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Animation MA

Extend your creative vision and shape the future of animated storytelling through innovative animation practices and critical engagement.

Our innovative MA in Animation is designed to develop your visual style to convey complex ideas clearly using a range of media. The course encourages you to explore fresh perspectives on storytelling and narrative, focusing on future-oriented outcomes.

The course emphasises the integration of new technologies with established practices, supporting your growth through a variety of projects that enhance both conceptual and practical skills. Supported by a team of professional animators and academics, you will explore new techniques, develop your interests, and exchange and discuss ideas. You’ll explore media processes with students from other media disciplines, gaining access to state-of-the-art resources and workshops.

By the end of the course, you’ll have an extended portfolio and a deep understanding of both independent and collaborative practices, effectively positioning you within the contemporary animation field. You’ll be encouraged to push boundaries and experiment to find your unique creative voice. You’ll explore meaningful themes and learn how to engage audiences through multidisciplinary approaches, addressing contemporary, social, cultural, and environmental issues.

Join us at Norwich and be part of an animation community that drives creative boundaries, embraces innovation, and impacts the world.

  • A person with headphones is working at a computer with a dual-screen setup. They are drawing on a tablet display, focusing on creating illustrations. Various sketches are visible on the screen. Office setting with other computers in the background.
  • A person using 3D modeling software on a computer, focusing on a detailed design of an architectural structure. The workspace includes multiple monitors and framed architectural images on the wall.
  • A person uses a stylus on a graphics tablet to create a digital image of a green, monstrous creature with large teeth and horns. The tablet displays detailed artwork, and a computer keyboard is visible in the background.

Why study with us

  • Advanced technical skills

    Master a wide range of media and techniques, creating impactful animations that reflect your artistic vision.

  • Interdisciplinary approach

    Collaborate with postgraduate courses in media and visual communication, enriching your educational experience through multidisciplinary engagement.

  • Professional-level resources

    Access cutting-edge facilities, including animation labs, design studios, and licensed software to bring your creative ideas to life.

  • Ethical and inclusive research

    Commit to ethical practices that prioritise accessibility, diversity, equality, and sustainability in animation.

  • Professional portfolio development

    Create a strong portfolio that showcases your interests and prepares you for a successful career in animation.

  • Innovative problem-solving

    Tackle complex visual and narrative challenges through project-based learning, encouraging original and inventive approaches to animation.

Course Details

This programme is a one-year course including 30 weeks of direct teaching time and a 15-week final project. You will need to complete five units and one 60-credit major project (180 credits in total). All units on the course are compulsory and must be passed in order to complete the award. If you study part-time your modules will be split across two years. Full course details, including aims and assessment criteria, will be provided in the course specification upon validation.

Core practice and context in Animation (60 credits)

This unit launches your master’s study experience at Norwich, immersing you in leading practices and emerging research within animation to enhance your understanding and knowledge in animation methodologies. You’ll develop skills in visual communication, personal approaches to narrative and storytelling, and using animation to convey complex ideas and messages. The unit covers narrative environments, animatics, character development, film language, motion graphics, emerging technologies (AR/VR), and time-based media. You’ll deepen your understanding of established and innovative techniques through research-led projects, promoting iterative experimentation and critical reflection. This process will strengthen your working methods and knowledge, situating your practice within broader conceptual and ethical frameworks.

Advanced technical skills in Animation (20 credits)

This unit focuses on the advanced technical skills essential for idea generation, problem-solving and practical development in animation practice. You will experiment with various media and processes (2D and 3D), enhancing your narrative and storytelling skills. Both individual projects and group collaborations will be explored, emphasising the importance of technical expertise and conceptual alignment. A research-led approach will introduce you to both established and emerging techniques. Through project work and briefs, you’ll explore innovative technical processes to enhance problem-solving capabilities and create advanced creative solutions. Content covers narrative development, character realisation, storyboarding, motion capture, and emerging technologies (AR/VR/AI). Through continuous technical experimentation and critical reflection, you will enhance your skills and working methods, incorporating social, political, and cultural perspectives to embrace animation as an experimental visual practice.

Dialogue, debate and domain knowledge in Animation (10 credits)

This unit is designed to encourage your exploration of leading practices and emerging research within animation through reflective analysis and interactive discussions. You will develop a critical understanding of your discipline within socio-economic, political, ethical, and cultural contexts, exploring the critical frameworks that underpin visual design practices. Key research themes include design history and theory, identity and representation, visual language, semiotics, aesthetics, and media theory. You will be supported in developing diverse research approaches, utilising discursive interaction to inform your inquiry methods, prompting you to interrogate the boundaries between animation and other communication disciplines.

Professional technical skills in Animation (20 credits)

This unit encourages your exploration with a range of professional-level technical skills essential for idea generation, problem-solving, and practical development in animation practice. You will experiment across a range of media, building on the skills and techniques covered in the ‘advanced technical skills’ unit. Through individual and group projects, you’ll refine technical processes and explore innovative solutions to enhance your creative capabilities. Unit briefs may include tasks focused on specific projects or collaborative work, emphasising the importance of technical expertise in supporting the theoretical and conceptual aspects of animation. Indicative content includes narrative development, character design, storyboarding, motion capture, 2D & 3D animation, sound design, and emerging technologies (AR/VR/AI). Individual and group projects will help you to use established and contemporary techniques to extend and explore your chosen area of expertise.

