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Postgraduate

MA 3D Computer Animation

Still of animation showing a figure of a solider standing in a graveyard.
Work by Zhengyang Guo
College
London College of Communication
Start date
September 2024
Course length
1 year 3 months full-time (45 weeks across a four-term model)

MA 3D Computer Animation is a practice-led course that explores both the theory and practice of digital 3D animation in film, television, games and interactive applications.

Applying for more than 1 course

You can apply for more than 1 postgraduate course at UAL but we recommend that you apply for no more than 3. Find out more in the Apply Now section.

Why choose this course at London College of Communication

  • Industry links: Lectures, workshops and visiting practitioner sessions will inspire and immerse you within an evolving field. Learning from industry guests including animators, directors and producers, you’ll connect with organisations such as Union VFX, Supermassive Games and The Third Floor.
  • Flexibility and personalisation: You’ll position yourself as a specialist who can push the boundaries of what’s possible in 3D computer animation.
  • Creative and critical skills: You’ll have the freedom and encouragement to nurture ideas and forms of play through projects and workshops in experimental image-making, filmmaking and research. You’ll also develop a critical understanding of film language, animation, games and immersive experiences, and apply these approaches to your practice.
  • Collaborative community: Opportunities to collaborate with other Screen School courses such as MA Games Design, MA Visual Effects, MA Animation and MA Virtual Reality will enable you to consider different perspectives while producing exciting work.
  • Outstanding facilities: You’ll have access to workshops and studios where you’ll be supported to develop intermediate and advanced 3D computer animation skills.

Open Evenings

The next Open Evening for this course will be announced soon.

Course overview

In an era of unparalleled opportunities for skilled visual players and sequential image-makers, you will create, explore and play with 3D digital technologies and develop a specialist personal practice.

The animation industry is rapidly evolving, with new developments in real-time animation and immersive digital world-building.

Through experimentation and learning of advanced technical skills, you’ll instigate innovative approaches driven by critical understanding and self-reflection.

During the course, you’ll create 3D computer animation sequences and assets, both individually and as part of creative teams comprising students from different media disciplines.

Collaborative work forms an important part of the course philosophy and you'll work with external industry partners as well as other courses within LCC such as MA Games Design, MA Illustration and Visual Media, MA Visual Effects and MA Animation.

The course curriculum covers to two main areas:

  • ​Animation for Film and Motion Graphics

In this area, you'll learn the skills to be a specialist in the latest technologies within animation, lighting and compositing.

Building on the principles of animation, cinematography and film language, you’ll explore filmic storytelling and characterisation within short animated sequences, motion graphics and/or short films.

  • Animation for Games and Immersive Storytelling

You’ll learn specialist 3D animation techniques such as real-time animation, environment design, interactive design and 360° storytelling.

What can you expect?

As well as developing skills in 3D space narrative and interpreting ideas for the flat screen, you’ll also explore the differences between producing linear storytelling and viewer-led interactive experiences.

You’ll be encouraged to work across multiple formats, exploring how animation can be used in different contexts such as in the digital media, online, mobile and interactive games and installations, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR).

Work experience and opportunities

Live industry projects, workshops and professionals masterclasses, will introduce you to a field that’s constantly growing and developing, giving you skills for work in a collaborative and/or independent practice.

Through engagement with a range of industry professionals and permanent teaching staff, you’ll have access to workshops that build in complexity from intermediate to advanced levels across 3D computer animation skills.

Academic contextualisation, criticality and curiosity underpin studio practice, while collaboration across courses and programmes within the Screen School are encouraged.

The course supports progression to research at MPhil/PhD level as well as to advanced self-directed practice.

Mode of Study

MA 3D Computer Animation is in Full Time mode which runs for 45 weeks over 15 months. You will be expected to commit 40 hours per week to study.

Course units

In response to the Climate Emergency, UAL has embedded responsible practices within the curriculum. We shaped our courses around principles of social and racial justice, and environmental sustainability that ensure learning outcomes reflect the urgent need to equip you with the understanding, skills, and values for ethical practice and empower you to work towards an equitable future.

MA 3D Computer Animation is delivered across four terms, starting in September and finishing in December the year after. Incorporating a summer break, this is a one-year full-time course (45 taught weeks), delivered over 15 months.

