Bucks MA Academic Deadlines 2019-21

2019-2021 deadlines

Below is a list of deadlines for the online MA in 3D animation. This list is for our 2019 cohort of students, that is to say all our student animators who are joining us in September 2019, and will graduate "Master of Arts" in the summer of 2021.

This list of deadlines is a draft list only, and is subject to change. Students should always check the appropriate Module Guide and Assignment Brief to be certain of the correct submission date. And, of course, check with your tutor.

However, this list gives our students a broad idea of what to expect over the coming year and a half.

Kiwi by Oliver Canovas DA703 PR1

2019

DA701 PR1      Monday 13^th December 2019

2020

DA701 CW1     Monday 13^th Jan 2020

DA702 CW1     Friday 6th March 2020

DA702 PR1      Monday 20^th  April 2020

DA705 CW1     Saturday 2nd May 2020

DA703 PR1      Monday 15^th June 2020

DA703 CW1     Friday 10th July 2020

"School Run" by Lee Caller: DA701 PR1

DA704 CW2     Friday 18^th Sep 2020

DA704 CW1     Friday 13^th Nov 2020

DA704 PR1      Monday 7^th December 2020

2021

DA705 CW2     Friday 15^th Jan 2021

DA705 CW3     Monday 3rd May 2021

Missing deadlines
Missing deadlines is a bad idea and it's always best to submit on time, even if what you have is imperfect. However, sometimes missing a deadline is unavoidable. For more information on what to do if you miss - or think you might miss - a deadline, read this blog post.

Module Information

We have five modules on the MA in 3D animation. To see what's in each module, read below. 

DA701 - Animation Mechanics 
This first module, taught primarily in Maya, deals with animation basics, such locomotion and mechanics. It starts with simple actions such as the bouncing ball, and builds up to simple physical actions, such as jumps and throws. At the end of the Module students submit a project for formal assessment based on character locomotion, such as the one below by graduate Neil Whitman.

DA702 - Character Performance
In this second module, students get to grips with character performance, including complex physical actions, pantomime animation, acting, dialogue and lipsync. The module builds up to an entry in the monthly 11 Second Club competition, which is also part of the student's assessed work. Below is an excellent example by Bucks MA student Jinng Hwee Tan.

DA703 - Animals and Creatures
This module focuses on animal and creature work, with an emphasis on the kind of photo-realistic animation in which London studios like Framestore, MPC and DNeg specialise. Students learn quadruped locomotion, as well as how to animate creatures like birds, spiders and scorpions.

DA704 - Demo Reel and Final Project
This penultimate module focuses on the creation of a final project and also a demo reel to showcase the student's best work. A demo reel is the student's shop front, their display of talent and skill, and is the single most important factor in finding work in the industry.



DA705 - Dissertation
This final module is entirely academic in character, and involves the writing of a dissertation, under the supervision of Fil Ieropoulos.

The first four Modules run consecutively through the year and while the last module, DA705, runs through the entire year alongside the other modules.

For more on the experience of studying at Bucks New University, come and visit us at one of our Open Days,  take a virtual tour of one of our animation studios, check out what our students think of our course, and see why we're ranked in the top 12 creative universities in the UK.