FAQ's - what students are asking about our course

Industry standard software

We're getting a lot of questions about our new Animation and VFX course here at Bucks, so I thought I would compile a list of Frequently Asked Questions to make life easier for everyone. Here is a (not especially complete) list:

Q: What software will you be teaching?
A: The Bucks Animation course has traditionally been taught in Autodesk 3D Studio Max. However, while Max is excellent software, the reality is that for most Soho VFX houses and Games companies, the leading software is Autodesk Maya. So we will be teaching primarily in Maya, though possibly with some Max holdovers. Which isn't a bad thing, as you can't know too much software in this business.

Q. What makes your course unique?
A: What makes us special is our focus on animation. There are lots of courses that can teach you general 3D skills, but we focus on making sure that you can use those skills to give a compelling performance, bringing CG characters and creatures to life.

Q: At what point in the course will you allow a student to specialise?
A: The first year provides a general grounding in 3D (You can see our course outline here). In year two, we get  deeper into animation and broad CG skills, giving students the opportunity to specialise and focus on certain areas. The 3rd year focuses on self-directed projects so you have the chance to focus on the area you most enjoy.

Q: Will I get a job at the end of the course?
A: We can't guarantee anyone a job but we will do our level best to give every student industry-relevant skills. Whenever we hear about new jobs, internships or freelance opportunities we let our students know right away, such as this music promo animated by Paula Gillin. Our course is designed to give all our students skills which will make them highly employable.

Student Accommodation at Bucks

Q: Does Bucks provide accomodation?
A: First year undergraduates and international students, living outside a 25-mile radius of High Wycombe, are eligible to apply for the Halls of Residence. If you have any questions about this, email us at: accommodation@bucks.ac.uk

Any other questions - ask away in the comments section, and I'll update the list!

---Alex