Course Overview
Course summary
Our exciting specialist course will enable you to develop your imaginative and creative skills, while giving you a sound knowledge and understanding of animation processes, techniques and critical theory.
Commercial animation is a rapidly growing and vibrant industry, encompassing a broad range of rewarding and fascinating creative job opportunities. Our strong emphasis on creative practice will help you to develop your skills in drawing and design, along with the imaginative development and innovation of ideas expressed sequentially. These skills, together with the professional practice aspects of the course, will ensure that you have the confidence and expertise to succeed in industry, whether as a producer, technician, designer or manager. You’ll also develop the transferable and cognitive skills necessary for lifelong personal and professional development.
Throughout the course, there are opportunities for you to take part in national and international competitions and film festivals. Our course is delivered by a large team of experienced animation practitioners, staff and industry visitors, and you’ll work in dedicated specialist animation studios with facilities for blue screen, rostrum animation, CGI, drawing, stop-frame, film, photography, set building, sound and video.
Successful animators need to be flexible and able to adapt to changing cultures and new initiatives, and our course seeks to reflect this fluidity. You’ll rapidly develop your own practice in animation, and will be encouraged to work on shared initiatives. Based at our Harrow Campus – home to the Westminster School of Arts and the Westminster School of Media and Communications – you’ll work alongside students from film, photography, music, fashion and journalism, in a unique creative hothouse.
Top reasons to study with us
- Westminster is ranked top 20 among UK institutions for Communication and Media Studies in the QS World University Rankings 2024. The University is also ranked in the top 15 in the Complete University Guide 2024 for 'Student Satisfaction' in Communication and Media Studies
- Master multiple animation methods – You’ll have the chance to master a wide range of animation methods, both traditional and cutting-edge
- Learn from expert tutors – In-depth subject-specific support is provided by our large team of animation tutors, each with their own areas of expertise
- Showcase your animation – Your work will be shown at our Regent Street Cinema – the birthplace of British cinema
- Study in a creative environment – Our Harrow Campus offers opportunities for collaboration with artists, musicians, filmmakers and designers from around the world
Course structure
You'll learn through high-level, tutor-guided studio practice, and by doing – we actively promote experimentation, reflection and the sharing of enthusiasms and influences.
The unique integrated theoretical elements of the course provide a critical framework within which you can examine animation and related time-based practices, and will significantly support and inform your own practice.
All modules are assessed through coursework, and we offer a range of methods including crits, submitted work, research plans and seminar presentations.
The following subjects are indicative of what you will study on this course.
You are introduced to a broad range of concepts in animation and visual design, and you will work both independently and collaboratively. The practice and integrated theory modules are project-led, and all involve elements of research, problem solving and experimentation with processes and ideas.
Core modules include:
- 2D Computer Animation
- Animation Principles
- Animation Contexts and Approaches
- Animation: Storytelling and Narrative
- Creative Technology and Design
Option modules include:
- Drawing Explorations
- 2D Game Development
- Typography
Credit Level 4
You are encouraged to take more individual responsibility for developing your ideas and approaches to animation, and to enter your work for external competitions and film festivals. You will begin to develop your own individual approaches to animation production, so practical work has a higher conceptual demand, and you are encouraged to be innovative and experimental.
Core modules include:
- 3D Computer Animation
- Documentary Animation
- Collaborative Practice
- VFX for Film and Games
Option modules include:
- Brands
- Extended Reality for Creatives
- UX/UI Design
- Concepting for Games
- Stop-Motion Animation
- Visual Storytelling
- Web Design
Credit Level 5
Between Years 2 and 3, you’ll have the option to spend a year abroad at a partner institution or in employment to progress your career.
Find out more about the costs involved in taking a study abroad or placement year.
You will work on self-directed projects within both theory and practice elements of the course, enabling you to intensively focus on personal development, whether you plan to work as an independent animator or within a growing commercial context such as advertising, the animation games industry or interactive design. Integrated 'theory of practice' modules will ensure that you develop the skills and confidence required to operate effectively in a range of professional situations.
The work produced at this level can be used as evidence in support of application to further study or professional commissions and employment.
Core modules include:
- Professional Practice
- Animation: Innovation & Creativity
- Major Project (Animation)
Option modules include:
- Contextual Research Project
- Digital Arts Experimentation
- Entrepreneurship for Creatives
- Designing Narrative Experiences
- Stop-Motion Animation
Credit Level 6
Programme recognition
This course is delivered through a partnership with BAFTA albert Education, which provides staff and graduates with the tools and techniques needed to learn about environmentally responsible working practices and their professional relevance. The partnership will help students develop knowledge about sustainability, carbon footprinting and planet placement in programmes.
