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Undergraduate study
2D Animation and Stop Motion (with Foundation Year)

2D Animation and Stop Motion (with Foundation Year) BA (Hons)

Learn how to tell a story and bring your characters to life with our 2D animation and stop motion degree.

 

I158 BA/2DASMFY

Course routes:

 

Course overview

Work placement

2D Animation and Stop Motion Showreel

View our BA (Hons) 2D Animation and Stop Motion student showreel.

You learn essential animation skills including drawing and pre-visualisation, cinematography, hand drawn 2D animation and stop motion techniques.

Gain experience of the animation pre-production and production pipelines by working with other animation students on team projects as specialist 2D animators, stop motion animators, stop motion compositors, prop makers, set builders or character designers.

Our bespoke 2D animation studios featuring industry-standard software, dedicated workshops and stop motion studios equipped with lighting, cameras, and green screen offer you a real world technical experience.

This course includes a foundation year - ideal if you need additional preparation or if you don't have sufficient grades to join Year 1 of a degree.

Top reasons to study 2D animation and stop motion at Teesside

  • International acclaim: ranked 18th in the world in the Animation Career Review International Animation School Rankings 2023. (Top 50 International Animation Colleges – formal degree. 195 colleges considered). (tees.ac.uk/source).
  • Industry links: take part in Animex, our annual international animation and games festival featuring experts from Rockstar, Pixar, Disney and Sony.
  • Career-ready: our ExpoSeries of events allow you to showcase your skills to industry professionals who are seeking to recruit new and rising talent.
  • Quality teaching: 93% of BA (Hons) 2D Animation and Stop Motion students agreed that staff are good at explaining things (National Student Survey 2023, tees.ac.uk/source).

Download pdf Order prospectus

 

Course details

Course structure

Foundation year core modules

2D Digital Art

You are introduced to the creative possibilities of image-making using digital tools. Study the fundamental principles of design and composition, and explore a range of image creation techniques. Use appropriate graphics software to improve your technical skills incorporating layers, composition, colour, linework and lighting.

This is a 30-credit module.

Case Studies

Focusing on computer games, animation and film, you gain an introductory level of understanding in the context of your chosen field of study. As well as looking at the historical and context of these, you observe how we interpret these types of media historically and materially. Choose a text within your area of interest, undertaking an analytical review in the form of a case study.

This is a 30-credit module.

Drawing, Creativity and Design

Learn to create imagery using traditional and digital drawing tools. Develop your drawing techniques and creative interpretations of themes including figure drawing, still life, perspective and character, creature and environment design. You are supported to produce images that effectively communicate visual ideas.

This is a 30-credit module.

Foundation Project

You produce an individual project with guidance from your tutor. Gain independent working and project management skills, developing original ideas and concepts in your chosen field. This could be in the form of a piece of concept art, animation or another appropriate form related to creative industries.

This is a 30-credit module.

 

Year 1 core modules

Animation Principles

The principles of animation are the foundation stone for any animator. Originally created by Disney, they have been used by generations of animators to create convincing animation across movies, TV series, games and commercials.

Fundamentals of 2D animation

Learn the principles of 2D animation, using hand-drawn techniques to create animation exercises.

Fundamentals of 3D animation

Explore the principles of 3D animation using industry standard techniques and software using a range of methods including the layered method and pose to pose.

Animation in context

Delve into the history of animation and motion design, from its earliest beginnings to today’s diverse styles and applications.

This is a 30-credit module.

Art for Animation

Unlock the secrets of character creation, storyboarding, and environment sketching in traditional and digital drawing.

Traditional drawing skills

Study life drawing and observational techniques, perspective and composition.

Digital drawing skills

Explore image manipulation techniques using digital software and customising digital drawing tools. Dive into character design, environmental creation and prop development.

This is a 30-credit module.

Introduction to Stop Motion

Embark on a journey into the realm of stop-motion animation, looking at the history, methods, materials, and techniques.

Stop motion animation techniques

Explore stop motion techniques including claymation, object animation, cut-out animation, puppetry and pixilation.

