BA Animation with Foundation Year
About this course
BA (Hons) Animation with Foundation Year, an animation degree incorporating a compulsory foundation year, optional placement year, and optional year abroad. Core topics include Research Methods, Critical & Analytical Thinking, Ethics & Professional Practice, and Design & Creative Practice. The course includes an optional placement year between the second and final stages, and features a final-year independent research project alongside the production of a short animated film. The foundation year introduces visual recording and digital imaging methods through Creative Studies, Creative Technologies, Creative Digital Skills, Creative Project, Developing Practice, and Academic Skills and Personal Development. The first year establishes core concepts with The Principles of Animation, Critical Approaches to Animation and Computer-Generated Images, Animation Production, and Pre-Production and Visual Development. The second year progresses into specialized methodologies via Researching Animation and Visual Effects: Principles and Practice, Professional Practice, Advanced Animation Production, and Animation Applications and Contexts. The final year culminates in independent investigation and portfolio building through Independent Research Project in Animation, Negotiated Studies in Animation, Portfolio and Promotion, and Specialist Practice in Animation, supported by an additional placement learning module.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
UCAS tariff: 72 A level: DDD T Level: Pass BTEC: MMP GCSE: GCSE Maths and English are preferred, however if you don't have these qualifications you will be able to undertake Maths and English at Level 2 as part of your course of study Access to HE: Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 0, Merit: 30, Pass: 15 English language: IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)
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What students say
Based on about 33 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 80%
- Learning opportunities: 80%
- Assessment and feedback: 86%
- Academic support: 77%
- Organisation and management: 57%
- Learning resources: 85%
- Student voice: 71%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 100 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 81%
- Gained a higher qualification: 2%
- Left higher education: 17%
What graduates do next
Based on about 18 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 80%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Further study: 5%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Elementary occupations: 25%
- Web and Multimedia Design Professionals: 10%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Teaching Professionals: 10%
- Caring personal services: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 45%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 55%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 30%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 125 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 6%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 12%
- East Midlands: 50%
- West Midlands: 14%
- East of England: 7%
- London: 3%
- South East: 5%
- South West: 2%
- Wales: 2%
Who gets in
Based on about 70 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 93%
- Other HE qualification: 7%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Placement Learning and Professional Development
- Creative Studies
- Creative Technologies
- Creative Digital Skills
- Creative Project
- Developing Practice
- Academic Skills and Personal Development
- The Principles of Animation
- Critical Approaches to Animation and Computer-Generated Images
- Animation Production
- Pre-Production and Visual Development
- Researching Animation and Visual Effects: Principles and Practice
- Professional Practice
- Advanced Animation Production
- Animation Applications and Contexts
- Independent Research Project in Animation
- Negotiated Studies in Animation
- Portfolio and Promotion
- Specialist Practice in Animation
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Animation with Foundation Year at University of Derby earn?
The median salary is £25,000 after 15 months, £17,500 after 3 years, £21,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £18,500 and £27,500. The £21,500 median after five years is £2,000 less than the UK median for Cinematics and photography.
What do graduates of BA Animation with Foundation Year at University of Derby do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Animation with Foundation Year at University of Derby?
80% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Animation with Foundation Year at University of Derby?
The typical offer is DDD at A level. The average entrant had 107 UCAS points.
Does BA Animation with Foundation Year at University of Derby include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Animation with Foundation Year at University of Derby?
81% of students continued into their second year, and 17% left higher education.