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Undergraduate

BA (Hons) Production Arts for Screen

Digital drawing of interior in almost a cartoonish illustration style by Hannah Seddon - BA Production Arts for Screen.
Hannah Seddon
BA (Hons) Production Arts for Screen, Wimbledon College of Arts, UAL
College
Wimbledon College of Arts
UCAS code
W690
Start date
September 2024
Course length
3 years

BA Production Arts for Screen at Wimbledon College of Arts offers a unique combination of design and digital production skills for film, television and other screen-based media.

Subject to re-approval

This course is undergoing re-approval. This is the process by which we ensure the course continues to provide a high-quality academic experience. During re-approval there may be some changes to the course content displayed on this page. Please contact us if you have any questions about the course.

Course overview

BA Production Arts for Screen will teach you the skills required to be an Art Director or VFX artist for screen-based entertainment. You will learn how to use design and technology to shape innovative ideas that drive the visual identity of film, television, animation and computer games.  

What to expect

  • Industry skills: You’ll learn the skills needed for storyboarding, pre-visualisation, editing and sound.
  • Art direction: Master the art of creating concepts and designs that define the look of a film, TV, interactive or animated project.
  • Design skills: Develop Concept Art skills including digital painting with Photoshop and creating 3D models for environment and character creation. 
  • Analysis: You’ll be shown how to carry out character and script analysis.
  • Research: Develop your research skills and personal reference material taking into account, climate, racial and social justice issues.
  • An introduction to new and existing technologies: Delve into virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), computer generated imagery (CGI), green screen and digital Visual Effects.
  • Access to Wimbledon's shared workshops: View the Wimbledon facilities.

Course skills

The first year of the course will give you an introduction to production arts for screen. At the end of the first year, you will choose your specialism in either art direction or visual effects (VFX).

Art Direction

Art directors are responsible for developing the look and visual fingerprint of a production on everything from Film and TV through to VFX, games and animation. As an art director, you are expected to create artwork that drives the style and look of the production and in many cases play a key role in defining a franchise or brand.  

Visual effects (VFX) 

Visual effects (VFX) artists are concerned with the creation of digital models. This can be either as a production resource for environments and performance, or for integration as post-production elements within live action environments. Many of these skillsets also translate extensively to the computer games and animation industry.

Industry experience and opportunities

Work placements are a key feature during the second year of this course. They enable you to make essential industry links which will help you with your future career. We also arrange visits to London-based television and film studios, VFX houses, computer games companies and animation production companies. 

You’ll also have the option to study abroad for a term in your second year as part of the College’s international exchange scheme.

Mode of study

BA Production Arts for Screen is offered in full-time mode. It is divided into 3 stages over 3 academic years. Each stage consists of 30 teaching weeks. You will be expected to commit an average of 40 hours per week to your course, including teaching hours and independent study.

Course units

Year 1

Unit 1: Introduction to Production Arts for Screen

This unit is an introduction to your course, the College and the University.

Unit 2: Designing and making

This unit will introduce you to a broad range of skills and techniques in production arts. These may include scale and perspective drawing, anatomical studies and introductory software workshops.

Unit 3: Designing and staging

You will learn skills and techniques for communicating ideas through storyboarding and animatics, including digital layout techniques for cinematic pre-visualisation.

Unit 4: Exploring ideas

The emphasis of this unit will be on realising a narrative through the designing and making of an animated piece using either CGI methods or 2D drawn animation methods.

Unit 5: Where are we? Building the future

This unit will introduce you to concept art for screen-based media. You will design a futuristic space and visualise it either within a CG environment, through the creation of a physical model or a combination of both.

Year 2

Unit 6: Conceptualising ideas

You will develop your skills further in Adobe Photoshop, object design, environment design and perspective studies. You will utilise hard surface 3D models and incorporate these into advanced concept design and matte painting.