Lighting and camera setups

Create captivating visuals through lighting and camera setups, and use capturing software to capture the essence of your creations.

Prop making

Learn to craft tools and models that breathe life into your animations.

This is a 30-credit module.

Visual Development for the Moving Image

When planning and visualising sequences for animation and live action, you need to understand the pre-production process and the tools and techniques you can use.

Cinematography and film language

You are introduced to cinematography and learn about film language, shot composition, camera moves and lighting.

Character and storyboard development

Develop your own visual interpretation of a script or narrative and produce a moving storyboard (animatic).

Digital compositing

You are introduced to a range of compositing techniques for live-action and 3D computer-generated imagery, 2D and stop-motion animation, lighting and digital 2D painted backgrounds.

This is a 30-credit module.

 

Year 2 core modules

2D Animated Performance

Learn to create characters that connect with your intended audience and how to give life to your story’s landscapes.

2D animation techniques

Develop your storytelling skills and animation principles to create strong sequences using industry-standard tools.

Acting and performance

Explore acting theory, drawing insights from references and observations and giving life to animated characters.

This is a 30-credit module.

Moviola

You work in a team to produce an animation or visual effects sequence based on an industry style brief. Experience working in a production environment with industry input and feedback, and target specific production skills in your chosen field of study.

This is a 30-credit module.

Professional Research and Development

You get the opportunity to experiment in a specialist area of your choice in animation, games and visual effects. Develop your independent learning skills and take ownership of your chosen direction through the assessment. You also research professional roles related to your specialism, identifying the graduate skills you need and developing an online presence.

This is a 30-credit module.

Stop Motion

Master the methods, materials, techniques, and fundamental principles employed in professional stop-motion productions.

Puppets, cut-outs and sets

Explore a range of materials and tools to create original props, characters and sets. Experiment with claymation, puppet animation and cut-out animation techniques.

Complex lighting, rigging and camera setups

Explore lighting setups, rigging, and precise tie-down techniques on set, and expand your knowledge of different camera lenses for animation.

Professional workflow

Immerse yourself in the professional animation workflow and learn to synchronise lip movements with recorded audio to create a short animated sequence.

This is a 30-credit module.

 

Optional work placement year

Work placement

You have the option to spend one year in industry learning and developing your skills. We encourage and support you with applying for a placement, job hunting and networking.

You gain experience favoured by graduate recruiters and develop your technical skillset. You also obtain the transferable skills required in any professional environment, including communication, negotiation, teamwork, leadership, organisation, confidence, self-reliance, problem-solving, being able to work under pressure, and commercial awareness.

Many employers view a placement as a year-long interview, therefore placements are increasingly becoming an essential part of an organisation's pre-selection strategy in their graduate recruitment process. Benefits include:

· improved job prospects
· enhanced employment skills and improved career progression opportunities
· a higher starting salary than your full-time counterparts
· a better degree classification
· a richer CV
· a year's salary before completing your degree
· experience of workplace culture
· the opportunity to design and base your final-year project within a working environment.

If you are unable to secure a work placement with an employer, then you simply continue on a course without the work placement.

 

Final-year core modules

AVFX Project

Work alongside your project supervisor to develop a large-scale piece of individual work relating to your chosen specialism and career aims.

This is a 60-credit module.

Creative Industry Briefs

You choose from a selection of briefs which reflect specialist industry roles, such as realistic creature animation, effects simulation or puppet making. Explore your specialism and develop your professional skills such as pitching ideas, costing and scheduling, working to a tight brief and responding to client changes.

This is a 30-credit module.

Kino

You work in a team to produce a short film or visual effects sequence in a style of your choice. It could be a high-end visual effects sequence, a motion graphics title sequence or a short film. Each member takes on a production role to mimic the industry pipeline. You gain experience of teamwork, and a showpiece for your portfolio.

This is a 30-credit module.

 

Modules offered may vary.

 

How you learn

You use industry-standard software including Toon Boom Harmony to design and animate characters and backgrounds for 2D, and Dragonframe to make stop motion. You graduate with an excellent and unique showreel of animated work.


