Course overview
Transform fantasy into reality as you manifest your digital creations
Bring imagination to life from the digital pen to the silver screen
Step into the enchanting world of animation excellence. Our 100% online MA programme unleashes your creativity, ignites your passion, and elevates your animation prowess. The University of Hertfordshire has multiple student animation award winners, and our programme holds the esteemed Rookie Accreditation (2022). Dive into 3D animation wizardry, honing your skills in Visual Effects, Games, and Film and Television.
Embrace advanced workflows, pushing the boundaries of character and creature animation. Our dynamic, global community fuels inspiration and innovation, while industry experts guide your transformation. Don’t miss this chance to craft a thrilling career in animation’s forefront.
Embrace the MA in Character and Creature Animation at UH Online, and become the visionary animator the world craves.
Job outcomes
- Game Animator
- Character Designer
- Visual Effects Artist
- Creature Animator
Study method
- Online
- Blended
- In-class
Duration study load
- 24 months – Part-time
Entry requirements
- A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline at a level equivalent to a UK second-class Honours degree.
- Applicants must also submit a portfolio of creative work showing appropriate skills in the intended area of study to be considered for these courses.
- For International applicants whose first language is not English, an IELTS score of 6.0 (with no less than 5.5 in any band), or equivalent.
- The school will consider non-standard applicants who can demonstrate that they have relevant work experience over a period of 3 years via a Curriculum Vitae and/or LinkedIn profile.
Supporting Documents Requirements
The supporting documents for the programme are:
- Bachelor’s degree (where applicable) at a level equivalent to a UK second-class Honours degree.
- A reference letter from a current or previous manager HR department or a person in a position of authority is required as supporting evidence.
- Personal identification documents e.g passport or I.D.
- A personal statement (approx. 3-500 words) and/or video presentation about why you want to study this programme.
- Proof of English Language Proficiency (POE) where applicable.
- POE exemption may be offered to students. Please speak to a Student Success Consultant to discover whether you are eligible for an exemption.
Course features
Advance your career with an internationally recognised degree
- Earn an online MA Character and Creature Animation degree from a modern UK university
- UH Online is 2nd for Graduate Employability in the most recent PTES Survey
- Enhance your career prospects with a research-focused degree
Flexible learning that fits your schedule
- Study at your own pace, anytime and anywhere from any device, your world is your campus
- Student Support Consultants and services are available throughout your course
- Online Library and Virtual classroom are available 24/7
Taught by expert faculty with industry experience
- Learn from our team of campus-based academic experts who create learning outcomes
- Benefit from their extensive experience and knowledge in the field of choice
- Join fellow learners through virtual events and module discussions
Rigorous academic standards and quality control procedures
- Receive the same academic standards and award as the equivalent on-campus course
- Be assured of the quality and rigour of your education with a QAA-assured degree
- Take part in module surveys and student support checkups
Who's it for?
Unlock your path to success
This fully online degree will expand your career options, offering you new possibilities and paths to success.
Excel in Your Current Career
Already working in animation or a related field? Our online MA programme equips you with advanced 3D animation skills, positioning you as a skilled influencer in your current role. Master the art of character design and bring life to fantasy worlds, driving positive change in the animation industry.
Change Career Paths
Ready to embark on a new journey in animation? Immerse yourself in diverse animation practices, from character performance to visual effects. Redefine your career path and seize opportunities as a character designer, visual effects artist, or game animator. Create immersive experiences and elevate visual storytelling.
Go Your Own Way
Dream of starting your own venture in animation? Our MA programme empowers you to shape your unique path. Develop animation practices that address contemporary challenges and launch your own creative projects. Become a visionary in the world of animation, leaving a lasting impact on diverse audiences.
Subjects
The part-time Online MA Character and Creature Animation is 180 Credits and comprises of core modules followed by a final research project.
The aims of this module are to enable students to develop animation practices that show knowledge and understanding of animal movement and locomotion, including their application for fantasy creature work. This will include animal physiognomy, anthropomorphism, physiology, and the use of live-action study and research.
The module supports students to develop an understanding of performance aesthetics, genres and representations of animal and creature animation with reference to historic and current animation artefacts and the broader cultural and critical debates that relate to them and to develop a theory-informed reflective and critical approach to their own development.
The aims of this module are to enable students to develop animation practices that show knowledge and understanding of Acting and Character performance: how motivation, body language and acting and mime crafts can bring life to animated characters. This includes stagecraft and traditional performance techniques for animated entertainment, emotion and expression.
The module also aims to develop an understanding of aesthetics, genres and representations of character performance in animation referencing historic and contemporary animation practices and the broader cultural and critical debates which relate to them and to develop a theory-informed reflective and critical approach to their own development.
The aims of this module are to enable students to develop animation practices, knowledge and understanding of how physical forces interact and impact an animated character’s body mechanics: how weight, gravity and other physical forces combine with animated character movement, and impact skeletal/rig systems, muscle systems and locomotion.
The module supports students in developing further understandings of the aesthetics, genres and representations of body mechanics and locomotion with reference to historic and current animation artefacts and the broader cultural and critical debates that relate to them and to develop a theory-informed reflective and critical approach to their own development.
The aims of this module are to enable students to develop an understanding and knowledge of the contexts and possibilities of animation employment in the relevant and emerging creative industries nationally and internationally and extend their 3D animation skills, building on previous learning in locomotion, mechanics, acting and animal/creature animation.
The module aims to develop an understanding and knowledge of employment landscapes and approaches to employment by aligning a student’s knowledge, understanding, and practical skills with the three main employment areas for animators: Visual Effects, Games and TV/feature.
These approaches may include appropriate networking strategies, an online presence, a showreel, a CV and other materials. The module aims to continue the development of an individual, creative, reflective, and observational practice contextualised within relevant creative industries and their histories.
The aims of this module are to enable students to successfully negotiate the academic needs and structures of animation study at the master’s level and the online study environment.
The module aims to introduce animation software, practices, and workflow together with the basic principles of animation and enables the student to produce exercises and take on pre-requisite understandings and knowledge needed for master’s level animation study.
The aims of this module are to enable students to produce a graduation portfolio comprising a number of longer and more in-depth animation sequences presenting simple narratives with a level of finish and polish at, or approaching, professional levels. The production process for the portfolio will enable students to demonstrate skills in project planning and management as well as in negotiating arrangements with collaborators.
The module also develops both enquiry and communication skills at a post-graduate level within an awareness of audiences and reception together with an understanding of the aesthetics, genres and representations of animation and a knowledge of historic and contemporary animation artefacts, genres and their broader theoretical, cultural and critical contexts.
The module aims to bring together the strands of learning introduced over the course to support students in becoming creative, reflective, knowledgeable and skilled practitioners ready for professional careers.
About University of Hertfordshire
The University of Hertfordshire: Powering potential. Accelerating growth.
Whether it’s in learning, teaching, or business partnership, the University of Hertfordshire transforms bold ambition into a life-changing reality.
Defined by the spirit of innovation and enterprise, the University of Hertfordshire has been an innovative, vocation-first educational force for more than 70 years.
From our start as a leading educator within Britain’s aeronautical industry to our extensive offering today, we have always specialised in providing the environment and expertise needed to power every kind of potential.
For our thriving community of just under 32,000 students from over 140 countries, that means high-quality teaching from experts engaged in groundbreaking research with real-world impact. Access to over 550 career-focused degree options and a chance to study at more than 170 universities worldwide, using outstanding, true-to-life facilities. And industry connections that offer professional networking opportunities which take talents even further.