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.
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.
Coursedetails
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
Real world problem-solving
This course is part of our suite of Master’s in Visual Communication, offering a collaborative framework across various specialisations, including MA Animation, MA Advertising, and MA Illustration. This provides students with opportunities to engage with peers from different disciplines while working on individual assignments. Such collaboration mirrors the professional dynamics in the creative industries today, allowing students to gain valuable experience in interdisciplinary teamwork and real-world problem-solving.
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.
Portfolio requirement
When you apply for this course, we will ask you to prepare your portfolio and a written submission. We might also ask you to prepare for an interview. These methods are used to assess your suitability for the course. All three elements should clearly demonstrate your passion for the subject and your individual creativity.
Further information will be provided once you have applied.
Fees and funding
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
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
Postgraduate applicants can only apply directly by completing the below online application form or emailing the downloadable form to ioadmissions@norwichuni.ac.uk
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.
Celebrating award-winning student work at our Undergrad Festival – and beyond
BA Animation •
This summer saw the launch of the University’s new Sustainability Awards, alongside nominations for Norwich students for a range of high-profile industry awards.
Norwich students win at D&AD New Blood Awards 2025
BA Graphic Communication •
Norwich students were awarded a total of five pencils at this year’s D&AD New Blood Awards, which showcase recent graduate work across design, advertising and craft.
Norwich lecturer celebrates world premiere of new film Chicken Town
Alumni •
Richard Bracewell, Lecturer for BA (Hons) Film and Moving Image Production, worked with Norwich students and graduates to produce the Fens-based comedy.
Norwich University of the Arts moves up 25 places in The Complete University Guide
Alumni •
Norwich University of the Arts has been ranked among the UK's top two specialist creative arts universities — and the highest outside London — in the 2026 edition of The Complete University Guide
We are delighted to offer two opportunities to join the University as an East Gallery Fellow – Creative Practice, for twelve months from 1 November 2025 to 31 October 2026
Norwich University of the Arts Hosts AHRC in Celebrating Creative Technology Research
Research •
Norwich University of the Arts recently hosted a collaborative event showcasing projects funded by AHRC's Creative Research Capability fund, at its cutting-edge Immersive Visualisation and Simulation Lab (IVSL).
Shape Shift: Reflections on Art in Mental Health Settings
Research •
A groundbreaking new exhibition, Shape Shift: Reflections on Art in Mental Health Settings, created in partnership with Norwich University of the Arts, will open at The Fitzrovia Chapel on Thursday, 13 March 2025.
In conversation with Cassie Muskett, BA (Hons) Graphic Communication
BA (Hons) Graphic Communication •
Cassie Muskett has been selected for the Chaos Design Bursary Award. She secured a two-week paid internship, along with a generous £800 bursary. We spoke to Cassie about her internship experience.
