MDes Animation

When can you start this course? | UCAS code | Fees | Course length | Entry requirements

Why choose this course?

You'll get lots of practical experience throughout your course. Watch the animations created by our students.

This four year course combines undergraduate and postgraduate study, and you're able to have a student loan for the duration of the course. Find out more.
You'll meet exciting and innovative speakers from the animation industry and you'll receive personal and guided tuition from approachable, experienced staff who will ensure you reach your full potential.
You'll gain professional knowledge and skills in the creative application of digital software for animation, experimenting with state of the art equipment and resources that are constantly updated.
You'll have lots of opportunities to get your work noticed at local and national exhibitions throughout your course. And in your final year, you'll exhibit your work as part of our Degree Show.

About the course

This course incorporates undergraduate and postgraduate study, enabling you to be committed from the early stages as a deep thinker, risk taker and innovative practitioner in animation. You'll study the same modules as BA (Hons) Animation students until halfway through stage three, when you will move on to study at masters level.

You'll explore sequential and interactive image making, 2D and 3D animation, narrative, timing, creative storytelling, character design, the web, scripting, sound, and the historical and contemporary context of your work. You will gain professional knowledge and skills in the creative application of digital software for animation, experimenting with state of the art equipment and resources that are constantly updated.

During your final year you'll produce in depth, challenging and original creative ideas through a final major project. You will consider the ethical impact of your practice and individuality as a designer, by questioning and challenging what the subject can be and pushing boundaries.

Live projects

Our students regularly work in association with many high profile design companies, such as Macmillan Children's books, Penguin Books, The Chase, Big Fish, K Design and at in house positions with the Southern Derbyshire Health Trust and Rolls-Royce PLC.

We've also run live projects with: Anglia Television, Southern Derbyshire Health Trust, the National Trust, Oasis Fashion Retailer, Smith East Associates, Design Group, the Bridge Group of design consultants, Derby Museum and Art Gallery, Derby City Council, Derby Literature Development, NewEnglish Design Group in Leicester, and the University of Derby Marketing Department.

Find out more about what subjects and modules you'll be studying...

Your career

We have close ties with Quad - the media centre in the heart of the city that showcases visual arts, film and media.

After you've graduated from this distinctive course, you'll be one step ahead of others in the graduate jobs market. You will achieve a Masters award at the end of four years study without needing to change universities or find postgraduate funding. And you'll already have a highly professional and innovative showreel of creative animation work.

Anything else?

For direct entry to year three, you'll need a foundation degree or DipHE in a related subject, or practical or professional experience.

For direct entry in January of year three when the Level 7 masters modules begin, you'll need a good honours degree or equivalent in a related subject and work or creative practical experience.

We're a member of the Association of Illustrators (AOI) and D&AD (Design and Art Direction).

We've also run 'live' projects with: Anglia Television, Southern Derbyshire Health Trust, the National Trust, Oasis Fashion Retailer, Smith East Associates, Design Group, the Bridge Group of design consultants, Derby Museum and Art Gallery, Derby City Council, Derby Literature Development, NewEnglish Design Group in Leicester, and the University of Derby Marketing Department.