"Journey of Life" by Robin HerrmannOur pioneering online MA in Animation has now been fully re-validated, and re-launches this month as the MA 3D Animation for Professionals. Our online MA in animation was launched in 2015 and was the very first...
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| "Journey of Life" by Robin Herrmann |
Our online MA in animation was launched in 2015 and was the very first of its kind - the first online MA in animation which could be undertaken by students anywhere in the world.
Our MA 3D Animation for Professionals continues to partner with the online animation school www.animationapprentice.org, ensuring that all our MA Students graduate with industry-level skills.
Online Masters' Degree
Since 2015, our students have been learning how to animate to a professional industry standard using Autodesk Maya, the industry-standard software, and also engaging with the underpinning theory and structure behind the art form.
Online Masters' Degree
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| Dolphin animation by Oliver Canovas |
Our MA in Animation was the first fully online MA in animation, allowing students
to complete their degree online, from anywhere in the world.
Practical & Academic
The MA 3D Animation for Professionals offers a unique blend of practical and academic content. Students learn how to animate, stop by step, and are properly trained as a skilled professional 3D animator.
At the same time, students engage with the theory behind the craft, and take a close look at the industry, critically engaging with the underpinnings and possibilities of the medium.
MA Animation for Professionals at BNU
There are now three MA Animation courses at BNU. The MA 3D Animation for Professionals is the updated continuation of the original online course founded in 2015.
It should not be confused with The MA Advanced 3D Animation (a one year full time on campus course) and also the MA Advanced 3D Animation (online) which is an online version of the on-campus course.
Demo Reel
To see some of our master's degree students' work, check out our 2023 demo reel below:
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| "School Run" by Bucks student Lee Caller |
The MA 3D Animation for Professionals offers a unique blend of practical and academic content. Students learn how to animate, stop by step, and are properly trained as a skilled professional 3D animator.
At the same time, students engage with the theory behind the craft, and take a close look at the industry, critically engaging with the underpinnings and possibilities of the medium.
Modules
The MA 3D Animation for Professionals has six 20 Credit Modules:
COM7021 - Anim 1 - Locomotion COM7022 - Anim 2 - MechanicsCOM7023 - Anim 3 - Character AnimationCOM7023 - Anim 4 - Animals & CreaturesCOM7024 - Anim 5 - Professional PreparationCOM7028 - Anim 6 - Client Brief
Formal Qualification
The Master's Degree is a globally-recognised qualification. Having an MA shows that you can engage in critical thinking at an advanced level, and make a thorough analysis of the subject being studied. In practical terms, you generally need an MA to be considered for a job teaching at university level.
Practical Skills
Our MA 3D Animation for Professionals has a strong emphasis on learning the techniques of 3D animation, as well as academic content. By the end of the course you should have a strong demo reel, good enough to help you find work in this fast-growing industry.
Our course is of special interest to anyone who wants to learn the craft of 3D animation, and also for anyone who would like a career in teaching animation, especially in higher education where an MA is more or less a requirement. There isn't another course that we know of which offers this blend of practical and critical content.
Start Date
September 2023
Cost
The MA 3D Animation for Professionals costs around Ł8,000 (but check the official site as fees are subject to change). And don't forget that the UK government now extends loans to graduate students. For more on funding for MA study, read this post.
Jobs and Employment
The animation industry is expanding rapidly worldwide. 3D animation is everywhere now, on TV, in the movie theatres, on your smart phone, on the web, and in games. The skills you will learn are transferable to any kind of animation.
Official page
To visit the official page and register for more information, follow this link.
Portfolio Guidelines
We will need to see evidence of the kind of creative and technical skill that makes a prospective animator, such as drawings, sketches 2D and 3D Artwork.
Formal Qualification
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| Shark attack! by Adam Sale |
Practical Skills
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| Partnering with AnimationApprentice.org |
Our course is of special interest to anyone who wants to learn the craft of 3D animation, and also for anyone who would like a career in teaching animation, especially in higher education where an MA is more or less a requirement. There isn't another course that we know of which offers this blend of practical and critical content.
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| Alien by Jeton Lakna |
September 2023
Cost
The MA 3D Animation for Professionals costs around Ł8,000 (but check the official site as fees are subject to change). And don't forget that the UK government now extends loans to graduate students. For more on funding for MA study, read this post.
Jobs and Employment
The animation industry is expanding rapidly worldwide. 3D animation is everywhere now, on TV, in the movie theatres, on your smart phone, on the web, and in games. The skills you will learn are transferable to any kind of animation.
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| Jellyfish by Joe Gamble |
To visit the official page and register for more information, follow this link.
Portfolio Guidelines
We will need to see evidence of the kind of creative and technical skill that makes a prospective animator, such as drawings, sketches 2D and 3D Artwork.
For more on our portfolio guidelines, see this post.
Do You Need a BA to Apply?
Most of our applicants will have a BA in an arts-related field (not necessarily animation - we teach all our students from scraach).
If you don't have a BA, you will need to show a portfolio of work that will demonstrates a level of learning that shows you can handle a post-graduate level of study. This process is called APEL - and is explained in detail here.
Video Introduction
To see more precise detail on how the course works, watch the short video below
Further Information
More more information about our Online MA in Animation, follow these links:
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| Jinng Hwee Tan |
Most of our applicants will have a BA in an arts-related field (not necessarily animation - we teach all our students from scraach).
If you don't have a BA, you will need to show a portfolio of work that will demonstrates a level of learning that shows you can handle a post-graduate level of study. This process is called APEL - and is explained in detail here.
Video Introduction
To see more precise detail on how the course works, watch the short video below
Further Information
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| Transformer by Amedeo Beretta |
Recent FAQsCan I study part-time? Answer, yes!Resources at BNU
For more resources on getting started in animation at Bucks, see the blog posts below:
MA Joining Instructions September 2020Welcome to Bucks MA Animation - September 2020Getting Started in 3D Animation in September 2020DA701 Locomotion & Mechanics - Starts 28 September 2020Who's Who on the Online MA at Bucks Download your free copy of the Maya Educational License Online Animation Resources at BNU What Kind of Laptop Should You Buy? What's in Our Online MA in 3D Animation? Welcome to the Online MA in 3D AnimationOnline MA Animation - FAQs
For more resources on getting started in animation at Bucks, see the blog posts below:
MA Joining Instructions September 2020Welcome to Bucks MA Animation - September 2020Getting Started in 3D Animation in September 2020DA701 Locomotion & Mechanics - Starts 28 September 2020Who's Who on the Online MA at Bucks Download your free copy of the Maya Educational License Online Animation Resources at BNU What Kind of Laptop Should You Buy? What's in Our Online MA in 3D Animation? Welcome to the Online MA in 3D AnimationOnline MA Animation - FAQs
For more on the experience of studying at Bucks New University, come and visit us at one of our Open Days, take a virtual tour of one of our animation studios, check out what our students think of our course, and see why we're ranked in the top 12 creative universities in the UK.