Advanced critical context in Animation (10 credits)

This unit deepens your understanding of leading practices and emerging research within and around animation. By developing effective research and reflective strategies, you will enhance your critical understanding of key methodologies and gain insights into creative communication within socio-economic, political, ethical, and cultural contexts. Engaging in rigorous analysis and interaction will strengthen your grasp of critical frameworks underpinning your discipline. Building on the ‘dialogue, debate, and domain knowledge’ unit, you will explore themes such as animation history, identity and representation, visual language, design psychology, semiotics, aesthetics, globalisation, and media theory. Research-led projects will help you to develop your overall creative persona and assist in developing strategies for conceptual and practical problem-solving, positioning yourself as a critically engaged and reflective practitioner.

Major project (60 credits)

This unit represents the culmination of your master’s study, where you will design, develop, and execute an individual or collaborative major project in animation. This process will consolidate your specialist knowledge and advanced communication skills, allowing you to plan and organise activities, time, and resources, while exploring innovative concepts with feedback from tutors and industry professionals. You will identify a research question and create a viable project to test your hypotheses, aiming for original outcomes. You will deepen your understanding of historical, theoretical, cultural, technical, and economic contexts, addressing social and environmental sustainability challenges. Identifying relevant industries, audiences, and stakeholders, you will situate your practice within regional, national, and international contexts. This project enables you to showcase your voice, demonstrate creativity, and develop technical skills that reflect your chosen pathway and express an original, personal and professional identity.

Learning and teaching

The course is delivered through a variety of engaging learning and teaching methods.

  • Lectures

  • Seminars

  • Tutorials

  • Technical labs

  • Independent and group work

Assessment

Our assessment methods will vary based on the unit you choose and provide a comprehensive measure of your learning and progress. These methods may include:

  • Critically reflective essay
  • Course work
  • Presentations
  • Learning journal
  • Reflective evaluation
  • Body of creative work
  • Reflective research report
  • Team project evaluation
  • Major project
  • Supporting documentation
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Typical career paths

Graduates of our MA Animation are equipped to navigate the increasingly technology-driven and interdisciplinary design landscape. Whatever your goals, this course will support your individual interests and specialisms and open more career opportunities in the dynamic fields of animation, film, and digital media. The skills and experience you gain will prepare you to excel across a range of creative industries.

This course prepares you for a career in a variety of disciplines related to animation, including:

  • Stop motion animator
  • 2D animator
  • Set designer
  • Puppet builder
  • Lighting technician
  • Compositor
  • Producer
  • Editor
  • Storyboard artist
  • Character designer

The UK’s creative sector is thriving, contributing £111.7 billion annually to the economy and offering over 2 million jobs.

Department for Digital Culture Media and Sport (DCMS)

Entry Requirements

Entrants should normally have achieved a BA (Hons) / BSc Degree of 2:1 or above (or its equivalent), in advertising, art or design (such as graphics, photography, film studies), psychology, marketing, business, english, sociology, or philosophy.

Those with industry experience or relevant skills from non-traditional backgrounds are encouraged to apply, including individuals currently employed. If you’re unsure about your eligibility, please contact us for guidance before applying.

English language requirements (International/EU)

If English is not your first language, IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) is required, with a minimum of 5.5 in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. we also accept other English language qualifications.

International Qualifications

We accept a wide range of qualifications from all over the world.

For information on entry requirements from your country, see our international pages.

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Fees and funding

Home

Tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year:

Full time: £10,600

The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you’re classed as a UK
(home) or international student. Check your fee status.

Fees for subsequent years

The rules for inflation on fees in subsequent years depend on the type of fee status and level

For Home and overseas postgraduate degree students starting in 2025, fees will remain the same for each year of your course.

Funding your study

Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for a bursary, scholarship or loan to help fund your study and enhance your learning experience. Find out more about scholarships and funding.

Additional costs

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition. Accommodation, cost of materials, and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees

International

Tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year will be:

Full time: £24,000

The level of fee that you will be asked to pay depends on whether you’re classed as a UK
(home) or international student. Check your fee status.

Fees for subsequent years

The rules for inflation on fees in subsequent years depend on the type of fee status and level

For home and overseas postgraduate degree students starting in 2025, fees will remain the same for each year of your course.

Funding your study

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries for international students. To find out more and see if you’re eligible, please visit the scholarships for international students page.

Additional costs

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition. Accommodation, cost of materials, and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees

Animation MA Course Costs (opens in a new window)

How to apply

Home

Applications to our postgraduate courses should be made directly to Norwich University of the Arts using a Postgraduate Application Form.

Postgraduate Application Form – Word Document 2025-2026 (opens in a new window)

Applications should be returned to admissions@norwichuni.ac.uk

Please see our Terms and Conditions and Admissions Policies for further details.

International

Postgraduate applicants can only apply directly by completing the below online application form or emailing the downloadable form to ioadmissions@norwichuni.ac.uk

Online Postgraduate Application Form (opens in a new window)

International students requiring a visa should apply as soon as possible in the year they wish to start. Email our International Team for more information. Please see our Terms and Conditions and Admissions Policies for further details

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