Animation MA

Kingston University

United Kingdom, London Borough of Sutton

University RankQS Ranking

604

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Home/United Kingdom/London Borough of Sutton /Kingston University/Animation MA

Kingston University

United Kingdom , London Borough of Sutton

Key Facts

Program Level

Master by Course Work

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Campuses

Knights Park

Kingston School of Art

Knights Park

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake Deadlines

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Go to the official application for the university

Duration 1 year(s)

Tuition Fee

GBP 21,800 / year(s)

Animation MA

About

The MA Animation programme at Kingston School of Art takes a creative and director-led approach to interdisciplinary moving image production. This course will give you the skills and attributes to thrive in a professional environment shaped by rapid cultural and technological change. It will introduce you to a wide range of interlinked and adaptable technologies and methods including 2D and 3D animation, virtual reality and augmented reality. You will use animation methods to interpret knowledge, stories, ideas and data into visual or experiential outputs that communicate complexity with empathy.

MA Animation supports the development of an individual practice informed by a culture that values research and collaboration. Research is seen as integral to the act of critical making through experimentation with physical, digital and virtual tools and technologies embracing a diverse range of multidisciplinary approaches.

Through tutorials, lectures, seminars, workshops and research projects, you will gain the critical tools, knowledge and confidence needed to contribute to the development of the subject and its practice. Every student will have the opportunity to complete an extended research project, typically a film.

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Requirements

Entry Requirements

Typical offer

What you need to apply for this course

Applicants should have a 2:2 or above honours degree in illustration or animation or a related subject, such as fine art, graphic design, photography, printmaking, fashion or textiles.
Applicants with academic qualifications in other subjects, or relevant work experience, will be considered on an individual basis.
A portfolio of work must accompany your application.

Portfolio guidance

We would like to understand more about you and your practice, as well as your aptitude and motivations for studying on this course. We will be reviewing your portfolio with four key values in mind: your questioning, curiosity, technical ability, and enthusiasm. Your portfolio should demonstrate these values through your strengths, abilities and experiences in sequential thinking, sound, drawing and storytelling.

You may also want to include work that demonstrates your skills in other areas, such as model-making, writing and performance, as well as engagement across other related creative disciplines and areas of interest. Consider including documentation of your research methodologies, intellectual engagement and project development.

We are looking for your potential to succeed on the course and welcome applications from those with diverse experiences or educational backgrounds.

Your portfolio should include:

A show reel of moving image or animated work.
Supporting images that demonstrate your competence in key areas such as: drawing; including observational, life drawing, concept sketching, character designs and storyboards. Include evidence of relevant creative practice, such as illustration and documentation of sculpture or installation etc.

Digital portfolio format requirements

A portfolio of 15-20 pages, landscape orientation and saved/uploaded as a print-based or interactive PDF file.
Include project titles and a brief description of each project explaining your intentions and your individual involvement if presenting a group project.
Moving image works should not exceed two minutes in total and should be uploaded to Vimeo or YouTube – please supply these links in your portfolio and make sure they are active and work on all platforms.
Ensure that images are of a high quality and at least 72 dpi.
Please avoid using portfolio templates; we want to see how you curate your work with clarity and imagination.

Prior learning – AP(E)L

Applicants with prior qualifications and learning may be exempt from appropriate parts of a course in accordance with the University's policy for the assessment of prior learning and prior experiential learning. Contact the faculty office for further information.

International

All non-UK applicants must meet our English language requirement, which is Academic IELTS of 6.5 overall, with no element below 5.5. Make sure you read our full guidance about English language requirements, which includes details of other qualifications we consider.

Applicants who do not meet the English language requirements could be eligible to join our pre-sessional English language course.

Applicants from recognised majority English-speaking countries (MESCs) do not need to meet these requirements.

Country-specific information

You will find more information on country-specific entry requirements in the International section of our website.

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Career

After you graduate

Graduates from the Illustration Animation Department permeate the animation industry all over the world.

They direct animation, motion graphics, adverts, pop promos and instructional educational films that engage hugely diverse audiences.
They are directors and showrunners on animated series for Netflix and Cartoon Network, Aardman, Nexus, Buck in New York and LA.
They start their own animation studios, such as Moth and Blink/BlinkInk, Catfish Collective or Arc. They also work together as small collectives often in turn employing our graduates.
They can be found in visual effects houses like Framestore and Moving Picture Company. By using interrelated skills they work not only as animators but also art directors/designers/storyboard artists for the live-action film industry.
They also teach and lead higher education initiatives, in the UK and internationally, that develop the potential of how visual moving image can contribute to global culture and societies.