Code

005S103

Start

September 2026

Fees

£13,700 (UK) £20,100 (INT)

Duration

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time, 1 year full-time + 12 months placement

Location

Hendon campus

Why study Animation MA at Middlesex University?

Join an interdisciplinary community of digital creatives studying together in our state-of-the-art facilities at MDX Studios. You'll gain advanced creative and technical skills in 2D, 3D, and stop motion animation while exploring the ethics and influence of AI and emerging technologies.

Tuition fee discounts of up to 40%
Learn in London, one of the world’s most dynamic creative hubs, with close proximity to studios, festivals, and global networks
Collaborate with peers across film, sound, and digital media to develop technically advanced, creatively innovative animation projects
Build a professional portfolio through live briefs, placements, and client-facing projects supported by our Careers and Futures team and industry mentors
Explore ethical, sustainable, and inclusive approaches to animation production and storytelling
Prepare for international careers across film, television, gaming, advertising, and creative media industries
Choose between one- and two-year modes with embedded, credit-bearing work experience on real-world industry projects. Our practice-based approach to learning means you learn vital new skills in professional contexts, enhancing your CV and your employability
We have a range of studio spaces including a dedicated 2D animation studio, stop-frame studios, high-spec digital media workshops for 3D animation, double-height studio for film production, sound recording foley and ADR studios as well as suites for editing and colour grading (DaVinci Resolve). We offer AVID Media Composer and Pro Tools certification. Our Motion Capture studio utilises a 25-camera OptiTrack motion capture system and a Vanishing Point Viper to enable the creation of industry-level VFX and VP in a sound-proofed green-screen environment
Our Kit Hub has a vast collection of high-end creative tech to support student projects including professional cameras, sound recording kit and VR headsets. With strong relationships with industry partners, Canon, Sony and AVID, Kit Hub is vital resource for our creative community to keep up to date with the latest tech.

Exclusive launch discount

A 20% discount is offered to all new MA students on this course, with a higher 40% tuition fee reduction available to Middlesex University graduates.

Find out more

Placements in animation

MDX Studios is a vibrant, industry-connected hub for hands-on learning, research, and innovation - where university meets the real world. We offer a unique environment where students collaborate with external partners to develop cutting-edge skills and an entrepreneurial mindset.

Through our partnership with Screen London, and our access to London’s thriving animation studio network, MA Animation students have opportunities for work experience shadowing or assisting animators working on real-world animation projects for a variety of platforms, from film and TV to streaming and immersive media.

At MDX Studios, you won’t just study - you’ll work. Our MA programmes feature one- and two-year options with embedded, credit-bearing work placements on live industry projects. Placements can be long or short, and if a suitable opportunity is not available with an industry partner, we will create professional settings for you to work on university-led projects. You’ll build your CV while gaining experience in professional contexts, from independent content creation to working on productions in our state-of-the-art facilities.

Discover more about placements

groups

Industry experts

Learn from highly experienced and professional staff as well as active animators, writers and filmmakers.

Real-world experience

Gain real-world insights through live briefs, studio collaborations, and London-based opportunities with our partners at Screen London Barnet.

video_settings

Top studio facilities

Studios for animation and virtual production, film and radio, digital media, VFX, and recording. Plus, suites for post-production and editing, colour-grading and Pro Tools.

Student stories and experiences

A Middlesex graduate with a light beard and moustache smiles in front of three awards. Plasticine model figures from his animation sit on top of the awards

Middlesex stop-motion animation scoops three prizes at RTS Student TV Awards

Financial and student support in 60 seconds

Diversity at Middlesex University

Modules

Here is an overview of the modules you will study.

This module explores narrative construction and visual storytelling across film and television. You’ll analyse and create compelling story worlds for diverse audiences.

You’ll examine the role of AI in contemporary creative practice, learning to integrate emerging technologies ethically and effectively into your production workflow.

