Computer Animation and Visual Effects with Foundation Year

UCAS code: II16

Here's what University of Portsmouth says about its Computer Animation and Visual Effects with Foundation Year course.

With this foundation year course, you'll gain all the credentials you need to begin your career in animation and visual effects. It's ideal for you if you don't yet meet the entry requirements of our undergraduate degree, if you're returning to study after a break away, or you need a bit of extra support to get uni-ready.

You'll spend a year studying with us on campus, through ICP. You'll get the knowledge and academic skills needed to take on a bachelor's degree, learning how to analyse information, do research, and improve your academic writing.

The skills you'll learn will help you work in teams as well as on your own in culturally diverse workplaces. You'll develop your understanding of new workplaces and environments, and how to adapt to new environments.

After your foundation year, you'll be ready to move onto the first year of BSc (Hons) Computer Animation and Visual Effects

A guaranteed place Once you’ve successfully completed your foundation year, you'll be ready to progress onto BSc (Hons) Computer Animation and Visual Effects with a guaranteed place.

Course highlights

• ICP is based on the University of Portsmouth campus so you'll have access to all facilities, support and societies

• When you finish your foundation year successfully, you get a guaranteed place on BSc (Hons) Computer Animation and Visual Effects

• Get used to how lectures, seminars and tutorials work, so you can move onto your degree ready for success

• Learn how to meet the demands of taking on a bachelor's at university

Careers and opportunities When you complete this foundation year, you'll be all set to continue on to our BSc (Hons) Computer Animation and Visual Effects degree which fuses art and science and offers fascinating career, research, and education enhancement opportunities for graduates. Many of our graduates have worked in roles such as Serial riggers, Animators, Motion capture technicians, Stagecrafter and Freelance artists.

Placement year You can complete an optional work placement to gain professional experience and enhance your skills. It's also a great incentive for employers once you graduate. Our previous placement students have worked in a wide range of technical roles, including compositing, rigging, texturing, and modeling.

Many of them have gained their industry experience in our leading facilities at the University, including CCIXR. Others have completed their placements at a number of renowned companies, including Industrial Light & Magic, Framestore, Moving Picture Company (MPC) and Procter & Gamble.

The University of Portsmouth is passionate about creating career-focused modules that do more than support your studies, they empower your academic journey and prepare you for what comes next.

We design modules that have:

• Clear themes and skills development as you progress through each year • Assessments that feel meaningful, often based on real-world tasks rather than isolated exams • Career-enhancing opportunities such as placements, live projects, enterprise and volunteering

For a full list of the modules you will study on this course, please visit https://www.port.ac.uk/study/courses/undergraduate/bsc-hons-computer-animation-and-visual-effects?studyMode=4-years-with-foundation-year&startDate=september-2026#modules

You'll be assessed in a number of ways on your foundation year, including:

• assignments
• oral presentations
• exams
• lab reports
• portfolio
• court reports

Typically, you can expect to have two assessments per module.