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BA (Hons) Animation and Games Art with Integrated Foundation Year

Develop key digital skills in 2D and 3D animation. Learn the principles of character-led animation and gain expertise in industry-standard software, learning traditional and new animation techniques. Become industry-ready and unlock your potential to work on the next big animated movie or game.

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A close up of a student designing an animation on Wacom Cintiq screen
UCAS codeW228
Duration4 years
Fee (UK)£9,790
LocationOn campus

Course summary

The animation, games and visual effects (VFX) industries are always searching for new talent. The BA (Hons) Animation and Games Art course allows you to explore and develop both traditional and new techniques, learning key digital skills in 2D and 3D, as well as the core principles of character-led animation.

You'll have the opportunity to work on industry-led briefs and entries for festivals and competitions such as Encounters, RTS awards, 11 Second Club, and E4 Stings. We’re affiliated with Game Republic too, and it's all part of our commitment to help you become industry-ready.

We place animation and games art within the broader context of design to help you keep your career options open. You'll also have the creative freedom and flexibility to develop your specific areas of interest, gaining transferable skills crucial for employability.

Why Sunderland for Art and Design

Integrated Foundation Year

This course is available with an Integrated Foundation Year, an extra year of your degree. This route offers a supportive way of transitioning into university study. It may be suitable for you if you:

  • Have valuable work or life experience but no formal qualifications
  • Are returning to education after a break
  • Want to change direction or explore a new career path
  • Have just missed the entry requirements for the three-year course.

We’re enhancing our Integrated Foundation Year to give you an even stronger start to your degree. The updated modules will align more with your chosen subject area. This will help you build the knowledge, confidence, and skills you need for your studies. We'll share full details soon and can't wait to tell you more.

Please note, this route isn’t available to international students.

What you'll study

*Placements are subject to availability and placement providers may require an interview as part of the process. If successful, you'll remain an active student and will have access to a wide range of support from Graduate Prospects.

Many of our courses include a range of modules you can choose from. Some options may only be available if you’ve already studied specific modules. If you’re not sure what you need before picking a module, your course leader can help.

Undergraduate module credits should total 120 credits per academic year. If optional modules are available, choose an amount that totals 120 credits.

How you'll learn

Teaching is almost entirely practical and studio-based, supported by lectures, seminars, and tutorials. Our academic team encourage you to express ideas and push the boundaries of creativity. Assessment is mainly through coursework.

In Year 1, you'll learn traditional animation techniques and core digital skills. You'll also learn about the broader context of design with students from other design subjects. In Year 2, you'll be introduced to more advanced concepts and approaches such as 3D, digital sculpting, VR and photogrammetry, character rigging, and motion capture.

In your final year, you'll focus on developing your portfolio and graduate identity, undertaking a personal research project that'll lead into your Final Major Project. You'll exhibit your work at our Degree Show, which will be visited by industry experts and potential employers.

Entry requirements

Fees and finance support

UK£9,790

Undergraduate fees are set according to rules from Government in line with forecast inflation. If you're a Home fee-paying student, the fee for your first year of study for 2026/27 will be £9,790. You'll pay tuition fees for every year of study. Fees may increase every year based on the Retail Price Index.

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See all course tuition fees.

Study Centre fees

If you're studying at a study centre, please contact the centre directly for information on fees.

Full-time UK/Irish/EU settled/EU pre-settled students may be eligible for financial support. This would cover your fees for the full four years. UK and EU settled students may also be eligible to receive a maintenance loan.

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UK students

Disclaimer

We want to make sure you have clear and accurate information about our courses. Our website always shows the latest updates. If you’ve applied and you're offered a place, we’ll contact you in writing if anything important changes.

For more information, view our programme specifications. These include course content, learning outcomes, and the skills you'll gain.