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Image from Animation with Foundation Year

Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

Animation with Foundation Year

University of Derby

(4.1)
432 reviews

Entry requirements

Here's what you will need to get a place on the Animation with Foundation Year course at University of Derby.

Select a qualification to see required grades

A level

D,D,D

You may also need to

Submit a portfolio

Most popular A-levels studied

See who's studying at University of Derby. These students are taking Animation with Foundation Year or another course from the same subject area.

Design studies
SubjectGrade
Business StudiesC
Fine ArtC
Art and DesignA*
PhotographyB
Product DesignC
Source: HESA

Course summary

What this course is about

UCAS code: WW26

Here's what University of Derby says about its Animation with Foundation Year course.

Why study at Derby?

On our BA (Hons) Animation programme, you’ll experiment with the latest digital software, learn about the principles of animation, produce distinctive animated films and develop the professional awareness you need to launch your career. Working with experienced teaching staff in our newly refurbished, dedicated production studio, you will gain the knowledge and expertise you need through traditional and digital animation practice.

• You will experiment with a broad range of methods, materials and processes, from traditional hand-drawn animation to 3D digital techniques. • The course will encourage you to select from and combine methods in pursuing your individual interests, developing a distinctive approach to animation production and helping you to realise your own unique vision. • You will explore the use of animation for storytelling, social commentary, personal agenda films, documentary, music videos, live performance, broadcasting and advertising.

Our varied and exciting curriculum includes drawing, sequential image making, 2D and 3D computer animation, character development, narrative, timing, editing, sound and the historical and contemporary context of animation. Animation plays an increasingly important role in the messages that are part of our daily lives, not only on our film and television screens but also on the internet and mobile devices. The programme provides the ideal preparation for many careers in Animation both as an independent filmmaker or part of a wider creative team.

External live projects, competitions and exhibitions will help you get your work noticed and give you experience of professional practice. In your final year, you will produce a final graduation film to send to a range of national and international animation and film festivals. The course features visits from high-profile industry professionals, with a chance to be inspired by leading practitioners such as BAFTA nominated animation studio Fettle, who have visited the course to talk about their practice and to advise our third year students about how to begin a career in the creative industries. The emphasis throughout the programme is on practical project work which integrates technical, analytical, intellectual and organisational aspects of professional practice. You’ll also enjoy an exciting variety of other teaching and learning methods, including workshop practice, demonstrations, group critiques, field studies, cultural visits, lectures, seminars, individual tutorials, work checks, reports and assignments..

Find out more: www.derby.ac.uk/undergraduate/art-design-courses/animation-ba-hons-foundation

Source: University of Derby

Course details

Qualification

Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

Department

Department of Art and Design

Location

Main Site | Derby

Duration

4 Years

Study mode

Full-time

Subjects

• Design

Start date

September 2026

Application deadline

14 January 2026

Tuition fees

LocationFees
England£9,535 per year (provisional)
Scotland£9,535 per year (provisional)
Wales£9,535 per year (provisional)
Northern Ireland£9,535 per year (provisional)
Channel Islands£9,535 per year (provisional)
EU£16,900 per year (provisional)
International£16,900 per year (provisional)

University of Derby student reviews

(4.1)
Based on 432 reviews from University of Derby's students and alumni
5 star
49%
4 star
28%
3 star
16%
2 star
4%
1 star
4%
All reviews

Showing 306 reviews

3rd year

Forensic science

1 year ago

The student union care for the university and its students ensuring we are happy, healthy and thriving during our time in university. They put on events with freebies to boost morale as well.

(5)
Student Union

3rd year

Forensic science

1 year ago

The halls and university are really close to the city so getting around is easy, especially with the university buses. The city is definitely a student friendly place with plenty of clubs and late night food places, as well as a variety of shops and other entertainment for those who aren’t into club...

(5)
University life

3rd year

Forensic science

1 year ago

The university is definitely value for money and so are the halls. There is financial support available for those who need it and the union ensures that you still have fun even if you are on a strict budget by hosting free events on campus.