Unit 7: Collaborative and collective practices

You will be introduced to different ways in which collaborative working can help you to focus and enhance your own creative strengths. You’ll have the chance to work with fellow students and creative communities.

Unit 8: Who in the world?

Unit 8 is about learning to understand the creative and technical aspects of CGI software. You will look at advanced character, environment concept and design, digital sculpting, organic and hard surface modelling and character set up within CGI software. You’ll learn about the integration of digital and physical character elements into cinematic, interactive or VR and augmented reality (AR) environments. You’ll also cover design and 3D asset creation for computer games and animation.

Unit 9 - Where in the world?

In this unit you will explore concept design and asset creation within virtual and VR production environments. Using platforms such as Unreal Engine, you’ll also learn about VFX pipelines for cinematic, VR and AR applications.

Year 3

Unit 10: Finding your voice: portfolio design, crafting research skills, career planning

The work generated for your final year project will be self-directed and involve extended pieces of work. The unit has 3 parts: a visual and reflective project known as the research portfolio; a dissertation which can be written, filmed or presented; and the development of a personal profile for potential employment.

Unit 11: Show your work: Independent practice

This final unit enables you bring together all the ideas and learning from the course. You will undertake a major production design, art direction or spatial design project. This might be for a film, television drama, entertainment production, event creation, museum exhibition, digital game, VR or other environment creation for screen. You’ll present your work in the College degree show.

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)

This optional diploma can be taken between years 2 and 3. With support from your tutors, you’ll undertake an industry placement for a minimum of 100 days/20 weeks. As well as developing industry skills, you’ll gain an additional qualification upon successful completion.

Diploma in Creative Computing

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 course, you’ll graduate with an enhanced degree: BA (Hons) Production Arts for Screen (with Creative Computing).
 

Learning and teaching methods

  • Artist and professional practice talks and workshops  
  • Briefings, discussions, lectures and seminars  
  • Cross course group crits  
  • Field trips and off-site visits  
  • Group and individual presentations and tutorials  
  • Independent learning  
  • Lectures and artist talks  
  • Online learning including remote tutorials and workshops with industry practitioners and studios 
  • Peer learning and review  
  • Portfolio review  
  • Project planning  
  • Research training  
  • Student presentations  
  • Studio and workshop based self-directed study and research  
  • Study skills  
  • Technical workshops and inductions  
  • Workshops on writing styles, research methodology and critical debate  

BA Production Arts for Screen

Open day recording

Course Leader Paul Franklin gives an overview of BA Production Arts for Screen at Wimbledon College of Arts.

Student work

  • Sarah-Grahic-BA-Production-Arts-for-Screen.jpg
    Sarah Grahic
    BA (Hons) Production Arts for Screen, Wimbledon College of Arts, UAL
  • ba-production-arts-for-screen-Ruben-Crazzolara-table-spread.jpg
    Ruben Crazzolara
    BA (Hons) Production Arts for Screen, Wimbledon College of Arts, UAL
  • Angel-Li-BA-Production-Arts-for-Screen.jpg
    Angel Li
    BA (Hons) Production Arts for Screen, Wimbledon College of Arts, UAL
  • Hannah-Sneddon-landscape-BA-Production-Arts-for-Screen.jpg
    Hannah Seddon
    BA (Hons) Production Arts for Screen, Wimbledon College of Arts, UAL
  • Alfie-Lloyd-BA-Production-for-Screen.jpg
    Alfie Lloyd
    BA (Hons) Production Arts for Screen, Wimbledon College of Arts, UAL
  • Adam-Fakhri-BA-Production-Arts-for-Screen.jpg
    Adam Fakhri
    BA (Hons) Production Arts for Screen, Wimbledon College of Arts, UAL
  • BA-Production-Arts-for-Screen.jpg
  • ba-production-arts-for-screen-Charlie-Bartlett-CAD-drawing.jpg
    Charlie Bartlett
    BA (Hons) Production Arts for Screen, Wimbledon College of Arts, UAL
  • Brad-Beard-BA-Production-Arts-for-Screen.jpg
    Brad Beard
    BA (Hons) Production Arts for Screen, Wimbledon College of Arts, UAL
  • Hannah-Seddon-BA-Production-Arts-for-Screen.jpg
    Hannah Seddon
    BA (Hons) Production Arts for Screen, Wimbledon College of Arts, UAL

