BA (Hons) Computer Animation Technical Arts

UCAS code W280

This course is a development of the Computer Visualisation & Animation course which ran for over 20 years at BU. Our graduates now work all over the world as technical directors/ artists, software producers and games developers in some of the leading animation and production houses, software houses, and computer game and digital media companies.

Guest lectures

The course is taught within the National Centre for Computer Animation (NCCA), and our long-standing reputation means you’ll benefit from our great links with industry, including regular guest lectures from some of the UK’s leading animation studios. This course is also accredited by ScreenSkills, placing it in the ranks of the top creative training and education providers in the UK.

Outstanding education

A technical arts job is varied by nature, allowing a lot of creative freedom. The course blends art and science, providing you with the skills to create computer graphics and animation using computer code and to develop tools for artistic use. You’ll learn creative skills, such as life drawing, shot composition, principles of animation and cinematography and technical skills which include applied computing and maths. You’ll be introduced to the full production pipeline and learn the art of problem solving, a highly sought-after skill within a range of creative industries. If you’re enthusiastic about creating visuals for film, animation and computer games, passionate about coding and developing tools and technologies, and excited about planning for the techniques needed to make exciting movies and interactive experiences, this is the course for you.

Where to next?

Our graduates often fulfil the hard-to-recruit-to and in-demand roles of technical directors (film) and technical artists (games). Films they have worked on include Ex Machina, Ant-Man, The Jungle Book, the Harry Potter film series, and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

There is a lot of computer animation in areas that you would not even think of, like advertising, films, games, TV, even architecture. There are so many areas, it is not as niche as you think it is.

Hannah Kenton, graduate and now 3D Generalist at Union

Key areas of study

A Foundation Year is available on this course. See page 64 for more information

Key Information

Accreditations: ScreenSkills

Duration and delivery: 3 years full-time with optional 8-week placement, or 4 years full-time with a 30-week placement

Entry requirements: 112 - 128 tariff points including 32 points in a required subject. A portfolio is required in support of your application

Required subjects: Maths, Computing, Physics, Chemistry, Design & Technology

If English is not your first language: IELTS (Academic) 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component or equivalent

See website for latest details of: Entry requirements, contact hours and course costs