Computer Animation MSc

Overview

Computer animation is used across so many creative industries, from computer games and advertising, to television and film. If you're ready to learn the skills you need to work in the exciting computer animation industry – and take your education to the next level too – this is the Master's course for you.

On this MSc Computer Animation degree, you'll develop technical skills, learn to use the latest kit, and put your expertise into practice as you take on a computer animation project that matches your interests and career ambitions.

When you graduate, you'll have all the tools you need for a career in the creative and media industries.

Entry requirements​

This qualification is an option on the Creative Technologies Master's course. You'll apply for the MSc Creative Technologies course, then choose Computer Animation as your pathway project after you start the course. You'll graduate with MSc Computer Animation.

These are the entry requirements for the MSc Creative Technologies course.

What you'll experience

Careers and opportunities

This course is ideal if you're a professional animator or someone with a computing background wanting to develop more specialist skills.

This course will give you the skills you need for a successful career in the entertainment industry, incorporating areas such as animation, visual effects in television/film and gaming. Other career prospects include:

• 2D and 3D graphics
• motion capture
• virtual reality
• project planning

Computer animation skills can also be used in fields which use visual simulation expertise, for example scientific exploration and historical or military case scenario representations.

What you'll study on this MSc Computer Animation degree course

Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.

You need to study modules worth a total of 180 credits. For example, 4 modules worth 30 credits and 1 module worth 60 credits.

Due to changing circumstances as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we may need to make changes to courses to ensure your safety and to ensure compliance with Government guidelines. We'll provide you with as much notice as possible of any such changes. Your course leader will inform you of these. Changes may include things such as modules being taught in teaching block 2 instead of teaching block 1 and teaching activities occurring in smaller group sizes.

We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.

Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry.

Work experience and career planning

We'll help you to identify opportunities that will complement your studies.

When you finish the course, our Careers and Employability service can help you find a job that puts your skills to work in the international development field.

After you leave the University, you can get help, advice and support for up to 5 years from our Careers and Employability service as you advance in your career.

Learning support

As well as support by faculty teaching staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University’s Academic Skills Unit (ASK).

ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:

• academic writing
• note taking
• time management
• critical thinking
• presentation skills
• referencing
• working in groups
• revision, memory and exam techniques

Teaching

You'll be encouraged to explore and research your specialism, and be challenged to put your knowledge to the test. You'll learn to define, implement, evaluate and reflect on what you learn, to emerge as an expert in your field.

How you'll spend your time

Each academic year is divided into 3 teaching blocks with assessment periods in between:

• Teaching block 1 – September to December (October to December for some courses in 2020/21 only)
• Assessment period 1 – January (and early February for some courses in 2020/21 only)
• Teaching block 2 (includes Easter break) – January to May (February to May for some courses in 2020/21 only)
• Assessment period 2 – May to June
• Teaching block 3 – June to September

Most teaching takes place during the day, Monday to Friday. There’s no teaching on Wednesday afternoons. You may occasionally need to go to University and course events in the evenings and at weekends.

You can also use many of the facilities and get support from Faculty staff in the evenings and weekends.

How you're assessed

You'll be assessed through:

• project proposal
• research and development papers
• reflective reports
• completed artefacts
• presentations

You'll be able to test your knowledge and skills informally before submitting assessments that count towards your final mark.

You'll get plenty of feedback, to help you improve in the future.

​Course costs

Tuition fees (2020 start)

UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students

• Full-time: £7,800
• Part-time
  • Year 1: £5,200
  • Year 2: £2,600

International students

• Full-time: £15,100
• Part-time
  • Year 1: £10,070
  • Year 2: £5,030

Fees subject to annual increase

Tuition fees terms and conditions

Additional course costs

These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending. 

Apply

Apply for this course by using our online application form:

• Full time study (1 year)
• Part time study (2 years)

You'll be applying for MSc Creative Technologies but you'll graduate with a MSc Computer Animation Master's degree when you complete the course.

Our courses fill up quickly, so submit your application as soon as you decide which course you want to study.

Admissions terms and conditions

When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.