Animation and VFX
University of Wales Trinity Saint David
UCAS Code: AVF1 | Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
University of Wales Trinity Saint David
UCAS Code: AVF1 | Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)
About this course
This course has alternative study modes. Contact the university to find out how the information below might vary.
Our Animation and VFX degree programme offers an exciting opportunity to bring your creative visions to life. This course covers both the creative and technological developments in the field, including animated and virtual production design elements. By studying with us, you will have the chance to build a strong portfolio of studio production work, focusing on both Animation and VFX preparing you for a promising career in this dynamic industry.
Throughout the course, you will learn to manage the entire production cycle of digital animation and visual production artefacts. This will expand both your practical knowledge and intellectual knowledge of the subject. You will explore contemporary opportunities in Computer Animation and VFX creatively and imaginatively, considering the social and cultural context in which these works communicate.
Our dedicated Computer Animation facilities, featuring industry-standard software like MAYA, Z-Brush, and Unreal, support your learning with workshops on various production stages.
Your lectures and learning process will focus on developing your intellectual skills. This includes analysis, inventiveness, and critical assessment. These are designed to examine ideas and theories that will enhance your artistic abilities and technical skills.
The course covers a broad range of topics, providing you with creative skills and the ability to understand and apply technological developments. You will work on animation and VFX-focused work, which will be integral parts of your portfolio. These experiences will prepare you for professional practice in the games industry, film, and television.
You will also have opportunities to engage with virtual production design and animated content creation. This course ensures you develop problem-solving abilities and a comprehensive understanding of the production process, from initial concept to final product.
Our Animation and VFX programme equips you with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in this dynamic field. By the end of the course, you will have a portfolio of work, showcasing your abilities in digital animation and visual production, ready to pursue a successful career in Animation and VFX.
Modules
Our Philosophy
We believe in a holistic approach to learning and teaching that combines creative exploration with technological mastery. Our goal is to equip students with both practical skills and intellectual insights, fostering innovation and professional development throughout their studies. Our staff are passionate artists and animators, dedicated to providing the best support to help your work stand out.
We offer opportunities to bring your imagination and storylines to life, find your passion, and realise your dreams. Whether you are interested in film, conceptual design, modelling, or any form of animation, we help you find what you love and bring it to life. Whether 2D, stop frame, 3D — it’s all-immersive in digital animation.
Year 1
In your first year, you’ll build a solid foundation in animation and VFX through modules such as Visual Studies and Introduction to Character Animation. You will explore virtual production, 3D modelling, and environment design, while also developing your academic and professional skills. You will gain insights into animation perspectives and the positive impact of VFX.
Visual Studies (20 credits)
Introduction to Virtual Production (20 credits)
Introduction to Character Animation (20 credits)
Environment Design (20 credits)
Academic and Professional Development (10 Credits)
Introduction to 3D Modelling (10 Credits)
Animation Insights and Perspectives (10 Credits)
VFX for Positive Impact (10 Credits)
Year 2
The second year focuses on advancing your skills with modules like Advanced Character Animation and Body Mechanics and Creature Animation. You will explore virtual production design, experimental animation techniques, and visual effects, while evolving your creative craft. Sound design will complement your visual work, enhancing your overall production quality.
Advanced Character Animation (20 credits)
Body Mechanics and Creature Animation (20 credits)
Virtual Production Design (20 credits)
Evolving your Creative Craft (20 Credits)
Experimental Animation Techniques (10 Credits)
Visual Effects (20 credits)
Sound Design (10 Credits)
In your final year, you will undertake an Independent Project to showcase your abilities. You will study emerging trends and advanced character performance, while also focusing on personal portfolio development. Advanced lighting and rendering techniques will refine your technical skills, preparing you for a career in the industry.
Year 3
Independent Project (40 credits)
Emerging Trends (20 credits)
Advanced Character Performance (20 Credits)
Personal Portfolio Development (20 Credits)
Advanced Lighting and Rendering (20 Credits)
Assessment methods
A lot of the briefs and coursework and submissions ask you to create something fresh, new, inspiring — and all industry leaning. You have creative input on new worlds and imaginings.
Visually enriched tutorials, lectures, presentations, overviews and exercises — always with an eye on concept; always thinking on how to extend this work for showreels. Feedback can often be illustrated and/or filled with more visual tips and guides to help with alternative designs, movements, narrative structure, etc, etc.
We ask you to engage with some amazing kit. We harness technology — we control it - via drawing, cintiqs, model-making, 2D and 3D software, production techniques and skillsets.
We provide a lot of the basics, with specific challenges to get you off the ground — and in HE — ask you to fly high.
Tuition fees
Select where you currently live to see what you'll pay:
The Uni
SA1 Waterfront Campus, Swansea
Computing
What students say
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How do students rate their degree experience?
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Computer science
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After graduation
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Looking further ahead, below is a rough guide for what graduates went on to earn.
Computer science
The graph shows median earnings of graduates who achieved a degree in this subject area one, three and five years after graduating from here.
£21k
£23k
£28k
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