We deliver a mix of teaching methods, from project work to software and art-based workshops and lectures. You’ll be assessed on group and individual project work. We’ll ask you to submit portfolio submissions, sketches, storyboards, CGI artwork and presentations. Plus, you’ll develop your analytical thinking, critical curiosity and easy writing skills.

In your first year, you’ll benefit from common modules within the wider animation programme, gaining valuable knowledge of the digital media industry. You’ll study alongside peers on comics and concept art, 2D animation and games, expanding your network from day one. You’ll practice life drawing, designing characters and environments. You’ll explore animation and film history, bringing cultural context to your craft. You’ll gain experience as a 3D artist, gaining confidence in modelling, texturing and shaders. We’ll teach you specialized VFX skills. At the end of this year you’ll have the choice to switch to a different animation degree course if your passion has led you in a new direction.

In your second year, you’ll choose from a range of elective projects. This is your chance to focus on what interests you. Whether it’s cinematography or character concept art, you’ll start turning your passion into expert knowledge. Start packing out your CV with specialist skills including matte painting, rigging and coding.  Gain a thorough understanding of FX simulations, working with destruction techniques, hard and soft body collisions and pyrotechnics.  Whether you want to hone your skills in compositing 3D renders into live action plates or filming live action, this is the year to experiment. You’ll work on live industry projects and make your first short 3D or VFX film. We’ll encourage you to use this team project to identify the job role you want to work towards. Wherever you see yourself, we’ll be with you every step of the way. 

In your third year, you’ll write your dissertation on an area of popular culture, linked to 3D animation and visual effects, that fascinates you. You’ll choose your area of specialism and immerse yourself in real world practices. This is the time to make sure you’re fully prepared for employment. You’ll get stuck into an ambitious final film project. Put your learning into practice and achieve great things. You’ll guide your idea through every stage of production to showcase your talent, your skills and your potential to succeed. Your final film project will be screened at our Animation Exposé show where you can enter it for different awards, judged by a panel of industry experts. To see the show’s live stream in 2020 please click here. Plus, we’ll encourage you to enter your work into international competitions like The Rookies. Previous students have won The Rookies Visual Effects Game of the Year, in 2020 and 2019. You’ll graduate with a showreel and professional website to launch your career. We saw your potential from day one, now it’s time for others to see that too.

Work placement

Graduate with invaluable work experience alongside your degree and stand out from the crowd.  

This course offers you the opportunity to enhance your study and CV with a work placement sandwich year. It’s a chance to explore career possibilities, make valuable contacts and gain sought after professional skills.  

Our dedicated Careers and Employment team are here to help guide you through the process.

If you take up a work placement between your second and third year of study, at the University of Hertfordshire you’ll pay no tuition fee for this year. We’ll ask you to make your decision in your second year, so there is plenty of time to think about it. 

What's next for my career?

The digital animation programme prepares you for a range of careers within the industry. These include 2D animator, concept artist, 3D animator, 3D generalist, FX technical director, compositor, environment artist, character artist and a huge variety of roles in between. Our graduates have gone on to work at ILM on Star Wars films, to Epic Games to work on Fortnite, to Blue Zoo to animate cartoon series, and to Sony to work as concept artists.

Our graduates also work in the visualisation industries, using their design skills in the fields of architecture, product design and automotive design. As a result, we have animation graduates employed by Foster and Partners, Taylor James and McLaren F1. Many start their own companies, some of who have become leaders in their fields.