You will respond to briefs that are set to test the learning in the units described below. Each course is divided into units, which are credit-rated. The minimum unit size is 20 credits. The MA course structure involves five units, totalling 180 credits.

Autumn, Term 1

3D Computer Animation Fundamentals (40 credits)
Design for Animation, Narrative Structures and Film Language (20 Credits)

In Term 1, you will explore a range of both technical and conceptual approaches to 3D computer animation and real-time motion graphics.

Work will explore technologies and processes by producing short-form animation across the 3D computer animation spectrum to set briefs.

You'll also engage in a programme of theoretical seminars that explore the cinematic and interactive underpinning of this practice.

This phase is the technical and conceptual basis for the subsequent phases of the course.

Spring and Summer, Terms 2 and 3

Advanced and Experimental 3D Computer Animation Techniques (40 credits)
Collaborative Unit (20 Credits)

In Terms 2 and 3, you will engage in experimental 3D computer animation processes and practice, developing your distinct visual voice.

This is underpinned by a critical study that will significantly expand your understanding of what themes animation can address in a critical context and across interdisciplinary fields.

You will experiment widely across a technical programme introducing you to various 3D computer animation techniques.

These techniques focus on pushing the boundary of what 3D computer animation can deliver, exploring formats from flat screen to AR and VR, and potential interactive approaches and games.

Autumn, Term 4

Final Major Project and Thesis (60 Credits)

In Term 4, you will use the knowledge, skills and experience gained on the course so far, and synthesise these through the production of a collaborative interdisciplinary or self-directed longer final major project and associated thesis.

The thesis is a 5000-word reflective report should show that the design and production processes carried out in your final major project exhibit the required characteristics for a Masters degree.

It should discuss the decisions that have been made and placed in the context of current industry practice and research in the area and reflect on the process and the final multimedia content to identify its strengths and weaknesses.

It is an opportunity for you to demonstrate the depth of critical understanding of your field and to show that you can objectively analyse your own work.

Learning and teaching methods

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Critiques
  • Workshops 

Online Open Day

(recorded February 2023)

Course leader, Friendred Peng, gives an overview of studying MA 3D Computer Animation at London College of Communication.

Graduate showcase

Explore work by our recent students on the UAL Showcase

  • Little Sweetheart
    Little Sweetheart, Veronika Butkevich, 2023 MA 3D Computer Animation, London College of Communication, UAL
  • STITCHED THROUGH
    STITCHED THROUGH, Gloria Corra, 2023 MA 3D Computer Animation, London College of Communication, UAL
  • Dream
    Dream, Jiaruo Zhang, 2023 MA 3D Computer Animation, London College of Communication, UAL
  • Dutty Juice
    Dutty Juice, Caroline James, 2023 MA 3D Computer Animation, London College of Communication, UAL
  • The reset point
    The reset point, Wenjiang Gui, 2023 MA 3D Computer Animation, London College of Communication, UAL
  • FMP project
    FMP project, Yuting Yan, 2024 MA 3D Computer Animation, London College of Communication, UAL

Student work

  • Zhengyang-Guo.png
    Work by Zhengyang Guo, MA 3D Computer Animation
  • Shut-Down_Guanze-Wu-Wanxuan-Liu-_-Zhenzhong-Liang-2122-collabration-unit.png
    Shut Down by Guanze Wu, Wanxuan Liu, Zhenzhong Liang, MA 3D Computer Animation
  • Zhenzhong-Liang.jpg
    Still from animated film by Zhenzhong Liang, MA 3D Animation
  • 4-1.png
    The deep mist by Zhenzhong Liang, Ziyin Wang,Yaozhang Zhong and Guanze Wu, MA 3D Computer Animation
  • 1.jpg
    Animation by Zhuoqun Wang
  • beth.jpg
    Animation by Beth Doherty
  • blockingpose06.jpg
    Animation by Beth Doherty
  • Iva-Kasapova.png
    Iva Kasapova, 2020. MA 3D Computer Animation, London College of Communication, UAL. 2020
    MA 3D Computer Animation, London College of Communication, UAL
  • Junru-Tao.png
    Junru Tao, 2020. MA 3D Computer Animation, London College of Communication, UAL. 2020
    MA 3D Computer Animation, London College of Communication, UAL
  • Luca-Bowles.jpg
    Luca Bowles, 2020. MA 3D Computer Animation, London College of Communication, UAL. 2020
    MA 3D Computer Animation, London College of Communication, UAL | Photograph: Luca Bowles

Course playlist

Danse Macabre, Dance Off by Esme Duncan

Shradda tells us about her final year animation, inspired by a trip to Kew Gardens.

