Animation (with Foundation Year) Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

Course overview\
This course includes a foundation year - ideal if you need additional preparation or if you don't have sufficient grades to join Year 1. If you are passionate about starting a creative career in animation for film, TV, or games, then our course is perfect for you. Develop the creative and technical skills needed to succeed in the fast-paced, ever-evolving animation industry. Build a strong foundation while shaping your own specialism and career goals.

In Year 1, you focus on the core principles of animation alongside CG fundamentals, visual development, rigging and motion capture. In Year 2, you deepen your skills in character animation and motion design. Choose from optional modules in 2D animation or performance capture, tailoring your learning to your interests. In Years 2 and 3, you collaborate across disciplines, reflecting real-world studio practice. Work on immersive games, motion graphics, feature film sequences or short films –developing creative, production and teamwork skills in line with industry expectations.

Access cutting-edge facilities, including the new digital production stage, performance capture, LED wall, immersive experience space, and dedicated studios equipped with industry-standard hardware and software.

Top reasons to study this course

* International acclaim: ranked 20th in the world in the Animation Career Review International Animation School Rankings 2025. (Top 50 International Animation Colleges – formal degree. 207 colleges considered). ([tees.ac.uk/source](tees.ac.uk/source)).

* Nationally recognised: Teesside University is ranked the top North East University for Animation & Game Design in the Guardian University Guide 2026. (58 institutions ranked, [tees.ac.uk/source](tees.ac.uk/source)).

* Guidance and support: 100% of BA (Hons) Animation students agreed that they have received sufficient support, advice and guidance in relation to their course (National Student Survey 2025, [tees.ac.uk/source](tees.ac.uk/source)).

* Industry links: take part in [Animex](https://animex.tees.ac.uk/), our annual international animation and games festival featuring experts from Rockstar, Pixar, Disney and Sony.

* Graduate success: our graduates have worked on many movies and AAA games including Spiderman Far From Home, Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Red Dead Redemption II.

* ScreenSkills recognition: This course is industry recognised by ScreenSkills, the industry-led skills body for the UK’s screen-based industries, and carries the ScreenSkills Select quality-mark which indicates courses best suited to prepare students for a career in the screen industries.

Employability

Career opportunities for graduates include working in major studios around the world including Rockstar Games, The Imaginarium Studios and Industrial Light & Magic. Our graduates have worked on feature films including Spiderman Far From Home, Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Jurassic World 3, and on AAA games including Red Dead Redemption II, Spiderman: Hidden Agenda and Baldur's Gate.