design, games development, product modelling and consultancy or technical support.

During the course you will:

• Gain relevant experience and qualifications in computer animation, using the latest industry standard software
• Benefit from the latest animation tools and techniques
• Have access to our state-of-the-art laboratories, with optical and machanical motion capture facilities
• Be taught by experts spanning the fields of visual arts, animation, computer graphics and computer animation

Areas of study you may cover on this course include:

• The need to both understand theory and undertake practical work
• An emphasis on developing the student's ability to (i) think creatively and (ii) visualise situations and solutions
• A substantial exposure to software development and a commercially recognised computer language
• Its relevance to finding a job in the computer animation industry or related field
• The strong commercial potential of computer animation in a broad range of entertainment-related businesses in areas such as image/video editing, computer games, the film industry etc, which have a major presence in the UK and generate significant global income

BSCOZ-S

Assessment

Assessment within the programme consists of a mixture of written assignments, group presentations and centrally invigilated examinations, facilitating the development of a range of study skills. The assessments are designed to test knowledge and understanding of computer animation, and also to demonstrate a range of transferable key skills.

Educational Aims

The BSc Computer Animation will aim to enable students to:

• Establish a conceptual framework of the area and gain an understanding of the fundamental principles of computer animation


• Gain the ability to apply these principles to operational or real world situations


• Become competent at using current computer animation software tools


• Further their capacities for identifying problems, analysing situations and developing solutions in their work, using computer animation as the context


• Integrate their knowledge, skills and experience within a substantial body of original work through minor and major projects


• Enhance their important transferable skills of communication, problem solving and team work


• Develop a professional ethic


• Make an effective contribution to their company, if they should choose an industrial career


• Enhance the students employability and provide them with a suitable level of expertise in computer animation

Student support

Support for Learning Difficulties:

During the induction and PPAD there will be a series of diagnostic tests designed to identify the need for any specialist support (e.g. dyslexia). If identified, students will be referred to the University of Bedfordshire Disability Support Unit.

Support On Academic Issues:

All students are supported, as dictated by the context, by personal tutors, by project tutors, by academic advice sessions and by technical support staff.

Support On the English Language and On Mathematics:

All students undertake Computer Assisted Diagnostic assessment. The results of such diagnostics enable a personalized program to address individual learning requirements in basic mathematical or language skills. The University also offers academic English modules, mainly for International students.

Support On Illness:

Students who become ill during their course receive support and guidance from Student Services.

Team working

Experience of team working is essential to the development of the large and complex computer animated sequences that are predominant nowadays and is much sought after by employers.

Students will have the opportunity to be involved in team projects, working together to design and produce animation sequences or to develop software artefacts using modern animation techniques.

Career Management Skills

Staff from the Centre for Personal and Career Development will be involved with the delivery of this aspect of the curriculum in all three levels. You will be encouraged to follow the SOAR model at a number of points during the curriculum. This approach requires that you become aware of:

• Your own interests, motivations and strengths


• The kinds of opportunities for employment and self development that are available


• Your personal objectives


• How to articulate, evidence and present your achievements and skills

During the Level One Fundamentals of Studying Computing unit, you will be encouraged to explore the potential career opportunities available within your field of study and to establish the skills requirements typically expected by employers.

During Level Two, you will be expected to identify specific roles and vacancies of interest and to complete a mock application, which may include a CV, a covering letter and a mock interview. This activity will require you to establish the fit between your skills and experience and those required to meet the needs of the employer. From this, you will be encouraged to develop an action plan to help you achieve your future objectives. This could, for example, include identifying the need to gain relevant work experience or assisting with the definition of the type of project topic that will be most useful in achieving your career objectives.

There will be other opportunities to practice the skill of interpreting what an employer is looking for and then presenting evidence to support your own application.

Career/Further study opportunities

Career:

Graduates of the program may look to employment within industries related to media production (e.g. Film and TV), multimedia or computer games. The skills acquired from the course will also allow the students to embark on careers in other areas, such as computer programming, 3D modelling, etc.

Further study:

Further study on a taught MSc; numerous relevant examples of such courses can be found.

A research career could be addressed by further study for an MSc by Research, MPhil or PhD.

Entry

Standard:

Standard entry requirements for UK students - http://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/ukugentryreqs

Students from the European Union - http://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/eu/guides

International students - http://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/international/apply

Additional:

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

Physical impairment in the form of depreciated visual, audio, mobility and neurological cognitive faculties will, where identified and practicable, be ameliorated by the deployment of appropriate hardware, software and individual support. A department disability tutor is tasked with providing assistance for such students.