Aquarium Teaser by Kaiwen Xiao

Grief by Tony Maldonado III and Lousi Atkin

I AM by Lei Tao,

The Kiss

The Kiss is an animated short film by Anto Frederic.

Student Voices

Esme Duncan

Esme’s final major project, ‘Roofs’, is a short animated documentary portraying 6 people’s accounts of lockdown.

Shraddha Mithinti

Course Stories

Facilities

  • Student reading a book in between two bookshelves in the Library
    Students in the Digital Space. London College of Communication, UAL. Photograph: Alys Tomlinson

    Digital Space

    The Digital Space is an open-plan, creative hub with computers set up with specialist software.

  • A 3D model of a wolf produced by an animation student.
    Image © Lewis Bush

    Animation and Games  

    Discover the range of resources on offer to students studying Animation and Games Design.

  • Students using the computers in the Digital Space
    Student in Creative Technology Lab, 2020. London College of Communication, UAL. Photograph: Tim Boddy

    Creative Technology Lab  

    A multi-purpose space that supports students with: Creative Coding, Physical Computing, Projection Mapping, Games, and Virtual Reality.

Staff

Fees and funding

Home fee

£13,330

This fee is correct for 2024/25 entry and is subject to change for 2025/26 entry.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students on courses lasting more than one year. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.

Students from countries outside of the UK will generally be charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about tuition fees and determining your fee status.

International fee

£28,570

This fee is correct for 2024/25 entry and is subject to change for 2025/26 entry.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students on courses lasting more than one year. For this course, you can pay tuition fees in instalments.

Students from countries outside of the UK will generally be charged international fees. The rules are complex so read more about tuition fees and determining your fee status.

Scholarship search

Entry requirements

An applicant will normally be considered for admission if they have achieved an educational level equivalent to an honours degree in either animation, illustration, visual communication, graphic design or closely related subject, and present a portfolio of moving-image work. However, we do not exclude candidates who have graduated from other less strongly aligned disciplines.

This educational level may be demonstrated by:

  • Honours degree (named above);
  • Possession of equivalent qualifications;
  • Prior experiential learning, the outcome of which can be demonstrated to be equivalent to formal qualifications otherwise required;
  • Or a combination of formal qualifications and experiential learning which, taken together, can be demonstrated to be equivalent to formal qualifications otherwise required.

APEL (Accreditation of Prior Learning)

Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:

  • Related academic or work experience
  • The quality of the personal statement
  • A strong academic or other professional reference
  • OR a combination of these factors

Each application will be considered on its own merit but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case.

Language requirements

All classes are conducted in English. If English is not your first language, we strongly recommend you let us know your English language test score in your application. If you have booked a test or are awaiting your results, please indicate this in your application. When asked to upload a CV as part of your application, please include any information about your English test score.

  • IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) is required, with a minimum of 5.5 in each of the four skills.
  • If your first language is not English, you can check you have achieved the correct IELTS level in English on the Language Requirements page.

For further details regarding international admissions and advice please visit the International Applications page.

Selection criteria

Offers will be made based on the following selection criteria, which applicants are expected to demonstrate:

  • Sufficient prior knowledge and experience of and/or potential in animation practice to be able to successfully complete the programme of study, and have an academic or professional background in a relevant subject
  • Knowledge of visual culture and an ability to engage in critical discussion

Apply now

Application deadline

Deadline

Round 1:

13 December 2023 at 1pm (UK time)

Round 2:

3 April 2024 at 1pm (UK time)

Digital portfolio and video task deadline

Round 1:

16 January 2024

Round 2:

16 April 2024

Decision outcome

Round 1:

End of March 2024

Round 2:

End of June 2024

Round 1
Round 2
Deadline
13 December 2023 at 1pm (UK time)
3 April 2024 at 1pm (UK time)
Digital portfolio and video task deadline
16 January 2024
16 April 2024
Decision outcome
End of March 2024
End of June 2024

All applications received by 3 April will be treated equally. If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Read more about deadlines

Apply now

Application deadline

Deadline

Round 1:

13 December 2023 at 1pm (UK time)

Round 2:

