Computer Animation and Visual Effects
University of the Arts London
UCAS Code: W619 | Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
About this course
BA (Hons) Computer Animation and Visual Effects is a practice-led, concept-driven course which will enable you to explore the creative process through a range of digital technologies. You will be introduced to a range of 2D and 3D digital tools that are key to developing your conceptual, creative and technical skillset.
From low-poly modelling to character animation, cinematography to compositing, this course will offer you the opportunity to learn industry-standard practices whilst experimenting with new and emerging technologies.
In Year 2, you’ll choose to specialise in either Computer Animation or Visual Effects:
- The Computer Animation specialism will support you to develop the broad skillset needed to create 3D digital art across established industries such as animation, film, television or games.
- The Visual Effects specialism will provide you with a working knowledge of the broad skillset and expertise needed to work within the visual effects industries across areas such as compositing, live action, environment creation and CG integration.
Both specialisms emphasise concept development and creative storytelling coupled with in-depth technical tuition and support. While you’ll choose to focus on one, you’ll also gain an underlying knowledge of the other.
**What to expect**
- Technical skills: You’ll learn core skills in 2D and 3D visual practices, along with a range of different techniques and procedures in line with professional industry standards.
- Creativity: You’ll develop your creative and critical skills to articulate meaningful ideas in your practice that promote equality, diversity, and inclusivity and themes around sustainability and sustainable practices.
- Emerging technology: You’ll have the opportunity to explore technologies such as Virtual Production (VP), Virtual Reality (VR), motion capture and Unreal Engine, bringing digital worlds and characters to life while developing an understanding of software, workflow and pipeline principles.
- Specialist facilities: You’ll have access to specialist tools and facilities including the Green Screen Studio, motion capture suit, 3D printers, Artec 3D scanners, specialist camera equipment, render farms, VR headsets, tablet monitors and a range of specialist software.
- Accreditation: Nuke is the most commonly used software in the visual effects industry, and BA (Hons) Computer Animation and Visual Effects is accredited as a Nuke training course and centre by Foundry - a leading creative software developer for the digital design, media and entertainment industries.
**Industry experience and opportunities**
You’ll participate in live projects, respond to feedback from industry guest lecturers and develop a professional showreel portfolio to launch your career.
You’ll also have the opportunity to undertake the Diploma in Professional Studies or the Diploma in Creative Computing between Years 2 and 3 to enhance your learning experience and employability skills.
Tuition fees
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The Uni
London College of Communication
London College of Communication, University of the Arts London
What students say
We've crunched the numbers to see if overall student satisfaction here is high, medium or low compared to students studying this subject(s) at other universities.
How do students rate their degree experience?
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Computer games and animation
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Who studies this subject and how do they get on?
Most popular A-Levels studied (and grade achieved)
After graduation
We don't have more detailed stats to show you in relation to this subject area at this university but read about typical employment outcomes and prospects for graduates of this subject below.
What about your long term prospects?
Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Computer games and animation
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£17k
£23k
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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This information comes from the National Student Survey, an annual student survey of final-year students. You can use this to see how satisfied students studying this subject area at this university, are (not the individual course).
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You can use this to get an idea of who you might share a lecture with and how they progressed in this subject, here. It's also worth comparing typical A-level subjects and grades students achieved with the current course entry requirements; similarities or differences here could indicate how flexible (or not) a university might be.
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Post-six month graduation stats:
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It offers a snapshot of what grads went on to do six months later, what they were earning on average, and whether they felt their degree helped them obtain a 'graduate role'. We calculate a mean rating to indicate if this is high, medium or low compared to other universities.
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Graduate field commentary:
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The Longitudinal Educational Outcomes dataset combines HRMC earnings data with student records from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
While there are lots of factors at play when it comes to your future earnings, use this as a rough timeline of what graduates in this subject area were earning on average one, three and five years later. Can you see a steady increase in salary, or did grads need some experience under their belt before seeing a nice bump up in their pay packet?
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