BA (Hons) Animation at Nottingham Trent University

The UK's animation industry is global success, so there's never been a better time to start your career as an animator.

As an ambitious designer and creative thinker, you explore all aspects of 2D and 3D animation on this cutting-edge degree course. We'll equip you with the critical and technical skills required to produce animated works, alongside learning about scriptwriting, character development, storyboarding and cinematography.

This course will give you the professional, creative, intellectual and technical skills you’ll need to work successfully within the international animation industry. Learn about animation in a way that reflects current art and industry practice.

You’ll explore the different areas of animation through studio practice, academic research, and study. By the end of the course you’ll have developed an animated thesis film and a professional show reel, tailored to your own career aspirations, and be ready to launch your career as an animator.

Key features

• Study the broadest range of disciplines, including drawing, writing and storyboarding for 2D and 3D animation; character design and performance animation; experimental animation; scoring, production and direction.
• We're ranked 12th best University for Art and Design in the UK. (The Complete University Guide 2021).
• Have access to industry-standard equipment and software such as Autodesk’s Maya, TVPaint, CelAction2D, ZBrush and Dragonframe.
• 95% of our undergraduate students are satisfied with the quality of this course. (National Student Survey 2020).
• Develop your professional skills through self-initiated work experience placements, industry competitions, collaborations with organisations and guest lectures.
• Learn from course staff with expertise in areas such as scriptwriting, sequential drawing and commercial animation.
• Apply to study part of your degree abroad through our European or international exchange programmes.
• Exhibit your work in the Student Showcase in your final year.
• Be selected to showcase your work at international film festivals, such as the Annecy International Animated Film Festival.
• We are proud to be in the top ten in England and Wales for Art and Design (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2020).

Careers and employability

Animation students at a study trip to Manchester Film Festival (image credit: Ellen De Brito-Morris)

The School of Art & Design has an excellent graduate employment rate, with 96% of our undergraduate students in employment or further study within six months of graduating (DLHE 2016/17).

Employability is a key focus of this course, with modules including initiatives such as live projects and trips, and the opportunity to exhibit your work, which will help to raise your profile and enhance your future career.

This course will prepare you to work in the digital media field, in areas such as feature films, television, heritage interpretation, advertising, and games production.

You’ll also develop transferable skills for alternative careers in media, freelance design, teaching and retailing.

YouFirst – working with our Employability team

Studying a creative degree in a large university has many benefits, none more so than having access to a large employability team.

Our friendly, experienced careers consultants will work closely with you at every stage of your career planning, providing personal support and advice you won't find in a book or on the Internet. You can benefit from this at any time during your studies and for up to three years after completing your course.

Connecting with industry and work placement opportunities

Industry professionals will visit the course to guest lecture and share their experiences. Live projects and competitions will help you to gain real experience of the industry, make contacts, and build your portfolio and CV.

You’ll be encouraged to undertake short periods of work experience alongside your studies. You will normally complete these placements during holiday periods, but you will have the option of taking up to two weeks out of term time, which you can negotiate with your tutor.

In addition, you’ll also have the opportunity to complete a longer work experience or placement, with the chance to gain an additional Diploma or Certificate in Professional Practice, dependent on duration. Course tutors and our Employability team are on hand to support you in applying for placement and professional practice opportunities.