(5)
Finance

3rd year

Forensic science

1 year ago

The university and halls have a great support system which ensures you get the help you need quickly and from a diverse team of professionals.

(5)
Support

3rd year

Forensic science

1 year ago

The facilities are very clean and up to standard for our labs and lectures. Any maintenance is quickly sorted as well.

(5)
Facilities

3rd year

Forensic science

1 year ago

Forensics is an amazing course to study with a blended mix of lectures and labs, you are sure to have a broad knowledge about every main path of forensics. The staff are very knowledgeable and supportive and the sessions are action-packed and full of useful information. Labs are weekly and are criti...

(5)
Course

National Student Survey (NSS) scores at University of Derby

The NSS is an annual survey where final-year students are asked to rate different aspects of their course and university experience.

Here you can see ratings from University of Derby students who took the Animation with Foundation Year course - or another course in the same subject area.

Design studies

Select an option to see a detailed breakdown

How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?

88%

med

How good are teaching staff at explaining things?

85%

low

How often do teaching staff make the subject engaging?

90%

med

How often is the course intellectually stimulating?

78%

med

To what extent have you had the chance to bring together information and ideas from different topics?

75%

low

How well does your course introduce subjects and skills in a way that builds on what you have already learned?

83%

med

How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?

81%

med

To what extent have you had the chance to explore ideas and concepts in depth?

88%

med

To what extent does your course have the right balance of directed and independent study?

69%

low

How well have assessments allowed you to demonstrate what you have learned?

87%

med

How fair has the marking and assessment been on your course?

67%

low

How often does feedback help you to improve your work?

67%

low

How often have you received assessment feedback on time?

88%

med

How clear were the marking criteria used to assess your work?

62%

low

How easy was it to contact teaching staff when you needed to?

79%

low

How well have teaching staff supported your learning?

87%

med

How well were any changes to teaching on your course communicated?

61%

low

How well organised is your course?

60%

low

How well have the IT resources and facilities supported your learning?

61%

low

How well have the library resources (e.g., books, online services and learning spaces) supported your learning?

50%

low

How easy is it to access subject specific resources (e.g., equipment, facilities, software) when you need them?

63%

low

How clear is it that students' feedback on the course is acted on?

63%

med

To what extent do you get the right opportunities to give feedback on your course?

71%

low

To what extent are students' opinions about the course valued by staff?

65%

low

How well does the students' union (association or guild) represent students' academic interests?

70%

med

During your studies, how free did you feel to express your ideas, opinions, and beliefs?

87%

low

How well communicated was information about your university/college's mental wellbeing support services?

62%

low

Student information

See who's studying at University of Derby. These students are taking Animation with Foundation Year or another course from the same subject area.

Design studies
Mode of study
Full-time97%Part-time3%
Gender ratio
Female75%Male25%
Where students come from
International18%UK82%
Student performance
2:1 or above61%
Number of students255
Source: HESA

Graduate prospects

What graduates do next

Facts and figures about University of Derby graduates who took Animation with Foundation Year - or another course in the same subject area.

Design studies

Graduate statistics

65%

In a job where degree was essential or beneficial

80%

In work, study or other activity

90%

Say it fits with future plans

75%

Are utilising studies

Top job areas

15%

Web and Multimedia Design Professionals

10%

Artistic, literary and media occupations

10%

Skilled trades occupations

10%

Teaching Professionals

Graduate statistics percentages are determined 15 months after a student graduates

Earnings after graduation

Earnings from University of Derby graduates who took Animation with Foundation Year - or another course in the same subject area.

Creative arts and design

Earnings

£20.1k

First year after graduation

£22.6k

Third year after graduation

£24.5k

Fifth year after graduation

Shown here are the median earnings of graduates at one, three and five years after they completed a course related to Animation with Foundation Year.

Source: LEO

Note: this data only looks at employees (and not those who are self-employed or also studying) and covers a broad sample of graduates and the various paths they've taken, which might not always be a direct result of their degree

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