Apply Now for our Online MA in Animation

Animation by Victoria Bailey

We are now taking applications for our online MA in animation, recruiting for September 2021.

Our online MA in animation was launched in 2015 and was the first of its kind - a unique degree which can be undertaken by students anywhere in the world, leading to a formal qualification in the field.

Students learn how to animate to a professional industry standard using Autodesk Maya, the industry-standard software, and also learn to engage with the underpinning theory and structure behind the art form. To apply, follow this link.

Unique Degree
Our MA in animation is the first fully online MA in animation, allowing students to complete their degree online, from anywhere in the world. You don't even need to show up for graduation. To see some of our students' recent work, check out the demo reel below:

"School Run" by Bucks student Lee Caller

Practical & Academic
The course is a unique blend of practical and academic content. That means you will learn how to animate, stop by step, and be properly trained as a skilled professional 3D animator.

At the same time, you will have to engage with the theory behind the craft, and take a close look at the industry, critically engaging with the underpinnings and possibilities of the medium.

Formal Qualification
The Master's Degree is a globally-recognised qualification, formally certified by the UK Govt.  Having an MA shows that you can engage in critical thinking at an advanced level, and make a thorough analysis of the subject being studied. In practical terms, you generally need an MA to be considered for a job teaching at university level.

Practical Skills

Partnering with AnimationApprentice.org

Our MA course has a strong emphasis on learning the techniques of 3D animation,  as well as academic content. By the end of the course you should have a strong demo reel, good enough to help you find work in this fast-growing industry.

Our course is of special interest to anyone who wants to learn the craft of 3D animation, and also for anyone who would like a career in teaching animation, especially in higher education where an MA is more or less a requirement.  There isn't another course that we know of which offers this blend of practical and critical content.

Alien by Jeton Lakna

Start Date
September 2020

Cost
The course costs £7,200 (but check the official site as this may be subject to change). And don't forget that the UK government now extends loans to graduate students. For more on funding for MA study, read this post.

Jobs and Employment
The animation industry is expanding rapidly worldwide. 3D animation is everywhere now, on TV, in the movie theatres, on your smart phone, on the web, and in games. The skills you will learn are transferable to any kind of animation.

Jellyfish by Joe Gamble

Official page
To visit the official page and register for more information, follow this link.

Online Portfolio
Yes. We will need to see evidence of the kind of creative and technical skill that makes a prospective animator. For more on our portfolio guidelines, see this post. 

Jinng Hwee Tan

Do You Need a BA to Apply?
Most of our applicants will have a BA in an arts-related field (not necessarily animation - we teach all our students from scraach).

If you don't have a BA, you will need to show a portfolio of work that will demonstrates a level of learning that shows you can handle a post-graduate level of study. This process is called APEL - and is explained in detail here.

Video Introduction
To see more precise detail on how the course works, watch the short video below




Further Information

Bristol Fighter by Leon Melasis

More more information about our Online MA in Animation, follow these links:

• Recent FAQs
• Can I study part-time? Answer, yes!

Resources at Bucks
For more resources on getting started in animation at Bucks, see the blog posts below:

• MA Joining Instructions September 2020
• Welcome to Bucks MA Animation - September 2020
• Getting Started in 3D Animation in September 2020
• DA701 Locomotion & Mechanics - Starts 28 September 2020
• Who's Who on the Online MA at Bucks 
• Download your free copy of the Maya Educational License 
• Online Animation Resources at BNU 
• What Kind of Laptop Should You Buy? 
• What's in Our Online MA in 3D Animation? 
• Welcome to the Online MA in 3D Animation
• Online MA Animation - FAQs

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.