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Undergraduate

BA (Hons) Animation

Animated figures with smiling faces.
Yunnuo Lui, BA (Hons) Animation, London College of Communication, UAL.
College
London College of Communication
UCAS code
W617
Start date
September 2024
Course length
3 years

BA (Hons) Animation is a practice-led course, enabling you to choose one of two specialist pathways: Experimental and Character. You’ll gain entrepreneurial skills, develop expertise across the production process, and learn how flexibility can help you deal with the challenges of being a professional animator.

Why choose this course at London College of Communication

  • You’ll learn core traditional skills and principles in animation to underpin your future specialism in areas such as 3D digital animation and modelling, or stop-motion animation, as well as 2D analogue and digital.
  • Drawing is taught as a key skill that informs all aspects of your subject knowledge and technical expertise, underpinning strong animation and design skills while enabling you to express your creative ideas with skill and dexterity.
  • Digital animation is taught intensively from Year 1 onwards, recognising the particular demands of this skillset and the levels of expertise expected of graduates by industry.
  • ‘Live’ projects and competitions are delivered in collaboration with external industry partners, giving you the opportunity to practice your skills in a professional context while building a professional portfolio of work. Previous partners  include: Channel 4, MTV, National Trust, All Saints Records, Marmite and The Royal Society.

Open Days

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

Explore life at LCC with our interactive Virtual Open Day.

Course accredited by:

Course overview

BA (Hons) Animation encourages you to explore formats and outcomes beyond traditional modes. In Year 1 you’ll learn core creative skills in idea development, design, pre-production and production techniques all of which underpins the wide range of contemporary animation practices.

After discussion with tutors you will then choose a pathway that fits with your developing skills and specific creative interests and abilities.

The Experimental pathway will encourage you to experiment with design, technique, content and format. You can explore a range of approaches and processes beyond conventional formats such as performance, installation, interactive, projection mapping, stop-motion, short film or documentary form.

On the Character pathway, you’ll engage with a wide range of current and emerging technical skills and knowledge. Specialising in character animation, you will learn skills in 2D and stop-motion animation, character design, storyboarding, storytelling and creative writing while developing your understanding of the professional production pipeline.

What to expect

  • You’ll look at animation in a broad context and develop your expertise across the whole production process while working both individually and in teams.
  • You’ll be taught drawing as a key skill that informs your subject and technical knowledge, and learn how to deal with the challenges of being a professional creative practitioner, such as the importance of flexibility and the value of entrepreneurial skills.
  • An emphasis on developing your communication and presentation skills, giving you the confidence to share your ideas to colleagues and clients in professional contexts.

Industry experience and opportunities

The course is designed to ensure you’ll benefit from access to the specialist creative industries in London, as well as other Colleges within the University, a network of professionals, and key industry partners.

Industry-led and mentored ‘live’ projects and competitions are delivered in collaboration with external industry partners, giving you the opportunity to practice your skills in a professional context and to build a professional portfolio of work. Previous industry partners include: Channel 4, MTV, National Trust, All Saints Records, Marmite, The Royal Society, Tate, V&A Museum of Childhood, Westfield, British Library, Hostelworld, Child Poverty Action Group, and Horniman Museum and Gardens.

Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake the Diploma in Professional Studies or the UAL Diploma in Creative Computing between Years 2 and 3 to enhance your learning experience and employability skills.

Mode of study

BA (Hons) Animation runs for 93 weeks in full time mode. It is divided into 3 stages over 3 academic years. Each stage lasts 31 weeks.

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.

In common with all courses at University of the Arts London, this course is credit rated. The course is 3 years, levels 4-6. Each year requires you to achieve 120 credit points. To be awarded the BA (Hons) Animation qualification, you need to accumulate a total of 360 credits.

Year 1

All students take the same units in Year 1, although the projects will vary in the Visual Narrative unit focusing their proposed pathway specialism.

Introduction to Animation (20 credits)

With a focus on theoretical, critical and practical skills development, you’ll be introduced to the course and its subject specialism, as well as effective learning at undergraduate level.

