“I think this instilled in us a certain work ethic that would help prepare us for a tough industry.”
BA (Hons)Animation
Apply on UCAS
Starting in: 2025
Register your interest- 3 years
- 4 years with foundation year
UCAS code: W615
Institution code: S30
UCAS points: 104-120Flexible entry options available
Campus: Southampton City CentreView on Google Maps
Why study an animation degree at Solent University
Bring your creative ideas to life using traditional, stop-motion or CGI animation techniques and gain professional experience through industry connections.
- 0thUK uni for sustained employment (Longitudinal Educational Outcomes 2022)
- Top0in the top 20 best student cities (StudentCrowd, 2023)
- £0minvested in our campus estate and facilities
- Solent is in the top 15 for drama, dance and cinematics studies (out of 94 institutions) (Complete University Guide 2025)
- Solent is 12th in the UK for student experience in drama, dance and cinematics studies (out of 94 institutions) (The Times Good University Guide 2025)
- Students have access to Toon Boom Harmony, software used by the largest animation and gaming studios from around the world. The all-in-one, end-to-end 2D animation software allows animators to create cut-out and paperless animation in every style.
- You'll be taught by an industry-active course team with a wealth of first-hand experience to share.
- Industry projects are embedded into the course enabling you to gain vital experience during your studies.
- Students have access to a range of specialist facilities, including traditional lightboxes, special effects workshops and green screen rooms.
- Our in-house creative agency, Solent Creatives provides you with the chance to pitch for paid work with commercial clients – past clients have included Bear Grylls, the BBC and Southampton Airport.
- A creative, multi-disciplinary environment for world-leading research in media, culture and the arts – you will learn from experts in their field.
- Join our active student animation society.
Course overview
You will bring your concepts to life using industry-standard animation facilities - learning the full production process from first draft storyboarding to advanced filmmaking techniques.
This three year programme also gives you the time and support necessary to create a varied professional portfolio that’s perfectly suited to securing paid positions after graduation.
You’ll have the option to undertake industry projects both within our freelance modules, and alongside the course.
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Email: admissions.international@solent.ac.ukCall: +44 (0)23 8201 5066Student work
Our creative degrees allow our students to develop a critical eye for design with a knowledge of different design approaches and problem solving techniques. Take a look at some of the great work they produce.
Course features
Foundation year available
If you're not quite ready for a full undergraduate degree, there's alternative entry through one of our foundation years
Further studies
After successfully completing your studies, there's an opportunity to continue your studies at Solent
Top-up option
If you have an appropriate Level 5 qualification, you can top it up to a degree in just a year
Specialist facilities
This course has access to specialist facilities
Who is this course for?
Solent’s Animation programme is ideally suited to students who want to bring characters to life on the screen. Applicants should have a keen interest in drawing, making things move, and cinema generally.
What does this course lead to?
The classical animation training on this course provides a springboard into any of the animation and related industries after graduation. Whether it’s animating explosions on the latest video games, or creating a quirky character in adverts, or TV. It is all built upon a solid, classics approach.
Graduate stories
Hear from Solent alumni about where their careers have taken them and how studying at Solent prepared them for their future.
Read more storiesFacilities
Our industry-standard facilities include traditional light-boxes, special effects workshops and green screen rooms. Students are also given free access to Microsoft Office and a full suite of Autodesk software. And as Solent is an Adobe Creative Campus, all students also have free access to Adobe Creative Cloud, which includes the full suite of Adobe professional software, including Photoshop, Illustrator, XD, Premier Pro, and more.
Our vibrant campus brings state-of-the-art facilities to enhance your learning and elevate your student experience. Our award-winning teaching building, The Spark is centred around students and offers a stimulating study environment with flexible learning spaces. Away from studying, why not try out the gyms, fitness studios and sports halls in our £28 million Sports Complex, or watch a blockbuster film at our student-run cinema with Dolby Atmos audio.
International opportunities
Broaden your horizons by adding an international dimension to your CV – essential to achieving success in today’s fast-changing, global environment.
Studying, working or volunteering in another country could be the experience of a lifetime. Enhance your degree by developing important global skills such as knowledge of other countries, language skills, intercultural awareness, adaptability and confidence.
For more information, please email international.mobility@solent.ac.uk.
What you'll study
Core modules
Animation Principles
On this module you will learn the fundamental tools of creating 2D content from paper to screen and the pipeline in between. Through this module you can begin to know when/where to apply the appropriate principles and techniques to start to make your animation more believable and fluid.
Introduction to 3D
On this module you will learn the fundamental tools of 3D content creation, using industry standard software. You will develop your skills in 3D modelling, texturing, lighting and rendering in the context of current industry practices.
Observation
On this module you will learn to focus on the visual research from observation, which is core to all animation studies.
Animation Practice
This workshop led module takes the skills you learned from the Animation Principles module and introduces the concept of more complex tasks, within a team dynamic.
3D Animation
On this module you will get your first real opportunity to demonstrate, and evolve your transferable skills, by not only exploring different software, but with the space to take your animated works from 2D, to 3D.