Develop project management, budgeting and entrepreneurial confidence for creative industries.

Experiment with multiple animation styles and techniques, developing your distinctive creative voice.

Develop advanced skills in post-production mixing, mastering, and sound design for film, music, and interactive platforms.

Hone your animation technique through a series of challenging exercises designed to sharpen your skills.

Explore innovative documentary techniques as you learn how to use animation to educate, inform, and tell compelling true stories in a unique medium.

Explore traditional and digital fabrication methods to construct detailed scale models.

Learn the creative, interpersonal, and technical skills of directing, from interpreting a script to directing actors and leading a creative team through all stages of production.

Prepare for your major project by generating original ideas and bringing them to life with scripts, storyboards and animatics.

Develop a significant animated production demonstrating your creative, technical, and conceptual mastery.

Build industry experience through placements, live briefs, or internships within London’s animation and media sectors.

Fly through Middlesex Uni: The Grove building for Arts and Creative courses

Teaching

You'll be taught by an experienced teaching team with a wide range of expertise and professional experience.

You’ll learn through workshops, studio sessions, collaborative projects, seminars, and individual tutorials. Practical filmmaking is combined with critical study, ensuring both creative depth and industry relevance.

Guest lectures from film professionals and visits to London studios will enrich your learning experience.

Your timetable will be built around on campus sessions using our professional facilities, with online sessions for some activities where we know being virtual will add value. We’ll use technology to enhance all your learning and give you access to online resources to use in your own time. Project information, recorded presentations, and assessment criteria will be provided through our online module page.

The table below gives you an idea of what learning looks like across a typical week. Some weeks are different due to how we schedule classes and arrange on-campus sessions.

Learning structure	Typical hourly breakdown
Live in-person on campus learning	Contact hours per week, per level: 10 hours
Tutor set learning activities	Average hours per week, per level: 2 hours

Outside of these hours, you’ll be expected to do independent study where you read, listen and reflect on other learning activities. This can include preparation for future classes. In a year, you’ll typically be expected to commit 1,200 hours to your course across all styles of learning. If you are taking a placement, you might have some additional hours.

You’ll have access to specialist tutors, academic advisors, Careers and Futures employability support, and dedicated high-end industry-standard film production equipment available to borrow from our Kit Hub loan service and in our extensive film and television facilities.

Assessment is by portfolio, project work, design presentations, and reflective writing. Feedback is continuous, supporting your professional growth and creative decision-making.

A student working on an animation project with an Apple Mac and stylus

Explore our world-class facilities MDX Studios

A person in a motion capture suit pushing their fist forward, with an animated soldier on a screen emulating the action

A person in a motion capture suit wielding a prop weapon in front of a green screen

Careers

How can the Animation MA support your career?

You’ll be prepared for employment across film, television, gaming, advertising, and emerging digital sectors - or to launch your own studio or freelance career.

Graduates progress into roles such as:

animator;
storyboard artist;
motion designer;
character designer;
creative producer.

Our employability service Careers and Futures will help you make the most of your experience and connections to achieve your career goals. You'll have unlimited access to one-to-one advice and support from specialists in your sector plus 24/7 online support. You can also make the most of events and networking opportunities, on and off campus.

As an alumni, we offer you lifetime career support so we can help you as your progress.

MDXcelerator student start-up support

We can help you bring your business idea to life with our MDXcelerator programme which includes masterclasses with high-profile entrepreneurs, workshops, mentoring opportunities and competitions to secure seed funding.

Students at Middlesex span 122 countries and you will be part of our thriving global network. After you graduate, you'll join our alumni network. You will get access to:

Lifetime careers support from the Careers and Futures employability service;
Raise your personal profile as one of our featured alumni;
Continued limited usage of the Sheppard Library;
Exclusive MDX alumni networks to connect with your peers.

Entry requirements

Qualifications

We normally require a 2:2 undergraduate degree or above, or equivalent qualification, in a related discipline.

