Animation BA (Hons)

Sheffield Hallam University

Please check the Sheffield Hallam University website for the latest information

Course summary

• Work across a variety of forms including 2D drawn and digital-based animation, stop motion and 3D CGI animation.
• Specialise in your preferred animation discipline for your major project film.
• Produce a portfolio of project work to showcase your skills to potential employers.
• Learn a broad range of techniques and theoretical knowledge underpinning the form, including storyboarding, life drawing and concept art with this practical animation course. You graduate with the experience to enter the animation industry, or in a wide range of other creative sectors.

The course is an Aardman Academy Partner, giving access to exclusive opportunities from industry professionals.

How you learn

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.

At every level of the course, you will have the opportunity to engage with live projects set by Animation studios in collaboration with professionals. You can apply to access placements, volunteering opportunities, workshops on professional skills, internships, and work experience engaging with the employability team. Our lecturers are passionate about what they do and are involved in current research and personal practice. This means you may have the opportunity to engage with, and apply, research-based knowledge to real-world projects, making you stand out to employers. Some of the course briefs are designed and delivered in collaboration with industry. Through our Aardman Academy partnership, we can provide relevant learning opportunities for students to thrive in creative industries.

Throughout the course you will experience a range of teaching methods, from specialist workshops in bespoke studios, to lectures and seminars, individual tutorials, and group work. You will be able to develop your own area of interest and specialise in your preferred animation discipline for your major project piece (including 2D drawn, stop motion or 3D CGI animation).

You learn through:

• coursework
• portfolios
• projects
• written reports
• peer critique groups
• Aardman masterclasses

Applied learning

You will have the opportunity to arrange a year-long work placement in between your second and third years. This gives you valuable work experience to prepare you for your future career and allows you to graduate with an Applied Professional Diploma to add to your CV.

Live projects

You will work on industry briefs in collaboration with Animation Studios and learn to respond to clients’ feedback.

Field trips

We tend to engage yearly with the Manchester Animation Festival providing individual tickets to all students at no additional cost. We also provide other opportunities to engage with other film festivals such as Aesthetica in York as well as the Children’s Media Conference, and Doc Fest.

Networking opportunities We arrange animation seminars and guest lectures by industry experts. Our industry links include Aardman Animation, Double Negative, Frame Store, MacKinnon and Saunders, Cartoon Saloon, Finger Industries, Flickermill, Grizzle, Jellyfish Animation, and Kerrupt Animation.

Competitions

In your third year you will have the opportunity to submit your work for the Nick Park Award, an annual competition exclusive to Sheffield Hallam students which is judged by the team at Aardman Animation. You may also have the chance to enter other prestigious competitions, such as the annual Royal Television Society Yorkshire Student Television awards, where our students have won multiple prizes.