Film

BA Production Arts for Screen Showreel

Graduate Showcase: Alfie Lloyd

Staff

  • Paul Franklin - Course Leader
  • Kate Wicks - Lecturer

Visiting Staff

  • Keith Frederick - Puppet maker, costumier and puppet restorer. Recent work includes Midsummers Night Dream at the Globe Theatre. Has worked extensively at the Little Angel puppet theatre
  • Dan Martin - Special effects, effects make-up artist and co-ordinator. Work includes Batman Begins, High Rise, The Human Centipede, The Wolfman
  • David McHenry - Draughtsman. Worked on Game of Thrones, Rush and Dredd
  • Catrin Meredydd - Production Designer. Worked on Best Possible Taste, Broadchurch, IBoy, Jekyll & Hyde, Our Loved Boy, Poldark, The Fades
  • Christina Moore - Production Designer and Art Director. Worked on Game of Thrones, Just Henry, Lena,  Sense & Sensibility, Surviving Picasso
  • Aya Nakamura - Puppet maker and performer. Worked on Newzoids puppet animation for ITV. Recent puppet stage productions include Duvet Day, Hansel & Gretel, Tarrare the Freak
  • David Neat - Model maker and author of the book 'Model-making, Materials and Methods'
  • Tom Roberts - Propmaker. Worked on Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Inbetweeners, Macbeth, Peaky Blinders, Sherlock Holmes, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and Tulip Fever
  • Matt Scott - Director, Scott Fleary scenery builders. Built X-Factor, The Voice and Sky Sports news
  • Roman Stefanski - Actor and Director of puppet productions for theatre, film and television. Has worked extensively at the Polka theatre, Wimbledon. Films include Leap Year and Under the Same Sun
  • Andy Symanowski - Animator and director, Aardman Animation. Worked on Shaun the Sheep and the Wallace and Gromit films
  • Livia Turco - Senior Character Modelling Sculptor at Merlin Entertainment / Madame Tussauds
  • Robert Tygner - Actor, Director and puppeteer. Worked on Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Jim Henson’s Jack and the Beanstalk, Muppets Most Wanted, Victor Frankenstein, Where the Wild Things Are
  • Fleur Whitlock - Art Director and Production Designer. Worked on Episodes, Oliver Twist, Rev, The Libertine, Wuthering Heights
  • Tom Wilkinson - Sculptor, prop and automaton maker. He is a co-founder of the public art group Arts Republic. His work was on display at the Winter Lights Festival in Canary Wharf in 2015-16
  • Darryl Worbey - Puppetry and SFX Designer. 30 years’ experience in film, television and theatre. Credits include Star Wars - Rogue One, Yonderland for Sky TV, Muppets Most Wanted, Disney, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and The Basil Brush Show

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 standard minimum entry requirements for this course are:

  • Pass at Foundation Diploma in Art and Design (Level 3 or 4)
  • 2 A Levels at grade C or above
  • Merit, Pass, Pass (MPP) at BTEC Extended Diploma
  • Pass at UAL Extended Diploma
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma
  • 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)

Entry to this course will also be determined by the quality of your application, looking primarily at your portfolio of work, personal statement and reference.

