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Bring characters, worlds, and stories to life! Our BA (Hons) Animation course teaches you everything from hand-drawn to digital animation, helping you develop your own style while building the skills and portfolio you need for a creative career.
TYPICAL OFFER
UCAS Tariff Points: 48 UCAS tariff points from two A-levels (or equivalent qualifications), one of which must be in a relevant subject
A Levels: 2xD grades one of which to be in a relevant subject
BTEC Level 3 Diploma or Extended Diploma: MP, MPP grade in relevant subjects
Access to HE Diploma: Overall pass with 60 credits, with 24 credits to be at a Merit grade in a relevant subject
T Levels: Acceptable in a relevant subject
IELTS: IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any component.
International qualifications: International qualifications will be assessed against these criteria
Mature applicants: University Centre Leeds welcomes applications from mature* applicants who may not have met the academic criteria, but who can demonstrate a wealth of experience in their chosen field. Candidates in this category and otherwise are likely to be interviewed to assess their suitability for the course and may be asked to provide a portfolio of evidence to support their application.
*21 years and over at the start of the course
RPL claims: The course structure actively supports claims for Recognition of Prior Certified Learning (RPCL) or Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL)
Master the illusion of movement with this animation programme. You will study at the impressive Quarry Hill campus, where cutting-edge computer suites and fantastic facilities really allow you to unleash your creativity.
You will explore 2D and 3D animation and modelling - developing concepts into tangible wire-frames, digital imagery, and character and prop models. You will also produce a professional portfolio to showcase your work. You will learn a range of animation skills and techniques including stop frame, motion capture, analogue and digital techniques and learn how to work in a professional animation studio. You will work on major projects and live briefs with employers to help you to develop industry standard working practices.
The course is focussed on developing your practical skills, so there will be plenty of opportunities for you to use industry-standard hardware and software to create your own film sequences. You will apply a range of animation techniques to different contexts such as video games, giving you an edge once you enter the industry.
This course is validated by Luminate Education Group
If you are applying for 2026 entry, you will need to apply through UCAS.
Our modules focus on skills development and may include:
Level 4 (Year 1)
2D & 3D Techniques (20 credits): Develop your skills in a range of fundamental 2D and 3D animation techniques and use industry standard software.
Pre-Production Techniques (20 credits): This module will develop your pre-production techniques including storyboarding, concept art and character design.
The Creative Professional (20 credits): This module will introduce you to professional practice and working in the creative industries.
Commercial Practice (20 credits): In this module you will explore a range of commercial outlets for your practice and introduce freelance working practices.
Motion Techniques (20 credits): In this module you will explore analogue and digital motion techniques.
Animation in Context (20 credits): This module will introduce you to key theories and principles throughout the history of animation.
Level 5 (Year 2)
Personal Project (40 credits): This module provides the opportunity for you to develop and produce a creative animation project.
Collaboration (20 credits): Collaboration is increasingly important in animation as you will work with a wide variety of creatives to deliver projects. This module provides the opportunity to collaborate with creatives from another discipline.
Contemporary Issues in Animation (20 credits): In this module you will explore the issues and debates that surround your personal animation practice.
Hybrid Techniques (20 credits): In this module you will experiment combining a range of analogue, digital and VFX which is increasingly used in contemporary animation.
Self-Promotion in the Animation Industry (20 credits): This module helps you develop a professional creative identity and showcase your skills within the animation industry.
Level 6 (Year 3)
Specialist Animation Practice (20 credits):
This module encourages self-directed experimentation with innovative animation techniques. You’ll explore emerging practices, including VR and AR applications, to push the boundaries of your work and create immersive, cutting-edge experiences.
Live Brief (40 credits):
This module introduces the realities of working in the animation industry, giving you experience with live briefs from external clients.
Major Project (60 credits):
This module guides you in creating a sustained, self-devised body of work for public exhibition, grounded in focused research.
Assessments will be carried out through:
Step into creativity at our newly built Mabgate Campus, designed to support animators and digital artists. You’ll have access to Mac suites, industry-standard software, TV and photography studios, recording facilities, and drawing tablets, everything you need to develop, experiment, and bring your animated ideas to life in a professional environment.
The animation programme’s primary aim is to prepare you with the necessary skills to work as a professional creative by developing and honing key skills, techniques and working methodologies in a safe and supportive environment. This programme aims to equip you with excellent technical skills alongside advancing your creativity and artistry in responding to briefs, collaborating with others and developing your own work.
This programme is primarily devised to support your trajectory into freelance practice or working within an animation studio. The enterprising, entrepreneurial and work-related aspects of the programme reflect this and prepare you for the contemporary animation industry. Animation gives you the skills to undertake a wide variety of roles and projects, and the necessary understanding of workflow and the studio environment to manage projects through the content of the programme and collaborative working.
Through strong industry links, you are encouraged to build a portfolio of professional work whilst on the programme. This may include working with businesses to produce promotional work, shadowing animators and story boarders and so much more. By engaging with these opportunities during the programme you will develop a meaningful CV in order to support you to become a professional practitioner.
This programme trains you to be multi-skilled in response to the evolving industry. Employers demand that animators have a range of technical and professional skills, and this is reflected in the content of the practical and work-related modules.
TYPICAL OFFER
UCAS Tariff Points: 48 UCAS tariff points from two A-levels (or equivalent qualifications), one of which must be in a relevant subject
A Levels: 2xD grades one of which to be in a relevant subject
BTEC Level 3 Diploma or Extended Diploma: MP, MPP grade in relevant subjects
Access to HE Diploma: Overall pass with 60 credits, with 24 credits to be at a Merit grade in a relevant subject
T Levels: Acceptable in a relevant subject
IELTS: IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any component.
International qualifications: International qualifications will be assessed against these criteria
Mature applicants: University Centre Leeds welcomes applications from mature* applicants who may not have met the academic criteria, but who can demonstrate a wealth of experience in their chosen field. Candidates in this category and otherwise are likely to be interviewed to assess their suitability for the course and may be asked to provide a portfolio of evidence to support their application.
*21 years and over at the start of the course
RPL claims: The course structure actively supports claims for Recognition of Prior Certified Learning (RPCL) or Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL)
On completion on the BA (Hons) Degree, you may go on to:
For the latest version of the University Centre Leeds regulations please click here.
Applications are open for 2026 entry.
To apply directly to study at University Centre Leeds as an international applicant, please visit our 'How to apply' page and complete the steps.
You can also apply through UCAS.
For more information please visit our 'How to apply' page.
Course fees for Undergraduates are £14,000 (GBP)
For 2025 Entry: Scholarship available £3,000 (GBP) all courses.
For 2026 Entry: Scholarship available £4,000 (GBP) all courses.
For more information about fees and scholarships, please click here.
Please see our entry requirements page for additional requirements as an international student
International students will study 5 additional hours on top of the regular timetable.
For more information about visa and immigration, please click here.
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Open DaysWant to find out more about the wide range of courses, student support and more available for students at University Centre Leeds?
Access your University Centre Leeds Prospectus now.
