The Art of Computer Animation (3D)

Advancements in technology and the boom of the VFX industry have made computer animation one of the fastest growing industries, with an estimated value of £1.6bn in the UK (source Creative UK). Whether it's in CGI animated movies, live-action films, commercials, TV or video games, there’s never been a better time to join the creative world.

This course has been developed with professional Animators to give you the skills you need to make your mark in a studio. Along with technical and creative skills, you’ll develop your experience and soft skills and build your network of industry contacts. All of this will lead you to produce a killer portfolio and turn your passion into a successful career.

You’ll explore a range of animation techniques. Intensive hands-on tutorials will be taught in our London industry-standard facilities, by experienced tutors who’ve worked on the likes of The Lion King, Godzilla and Doctor Strange.

Why choose this course

• Ranked 3rd in the UK for 3D Animation 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

• 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 including Rare, Rockstar, Ubisoft, DNEG and Framestore. 47 Escapees worked on Avengers: Endgame, 26 on The Mandalorian 23 on Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 3 and 16 on Stranger Things

• Study in a studio environment that mirrors current industry practice, using professional software such as Maya

• Professional input - our advisory board of experts, from the likes of DNEG and Cinesite, help develop and keep this degree up to date. You will also receive feedback on some of your work from industry professionals.

• 3D specialism - follow 3D specialist modules in your second and third years, including character animation, storyboarding, motion capture or games animation.

First year (Level 4 - 120 credits)

Students on our BA/MArt Animation, Games, Visual Effects and Motion Graphics degrees study common modules in their first year. This will give you the all-round skills needed to become a professional, and a chance to choose a different specialism if you change your mind before your second year (subject to availability).

Creative foundations - craft (30 credits)
Creative foundations - project (30 credits)
Computer animation - core (15 credits)
Video game art - core (15 credits)
Compositing for VFX - core (15 credits)
3D for VFX - core (15 credits)

Second year (Level 5 - 120 credits)

You’ll start to specialise in 3D computer animation and work in teams on industry-style projects.

Computer animation (3D) - Pro (30 credits)
Computer animation (3D) - Advanced (30 credits)
Specialism (15 credits) - options include:

Character animation - including feature film and TV work
Games animation - focusing on cycles, behaviours and actions
Animal and creature animation - focusing on realistic VFX work
2D animation - hand-drawn or animated with software such as Adobe Animate
Storyboarding
Character design
Motion capture

Industry studio project (45 credits)

Third year (Level 6 - 120 credits)

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)
Professional practice (30 credits)
Professional studio project (60 credits)

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:

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 2D or 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.

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: https://www.pearsoncollegelondon.ac.uk/for-students/current-students/student-handbooks.html

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

• Course does not award QTS