Production Principles (40 credits)

This unit introduces you to the fundamental terminology, technology and craft skills that underpin all areas of animation across all pathways. You’ll work in 2D drawn animation (analogue and digital), 3D computer animation, and Visual Effects. The unit covers a range of key production areas including the principles of animation, observational drawing, design for animation, character design, storytelling, creative writing, sound and performance, and focuses on short projects developed through skills-based workshops.

Visual Narrative (40 credits)

An extension of Production Principles, this unit will provide a deeper understanding of how narrative is constructed visually. You’ll attend workshops aligned to the 4 pathway options and have the opportunity to select your preferred area of specialism.

Informed Practice 1 (20 credits)

You’ll be introduced to histories, theories and debates in relation to animation and visual and material culture. Focusing on the development of creative ideas, you’ll explore the common themes and relationships between theory and culture. You will explore a broad knowledge base around contemporary discussions in relation to sustainability, social justice, inclusivity and ethics in animation.

Year 2

Both pathways will follow the same unit structure to enable collaboration across the pathways, however the content and delivery will be differentiated to reflect the specialisms.

Pathway Units – Principles (40 Credits)

Building on Year 1, you’ll advance your learning through the technical and practical skills of your specialism.

  • Principles of Experimental: If you follow the Experimental pathway, you’ll experiment with design, technique, content and format and have opportunities to explore a range of areas beyond conventional formats such as performance, installation, interactive, projection mapping, short film or documentary.
  • Principles of Character: If you follow the Character Pathway then you’ll focus on developing your understanding of the fundamentals of animation such as character design, storyboarding, storytelling and creative writing.

Professional Practices (20 credits)

Focusing on work-based learning, this unit will help you to consider your future career goals and the steps you need to take to achieve them. You’ll also be introduced to essential tools for professional presentation through tutorials and workshops. If you’re interested in applying for the Diploma in Professional Studies, we’ll support you through the application process.

Exploratory Practice: Experimental/ Character (40 Credits)

Whichever pathway you take, you’ll explore the application of your skills through a selection of longer form projects. At this level, you’ll be encouraged to enquire about your own personal and unique approach to your subject area.

Technical skills workshops will continue on all pathways, these include:

  • Experimental: After Effects and other Adobe Suite software, Resolume, production design, puppet-making, and lighting and cinematography for stop-motion.
  • Character: Toon Boom Harmony, Storyboard Pro, After Effects and other Adobe Suite software, performance for animation, lip synch, and the animation production pipeline.

Informed Practice 2 (20 credits)

Following on from Informed Practice 1, this unit is a shared unit across all pathways and will expand upon histories, theories and debates in relation to animation, games, visual effects and visual and material culture. Continuing to focus on the development of creative ideas, you’ll explore the common themes and relationships between theory and culture and your place within it.

Year 3 – (Year 4 for students returning from an additional Diploma year)

All pathways will follow the same unit structure to provide the opportunity for collaboration across the pathways; however, the content and delivery will be differentiated to reflect the specialisms.

Final Major Project: Experimental/ Character (60 credits)

The Final Major Project is a collaborative project that will allow you to make a significant contribution to a major project in a specialist role within a small production team. Working with a carefully formed team based on your interests and specialisms, this is an opportunity for you to demonstrate the skills you've developed over the course.

Professional Futures (40 credits)

This unit builds on the experiences gained through Year 2 Professional Practices. There’s a focus on tailoring skills towards a specific role within the industry, and on developing professional methods and tools of presentation such as CV and personal website. The unit will contribute towards your portfolio of work. This experience will give you the opportunity to make introductions to contacts in the animation and creative industries.

Informed Practice 3 (20 credits)

This unit is a culmination of the ‘Informed Practice’ component of the course. The subject of your work will be based on a written proposal and research produced at the end of the second year, and can be directly linked to other Year 3 units.

Optional Diploma between Years 2 and 3

Between Years 2 and 3 of the course, you’ll also have the opportunity to undertake one of the following additional UAL qualifications:

Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS) (Optional)

An optional, year-long learning opportunity which enables you to develop your professional skills by undertaking time out for industry experience. Supported throughout the year by academics, you’ll build on the knowledge gained on your course in a range of national or international locations, and graduate with an additional qualification of Diploma in Professional Studies.