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

All classes are taught in English. If English isn't your first language you must provide evidence at enrolment of the following:

Selection criteria

We look for:

  • An interest, commitment and motivation for studying the subject
  • An ability to work imaginatively and creatively in 2D and 3D visual media, materials and processes
  • Potential for creative problem solving
  • An ability to create and develop new ideas
  • A desire to learn and an ability to investigate and develop ideas independently
  • Ability to communicate your ideas visually, verbally and in writing
  • Visual awareness and an understanding of the creative process
  • Ability to self-direct and evaluate your own work
  • Cultural and historical awareness of production design, design for screen, technical arts
  • Motivation for working in the related industries
  • A desire to succeed

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:

W690

Application form coming soon.

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:

W690

Application form coming soon.

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

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:

  • be maximum 30 pages
  • include a wide range of work that explores form, structure, texture and space
  • include experimental work that demonstrates your ability to develop ideas and solve problems
  • feature any previous experience of theatre work
  • include photos or videos of any sketchbooks or notebooks.

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

This course prepares you for progression into a range of careers such as:

Art departments for film and television, animation, art direction, draughts person, education and teaching, event design, exhibitions and curating, model making and sculpting, postgraduate study, production design, prop making, production buying, scenic art and construction, set dressing, special effects and technical drawing.

Alumni

  • Joe Beagley - Head of Masks and Puppets for Disney’s The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre, London
  • Paul Cripps - Production Designer and Art Director on Atlantis, Bones, Borrowers, Hex, Merlin, Skins, Sugar Rush and The Missing
  • Eun Jung Ha - Senior Character Modeller at Merlin Entertainment / Madame Tussauds
  • Patrick Harris - Art Director / Assistant Art Director on Guardians of the Galaxy, Kingsman and Wonderwoman
  • Sean Hogan and Ben Gerlis - Production design studio Stripe Land
  • Steven Granger - Art Department Assistant, draughtsman, standby Art Director on Marcella, Paddington and The Mercy
  • Sarah Greenwood - Production Designer on Anna Karenina, Atonement, Beauty & the Beast, Hanna and Sherlock Holmes
  • Will Houghton-Connell - Concept artist, storyboard artist and draughtsman for Stuart Craig on Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean and Star Wars Episode 7
  • Christian Huband - Art Director on Dark Shadows, Fantastic Beasts, Harry Potter, The Invention of Hugh Cabret and Supervising Art Director on Justice League
  • Solrun Jonsdottir - Production Designer on Enemy of England
  • Steven Lawrence - Art Director on Avengers: Age Of Ultron, Jungle Book, Paddington and The Dark Knight
  • Cher Leigh - Creature creator for Solo and forthcoming Disney film
  • Thomas Lowthian - Assistant Art Director on And Then There Were None (BBC1 Agatha Christie) and Designer on Mars mini series
  • Viviana Motta - Art Department Assistant for Victoria & Abdul
  • Olivia Muggleton - Draughtswoman on Star Wars: Rogue One and Force Awakens
  • Dan Ojari - Award-winning animator selected for Sundance Film Festival. Ojari also worked on BAFTA award-winning short animation The Eagleman Stag with Michael Please. They now run their own company Parabella
  • Max Patte - Sculptor for Weta Workshop. Worked on Harry Potter V, Justice League of America and Prince Caspian
  • Alistair Pauly - Amour maker on Game of Thrones, The Kid Who Would Be King and Outlaw King
  • Will Pearce - Formerly Head of Masks and Puppets for Disney’s The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre, London
  • Jack Perry, Sara Stanton, Mia James - Director, Production Designer, Art Director on A Girl Goes For Dinner
  • Michael Please - BAFTA award-winner for short film The Eagleman Stag
  • Vicky Ralph - Art Department Coordinator for Paddington 2 and for Stuart Craig at Leavesden studios on Fantastic Beasts 1 and 2
  • Owen Robertson - Art Department Assistant on Justice League
  • Betty Sims-Hilditch - Art Department Assistant at Pinewood studios on Chesil Beach
  • Mark Tildesley - Production Designer on The Constant Gardener, 28 Days Later and Designer for the London 2012 Opening Ceremony

Find out how careers and employability helps our students and graduates start their careers.