Our Disability Services team provide an inclusive and empowering learning environment and have specialist staff to support disabled students access any additional tailored resources needed. If you have a specific learning difficulty, mental health condition, autism, sensory impairment, chronic health condition or any other disability please contact a Disability Services as early as possible.
Find out more about our disability services

Find out more about financial support
Find out more about our course related costs

 

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Any combination of level 3 qualifications. Each application is considered on a case-by-case basis.

We may also be able to help you meet the entry requirements through our Summer and Winter University modules.

For general information please see our overview of entry requirements

International applicants can find out what qualifications they need by visiting Your Country


You can gain considerable knowledge from work, volunteering and life. Under recognition of prior learning (RPL) you may be awarded credit for this which can be credited towards the course you want to study.
Find out more about RPL

 

Employability

Career opportunities

Our graduates find roles as 2D/stop motion animators, assistant animators and production designers for animation.

Our ExpoSeries of events are an opportunity for you to interact with employers. Each event is open to the public and industry guests, allowing you to showcase your work to peers and potential future placements or employers.

Work placement

Including work experience on your CV makes you a much more attractive applicant. You have a higher chance of improving your degree classification and the boost in confidence gives you the edge in job interviews.

Placements are not compulsory but are assessed and contribute to your final degree award.

Our placements team gives you help and support, including guidance on applications and interviews, to help you get a placement that suits you.

 

Information for international applicants

Qualifications

International applicants - find out what qualifications you need by selecting your country below.

Select your country:

  
 

Useful information

Visit our international pages for useful information for non-UK students and applicants.

Talk to us

Talk to an international student enrolment adviser

 
 

Other course routes

Work placement

Study this course with an optional work placement year, at no extra cost. Alongside this, you can gain valuable experience and engagement with the sector through our shorter work placements, internships and work experience opportunities.

Work placements

Full-time

Entry to 2024/25 academic year

Fee for UK applicants
£9,250 a year

More details about our fees

Fee for international applicants
£17,000 a year

More details about our fees for international applicants


What is included in your tuition fee?

  • Length: 4 years (or 5 with a work placement)
  • UCAS code: I158 BA/2DASMFY
  • Start date: September
  • Semester dates
  • Typical offer: Offers tailored to individual circumstances

Apply online (full-time) through UCAS

 

Part-time

  • Not available part-time
 

Choose Teesside

  • Student work

    BA (Hons) 2D Animation and Stop Motion

    Our 2D animation and stop motion students support musician Owen Lamont in producing a video for his single

    2D Animation and Stop Motion Showreel

    View our BA (Hons) 2D Animation and Stop Motion student showreel.

     
  • Student and graduate profiles
     
  • News

    Nick Marshall, pictured far left, with some of the Emmy winning team Emmy success for Teesside University graduate
    A successful Teesside University graduate who recently returned to the region to inspire guests at Animex is celebrating an Emmy Award for his work on a flagship HBO series.

    Read the full story

    New scholarship will help break down barriers to the animation and games industries
    Teesside University’s internationally renowned Animex festival is supporting a new scholarship to help students from under-represented groups to achieve a career in the animation or games industries.

    Read the full story

    Alycia Carnall, one of the Teesside University students who secured full time work at Double Eleven Games industry job roles for students after placement success
    Nine talented students have managed to secure full-time job offers at a leading games studio after taking part in industry placements as part of their Teesside University degree.

    Read the full story

     
  • On video

    BA (Hons) 2D Animation and Stop Motion

    Hear what some of our students have to say about our BA (Hons) 2D Animation and Stop Motion course.

    Animex 2022

    Animex 2022 round-up, our international festival of animation, VFX and games

     
  • Staff profile
     
 
 
 

ExpoTees 2023

Take a look at ExpoTees 2023, showcasing work from our postgraduate and final-year undergraduate students in animation, VFX and games.

 

Get in touch

UK students

Email: scedtadmissions@tees.ac.uk

Telephone: 01642 738801


Online chat (general enquiries)

International students

Email: internationalenquiries@tees.ac.uk

Telephone: +44 (0) 1642 738900


More international contacts

 

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