Skip to site navigation.
Skip to section navigation.
Skip to main page content.
Search
Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on YouTube Share this page

Computer Animation and Visual Effects


Degrees Available



MSc Full-time

Suitable for International Students?

Yes

Award Tuition Fees Attendance Mode Length of Course
MSc

2012/13:

  • Home/EU - £4,900
  • International - £13,250

(A small increase can be expected for the subsequent year)

Full-time 1 year
September - August

Course Introduction

There is a clear demand today for well-qualified professionals able to take a lead in developing and exploiting existing and emerging new media technologies. Computer technology and its creative application have already reached such a level of maturity and sophistication that a number of distinct and specialised areas have emerged including computer animation, digital special effects, multimedia authoring, web-based application development and computer game design.

This course is primarily designed for those students who do not have an undergraduate degree in computer animation and special effects but who would nevertheless like to extend their skills, knowledge and understanding into this area. With an undergraduate degree in a subject ranging from the arts to science, you would be expected to have some skills and experience of computing, or computer imaging and design, although not necessarily in animation.

The programme aims to enable you to develop advanced knowledge, skills and understanding of creative technologies, in particular within the field of computer animation.

Your choice of either the MA or the MSc route will depend on your previous experience, your interests and your career ambitions. Both routes share many modules; however the MA route allows you to develop your artistic and creative animation skills further, while the MSc route allows you to develop your practical and technical skills.

Course Syllabus

Modules 2011/12: (C) = Core (O) = Option

Semester 1 (60 Credits - 3 x (C) Modules and 1 x (O) Module):

  • Computer Animation (20 x Credits) (C)
  • Software Development (20 x Credits) (C)
  • Motion Capture (10 Credits) (C)
  • Design for Human Computer Interaction (10 Credits) (O)
  • Visualisation and Storyboarding (10 Credits) (O)

Semester 2 (60 Credits - 4 x (C) Modules):

  • 3D Character Modelling and Animation (20 Credits) (C)
  • Computer-Generated Special Effects (20 Credits) (C)
  • Computer Graphics and Applications (10 Credits) (C)
  • Research Skills and Methodologies (10 Credits) (C)

End of Semester 2 onwards (60 Credits - 1 x (C) Module): 

  • Computer Animation and Special Effects Project (60 Credits) (C)

MSc Part-time

Suitable for International Students?

Not suitable for International Students

Award Tuition Fees Attendance Mode Length of Course
MSc

2012/13:

  • Home/EU - £2,450 p.a.

(A small increase can be expected for the subsequent year)

Part-time 2 years
September - August

Course Introduction

There is a clear demand today for well-qualified professionals able to take a lead in developing and exploiting existing and emerging new media technologies. Computer technology and its creative application have already reached such a level of maturity and sophistication that a number of distinct and specialised areas have emerged including computer animation, digital special effects, multimedia authoring, web-based application development and computer game design.

This course is primarily designed for those students who do not have an undergraduate degree in computer animation and special effects but who would nevertheless like to extend their skills, knowledge and understanding into this area. With an undergraduate degree in a subject ranging from the arts to science, you would be expected to have some skills and experience of computing, or computer imaging and design, although not necessarily in animation.

The programme aims to enable you to develop advanced knowledge, skills and understanding of creative technologies, in particular within the field of computer animation.

Your choice of either the MA or the MSc route will depend on your previous experience, your interests and your career ambitions. Both routes share many modules; however the MA route allows you to develop your artistic and creative animation skills further, while the MSc route allows you to develop your practical and technical skills.

Course Syllabus

Modules 2011/12: (C) = Core (O) = Option

Stage 1 (60 Credits - 3 x (C) Modules and 1 x (O) Module):

  • Computer Animation (20 x Credits) (C)
  • Software Development (20 x Credits) (C)
  • Motion Capture (10 Credits) (C)
  • Design for Human Computer Interaction (10 Credits) (O)
  • Visualisation and Storyboarding (10 Credits) (O)

Stage 2 (60 Credits - 4 x (C) Modules):

  • 3D Character Modelling and Animation (20 Credits) (C)
  • Computer-Generated Special Effects (20 Credits) (C)
  • Computer Graphics and Applications (10 Credits) (C)
  • Research Skills and Methodologies (10 Credits) (C)

End of Stage 2 onwards (60 Credits - 1 x (C) Module): 

  • Computer Animation and Special Effects Project (60 Credits) (C)

MA Full-time

Suitable for International Students?

Yes

Award Tuition Fees Attendance Mode Length of Course
MA

2012/13:

  • Home/EU - £4,900
  • International - £13,250

(A small increase can be expected for the subsequent year)

Full-time 1 year
September - August

Course Introduction

There is a clear demand today for well-qualified professionals able to take a lead in developing and exploiting existing and emerging new media technologies. Computer technology and its creative application have already reached such a level of maturity and sophistication that a number of distinct and specialised areas have emerged including computer animation, digital special effects, multimedia authoring, web-based application development and computer game design.