Diploma in Creative Computing (Optional)

Between Years 2 and 3, you can undertake the year-long Diploma in Creative Computing. This will develop your skills in creative computing alongside your degree. After successfully completing the diploma and your undergraduate degree, you’ll graduate with an enhanced degree: BA (Hons) Animation (with Creative Computing).

Learning and teaching methods

  • Seminars
  • Study visits
  • Personal tutorials
  • Group tutorials
  • Lectures
  • Guest lectures
  • Workshops

Online Open Day

(Recorded November 2022)

Course Leader, Stuart Hilton, gives an overview of what it's like to study BA (Hons) Animation at London College of Communication.

Graduate showcase

Explore work by our recent students on the UAL Showcase

  • treasured lessons
    treasured lessons, Cyia Maher, 2023 BA (Hons) Animation, London College of Communication, UAL
  • TV series-Rotten Forgotten
    TV series-Rotten Forgotten, ruo zhang liao, 2023 BA (Hons) Animation, London College of Communication, UAL
  • Leaving the Nest - Animated short film
    Leaving the Nest - Animated short film, Hanna Scott, 2023 BA (Hons) Animation, London College of Communication, UAL
  • The Woodcarver
    The Woodcarver, Brandon Enriquez, 2023 BA (Hons) Animation, London College of Communication, UAL

Student work

Ma’s Well Cooked

A chef working in the last restaurant in the world knows everyone by name until a stranger appears and threatens the peace.

Work by Alexandra Kostyuk, Joshua Brand, Francesca Agolli, Luxi Rong, Baisen Diao, Evangelos Markou, Fabian Wong and Shiran Shu.

Where the Orchids Grow

A woman named Vidnaka is tasked to protect her tribe in the forest, however, due to the corrupted nature of the forest she is left alone.

Work by Rahul Malik, Stephen Bunn and Irnadas Ait-Ferrah.

Forge

A client-based group project in response to the Horniman Museum's Wonder of the World brief.

Work by Mohamed Awale, Rafael Hara, Mukky Masunthasuwan, Charlotte Dillon, Mitchell Davis and Hatije Kargin.

Bloodline Black

A project that explores the atrocities and exploitation of the mining trade in the Congo.

Work by Pip Branson.

George Crumb's 'Aries'

This is a 2D digital audio-responsive animation in collaboration with Xiaowen Shang, a pianist from the Royal Academy of Music.

Work by Anouska Lee, Fabian Wong and Shenglin Wang.

Dan and Claire

This is a test for 'Chopping Wood Chips', an animated short film entirely made in plywood (and a tiny bit of wine).

Work by Alize Sotelo and Rita Ataide Novais.

Student voices

Martha Yuill & Elaine Wah

Martha and Elaine talk about their join project 'The last Grimm tale' a virtual reality interactive story based on the Grimm brothers.

Adam Shirvani

Student Voices

Adam’s project Pyramids is an exploration of humanity using music and philosophy.

Course Stories

Facilities

  • A tutor in the process of producing a print.
    Image © Lewis Bush

    Printmaking

    This workshop offers a wide-range of expertise in everything from etching to lithography.

  • 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

Lecturers

Daniel Saul, Ben Hirt,  David McGowan,  Darren Doherty, Issy Barscsz, Chris Eales, Michael Leslie

Visiting Lecturers

Teaching on BA (Hons) Animation is also complemented by a number of guest lecturers from a range of industry professionals across the animation and wider media industries.

Fees and funding

Home fee

£9,250 per year

This fee is correct for entry in autumn 2024 and is subject to change for entry in autumn 2025.

Tuition fees may increase in future years for new and continuing students.

Home fees are currently charged to UK nationals and UK residents who meet the rules. However, the rules are complex. Find out more about our tuition fees and determining your fee status.

International fee

£28,570 per year

This fee is correct for entry in autumn 2024 and is subject to change for entry in autumn 2025.

Tuition fees for international students may increase by up to 5% in each future year of your course.

