MDes Animation

UCAS code: W618

Start date: September

Course length: full time: four years,  part time: this depends on how much time you have to study, but usually it takes about eight years

Campus: Markeaton Street site, Derby Campus

This course is available to international students

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.

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

Stage one

Studio briefs and workshops will encourage you to define your creativity, animation approach, software knowledge and critical analysis, while your lectures and seminars will focus on the culture, history and context of your subject.

You'll study modules such as:

• Visual Exploration
• Visual Problem Solving
• Visual Culture: History
• Animation Practice

Stage two

You'll focus on your skills in a project based environment, exploring ways of thinking to excel in animation. You'll become increasingly confident with professional approaches and terminology, engaging with animation practitioners, global and national competitions and agencies.

You'll study modules such as:

• Design Solutions
• Digital Moving Images
• Sequential Illustration
• Visual Culture: Theory
• Professional Practice

Stage three

From September until January, the focus of your third year will be on building original, distinctive animation outcomes based on strong ideas and technical skill, through developing a range of projects and exploring the professional context of your work.

You'll study modules such as:

• Negotiated Study in Animation
• Visual Culture: Extended Essay

Stage four

You'll study modules such as:

• Final Project Phase 1 - Concept
• Final Project Phase 2 - Realisation
• Visual Culture: Debates
• Personal Practice and Methodologies
• Visual Culture: Dissertation

You'll start the masters level modules in January. They begin with an exploration of contemporary debates and experimentation and appraisal of your practice strengths and potential.

Our entry requirements are usually 260 UCAS points, of which at least 220 will be from your core A2s (full A levels) or equivalent qualifications such as BTEC Diploma, International Baccalaureate, Scottish Highers etc.

We'll accept up to 40 points towards the total from level 3 qualifications such as AS levels (where those AS levels are not taken on to A2 level), the Extended Project or Music qualifications.

We don't accept points from Key Skills Level 3. If you have any questions about what is or isn't accepted, please contact our Admissions team.

We also accept the Access to HE Diploma.

Your points at level 3 will be in addition to 5 GCSEs at grade C or equivalent level 2 qualifications.

The UCAS tariff points are a guide - we'll also consider all the information that you've included in your application, your portfolio, and how you've done in your interview. We'll also want to see that you're enthusiastic and motivated to take this course and that you have the potential to benefit from coming to university.

General undergraduate entry requirements

Fees for 2013/14

This is a resource intensive course.

UK/EU students

• Full time: £8,250 (each year)
• £1,030 per module (you usually take 18 of these modules in total)

International students

• Full time: £10,225 (per year)

*These fees apply if you're starting this course between September 2013 and August 2014. We recommend you check fee details with us though, as they can change. Costs can increase each year.

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.

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