This course is also delivered in collaboration with our industry partner, Aardman Animations, the UK’s leading animation production house. Aardman Animations is responsible for creating some of the world's best-loved animation films such as Wallace and Gromit. The partnership will allow students to have access to Aardman’s training materials and masterclasses organised by their staff members.
Programme Training Opportunities
This course is committed to health and safety training, and has partnered with the Mark Milsome Foundation to offer an optional online course for students wishing to develop their skills in this area. The Mark Milsome Foundation Skillset Production Safety Passport course ensures that students are equipped with essential safety knowledge, as they venture into careers in the film and TV industry. Created in memory of Mark Milsome, the course provides a Level II Production Safety Passport valid for 5 years from ScreenSkills. This additional course is available free of charge to University of Westminster students studying this Undergraduate course.
Studying Animation at Westminster
For more details on course structure, modules, teaching and assessment Download the programme specification (PDF).
To request an accessible version please email [email protected]
Get your copy of the University of Westminster prospectus and browse the range of courses on offer.
Contact us for general course enquiries:
+44 (0)20 7911 5000 EXT 65511
(Mon–Fri, 10am–4pm GMT)
Live chat with us
(Mon–Fri, 10am–4pm GMT)
Open days
Join us at an open day online or on campus. Get a feel for student life at the University of Westminster and talk to course leaders and our support teams.
Can't attend? See more open events
Careers
Commercial animation is a rapidly growing and vibrant industry, encompassing a broad range of rewarding and fascinating creative job opportunities.
Career development is embedded in the course. Students can work part-time, on placements and enjoy work-related learning across all three years of study.
Our Careers and Employability Service is here to support you to achieve your full potential, and has built up a network of over 3,000 employers around the world, helping all our students explore and connect with exciting opportunities and careers.
Student satisfaction
100% of our Animation BA students were satisfied with the quality of the course.
(Source: Discover Uni - site accessed in November 2020)
Become multi-skilled
You’ll have the chance to master multiple animation methods, both traditional and cutting-edge, opening you up to more career opportunities.
Graduates in work and/or further study
90% of our Animation BA graduates are in work and/or further study 15 months after graduation.
Source: Discover Uni – (site accessed in November 2020)
Industry links
We have links with the Royal Television Society and the British Animation Awards.
Recent guests have included:
- Michael Rosen
- Michaël Dudok de Wit
- Caroline Leaf
- Jelly London (agency)
Work experience
Our students have had regular work experience opportunities at the Royal College of Art and National Film and Television School, and in the past, we've organised an annual masterclass for our animation students at the Aardman Academy.
Our Animation students have also been assisted in securing work experience and internships by our Westminster Enterprise Network.
Job roles
This course will prepare you for a range of roles, including:
- Animator
- Art Director
- Character Designer
- Director
- Editor
Graduate employers
Graduates from this course have found employment at organisations including:
- Entertainment One
- Lupus Films
- One of Us
- Weta Digital
- WildBrain
International Opportunities
Many of our courses offer international study and work experiences, and the University provides other global opportunities that all students can apply for - so whatever you're studying, you'll have the chance to go abroad.
Opportunities could include:
- Taking part in semester or year-long exchanges at institutions around the world
- Attending an international summer school or field trip
- Developing your CV through volunteering or work placements abroad
International experience broadens horizons, boosts self-confidence, and improves global understanding, alongside being fantastic for your career.
Find out more about our international opportunities, including funding options and where you can go.
Course Leader
Stephen Ryley
Principal Lecturer
Stephen Ryley has been Course Leader of the Animation BA at the University of Westminster since 2004. Graduating from the Royal College of Art, Stephen has worked in a variety of roles, producing several long-running educational animation series for the BBC, and directing music videos, title sequences and TV commercials at Digital Pictures Ltd. His research includes roles as animation advisor for Cambridge Animation Systems ( Animo project) and Anthropics Technologies Ltd (Synthespian project).
As a freelance animator, Stephen has worked for clients including Dolby Laboratories, Oxford University Press, Sky and Planet 24, before moving into academia as a senior lecturer and course leader at the London College of Communication (LCC) for nine years. This broad-ranging career has informed the design of our current animation syllabus, blending theory into practice, and enhancing the vocational core of the programme. Stephen frequently acts as external examiner/validator for animation courses nationally, and has sat as a jury member for BAFTA.
Animation = Imagination x Effort
Course Team
Staff all have industry experience and a range of creative specialisms – from stop-frame animation, to documentaries and graphic novels. Contact time with tutors is a priority, so we keep our class sizes small, and give you the attention that you need to make the most interesting projects possible. We bring the industry into the classroom with live projects and competitions – we know that there is nothing better than seeing your work in the real world.