For this particular course, the following element of it may require special consideration and further discussion: computer programs whose output is visual and / or sound.

Skills Development

Communication

To help with the development of this you will:

• Work in groups which will provide you with opportunities to practice oral communication by participating in group discussions and verbal presentations


• Write reports and surveys on your literature review


• Document your work on your animation design and program code

Information Literacy

To help with the development of this:

• You will be shown when and why you need information (for example to validate or support a claim), where to find it, and how to evaluate, use and communicate it in an ethical manner.

Research and Evaluation

To help with the development of this you will:

• Be encouraged to explore research documents through literature reviews in order to understand the latest development in the area

Creativity and Critical Thinking

To help with the development of this you will:

• Be shown how to use a number of formal tools and techniques (such as brainstorming, SCAMPER, de Bonos six thinking hats and thinking tools)


• Be given opportunities to apply these to commercially relevant problem situations


• Review the weakness of current animation techniques


• Design and produce creative animation sequences

Improving learning and performance

Students are expected to undertake a large amount of personal study and research, developing essential self-learning and planning skills through the course. The personal tutor will encourage you to use information such as assignment feedback, peer feedback and self-assessments to identify ways in which you can achieve your personal objectives in future assignments.

You will be expected to identify and pursue developmental opportunities such as those offered by the Personal and Academic Development Unit (PAD) or the Centre for Personal and Career Development.

Progress files

During your time at University you will be required to maintain a collection of examples of work such as software artefacts and reports and the feedback you get from these assignments. The online `content collection will be used to support this. This record of work will help you to chart your development and potentially help to provide evidence of your achievements and skills for when you are seeking to enter employment or further study.

You will also be expected to maintain one or more ePortfolios as a record of your development. These will include a mixture of reflective writing on topics such as your goals, self evaluation, observations on your studies and strategies for success and will include documents such as a CV.

Professional standards

The Department of Computing and Information Systems adheres to the professional standards and codes of conduct and code of practice of the British Computer Society. As undergraduates on this course, students will be expected to adhere to these standards at all times particularly when undertaking their final year projects.

Students will be expected to behave in a professional way during their studies

• To attend regularly and punctually


• To understand the standards expected by employers, in presenting yourself both physically (body language, dress code, appropriate formal language etc) and in writing (quality of presentation, appropriately formal language, attention to detail etc)


• To take responsibility for your performance in team exercises


• To behave in a sensible way within the computer labs, complying with the acceptable use policies on mobile phone use and eating and drinking for example


• To avoid plagiarism all assignment submissions must be your own work


• To be aware of relevant ethical standards and to behave in an ethical way

Strategy for developing and embedding the professional standards

To ensure that standards are adhered to, the programme has been designed so that students will be educated about the professional standards of their field (this is covered within the Fundamentals of Computing unit at Level 1, as well as the Social & Professional Project Management unit at Level 3). It is also expected that students undertaking their final year project will sign an ethical form to show that the work they undertake during their project will be conducted in an ethically accepted manner.

A professional approach is developed by a variety of means, including developmental activities but also enforcement and interventions.

Monitoring attendance enforces good study habits. Attendance data is collected by the Faculty and is used to identify students who have failed to attend two consecutive sessions on any one unit. An intervention by email or SMS text message is used to let the student know that they have been missed and to request an explanation.

The language of `competences, which are meaningful to employers and are requirements for candidates for employment are explained to students and used as assessment criteria on a number of assessments. Students are given several opportunities to self assess and to develop strategies to develop these skills.

The development of professional standards of behaviour is supported by a series of contacts with the Academic to Business Computing Unit (ABC); in these, students participate in a series of commercially relevant group decision-making exercises and projects. Students are given feedback on their professionalism as well as on a number of `competences of interest to employers. This process is part of the overall Personal Development Planning that students undertake, supported by a personal tutor, in which they are expected to assess their own performance against relevant commercial or academic criteria and to plan how to improve.

Students underperforming in team assessments are penalised using a peer assessment mechanism. Each team member allocates scores to each other member. Students receiving low peer assessments have their marks reduced accordingly. Behaviour in the laboratories and conformance to the acceptable use policy is monitored and enforced by the laboratory stewards.

Plagiarism is explored during the Fundamentals of Computer Studies unit. Students will be shown how to avoid it, how to reference fully and how to paraphrase. To ensure that students work, particularly written reports, does not contain plagiarised material, the online Turnitin plagiarism detection tool is used in many assessments, and is demonstrated to students to help them understand the issue.

Relevant ethical and legal issues are explored in a number of units and students are required to consider the ethical aspects of their own project proposal in the final year.