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

The course team welcomes applicants from a broad range of backgrounds from all over the world. The course attracts students who apply direct from A-level (or equivalent) or from Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, or other art or design courses, as well as mature students who may have previously worked in industry.

The standard entry requirements for this course are as follows:

96 UCAS tariff points which can be made up of one or a combination of the following accepted full level 3 qualifications:

  • A Levels at grade C or above (preferred subjects include: English; History; Media; Business; Art and Design, or other subjects within Social Sciences).
  • Pass at Foundation Diploma in Art & Design (Level 3 or 4).
  • Merit, Merit, Merit at BTEC Extended Diploma (preferred subjects: Art and Design, IT & Computing).
  • Merit at UAL Extended Diploma.
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma (preferred subject: Digital and Creative Media, Film and Production, Computing).
  • OR equivalent EU/International qualifications, such as International Baccalaureate Diploma at 24 points minimum 

And 3 GCSE passes at grade 4 or above (grade A*-C)

APEL - Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) 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
  • A combination of these factors.

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

English language requirements

  • IELTS level 6.0 or above, with at least 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking.

All classes are conducted in English. If English is not your first language you will be asked to provide evidence of your English language ability when you enrol. Please check our main English language requirements page for more information.

Selection criteria

The portfolio, along with the details on your UCAS application (including the academic reference and your personal statement) will be assessed against the following criteria:

  • Evidence of ideas generation: quality of ideas and expression of conceptual thinking.
  • Technical skills and experimentation with visual creativity, demonstrated in your own creative work.
  • Materials and media exploration and experimentation: experimentation and testing of materials in realisation of concept.
  • An understanding of the need for a critical and analytical approach (through research and practice) to this area of study.

Apply now

Application deadline

31 January 2024 at 18:00 (UK time)

If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Apply to UAL

Home students can apply to this course through UCAS with the following codes:

University code:

U65

UCAS code:

W617

Start your application

Apply now

Application deadline

31 January 2024 at 18:00 (UK time)

If there are places available after this date, the course will remain open to applications until places have been filled.

Apply to UAL

International students can apply to this course through UCAS with the following codes:

University code:

U65

UCAS code:

W617

Start your application
or

Apply with a UAL Representative

Based across the world, our local UAL representatives can support you with your application from your home country. Check to see if there is a representative available in your country currently.

Find your representative

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.

Personal statement advice

Your personal statement should be maximum 4,000 characters and cover the following:

  • Why have you chosen this course? What excites you about the subject?
  • What plans and ambitions do you have for your future career?
  • How does your previous or current study relate to the course?
  • What skills do you have that make you perfect for this course?
  • Have you got any work experience that might help you?
  • Have any life experiences influenced your decision to apply for this course?

Visit the UCAS advice page and our personal statement advice page for more support.

Step 2: Digital portfolio

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

You’ll need to submit this via PebblePad, our online portfolio tool.

Digital portfolio advice

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

It should:

  • include a maximum of 10 examples of your current work
  • include a durational piece, either moving image or sound (maximum 5 minutes), along with a contextual statement to explain your role and contribution
  • include examples of experimentation and development work as well as pieces from completed projects.

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.

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

You must apply in the year that you intend to start your course. If you are made an offer and your circumstances change, you can submit a deferral request to defer your place by 1 academic year. You must have met your conditions by 31 August 2024. If you need an English language test in order to meet the entry requirements, the test must be valid on the deferred start date of your course. If not, you will need to reapply. Requests are granted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Contextual Admissions

This course is part of the Contextual Admissions scheme.

This scheme helps us better understand your personal circumstances so that we can assess your application fairly and in context. This ensures that your individual merit and creative potential can shine through, no matter what opportunities and experiences you have received.

Careers

BA (Hons) Animation will prepare you for progression into jobs in animation or related time-based media production, usually in a freelance capacity.

You can expect to enter a variety of production areas that use animation such as roles in production, direction, design and characterisation. Your portfolio will provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate the relevant skills and knowledge required for successful employment in these fields.

Additionally, some students may choose to progress to further study at postgraduate level on our MA Animation course.