MA 3D Computer Animation

at Bournemouth University

Core units:
 

• Core Production Principles: This unit is the first practical unit on the course and establishes the core skills in computer animation tools that you’ll rely upon through the rest of the course. 

• Core Production Techniques: In this unit you’ll build upon the skills developed in Core Production Principles to expand your knowledge of animation techniques and add further depth to your computer animation practice. 

• Visual & Critical Studies: This unit provides the wider theoretical and critical context for your studies. It will introduce you to a range of conceptual tools and theoretical themes in moving image, to encourage debate and critical thinking in the field of computer animation. You will consider how to theoretically underpin your own creative practice within a contemporary context.

• Group Project: Working with students from the other NCCA Masters courses, you’ll conceptualise, design and execute a short, animated project, in a manner which is aligned with industry practice.

• Research & Development in Computer Animation: You’ll undertake research in an area of computer animation that interests you, which can be industry focussed or more academic. This unit is supported by workshops, seminars and industry masterclasses.

• Production Development: During this unit you’ll develop your skills and knowledge in originating computer animation assets and content. With guidance from tutors, you’ll undertake conceptualisation, design and development of your own production project.

• Master's Portfolio: The focus of the third semester is completing the Masters component of your education. This project can be a standalone project or a continuation of the group project unit. In either case you can work alone or with other students. 

Resources, equipment and technology:
 

• 24/7 access to your studio 

• 2 x 24” Cintiqs in the studio

• Access to Green Screen facility

• Access to Mocap facility

• Programme-specific Software: Maya, Mari, Z-Brush, Nuke, Adobe Creative Suite, Substance Painter, Marvellous Designer, Unreal Game Engine, Unity Game Engine, Advanced Skeleton, Ziva, Mudbox, Motionbuilder, V-Ray, Maxwell Renderer, Shotgun, RealFlow, Houdini Engine plus a host of plugins to aid production.

• Cameras, lenses, tripods, sound recording devices and other resources associated with production.

• Departmental Software: RC++, OpenGL, Qt, Maya, Houdini, Renderman plus many more.

Bournemouth University is one of a small number of institutions from around the world who have been granted Houdini Certified School status by Side Effects Software.

General entry requirements

The normal requirements for embarking upon a postgraduate taught degree are:
 

• 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.

International entry requirements

Please see below some examples of the qualifications for entry:
 

• India: Bachelor’s degree (4 years) from a recognised HE institution with a minimum overall result of 55%

• Nigeria:  Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution with a minimum classification of 2:2

• Thailand:  Thai Bachelor's (Honours) degree from a recognised higher education institution with a minimum GPA of 2.5/4.0

• Turkey: Bachelor’s degree (Lisans Diplomasi - four years) with a minimum overall GPA of 2.3/4.0

• Vietnam:  Bachelor's degree/Bang tot nghiep dai hoc with an average score of 6.5/10, or a Master’s degree/Thac si.

All applications will be subject to a minimum grade and your degree may need to be in a relevant subject area.

English language requirements

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.

Annual tuition fees:
 

• £8,500 (UK, ROI & CI)

• £15,750 (Int'l)

The roles our 3D Computer Animation graduates are in include:
 

• 3D Artist

• Artist

• Software Developer

• Character Animator

• Technical Animator