3D Computer Animation

Entry requirements

A Bachelors Honours degree with 2:2 in any subject

A professional qualification or diploma recognised to be equivalent to an honours degree

Industrial experience deemed to be equivalent to an honours degree

Applicants are also required to submit a portfolio in support of their application for this course.

Months of entry

September

Course content

This Master’s course, ranked top in the UK and industry-recognised by ScreenSkills, prepares you for diverse careers in animation across film, TV, computer games and interactive media. Our graduates are highly sought after, working on projects like Avatar and Star Wars at top studios such as Pixar, DreamWorks, and Sony, some even collecting Oscars and BAFTAs for their work.

Why study MA 3D Computer Animation at BU?

• High Ranking Course: Study at the UK's top animation school, ranked second in Europe and third globally (Animation Career Review 2023), and accredited by ScreenSkills and the Unreal Academic Partnership.
• Industry-Ready Skills: Develop skills for a variety of fields including films, games, TV, commercials, scientific visualisation, virtual environments, and more, ensuring you're prepared for diverse career opportunities.
• Collaborative Learning: Collaborate with students across NCCA Master’s courses, gaining real-world experience in creative and technical teamwork, crucial for industry success.
• Professional Insights: Attend masterclasses and lectures from industry professionals and BU alumni from leading companies such as Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, Framestore, and Industrial Light & Magic.
• Capstone Project: Complete a Master’s project with dedicated production time, showcased at a degree show in London attended by top industry recruiters, enhancing your employability.
• State-of-the-Art Facilities: Study in a professional studio environment with industry-standard 2D and 3D software, motion capture studio, green screen studio, and animation labs.
• Strong Industry Links: Benefit from our connections with top VFX and animation studios like Pixar, DreamWorks, EA Games, and Sony Picture Image Works, with graduates contributing to high-profile projects such as Avatar, Star Wars, and Inception.
• Recognised Excellence: Our Houdini and Rookies certifications highlight the quality of our courses, ensuring our students are highly sought after by industry leaders.
• BFX Festival: Participate in the annual BFX Festival hosted by Bournemouth University, featuring a week-long schedule of inspiring talks, panels, and masterclasses delivered by industry experts, fostering the next generation of artists, technicians, and engineers.

Study at the National Centre for Computer Animation (NCCA)

The NCCA is one of the most established and highly regarded centres for computer graphics and animation education and research. As one of very few research-intensive animation centres in the UK, our expertise not only ensures our courses remain at the forefront of education, but also helps to define new industry practices.

The NCCA is ranked as the UK’s top animation school, second in Europe and third internationally (Animation Career Review, 2021).

This course is industry-recognised by ScreenSkills, the industry-led skills body for the UK’s screen-based industries, and carries the ScreenSkills Select quality-mark which indicates courses best suited to prepare students for a career in the screen industries.

Information for international students

If English is not your first language, you will need to provide evidence that you understand English to a satisfactory level. English language requirements for this course are normally:

IELTS (Academic) 6.5 with minimum 6.0 in writing, speaking, listening and reading or equivalent.

Fees and funding