The Foundation year prepares students for university level study. Successful completion of our Foundation course permits access to any of our Art or Digital Media BA (Hons) or BDes (Hons) degree courses, which include Computer Games Design, Animation and Film and Television Production. The Foundation year begins with modules aimed at providing transferable study skills and then, in the second semester, gives students the opportunity to study more specialist modules, with a focus on various aspects of Art and Digital Media.
The BA (Hons) Animation course helps you combine visual ideas with sound and time to create an on screen experience for your audience. On this course you learn: ideas generation, visual storytelling, storyboarding, scriptwriting, sound design, character design, character animation, experimental animation, 2D animation, 3D animation, stop motion animation, film editing and compositing. At your fingertips you will have the power of software suites such as Adobe and Autodesk which are renewed annually. Specifically in animation we use Maya, Mudbox, TV Paint, After Effects, Photoshop, and Premiere Pro. We also use pencils, paper, clay and anything else that communicates a brilliant idea!
The course is delivered via a variety of teaching methods, including studio and workshop teaching, seminars and presentations. You will complement your practical studies with theory-based modules that investigate the current contextual and historical aspects of the subject. This includes the study of film language, narrative, non-narrative and conceptual approaches to ‘genre’ and related contextual issues.
Drawing and observation are the foundations of animation. Drawing is used to study and analyse movement as well as being a powerful medium for self-expression and an invaluable tool for conceptual development. Important related skills such as pre-production planning, video editing and digital sound are also taught.
Why not check out what our students got up to for their final projects at our annual
Degree Show 2019
At Wolverhampton you will become familiar with both computer-based and traditional animation techniques combining visual and audio skills together with structured time and motion.
You will hone your editing, creative use of sound, compositing and idea generating expertise as well as developing a critical awareness of the subject and establish your own creative individuality.
You will explore a range of styles ¿ we cover any approach to the art of animation, depending on your talents and skills. The course is delivered via a variety of teaching methods, including studio and workshop teaching, seminars and presentations.
The animation course is a key contributor to the FLIP Festival and winner of prizes including a Royal Television Society award.
The member of academic staff who leads this course is Emily Mantell
Typical career opportunities open to graduates include work in animation, television and games design, illustration and the creative and communications industries.
You may also continue your studies to postgraduate level on our MA programmes: MA Art and Design, MA Design for Advertising or MA Fine Art.
Technical hands-on modules will develop the craft of animating through 2D digital, traditional and CGI methods. You will not only be able to use a variety of software (Maya, Flash, Photoshop, Premiere Pro) by the end of Year One, but will also be able to animate complex human movement and speech.
The third year focuses on preparation for employment and personal career strategies. You may produce any style of work you wish through negotiated study modules. You may opt to produce one large film or to undertake experimental work, ranging from fine art approaches to commercial sequences.
“The BA (Hons) Animation course equipped me with the skills required for the creative industries. With encouragement and support from the tutors, I continued onto further success by directing my own films and projects, including one for the Channel 4 ‘Animator in Residence Scheme’.
I have recently been a teaching assistant, producing short films, and will continue to collaborate with members of the department with a project commissioned by Collide.”
Reena Kalsi,
BA (Hons) Animation
These modules are correct at the time of publication. Modules may change over time due to validation and continuous monitoring policies. Applicants will be notified in writing of any significant changes to their chosen course(s).
| Title | Credit | Type | Year | Location |
|---|
| Introduction to Art and Design: Core Skills | 60.00 | Core | 1 | Wolverhampton City Campus |
| Introduction to Specialist Art and Design: Contexts and Practices | 60.00 | Core | 1 | Wolverhampton City Campus |
| Animation Essentials | 20.00 | Core | 2 | Wolverhampton City Campus |
| Drawing Strategies | 20.00 | Core | 2 | Wolverhampton City Campus |
| Film Language and Direction | 20.00 | Core | 2 | Wolverhampton City Campus |
| Ideas Development | 20.00 | Core | 2 | Wolverhampton City Campus |
| Introduction to Character Animation | 20.00 | Core | 2 | Wolverhampton City Campus |
| Visual Development | 20.00 | Core | 2 | Wolverhampton City Campus |
| 3D Animation Production | 20.00 | Core | 3 | Wolverhampton City Campus |
| Character Development | 20.00 | Core | 3 | Wolverhampton City Campus |
| Innovative Animation | 20.00 | Core | 3 | Wolverhampton City Campus |
| Story and Script | 20.00 | Core | 3 | Wolverhampton City Campus |
| Visual Effects | 20.00 | Core | 3 | Wolverhampton City Campus |
| Advanced Innovative Animation | 20.00 | Optional | 3 | Wolverhampton City Campus |
| Work Placement | 20.00 | Optional | 3 | Wolverhampton City Campus |
| Animation Production | 40.00 | Core | 4 | Wolverhampton City Campus |
| Animation Research & Practice | 40.00 | Core | 4 | Wolverhampton City Campus |
| Professional Animation Project | 20.00 | Core | 4 | Wolverhampton City Campus |
| Professional Development | 20.00 | Optional | 4 | Wolverhampton City Campus |
| Work Placement | 20.00 | Optional | 4 | Wolverhampton City Campus |
2019 Entry
- DD from ‘A’ levels
- BTEC QCF Extended Diploma grade PPP; BTEC QCF Diploma grade MP
- UAL Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production & Technology grade P
- UAL Diploma in Creative Media Production & Technology grade M
- Pass Access to HE Diploma (Full Award)
- If you've got other qualifications or relevant experience, please contact The Gateway for further advice before applying.
- International entry requirements and application guidance can be found here
Other Requirements
Applicants will also be required to provide satisfactory reference. Those meeting the entry requirements may be shortlisted for a Portfolio Review.
Students must have studied a minimum of two years post GCSE level. However, it is expected that some applicants will be mature students with work experience, who wish to further their career development. These applicants will be processed through standard procedures, which may involve an interview as part of the process. Please see http://wlv.ac.uk/mature for further information.
Applicants who do not meet the entry requirements may be offered an alternative course.
Additional Course Costs
Additional Materials - £50 per semester
Additional Field trips - £200 Manchester Animation Festival ; Harry Potter Studios
Additional Events/Performances - All Students participate in the final year Degree Show. Costs will vary according to the medium and mode of your practice but considerations will be around materials, installation and presentation
Further information on these additional costs will be provided prior to the start of your studies
The University is committed to a transparent fee structure, with no hidden costs, to help you make an informed decision. This includes information on what is included in the fee and how fees are calculated and reviewed
The University also offers a range of Bursaries and Scholarships in addition to other financial support packages
Tuition Fees Loan: If you wish, you can take out a Government Student Loan which covers the full course fee. You pay it back once you’ve left university and your income is more than £25,725 (from April 2019). More information on repayments can be found at: repayments.It’s available to eligible full-time higher education students and does not depend on family income.
The amount of the Tuition Fees Loan is paid directly to the University of Wolverhampton by the Student Loan Company.
Visit student finance on the gov.uk website to find out more.
Self-funding: If you don’t want to take out a loan to pay your fees, you might want to take advantage of the University’s scheme to pay by instalments: see
How to Pay.The funding available to you depends on when you started your studies and if you have been to University previously.
For more information please contact the Gateway.
Financial Hardship: Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund (http://www.wlv.ac.uk/study-here/money-matters/financial-support/dennis-turner-opportunity-fund/) for help with course related costs however this cannot be used for fees or to cover general living costs.
