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Animation with Foundation Year

Course details
  • BA (Hons)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-time
  • 09/2026
  • Undergraduate
Course location
Main Site

Course summary

Why study at Derby?

On our BA (Hons) Animation programme, you’ll experiment with the latest digital software, learn about the principles of animation, produce distinctive animated films and develop the professional awareness you need to launch your career. Working with experienced teaching staff in our newly refurbished, dedicated production studio, you will gain the knowledge and expertise you need through traditional and digital animation practice.

• You will experiment with a broad range of methods, materials and processes, from traditional hand-drawn animation to 3D digital techniques.
• The course will encourage you to select from and combine methods in pursuing your individual interests, developing a distinctive approach to animation production and helping you to realise your own unique vision.
• You will explore the use of animation for storytelling, social commentary, personal agenda films, documentary, music videos, live performance, broadcasting and advertising.

Our varied and exciting curriculum includes drawing, sequential image making, 2D and 3D computer animation, character development, narrative, timing, editing, sound and the historical and contemporary context of animation. Animation plays an increasingly important role in the messages that are part of our daily lives, not only on our film and television screens but also on the internet and mobile devices. The programme provides the ideal preparation for many careers in Animation both as an independent filmmaker or part of a wider creative team.

External live projects, competitions and exhibitions will help you get your work noticed and give you experience of professional practice. In your final year, you will produce a final graduation film to send to a range of national and international animation and film festivals. The course features visits from high-profile industry professionals, with a chance to be inspired by leading practitioners such as BAFTA nominated animation studio Fettle, who have visited the course to talk about their practice and to advise our third year students about how to begin a career in the creative industries.
The emphasis throughout the programme is on practical project work which integrates technical, analytical, intellectual and organisational aspects of professional practice. You’ll also enjoy an exciting variety of other teaching and learning methods, including workshop practice, demonstrations, group critiques, field studies, cultural visits, lectures, seminars, individual tutorials, work checks, reports and assignments..

Find out more: www.derby.ac.uk/undergraduate/art-design-courses/animation-ba-hons-foundation

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
WW26
Institution code:
D39
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Foundation

Open days

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - 72 points

Offers will be made initially based on your application, including predicted grades and/or grades you have already achieved. Following this, if you submit a strong portfolio we will make you an unconditional offer, to reflect the quality of your work and your potential.

A level - DDD

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - MMP

Access to HE Diploma - D: 0 credits M: 30 credits P: 15 credits

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE Maths and English are preferred, however if you don't have these qualifications you will be able to undertake Maths and English at L2 as part of your course of study.

T Level - P

Additional entry requirements

Portfolio

English language requirements

IELTS overall score at a minimum of 6.0; with at least IELTS 5.5 in each band (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing) or another Secure English Language Test(SELT)at CEFR level B2 or above

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We have excluded the Grades on Entry data for this course. We may operate some flexibility with entry grades to support widening participation, though most of the students that enrol on this course achieve the published entry tariff or above. Applicants who achieve grades below the published tariff may be offered an alternative course or a 4-year route if there is one available. For further information please contact askadmissions@derby.ac.uk.

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

LocationFeeYear
EU£16900*Year 1
International£16900*Year 1
England£9535*Year 1
Northern Ireland£9535*Year 1
Scotland£9535*Year 1
Wales£9535*Year 1
Channel Islands£9535*Year 1

* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

The quoted fee is an indicative fee based on last year’s fees, as the fees for the 2026 term not yet been confirmed.

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