Advanced 3D Animation (attendance)

If you have an undergraduate degree, some industry experience or a genuine love for Animation, you could take your career to the next level, with this advanced course. Upon graduating you’ll be able to showcase an industry-standard animated short or showreel, which could help you join this ever-growing industry.

Split between our High Wycombe campus and BNU teaching base at Pinewood Studios, you’ll have the opportunity to learn the skills and knowledge you need for your future, all whilst studying right in the heart of the famous creative hub.

Experience of 3D software such as Maya is highly recommended.

Why study at BNU?

BNU has been ranked 9th in the UK for Animation and Game Design (G.U.G. 23).

This course will offer you the chance to focus on creating high quality animation or animated sequence. During your time with us you will be supported by knowledgeable lecturers and industry professionals while also taking advantage of our excellent resources.

The standard of animation at BNU is very high and this is reflected in the proportion of our students who go on to work successfully in the industry afterwards. We also run small classes which ensures that students gain meaningful access to our tutors.

You’ll also be invited to join online groups where you will be able to meet the other students taking our animation, visual effects, game art and visualisation courses, both MA and BA, online and attendance. These help to foster a sense of community and are also places where extra-curricular collaborative projects, such as game jams, take place. You will also be able to meet our alumni in these broader forums. All forums are moderated by the lecturers.

What will I study?

You will cover abroad range of topics, from researching into the field of animation, looking at both historical and contemporary practice, to drafting a short sequence of your own derived from your research findings. This will help you to establish and personalise the overall direction of your studies and practice.

You will also look at the wider production pipeline needed for an animation, covering areas such as:

• modelling
• rigging
• texturing
• lighting
• rendering

You’ll also look at how to convey effective storytelling and emotion in a visual narrative as achieving this is one of the hardest challenges which animators face.

Lastly, you’ll enter the preproduction phase before moving on to the production phase for your main project. This may be a continuation of your short sequence or something new and may be done individually or in a group.

What facilities can I use?

During your time on this course you’ll spend your time split between our High Wycombe Campus and our BNU Teaching Base at Pinewood Studios. On campus you’ll have access to our state-of-the-art library, computer suites and student services.

You’ll also be able to access a range of specialist software and hardware, including;

• Maya
• ZBrush
• Nuke
• Mari
• Substance Suite
• Marvellous Designer
• Adobe Creative Suite
• Cinema 4D
• Redshift Renderer
• Shotgun
• Houdini
• Houdini Engine
• Unreal Engine
• Megascans Asset library
• Advanced Skeleton
• Ziva

This can all be accessed online through our virtualised computer system which will provide you with all the necessary hardware power to complete the course no matter where you are based. Our licences can also be accessed and used on your own machines by using our Bucks Anywhere service.

Graduate entrants to the programme will normally hold an Honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject. The University also welcomes applicants who have significant industry experience and no formal qualifications. Applicants with a suitable portfolio can be offered places based on artistic ability and experience. This degree is aimed at learners who have already mastered animation tools to a good extent and are looking to focus their efforts on creating professional standard work that is highly creative and expressive.