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Animation

BDes

If you are interested in combining both art and technology to express a story or visual effect then Animation at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design is the course for you. Animation is perfect for those of you who want to work in the games industry, in TV, film or in web design.

Why study Animation at Dundee?

Embracing both 3D digital and 2D approaches, this course offers a wide range of opportunities for contemporary animators from narrative storytelling to visual effects and visualisation. Creativity and professional practice are the driving forces behind this dynamic course. It is a fusion of art and technology, designed to help students develop a good understanding of the relationship between aesthetic, perceptual and technical factors involved in the development of animation productions.

Students have the opportunity to exploit their individual abilities within the subject, creating a sound working methodology and acquire relevant professional skills to use cutting-edge technology adopted by the international animation industry.

Cutting edge facilities

You will have access to our state-of-the-art facilities include Maya labs, animation studio, rostrum camera, and a green screen visual effects studio.

At the end of the course you will be able to:

  • competently use 2D and 3D animation skills
  • use cutting edge technology to create narrative stories & visual effects
  • coherently research, defend and structure your chosen subject

Who should study Animation?

You:

  • creative
  • technologically motivated
  • artistic
  • a good communicator
  • an observer
  • a team player

You want to:

  • improve observational and life drawing skills
  • develop 2d & 3D skills
  • learn how to express your creative vision through animation
  • learn the skills required to enter a field with exciting and ever expanding career prospects

Communication Design

Animation is one of three courses that comprise the communication design programme (animation, graphic design and illustration). While following your course in animation, you will also gain a broad educational experience by being provided with a wide range of opportunities for you to engage with generic communication design issues as well as your pathway choice in animation. The goal is to deliver agile and flexible graduate designers who have a broad understanding of communication design coupled with deep knowledge and expertise in their chosen subject pathway.

Student exchange

The academic perspective is enhanced by opportunities for you to study abroad through exchange schemes that operate with centres of excellence in many European and transatlantic countries.

In addition, the department normally organises an overseas study visit for all Level 3 students.

For examples of student work, staff profiles, and news from Animation, visit the DJCAD website.

Related courses

Teaching & Assessment

Throughout the degree programme you will undertake a series of modules in contemporary media that engage and support your creative practice. Their purpose is to provide you with the necessary intellectual context in order to broaden your understanding of media issues.

The intention is to develop your individual skills and competency towards time management, enabling self-reflective critique and practice, artistic expression and an individual philosophy that can be demonstrated through self-initiated and managed projects.

How you will be taught

The programme of study involves projects and workshops designed to help you, through experiential learning, to understand the fundamental skills of animation. Different approaches of teaching and learning are used including:

  • Regular seminars
  • Practical lectures
  • Studio demonstrations
  • Individual tutorials
  • Group critiques
  • Peer review

What you will study

Level 1

Students can enter Animation after successfully completing our Art and Design (General Foundation) course (apply for course WW12) or on successful completion of a recognised Foundation Course or equivalent (apply or course W210). This is normal for many art and design courses.

In the Art and Design (General Foundation) course you will learn the core values which will enrich and expand your personal visual language, preparing you nicely for a further 3 years in Animation.

Level 2

  • Introduction to Fundamental Animation Skills
  • Introduction to 2D and 3D Computer Animation
  • Introduction to Production Equipment
  • Creative Research Methodology
  • Contextual Studies

Level 2 of the programme is structured to provide a broad foundation of knowledge and experience. You will be introduced to relevant equipment and varied media used in the production process for your choice of specialism. Projects and assignments help you develop the relevant learning, research and technical skills, exploring creativity and individual aptitude through each process.

Level 3

  • Personal Programme of Study
  • Research and Development
  • Professional Production Practice
  • Professional Production Practice
  • Professional Production Practice
  • Professional Production Practice

Level 3 is designed to encourage experimentation, cross course projects, exploring ideas and making use of appropriate technical methods. All students prepare and present a programme of personal project work that reflects the research and development of ideas. During this year you will undertake a series of assignments designed to develop good professional practice necessary to succeed in your chosen career.

Level 4

  • Personal Programme of Research
  • Dissertation
  • Degree Show Exposition

In the final year - Level 4 - you will organise and present a personal programme of study that will form the major part of your submission for the Honours degree examination. You will be encouraged to integrate all aspects of your research with a written thesis and the production of your final outcomes. You will produce a body of work that will demonstrate a mature visual understanding of materials, methods and processes required to transform ideas into reality.

How you will be assessed

Your progress is monitored with structured formal reviews and assessments. At Level 4 a team of internal and external examiners conduct the final degree examination.

Careers

Animation is one of the most rapidly expanding areas of creative endeavour. In particular the last decade has seen a truly amazing growth in its technical development and applications. Animation is fast-changing and has never been a more relevant and exciting career prospect than now. Employment opportunities for contemporary animators exist in multimedia, web design, interactive games design, digital simulation, virtual environments and visual effects.

Graduates from BA (Hons) Animation have gone on to have successful careers in the following fields:

  • multimedia
  • web design
  • interactive games design
  • digital simulation
  • virtual environments
  • visual effects

Our graduates have gone on to work for companies such as:

  • Tag Games
  • EA
  • King Rollo Films
  • BBC
  • Cinesite
  • The Mill

Andy Tulloch graduated in 2007. He is a Matchmover for Double Negative and has done visual effects for movies that include The Golden Army, Fast & Furious, The Dark Knight, Angels & Demons and Cloverfield.