Why study this course?
Industry-standard software
You'll use industry-standard software such as Adobe Suite, Maya, Dragonframe and TV Paint.
A multi-disciplinary creative environment
You'll work alongside students from film, photography, music, fashion and journalism.
Specialist facilities and support
You'll have access to excellent facilities and a full-time animation technician to support you.
Student Work
A selection of short films created by Animation BA students. Visit the Westminster Animation Showcase to see other examples of student work projects from our students.
Virtual tour
In 2023, the University of Westminster proudly celebrated its rich and illustrious heritage. 185 years ago, our Regent Street Campus, then known as the Polytechnic Institution, opened its doors to the very first cohort of students. In celebration of this historic anniversary, first-year students from our Animation, Illustration, and Graphic Design courses embarked on a unique project. As part of their course module focused on industry, they organised and curated an exhibition to share some of the captivating and fascinating tales from our distinguished history.
Take a virtual tour of the exhibition and hear from our student creators about some of their pieces.
Westminster Degree Shows
The Westminster Degree Shows are an annual collection that showcases the creativity, vibrancy and artistic talent of our undergraduate arts courses. You can see the latest online collection on Westminster Degree Shows.
Entry Requirements
- A levels – CCC (96 UCAS Tariff points)
- T levels – 96 UCAS Tariff points
- International Baccalaureate – 96 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis
- BTEC Extended Diploma – MMM
- BTEC Diploma – DD
- Access – 96 UCAS Tariff points from the Access course
In addition to one of the above, you should have:
- GCSE English Language grade 4/C – IB grade 4 Higher level, GCSE Maths not Required
If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with at least 5.5 in each component.
We also welcome applications from students taking a combination of the abovementioned qualifications. For further information, please contact Course Enquiries.
More information
View more information about our entry requirements and the application process
Portfolio guidance
Number of recommended portfolio pieces.
Please be selective and do not include more than 20 images, and/or two minutes of video.
What should I include in my portfolio submission?
- Still images: Drawings, paintings or photographs. We are also interested in seeing images of any costumes, puppets and models.
- Screen-based work: web design, graphics, videos etc. Music or audio work.
Just choose a few of your favourite things, and try to show a range of skills. Typically candidates submit about 8 to 12 items.
How should I structure my portfolio?
Your portfolio should be hosted online using any of the following platforms: Wordpress or similar, YouTube, Vimeo, ArtStation. A link to your portfolio should be submitted - please make sure that this link can be viewed by the public.
How will my portfolio be evaluated?
Your work will be reviewed by a member of the course team. You do not need to demonstrate animation skills - our course is designed to start you off from first principles, but we are interested to see examples of your general drawing, visualisation and design skills. We are looking for a diverse range of candidates, because this helps create a lively and stimulating learning community. We recruit visual communicators who have something they want to say, so submit work that helps us to understand who you are, and what interests you.
What happens next?
After review, the course team will make a decision about your suitability for the course. They'll communicate this with the admissions team, who will let you, the applicant, know the result.
Top Tip from our course team
Don't worry about showing us polished work that looks like something you have seen on your screen at home - we are most interested in your original vision. Please don't worry if you have not made any animation before- we get a lot of students who are in this situation, so our course starts everyone off from first principles - and you quickly become an animator!
Please do not send in portfolios until requested to do so by the University's Admissions team. You will be notified by email about when to submit your portfolio.
- International Baccalaureate – 96 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis. You can refer to the UCAS calculator to determine your point score.
- We accept a wide range of international high school level qualifications. Please see information on Country-specific entry requirements
- We work in partnership with Kaplan International College London who provide International Foundation Certificate courses for students who don’t meet our entry requirements. Upon successful completion, you can progress to your chosen degree at the University of Westminster. Find out about a range of university preparation courses that are accepted for entry.
English language requirements
- If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with at least 5.5 in each component. Please note we accept a wide range of English language qualifications and assessments. Find out more at English language requirements.
- If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, then we offer online and on campus pre-sessional English programmes to help develop your English language skills to the required level before you start your course. Find out more about our pre-sessional English programmes.
More information
Portfolio guidance
Number of recommended portfolio pieces.
Please be selective and do not include more than 20 images, and/or two minutes of video.
What should I include in my portfolio submission?
- Still images: Drawings, paintings or photographs. We are also interested in seeing images of any costumes, puppets and models.
- Screen-based work: web design, graphics, videos etc. Music or audio work.
Just choose a few of your favourite things, and try to show a range of skills.
Normally candidates submit about 8 to 12 items
How should I structure my portfolio?
