BA Honours 3D Animation and Games Degree

Overview & facilities

Computer generated 3D imagery is becoming part of our everyday visual experience. From mainstream movies, TV programs and adverts and through to computer gaming CCI appear everywhere. Our new BA 3D Animation and Games degree with Honours, aims to equip you with the skills you will need to enter this burgeoning industry. In particular, it will produce students who have grounding in traditional animation techniques, be competent 3D animators and will be comfortable in a game development environment.

You will be taught and assessed by award-winning practitioners as well as by academics with research interests in 3D graphics and Game Design.

The course is well resourced with fantastic facilities. You will have access to over 30 workstations equipped with an impressive array of the latest software including Maya, After Effects, Flash, Final Cut Pro, Unity and Photoshop. Teaching being focussed on project based workshops supplemented by lectures and seminars. These enable you to build a substantial portfolio of work, which will help you to gain entry to the workplace.

At the end of your degree you will exhibit your work at the Middlesex University Art and Design Degree Show.  The show is a celebration of the end of your studies and the start of your creative career, it's a great opportunity to show off your talents to friends, family and creative industry employers. 

You might also be interested in the two 12-week long Foundation courses, which run three times a year, successful completion of which will guarantee a place on a nominated BA Honours programme:Foundation in Art and Design, Intensive Short Course or Foundation in Digital Arts, Intensive Short Course

MIDDLESEX ANIMATION NEWS

The BA Animation staff are all working professionally and bring to the course specialised expertise in short and long form animated filmmaking, commercials, TV series and motion graphics. The Animation programme leader, Jonathan Hodgson, recently designed and directed the animation 'The Trouble with Love and Sex' which explores relationships using audio from a series of Relate counselling sessions. This groundbreaking animation was the first full length documentary to be made in animation format and was screened on BBC2. Read the full story here.

Content & modules

This specialised course will be run in partnership with BA Animation. This means that you will gain experience in traditional techniques such as classical 2D, stop motion and experimental animation as well as 3D computer animation. You will receive a thorough foundation in non-digital techniques whilst also exploring computer based approaches in general and computer gaming in particular. In the first two years of study, you will attend lectures and workshops in each of these core subjects. These two strands are supplemented and informed by lectures and seminars that address the historical and cultural background to animation, computer generated imagery and games. Each module of study is focussed on producing work, gradually building a professional portfolio to assist your entry into the job market. The final year s study is, whilst enabling thorough academic research, is principally devoted to producing a substantial, game related animation.

Modules

• Year 1

  Computer Games Workshop 1 (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module aims to introduce students to a range of skills and knowledge related to games design. It will map out methodological approaches and creative practices applied to a range of games formats and contexts and provide an opportunity to engage in designing, making and testing.

  From Pixel to Pencil (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module will introduce students to the core issues in the history of animation, and computer graphics. It will survey the changing practices, aesthetics and accompanying theories and enable the student to develop research skills and engage critically with the topic.

  Introduction to Animation (60 Credits) - Compulsory

  This Module aims to develop: - a personal approach to animation based on research, experimentation and the exploration of animation and it s relation to other areas of art and design practice from a historical, contemporary and cultural perspective. - communication skills to enable articulate discussion, analysis and evaluation of one s own work and that of others. - a basic understanding of film language, narrative and the technical processes of animation with the ability to apply that knowledge in the planning and creation of animation sequences.

• Year 2

  Animation Practice (60 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module aims to further develop: - improved technical skills coupled with an independent and challenging approach to animation problem solving. - increased confidence in articulate critical analysis, evaluation and discussion. - a deeper understanding of animation from a contemporary, historical and cultural perspective.

  Computer Games Workshop 2 (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module aims to extend the students skills and knowledge related to games design. It will enable students to become more independent in their work as they apply knowledge and skills already gained, to develop, document and critique designs - their own as well as others. The module will additionally help to develop team working skills, with some projects being group based, which may include students on other programmes

  Digital Cultures (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module aims to introduce students to a range of theories and concepts relating to games and play. It will further develop an understanding of academic research methods and will include an examination of psychological and cultural aspects of computer games. .