Postgraduate study

Some graduates choose to continue their studies at postgraduate level on our taught Masters degree or PhD programmes.

Enterprise/Freelance

Others have gone on to freelance and establishing their own successful businesses. Extra curriculum activities such as the Enterprise Gym help students cultivate entrepreneurial skills. The Greenhouse Business Pre-Incubator facility provides ambitious students with an office space to explore their business idea.

Entry Requirements

Students applying for Animation must successfully complete our 1 year Art and Design (General Foundation) course. In this instance you should apply using the UCAS code WW12.

Alternatively, if you have already completed a recognised foundation course or equivalent elsewhere then apply directly to Animation.

The following are the minimum requirements, please note qualifications have to be obtained at the first sitting of examinations.

Selection notes

All applicants must submit a comprehensive portfolio of art and design work. The qualifications listed below may be modified for an applicant presenting an exceptional portfolio.

Students are selected by assessing the contents of a portfolio of work that should convey a measure of creative, practical skill and intellectual/enthusiastic engagement in the practice of art and design.

Courses starting September 2013

BA/BDes Art & Design Specialisms Level 2 Entry

Qualification Grade
SQA Advanced Higher BB (Advanced Higher) + BB (Higher) in different subjects
GCE A-Level ABB
IB Diploma 34 points (including 6, 6, 5, at Higher level)
Other Foundation Degree in Art & Design
Other HND in an Art & Design subject with BB in the Graded Units
Essential Subjects Art and Design, or related subject (at SQA Advanced Higher, GCE A-Level, IB Higher Level), an appropriate literate subject (at SQA Advanced Higher, GCE A Level, IB Higher Level) and one other subject outside art & design subjects (at SQA Higher, GCE A Level, IB Higher Level).
All applicants must also submit a comprehensive portfolio of art/design/creative work.
Applicants may be invited to attend an interview and visit the course.

Other Qualifications

Qualification Grade
SQA A recognised Foundation Course or a relevant HND with BB in the Graded Units
Scottish Baccalaureate Pass with BB at AH
EDEXCEL A recognised Foundation Course or a relevant BTEC Extended Diploma with DDM
Advanced Diploma Grade B with ASL A-levels in appropriate subjects at AB
Welsh Baccalaureate Pass with A-levels in appropriate subjects at AB
All qualifications will be considered on an individual basis. All qualifications should include a relevant Art & Design subject & a literate subject. A comprehensive portfolio of creative work is required, and an interview may be required.
Applicants with alternative overseas qualifications should visit the relevant country page on our International website.

Fees and Funding

There have been many changes to the arrangements for funding students entering higher education in recent years, yet a degree from the University of Dundee, with its high rate of employment success, remains a cost-effective option.

The fees you pay will, in most cases, depend on your current country of residence.

Fee category Fees for students starting September 2012 Scholarships & Bursaries applicable
Scottish students £1,820 per year of study.
You can apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish government.
Students from the rest of the UK £9,000 per year of study.
You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of the tuition fees, from the Student Loan Company.
EU students £1,820 per year of study.
You can apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish government.
Overseas students (non-EU) £11,461 per year.

The fee shown is annual, and may be subject to an increase each year.

Living Costs

  • Dundee is ranked as one of the most affordable places for students to live in the UK, and the cost of living is around 15% cheaper than the UK average.
  • Increasing numbers of students are successfully undertaking part-time work to supplement their income. You can get advice from our Careers Service, both about job opportunities and how to find a suitable study/work/life balance. EU and international students are also allowed to work up to 20 hours per week.
  • As a student in Scotland, you have free access to the National Health Service. Visits to doctors and hospitals, as well as prescriptions, sight tests and dental checkups, are available free of charge.

Your Application

Students applying for Animation must successfully complete our 1 year Art and Design (General Foundation) course. In this instance you should apply using the UCAS code WW12.

Alternatively, if you have already completed a recognised foundation course or equivalent elsewhere then apply directly to Animation.

All applications must be made through UCAS

UCAS Codes

Institution Code: D65

Degree UCAS Codes KIS data
BA/BDes Art and Design (General Foundation Level 1 entry) (1 year only) WW12 View KIS data for this course
BDes Animation W280 View KIS data for this course

UCAS Application Process

Apply to UCAS thumbnail image - linking to youtube video
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Admissions procedure

All applicants must submit a comprehensive portfolio of art and design work. The qualifications listed above may be modified for an applicant presenting an exceptional portfolio.

Students are selected by assessing the contents of a portfolio of work that should convey a measure of creative, practical skill and intellectual/enthusiastic engagement in the practice of art and design.

International Applicants

We have information specifically for international applicants on our International website:

Any questions?

If you have any further questions about the application process, please contact:

Home / EU applicants

Undergraduate Admissions
Admissions & Student Recruitment
University of Dundee
Nethergate
Dundee
DD1 4HN
Scotland

Telephone: 01382 384370/ 388074/ 388585 (from the UK)
Telephone: +44 1382 384370/ 388074/ 388585 (from outside the UK)

Email: ContactUs@dundee.ac.uk

International applicants

International Office
Admissions & Student Recruitment
University of Dundee
Nethergate
Dundee
DD1 4HN
Scotland

Telephone: 01382 388 111 (from the UK)
Telephone: +44 1382 388 111 (from outside the UK)

Email: ContactUs@dundee.ac.uk