student looking at a monitor with blue overlay

Animation

Foundation Degree

Apply now for 2025

Study Animation at University Centre Leeds

Bring your creations to life with this exciting Foundation Degree. You will study both traditional and digital methods to produce animation for film, TV, computer games, screen media and interactive applications - catapulting your creative career to success.

  • Starts:
  • Duration: 2 years
  • Venue: Quarry Hill and Mabgate campuses
  • Fee: £8,745 full-time (per academic year for UK students)
     
    International Fee: £14,000 full-time (per academic year) £3,000 Scholarship available
  • UCAS Course Code(s): W615
  • UCAS Institution Code: L21
  • Study Mode: Full Time
  • Validated By: Luminate Education Group

Entry Requirements: 48 UCAS Tariff Points

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) 

Interviews / audition: A successful interview and portfolio review is required.

animation student sat on a sofa drawing on a tablet

Animation

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

Luminate Logo

How to Apply

How to Apply:

  1. Register for an Account: Click the link below and use the "Create a New User" facility to register for an application account. An email will be sent to the address you provide, with a verification link.
  2. Verify Your Email: Click the verification link in the email to confirm your account.
  3. Complete Your Application: Once your account is created, you can start your application. You can save your progress and return to it later if needed. Your username will be the email address you used to register.

To access your account again and complete your application, use the second link provided in your verification email.

Apply Now: Direct Application Form

Need Help? For further information, please email admissions@ucleeds.ac.uk 

Please note, if you apply directly, we are required to submit a Record of Prior Acceptance (RPA) application to UCAS on your behalf if your application is successful and you enrol.

If you would like to apply for to study full time, please do so via UCAS.

The institution code for University Centre Leeds is L21.

The application fee for applying through UCAS is £28.50, unless you are eligible for Free School Meals (FSM).

Apply via UCAS

Course Information

Our modules focus on skills development and may include:

Year 1 (Level 4)

2D & 3D Techniques (20 credits): In this module you will 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.

Year 2 (Level 5)

Live Brief (40 credits): Here you will work with a client to produce a project in response to a live brief. You will receive developmental feedback on your work from animation professionals throughout this module.

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.

Personal Project (20 credits): This module provides the opportunity for you to develop and produce a creative animation project.

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.

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.

Assessments will be carried out through:

  • Practical performed assessments
  • Workshop learning
  • Student and tutor-led sessions
  • Personal and professional action planning, with a focus on tutor and peer-led reflective feedback

Quarry Hill Campus – Access to Mac suites, TV Studio, Photography Studio, Recording Studio, Drawing Tablets, Industry Standard Software

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) 

Interviews / audition: A successful interview and portfolio review is required.

On completion on the Foundation Degree you may go on to:

  • BA (Hons) Top-up in Animation
  • Motion Graphics Specialist
  • 3D Modeller and Animator
  • 2D Animator
  • Graphics Designer
  • Illustrator

For the latest version of the programme specifications for this course please click here.

For the latest version of the course handbook for this course please click here.

For the latest version of the Leeds City College regulations please click here.

  • Materials for specific projects
  • Optional trips or excursions including work experience opportunities

Information for International Students

Applications are open for 2025 entry.

To apply directly to study at University Centre Leeds as an international applicant, please see the direct apply link further up this page or 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)

Scholarship available £3,000 (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.

  • 1 hour cultural studies
  • 2 hours academic study skills
  • 2 hours English studies

For more information about visa and immigration, please click here.

Unistats

View our Creative Arts Instagram


 

Open Days

  • Book on our current open events
  • Register your interest in upcoming open events

Our online and in-person Open Events give you a chance to hear from tutors, discover the range of student support available, and find out for yourself why University Centre Leeds has the highest rating for student satisfaction in the city (NSS 2024).

Open Days

Request your Prospectus

Want to find out more about the wide range of courses, student support and more available for students at University Centre Leeds?

Request your University Centre Leeds Prospectus now - direct to your phone or delivered to your door.

Logo Dca Tass The Open University Logo (1) Qaa Logo Greenjpg Low Tef 2023 Silver Logo (1) Logo Mixed Economy Group Logo Member Qaa Logo Ofsted Logo Nnecl