Your portfolio should be hosted online using any of the following platforms: Wordpress or similar, YouTube, Vimeo, ArtStation. A link to your portfolio should be submitted - please make sure that this link can be viewed by the public.
How will my portfolio be evaluated?
Your work will be reviewed by a member of the course team. You do not need to demonstrate animation skills - our course is designed to start you off from first principles, but we are interested to see examples of your general drawing, visualisation and design skills. We are looking for a diverse range of candidates, because this helps create a lively and stimulating learning community. We recruit visual communicators who have something they want to say, so submit work that helps us to understand who you are, and what interests you.
What happens next?
After review, the course team will make a decision about your suitability for the course. They'll communicate this with the admissions team, who will let the applicant know the result.
Top Tip from our course team
Don't worry about showing us polished work that looks like something you have seen on your screen at home - we are most interested in your original vision. Please don't worry if you have not made any animation before- we get a lot of students who are in this situation, so our course starts everyone off from first principles - and you quickly become an animator!
Please do not send in portfolios until requested to do so by the University's Admissions team. You will be notified by email about when to submit your portfolio.
Facilities
Lightboxing
Make it
Photography
Sculpting
Film
Regent Street Cinema
Workshops
Access to specialist facilities is essential for you to make the most of your degree, and it's our priority to make sure that you have everything you need.
Our specialist facilities include:
- Dedicated animation studios that are open long hours
- An invaluable full-time Animation Technician
- Free use of LinkedIn Learning for online tutorials
- Industry-standard software: Adobe suite, Maya, Dragonframe and TV Paint
- Space and equipment to experiment: animation lightboxes, rostrum cameras, digital line-testers, puppet animation and blue-screen studios
- The historical Regent Street Cinema for screenings
- TV Studios – for professional-standard cameras and staging
- Sound Studios – to record interviews and effects
- Green Screen – our professional studio is great for special effects
- Multiskills workshop – you can make just about anything here!
- Printmaking – if you want to get your hands dirty and get creative
- Photography and printing
Learn new skills
Learn a new language
From Arabic to Spanish, you can learn a new language alongside your degree with our Polylang programme.
Develop your entrepreneurial skills
Our award-winning Westminster Enterprise Network offers industry networking events, workshops, one-to-one business advice and support for your startup projects.
Gain extra qualifications
We provide access to free online courses in Adobe and Microsoft Office applications, as well as thousands of specialist courses on LinkedIn Learning.
Fees and Funding
UK tuition fee: £9,250 (Price per academic year)
When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
Funding
As well as tuition fee loans, there is a range of funding available to help you fund your studies.
Find out about undergraduate student funding options.
Scholarships
The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible undergraduate students, which cover all or part of your tuition fees.
Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.
Additional costs
See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.
International tuition fee: £17,000 (Price per academic year)
When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme
If you are an international student accepted on an undergraduate programme starting in September 2024 or September 2025 at level 3 (Foundation) or level 4 (first year) on the basis of an eligible EU qualification only, you will be awarded a tuition fee reduction which will align your fee more closely to the one for UK students. For more information, see the EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme.
International student funding
Find out about funding for international students.
Additional costs
See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.
Teaching and Assessment
Below you will find how learning time and assessment types are distributed on this course. The graphs below give an indication of what you can expect through approximate percentages, taken either from the experience of previous cohorts, or based on the standard module diet where historic course data is unavailable. Changes to the division of learning time and assessment may be made in response to feedback and in accordance with our terms and conditions.
How you'll be taught
Teaching methods across all our undergraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application. Learning typically falls into three broad categories:
- Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
- Placement: placement hours normally include placement opportunities, but may also include live projects or virtual activity involving employers
- Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision
How you'll be assessed
Our undergraduate courses include a wide variety of assessments.
Assessments typically fall into three broad categories:
- Practical: examples include presentations, videos, podcasts, lab work, creating artefacts
- Written exams: end of semester exams
- Coursework: examples include essays, reports, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation
Data from the academic year 2023/24
Supporting you
Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.
- Study support — workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
- Personal tutors — support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
- Student advice team — provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
- Extra-curricular activities — volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more
Course location
Harrow is our creative and cultural hub, home to most of our arts, media and digital courses. It houses state-of-the-art facilities for every discipline, including project and gallery spaces, film studios, creative labs, collaborative learning spaces, and the Westminster Enterprise Network.
Harrow Campus is based in north-west London, just 20 minutes from the city centre by train.
For more details, visit our Harrow Campus page.
Contact us
Call our dedicated team on:
+44 (0)20 7911 5000 ext 65511
Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday
Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday
More information
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