MA 2D Animation and Stop Motion (with Advanced Practice)

Course overview

You prepare, write and make your own short animation ready for festival release. You learn how to write and pitch your film script to industry professionals and funding bodies, spend time learning how to deconstruct animation against a number of theoretical and critical frameworks as well having the opportunity to experiment with animated form.

The course also covers animation techniques and principles of animation and performance, suitable if you are looking to enter the field of animation practice as well as develop and improve your existing animation skills. You are given the space to experiment with a range of techniques and styles before embarking on the creation of your final animated film.

In the first semester you write and pitch your film ideas, alongside developing and designing the production materials. You take a closer look at the anatomy of animation, peeling back the layers of a production in order to gain greater insight to form. In the second semester you refine your animation skills as well as working in a small group to produce a short piece of animation allowing you to experiment with the animated form and techniques as well as get you up to speed on the production presses required to create your final film in the third semester.

How you learn

Animation is an intensive discipline, you are focused on creating an animated short from the beginning. You are supported by a teaching team who have backgrounds in 2D and stop motion animation as well as fine art installation. In addition, the course is supported by dedicated stop motion and 2D animation spaces as well as well-equipped workshops with specialist technician support to help you in your model, puppet and set making.

How you are assessed

You are assessed on your subject-specific knowledge, cognitive and intellectual skills and transferable skills applicable to the workplace. You are given formative assessment throughout the programme, typically given during lectures and tutorials.

Career opportunities

You have access to the School Students Future programme to develop your graduate employability skills. This involves a series of activities delivered to all students, year groups, subject cohorts or subject groups and includes industry speaker talks, extra-curricular industry challenges and company visits. The programme is co-ordinated by a team of academic staff, representing each subject area, who are actively working with our industry partners and other external organisations to ensure you are equipped with the skills required for the changing needs from industry.

The one-year programme is a great option if you want to gain a traditional MSc qualification. The two-year master’s degree with advanced practice enhances your qualification by adding a vocational or research based internship to the one-year master’s programme. A vocational internship is a great way to gain work experience and give your CV a competitive edge. A research internship provides you with the opportunity to develop your analytical, team-working, research and academic skills by working alongside a research team in an academic setting. We guarantee a research internship, but cannot guarantee a vocational internship. We will, however, provide you with practical support and advice on how to find and secure your own vocational internship position should you prefer this type of internship.