We also consider candidates with other relevant qualifications or equivalent professional experience.

Portfolio

If you don’t hold a degree in a relevant field, you’ll need to submit a portfolio as part of your application. This is your chance to show us your creative ability, enthusiasm, and potential to succeed on the course. For more information please see the Portfolio tab.

We welcome students from the UK and all over the world. Join students from over 122 countries and discover why so many international students call our campus home:

Quality teaching with top facilities plus flexible online learning
Welcoming north London campus that's only 30 minutes from central London
Work placements and networking with top London employers
Award-winning career support to get you where you want to go after university.

Qualifications

We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the accepted qualifications on your country's support page. If you are unsure of the suitability of your qualifications or would like help with your application, please contact your nearest international office.

English language

You will need to meet our English language requirements. And, don’t worry If you don't meet our minimum English language requirements, as we offer a Pre-sessional English course.

Visas

To study with us in the UK, you might need a Student visa. Please check to see if this applies to you.

Portfolio review

We’ve put together some simple notes to help you prepare:

Be selective about the work you show while continuing to show a range of skills and ability;
Show mostly recent work that you are most proud of;
Consider how to present your work and the impression the overall look of your portfolio will have on the viewer.

After you have applied, we will send you a link for you to submit your portfolio online via the applicant portal.

We welcome portfolios in any digital format. Please share your work in whatever way best represents your creativity and skills.

If you are having difficulty with the file format, please contact ACIPortfolios@mdx.ac.uk who can help you submit.

Applications for postgraduate study should be made directly to the university.

Please visit our postgraduate application page for further information and to apply.

Entry onto this course may require portfolio review.

Register your interest

Chat with a real student about life at MDX

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Fees and funding

The fees below are for the 2026/2027 academic year.

UK students¹

Full-time students: £13,700
Part-time students: £90 per credit
Part-time students: £45 per dissertation credit

If you were to study over two years part-time, you would usually pay £5,400 for the first year of study, and £8,100 in the second.

International students²

Full-time students: £20,100
Part-time students: £134 per credit
Part-time students: £67 per dissertation credit

If you were to study over two years part-time, you would usually pay £8,040 for the first year of study, and £12,060 in the second.

Exclusive launch discount

For the 2026 intake, new MA students on this course receive 20% off tuition fees, with Middlesex alumni eligible for an enhanced 40% discount. Terms and conditions apply. See our scholarships and bursaries page for details.

The following course-related costs are included in the fees:

All printing and copying required for your study
Access to sound recording and mixing studios, editing suites, and colour grading suites
Audio-visual equipment available for loan, including digital stills cameras, digital video recorders, digital audio recorders, a large range lighting gear, grip equipment, and specialist microphones.

You may be eligible for one of our scholarships including:

The Alumni Postgraduate Award: a 20% fee reduction for UK/EU Middlesex alumni who studied eligible undergraduate courses;
The Chevening Scholarship: full course fees;
The European Academic Awards: £1,000 to £7,000 for students showing academic excellence;
Regional or International Merit Award: up to £2,000 towards course fees.

For international students, we also have a limited number of other awards specific to certain regions, and work in partnership with funding providers in your country to help support you financially with your study.

Find out more about our postgraduate scholarships.

Help from your employer

Your employer can contribute towards the cost of your postgraduate study as part of their staff development programme.

Work while you study

If you are not currently working, we can help you find work that fits around uni and your other commitments. We have hundreds of student jobs on campus that pay the London Living Wage and above.

Fees disclaimers

1. UK fees: The university reserves the right to increase postgraduate tuition fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions. The tuition fees for part-time UK study are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.

2. International fees: Tuition fees are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.

Any annual increase in tuition fees as provided for above will be notified to students at the earliest opportunity in advance of the academic year to which any applicable inflationary rise may apply.

Important information

We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.

Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.

Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.

At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.