This course is primarily designed for those students who do not have an undergraduate degree in computer animation and special effects but who would nevertheless like to extend their skills, knowledge and understanding into this area. With an undergraduate degree in a subject ranging from the arts to science, you would be expected to have some skills and experience of computing, or computer imaging and design, although not necessarily in animation.

The programme aims to enable you to develop advanced knowledge, skills and understanding of creative technologies, in particular within the field of computer animation.

Your choice of either the MA or the MSc route will depend on your previous experience, your interests and your career ambitions. Both routes share many modules; however the MA route allows you to develop your artistic and creative animation skills further, while the MSc route allows you to develop your practical and technical skills.

Course Syllabus

Modules 2011/12: (C) = Core (O) = Option

Semester 1 (60 Credits - 3 x (C) Modules and 1 x (O) Module):

  • Computer Animation (20 x Credits) (C)
  • Motion Capture (10 Credits) (C)
  • Visualisation and Storyboarding (10 Credits) (C)
  • Cinematic Language (20 Credits) (O)
  • Visual Arts and Digital Media (20 Credits) (O)

Semester 2 (60 Credits - 2 x (C) Modules and 1 x (O) Module):

  • 3D Character Modelling and Animation (20 Credits) (C)
  • Computer-Generated Special Effects (20 Credits) (C)
  • Image and Identity (20 Credits) (O)
  • Issues in Digital Media (20 Credits) (O)

End of Semester 2 onwards (60 Credits 1 x (C) Module): 

  • Computer Animation and Special Effects Project (60 Credits) (C)

MA Part-time

Suitable for International Students?

Not suitable for International Students

Award Tuition Fees Attendance Mode Length of Course
MA

2012/13:

  • Home/EU - £2,450 p.a.

(A small increase can be expected for the subsequent year)

Part-time 2 years
September - August

Course Introduction

There is a clear demand today for well-qualified professionals able to take a lead in developing and exploiting existing and emerging new media technologies. Computer technology and its creative application have already reached such a level of maturity and sophistication that a number of distinct and specialised areas have emerged including computer animation, digital special effects, multimedia authoring, web-based application development and computer game design.

This course is primarily designed for those students who do not have an undergraduate degree in computer animation and special effects but who would nevertheless like to extend their skills, knowledge and understanding into this area. With an undergraduate degree in a subject ranging from the arts to science, you would be expected to have some skills and experience of computing, or computer imaging and design, although not necessarily in animation.

The programme aims to enable you to develop advanced knowledge, skills and understanding of creative technologies, in particular within the field of computer animation.

Your choice of either the MA or the MSc route will depend on your previous experience, your interests and your career ambitions. Both routes share many modules; however the MA route allows you to develop your artistic and creative animation skills further, while the MSc route allows you to develop your practical and technical skills.

Course Syllabus

Modules 2011/12: (C) = Core (O) = Option

Stage 1 (60 Credits - 3 x (C) Modules and 1 x (O) Module):

  • Computer Animation (20 Credits) (C)
  • Motion Capture (10 Credits) (C)
  • Visualisation and Storyboarding (10 Credits) (C)
  • Cinematic Language (20 Credits) (O)
  • Visual Arts and Digital Media (20 Credits) (O)

Stage 2 (60 Credits - 2 x (C) Modules and 1 x (O) Module):

  • 3D Character Modelling and Animation (20 Credits) (C)
  • Computer-Generated Special Effects (20 Credits) (C)
  • Image and Identity (20 Credits) (O)
  • Issues in Digital Media (20 Credits) (O)

Stage 3 (60 Credits - 1 x (C) Module): 

  • Computer Animation and Special Effects Project (60 Credits) (C)
City of Film

Special Features

  • This courses draws upon the successful research expertise of the internationally recognised Centre for Visual Computing
  • Alongside one of our key partners, the National Media Museum, we co-host the Bradford Animation Festival - one of the largest and most successful events of its kind in the UK
  • Our specialist facilities include state-of-the-art hardware, software, cameras, a chromakey studio and motion capture equipment that matches or surpasses what is used in many areas of the industry

Entry Requirements

2:2 or above:

  • Containing a significant component in Computing, Digital Arts or related fields from an approved degree-awarding body; OR
  • In a subject other than Computing or Digital Arts, but can demonstrate sufficient relevant experience in Computing, Digital Arts, Animation, Graphics, etc

Level of English Required

IELTS at 6.0 or the equivalent

[Full information on our General English Language Requirements]

Contact Details

School of Computing, Informatics and Media Admissions Office

Download Prospectus

Computing, Informatics and Media School Prospectus 2012 (PDF 5.5MB)

Please note that these PDFs are correct as at time of print (September 2011). For the most up to date course information please use the web page.