• Year 3

  Animation: Major Projects and Professional Portfolio Development (90 Credits) - Compulsory

  This Module aims to: - reinforce, extend and consolidate previously acquired skills to achieve a confident, independent approach to animation practice at a professional level. - cultivate highly articulate analysis, evaluation and discussion with an explicit critical understanding of current animation practice. - Identify potential career paths and anticipate the expectations of the animation industry in the presentation of a graduation showreel, portfolio and promotional material.

  Critical and Contextual Proposition (30 Credits) - Compulsory

  This module aims to enable students to identify and deliver a research project that is the product of sustained and creative engagement both with a range of research resources and an area of studio-practice. The module will consolidate skills of project identification, research organisation and development, time management, written and visual analysis and the presentation of a critical argument/thesis. The module further consolidates the development of skills required for autonomous learning.

Entry & applying

We are looking for people who are excited about animation and creative ideas, interested in moving imagery, good at drawing and aware of contemporary media. We interview all students who apply and look at a portfolio of art and design work. For applications from mature students we also consider work and life experience. Most successful applicants will come from an Art and Design Foundation Course or equivalent. We also accept strong candidates direct from school with A levels 220 UCAS tariff points in appropriate subjects.

The UCAS deadline for guaranteed consideration of applications for Middlesex art and design courses is 24 March.

Entry requirements

Primarily on basis of interview with portfolio of both artwork and written work. An Art Foundation year is preferable. Minimum of 5 GCSE qualifications. English to level of 6.5 TOEFL

You might also be interested in the two 12-week long Foundation courses, which run three times a year, successful completion of which will guarantee a place on a nominated BA Honours programme.

Foundation in Art and Design, Intensive Short Course

Foundation in Digital Arts, Intensive Short Course

Apply now

Qualifications accepted

For a comprehensive list of qualifications accepted by Middlesex, see further information under entry requirements

English language requirements

You must have competence in English language and we normally require Grade C GCSE or an equivalent qualification. The most common English Language requirements for international students are IELTS 6.0 (with minimum 5.5 in all four components) or TOEFL internet based 72 (with at least 17 in listening & writing, 20 in speaking and 18 in reading).

Middlesex also offers an Intensive Academic English course (Pre-Sessional) that ranges from 5-17 weeks depending on your level of English. Successful completion of this course would meet English language entry requirements. For more information on applying for the pre-sessional please email english@mdx.ac.uk.

Entry into year two or three (transfer students)

If you have achieved a qualification such as a foundation degree or HND, or have gained credit at another university, you may be able to enter a Middlesex course in year two or three. For full details of how this works see transfer students

UK/EU applicants with existing higher education qualifications

If you have already been awarded a qualification at the same level as the course you are applying for, you may not be eligible for a tuition fee loan, see fees and funding for more information.

Applying

Applications for UK and EU students should be made to UCAS – the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. The institution code for Middlesex is M80, and the code name is MIDDX. You also need the code for the course you wish to apply for – this is found in the 'at a glance' box above.

International students from outside the EU can make a direct application.  We have a network of regional offices across the world to assist you with your application.  They have worked with people from your region coming to Middlesex before and can help. Read more on international applications

Fees & funding

The tuition fee for the 2012/2013 academic year for UK/EU students is £9,000.
The tuition fee for the 2012/2013 academic year for International students is £10,400.

Click here to find out more about fees, funding and our scholarships in 2012.

Careers & placements

Students on related courses here at Middlesex University, such as the MA Design for Interactive Media and BA Games Design, have gone on to work in the creative industries including employment in computer and video game companies. We fully expect students on the BA 3D Computer Animation and Games to achieve similar successes.

Middlesex has strong links with art and design employers. Our industry partners sponsor final year students, give visiting lectures and hundreds of art and design agencies, organisations and other employers attend our final year degree show each year.

Our Careers Service offers you a range of support both while you’re studying with us – and after you’ve graduated.

Placements

Work placements are proven to increase your success in the job market – as well as being a fantastic experience. We encourage as many students as possible to grasp this opportunity.

We have a dedicated Placements Service which helps you find and plan for a placement.