Anglia Ruskin University has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework.These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

What does this TEF outcome mean?

Course summary

Become a skilled and versatile 2D or 3D animator, with a focus on illustration and storytelling, at Cambridge School of Art and turn your creative ideas into a rewarding career within Animation and Illustration. Our BA (Hons) Animation and Illustration course explores the connections between animation and illustration, helping you to create sequential narratives using a variety of methods – from the latest specialist 2D digital animation, 3D CGI used in industry and interactive techniques to traditional handmade image-making. You will develop creative abilities, technical skills and a personal language within animation, as well as sequential imagery within graphic novels, with the focus being on illustration and design Perhaps most importantly, you’ll get time, guidance and support from a team of industry professionals, animators and illustrators who are dedicated to your creative development. As well as regular visiting industry speakers to inspire and guide you in your creative work, in your final year you will also receive guidance from an assigned industry advisor dedicated to the year. At Cambridge School of Art, you’ll experiment and discover, try stuff out, venture into the unknown and find solutions, develop and create. Our Design & Crafts courses ranked eighth in the UK for 'Satisfied with Course' and third for 'Satisfied with Teaching' in The Guardian University Guide 2020, reflecting how our students’ value their experience with us. Industry-standard facilities As well as our dedicated animation base rooms with workstations for stop motion and digital animation, you’ll have use of facilities including:

Studios equipped with HD rostrum cameras and traditional lightboxes; the Cintiq pro 24 and latest digital 2D animation software; and the latest Adobe creative cloud software

Dedicated stop-motion room with lighting set-up

3D modelling and compositing software, including Autodesk Maya

Motion capture equipment, 4k cameras, lighting kits, and Wacom tablets

A life drawing studio

A sound recording studio; green screen and film editing suites; a digital photography lab and photography and film studios and darkrooms

Ruskin Gallery, a professional digital art gallery.

As one of our students you'll also have access to all our other art, design and creative industries facilities and equipment. Careers With an understanding of traditional animation and illustration, combined with expertise in cutting-edge digital design technology, our graduates have found success with leading animation studios and broadcasters, including Channel 4 and the BBC. As an Animation and Illustration student at ARU, you can be sure you’ll graduate with the knowledge, skills and abilities that industry needs. We work with artists, creative agencies and production studios – and they offer hands-on, practical opportunities to learn through work-based projects, internships or placements. On our Sequential Practice module, you’ll focus on preparing for life beyond university, creating a showreel, a website and promotional material, as well as hearing guest speakers from some of the top animation studios in London, such as Passion Pictures, The Mill, FrameStore and Studio Aka. Cambridge is the perfect place to gain experience – a creative hotspot that’s home to thousands of established businesses and start-ups. And, at the end of your final year, you’ll take part in our degree show in London – the perfect launchpad for your career. Graduation doesn’t need to be the end of your time with us, of course. You might decide to stay at ARU and study for a Masters, such as our renowned MA Children’s Book Illustration. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.

Modules

Year 1 core modules: Interactive Learning Skills and Communication; Information and Communication Technology; Creative Workshops 1; Composition and Style; Approach to Design; Critical and Contextual Studies; Creative Workshops 2; Specialist Project. Year 2 core modules: Animation Skills; Illustration and Animation Practice; Sequential Practice; Sequential Structures and Contexts. Year 3 core modules: Animation Practice, Computer Generated Imagery, Perspectives on Practice, Ruskin Module. Year 4 core modules: Professional Sequential Practice. Modules are subject to change and availability.

Assessment method

Assessment is ongoing and includes one-to-one feedback, group crits and class presentations, so you can be sure you’re receiving structured, insightful feedback throughout your degree course.

How to apply

25Jan

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:: WW27

Institution code:: A60

Campus name:: Cambridge Campus

Campus code:: C

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

Year 1

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

5 GCSEs at grade 3, or grade D, or above, (or equivalent) plus evidence of having attempted two years of post GCSE study at level 3. Students who have achieved a minimum of 1 A level (or equivalent), will be exempt from the two year post GCSE requirement (as stated above) but must still hold 5 GCSEs (as stated above). Students without English as their first language will be expected to demonstrate a certificated level of proficiency of at least IELTS 5.5 (Academic level with at least 5.5 in each of the four components) or equivalent English Language qualification, as recognized by Anglia Ruskin University.

Student Outcomes

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England	£9250*	Year 1
Northern Ireland	£9250*	Year 1
Scotland	£9250*	Year 1
Wales	£9250*	Year 1
Channel Islands	£9250*	Year 1
Republic of Ireland	£9250*	Year 1

*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

Additional fee information

https://aru.ac.uk/student-life/preparing-for-university/help-with-finances/undergraduate

Degree level: Undergraduate

Animation and Illustration [with Foundation Year]

Course options