BA (Hons) Animation at Cardiff Metropolitan University

Programme overview

Animation degree taught by a multi-BAFTA award-winning team in specialist studios with industry-standard equipment, covering traditional and experimental digital and analogue techniques, live briefs and professional practice.

Faculty: Cardiff School of Art & Design | Duration: 3 years full time; 4 years with a sandwich placement year. | Location: Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom

What you will study

Covers fundamentals of animation, storyboarding and film language, life drawing, storytelling and direction, camera, lighting and composition, art direction, characterisation and acting for animation, mixed media and experimental animation, VR and installation, and professional practice. Year 1 includes Movement Transformation & Life (40 credits), Storytelling (20 credits) and Research Basics (20 credits).

Career pathways

Independent animators, media and design companies, advertising agencies and the film, television and broadcast industries; some graduates take a PGCE or progress to master's or doctoral study.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Typical offer for Year 1 entry: 96-120 tariff points. GCSE: preferably five GCSEs at grade C/4 or above including English Language (or Welsh First Language) and Mathematics (or Mathematics - Numeracy). A levels: minimum three A levels, no specific subjects required (Welsh Advanced Skills Baccalaureate considered as a third subject). BTEC National/Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma: MMM-DDM. T Level: no specific subjects required. Access to Higher Education Diploma: no specific subjects required. IB Diploma: 24 points. Irish Leaving Certificate: no specific subjects required (Higher level subjects only considered at minimum grade H4). Scottish Advanced Highers: no specific subjects required. Combinations of qualifications are accepted if they meet the minimum requirements; contextual offers apply; mature applicants and applicants with relevant experience or RPL are considered individually. International applicants: Academic IELTS 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in all elements, or equivalent. Successful portfolio review required.

Domestic applicants: GBP 9,790 a year (2026/27). Full-time home undergraduate tuition fee; may increase by any level permitted by the Welsh Government. Source

International applicants: GBP 16,000 a year (2026/27). Full-time international undergraduate tuition fee. Source

Duration: 3 years full time; 4 years with a sandwich placement year.

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