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MA 3D Computer Animation

This Master’s is the perfect launch-pad for a career in a wide range of disciplines, including concept design, character and creature animation, modelling, lighting, rigging, texturing, compositing and simulation.

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  • Delivery:
    Full time according to Funding Council definitions

Why study MA 3D Computer Animation at BU? 

  • Gain an understanding of the inter-relation of aesthetic, perceptual and technical factors involved in the development of CG productions 
  • Develop a creative and innovative approach to the analysis and solution of problems in CG productions 
  • Collaborate with students from across the NCCA Master’s courses providing a realistic setting to discover what it’s like working with other creative and technical people 
  • Attend regular masterclasses and our visiting practitioners lecture series where you’ll learn about the 2D and 3D industry from practising artists and companies, including BU alumni 
  • Undertake a Masters project with dedicated production time to create a substantial and original project in preparation for the degree show attended by top industry recruiters  
  • Study in a professional studio environment, facilities include a full suite of industry-standard 2D and 3D software, a Motion Capture studio and animation labs. 

Find out more about the content of this course.

Study at the National Centre for Computer Animation (NCCA)

The NCCA is one of the most established and highly regarded centres for computer graphics and animation education and research. The centre is ranked 4th in the top 25 animation schools and colleges in the world, 3rd in Europe and 1st in the UK (Animation Career Review, 2020).

As one of very few research-intensive animation centres in the UK our expertise not only ensure our courses remain at the forefront of education, but also help to define new industry practices.

This course is now full for September 2021 entry. You may still apply, but your application will be held on a waiting list and you will be informed if there becomes a space on the course and your application is being considered. Discover our other Computer Animation & Visual Effects vacancies.

For September 2021 entry: In order to take advantage of new approaches to learning and teaching, as well as developments in industry to benefit our students we regularly review all of our courses. This course is currently going through this process and we will update this page to give you full information about what we will be offering once the review process has concluded.

Watch our playlist of students’ work to see what you could be creating on this course.

Take a glimpse at life on Talbot Campus

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The new Poole Gateway Building opened in spring 2020 and provides a range of high-quality technical facilities to support undergraduate and postgraduate courses as well as research. It is used predominantly by students from the Faculty of Science & Technology and the Faculty of Media & Communication, although it’s also open and accessible to students from other faculties.
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Talbot Campus is where you'll find facilities such as The Sir Michael Cobham Library, the Student Centre (where our Students' Union offices are based), the £22 million Fusion Building and the brand new Poole Gateway Building
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Inside the Fusion Building, which features 27 seminar rooms, three lecture theatres, research space, a 24-station PC laboratory, rooftop terraces and numerous catering facilities, topped with a glass-domed roof. The building has achieved an Energy Performance Certificate rating of A and BREEAM Excellent; it features a range of the latest technologies designed to reduce its environmental impact.

Key information

Next start date:

September 2022

Location:

Bournemouth University, Talbot Campus

Duration:

1 year full-time

Entry requirements:

A Bachelors Honours degree with 2:2 in any subject. A portfolio is also required in support of your application. For more information see our full entry requirements.

International entry requirements:

If English is not your first language IELTS (Academic) 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component of writing, speaking, listening and reading. For more information see our full entry requirements.

Guest speakers

Over the past five years we have attracted some of the best Visual Effects, Animation and Games studios from around the world to present to our students.

Course details

On this course you will be taught by a range of staff with relevant expertise and knowledge appropriate to the content of the unit. This will include senior academic staff, qualified professional practitioners, demonstrators, technicians and research students. You will also benefit from regular guest lectures from industry.

The course is split into four terms, each lasting ten weeks. The first three terms are the Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip), and the final term is the Master’s term.​

Download the programme specification (pdf 543kb)

Your application

This Masters in 3D computer Animation programme has been specifically designed for students who wish to pursue a career in the field of computer animation, and is the perfect launch-pad for a career in a wide range of disciplines, including concept design, character and creature animation, shader development, groom, modelling, lighting, rigging, texturing, creature FX, real-time visualisation, rendering, look development, compositing and simulation.

Although our graduates work in a wide range of 3D fields, we place particular emphasis on future employability for film, games, television and visualisation. Applicants should be passionate about art, design and technology, whilst remain grounded, personable and determined to learn as much as they can whilst with us.

Entry requirements

Careers

Graduates from our computer animation courses are highly sought after within the industry. Our alumni have worked on many high-profile projects, including movies such as Venom, Paddington 2, Avatar, Star Wars, the Lord of the Rings trilogy, King Kong, Shrek, Guardians of Ga'hoole, the Harry Potter series, Sucker Punch, Happy Feet, Monsters vs Aliens, James Bond and Judge Dredd, among many others.

They have also been involved with the animation for a range of computer games, such as Grand Theft Auto, Crysis 2 and Fable II. Our graduates have worked for a number of the world's top VFX and computer games studios, including Pixar, DreamWorks, EA Games and Sony Picture Image Works.

All information shown has been taken from Destination of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) or BU institutional data unless otherwise stated.

Costs and fees

You can find full information about the deposits required and how to pay your fees in our postgraduate fees and funding section, including details of the Postgraduate Loan (subject to fee status).

All fees are quoted in pounds sterling and are per annum. Fees quoted are for tuition only unless stated otherwise. Your tuition fees will be the same for each year of your course.

Find out more about living expenses for postgraduate students

Our staff

On this course you will be taught by staff with relevant expertise and knowledge appropriate to the content of the unit. This could include senior academic staff, qualified professional practitioners and research students, many of whom are actively engaged in research and/or professional practice which is integrated into the teaching of this course. You may  also benefit from guest lectures from industry, including our alumni. Please note that teaching staff can change.

Course changes

What our students say

Emanuel Bonnici

The course is well connected with industry and prepares us for our future careers with visits from industry professionals who share their experiences with us.

Hear from our staff

Steve Harper

We take people from broad backgrounds and introduce them to the wonderful world of computer animation.

Hear from our alumni

Ahmad Habash

The World Health Organisation contacted me after seeing my graduation project and they told me yup, we just want you to do this film for us. That was how it happened.

Statistics shown throughout this page are taken from Unistats and BU institutional data unless otherwise stated.