3 April 2024 at 1pm (UK time)

Digital portfolio and video task deadline

Round 1:

16 January 2024

Round 2:

16 April 2024

Decision outcome

Round 1:

End of March 2024

Round 2:

End of June 2024

Round 1
Round 2
Deadline
13 December 2023 at 1pm (UK time)
3 April 2024 at 1pm (UK time)
Digital portfolio and video task deadline
16 January 2024
16 April 2024
Decision outcome
End of March 2024
End of June 2024

All applications received by 3 April will be treated equally. If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Read more about deadlines

Apply to UAL

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How to apply

Follow this step-by-step guide to apply for this course

Step 1: Initial application

You will need to submit an initial application including your personal statement and CV.

Personal statement advice

Your personal statement should be maximum 500 words and include:

  • your reasons for choosing the course
  • your current creative practice and how this course will help you achieve your future plans
  • any relevant education and experience, especially if you do not have any formal academic qualifications.

Visit our personal statement page for more advice.

CV advice

Please provide a CV detailing your education, qualifications and any relevant work or voluntary experience. If you have any web projects or other media that you would like to share, please include links in your CV. If English is not your first language, please also include your most recent English language test score.

Step 2: Video task and digital portfolio

We will review your initial application. If you have met the standard entry requirements, we will ask you to submit a video task and digital portfolio.

You’ll need to submit these via PebblePad, our online portfolio tool. Please submit your video task on the first page followed by your portfolio.

Video task advice

We’d like you to submit a 2-3 minute video to help us learn more about you. When recording your task, please face the camera and speak in English.

What to include in your video task

  • Choose 1 project from your portfolio and explain how it challenged you and your understanding of animation.
  • Tell us how this experience inspired you to apply to MA 3D Computer Animation at London College of Communication.

Read our guidance for how to submit your video task and which file types we accept.

Digital portfolio advice

Your portfolio should consist of recent work that reflects your creative strengths.

It should:

  • be maximum of 20 pages
  • include work from a minimum of 5 projects
  • include examples of image-led and visual work from either education or professional practice which focuses on experimental 3D animation or moving image related practice
  • include an animated showreel of minimum 60 seconds, stating the techniques used and your role (artist, animator, editor, sound etc.)
  • illustrate your creative practices and how they might help you on the course if you come from a non-animation background.

For more support, see our Portfolio advice and PebblePad advice.

Step 3: Interview

You may be invited to an interview following our review of your application. All interviews are held online and last 15 to 20 minutes.

For top tips, see our Interview advice.

You also need to know

Communicating with you

Once you have submitted your initial application, we will email you with your login details for our Applicant portal.

Requests for supplementary documents like qualifications and English language tests will be made through the applicant portal. You can also use it to ask questions regarding your application. Visit our After you apply page for more information.

Applying to more than 1 course

You can apply for more than 1 postgraduate course at UAL but we recommend that you apply for no more than 3 courses. You need to tailor your application, supporting documents and portfolio to each course, so applying for many different courses could risk the overall quality of your application. If you receive offers for multiple courses, you'll only be able to accept 1 offer. UAL doesn't accept repeat applications to the same course in the same academic year.

Visas and immigration history check

All non-UK nationals must complete an immigration history check. Your application may be considered by our course teams before this check takes place. This means that we may request your portfolio and/or video task before we identify any issues arising from your immigration history check. Sometimes your history may mean that we are not able to continue considering your application. Visit our Immigration and visas advice page for more information.

External student transfer policy

UAL accepts transfers from other institutions on a case-by-case basis. Read our Student transfer policy for more information.

Alternative offers

If your application is really strong, but we believe your strengths and skillset are better suited to a different course, we may make you an alternative offer. This means you will be offered a place on a different course or at a different UAL College.

Deferring your place

We do not accept any deferral requests for our postgraduate courses. This means that you must apply in the year that you plan to start your course and you will not be able to defer your place to start at a later date.

Application deadlines

For postgraduate courses at UAL there are 2 equal consideration deadlines to ensure fairness for all our applicants. If you apply ahead of either of these deadlines, your application will be considered on an equal basis with all other applications in that round. If there are places available after the second deadline, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Careers

Careers include:

  • Visual Effects/Animation Runner
  • Junior Matchmove Artist
  • Junior Animator for Games/Film/TV
  • Junior Layout Artist
  • Junior Previs Animator/Shot Creator