Animation History
In this module you will look at the historical progression of animation techniques such as basic cinematography and technologies that have evolved the way animation is created.
How you will learn and be assessed
You will learn by:
You may be assessed by a combination of:
- Portfolios
- Visual journals
- Showreels
Solent’s curriculum framework builds on our unique, creative and applied approach to teaching. The transformation of students’ lives is at the heart of our mission as a university, and our curriculum – informed by the latest theory – reflects this shared educational vision.
Find out more
Study support
The student achievement team are on hand to help you succeed during your studies at Solent. They aim to contact you at key times during your time here with personalised information, advice and guidance, by email or phone.
The disability advice team provides information, advice and guidance for disabled students.
All students can access Succeed@Solent, Solent's online guide to getting better grades. It offers extensive, practical information and advice on topics such as academic writing, research and presentations.
Why choose the industry?
The creative industries generate £108 billion a year and employ over 2.3 million people across the UK. And the sector has grown at more than 1.5 times the rate of the wider economy over the past decade.(Government Policy paperCreative industries sector vision: a joint plan to drive growth, build talent and develop skillsUpdated 20 June 2023).
There are new tax changes for 2024, expected to be worth £5 million each year to business alongside the Audio-Visual Expenditure Credit, which was uplifted at budget from 33.33% to 39%. This also follows the Creative Industries Sector Vision published last month, which set an ambition to grow the creative industries by an extra £50 billion by 2030. (Animation magazine 2023).
You could earn:
Animator
Typical salary: £20,000 to £30,000
Entry salaries are in the region of £12,000 to £15,000. Salaries in computer game animation start higher at £18,000, rising quickly with experience. Experienced animators can earn around £23,000 to £26,000. Salaries for animators with at least ten years' experience are around £36,000+.
Concept artist
Typical salary: £25,000 - £40,000
Starting salaries for entry-level or junior concept artist positions are in the region of £17,000 to £20,000. Experienced concept artists can earn between £25,000 and £40,000. Senior concept artists can earn around £55,000 and £75,000. Freelance rates for concept artists are around £14 per hour on average.
The stated salaries are published on prospects.ac.uk.
Graduate stories
Hear from Solent alumni about where their careers have taken them and how studying at Solent prepared them for their future.
Read more stories“I think this instilled in us a certain work ethic that would help prepare us for a tough industry.”
Solent Futures
The Solent Careers team is committed to getting students into great careers.
While you are studying, the team can help you with finding work experience or placements, link you with a mentor, check your CV, or offer one-to-one guidance.
If you're in your final year, we also have graduate job opportunities just for Solent graduates.
6th
UK uni for sustained employment
Longitudinal Educational Outcomes, 2022
Further study
Thinking about studying further than an undergraduate degree? Alumni can get 20% off their postgraduate study.
MA Visual Communication
Do you have an eye for design? Would you like to help influence the future of visual communications? Our MA Visual Communication degree is ideal for creatives keen to refine their practice, working as part of an interdisciplinary group of students.
Tuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year are:
- UK, EU (settled status) and Channel Island full-time fees: £9,250 per year
- International full-time fees: £17,750 per year
For further information, please visit our tuition fees page.
Extra course costs
While most course costs are covered by your tuition fees, some essential resources and optional extras may need to be paid for separately. For advice on budgeting and managing your money, please contact student.funding@solent.ac.uk.
Bursaries, scholarships and financial support
Solent University offers a range of bursaries and scholarships that provide financial assistance or waive fees for tuition or accommodation. Each bursary or scholarship has specific eligibility criteria. Check out our bursaries and scholarships pages to find out more.
Cost of living support
At Solent, we understand that the cost of living crisis may be of some concern. To help, we've put together some detailed information to show what support is available and how to make your money go further.
Graduation costs
There is no charge to attend graduation, but you will be required to pay for the rental of your academic gown (approximately £45 per graduate, depending on your award). You may also wish to purchase official photography packages, which range in price from £15 to £200+. Graduation is not compulsory, so if you prefer to have your award sent to you, there is no cost. Extra guest tickets will go on sale after results publication and will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis. The cost per ticket is currently £15. Please note, we do not guarantee there will be any extra tickets available to purchase.
Student finance videos
Student finance Video transcript, with a description of visuals available.Student funding - the essentials Video transcript, with a description of visuals available.
Entry requirements
Please select an option below:
Key entry requirements
104-120 UCAS tariff points
- A minimum of two completed A-levels (including an Art and Design subject), a BTEC Extended Diploma at DMM or BTEC Diploma at D*D in an Art and Design subject, T-Level Merit or a combination of qualifications which comply with the minimum entry requirements of 104 UCAS points.
- Direct entry into year two or three may be considered for this course.
- UK applicants are required to attend a portfolio viewing.
- Applicants over the age of 21 may be considered based on relevant experience, without having the required tariff points.
- For further information about UK qualifications, please contact admissions.
Key entry requirements
As a general guide, we look for qualifications that are equivalent to the British high school A-levels.
Applicants from outside the UK will be required to submit an electronic portfolio for consideration.
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about EU qualifications, please see our course entry requirements document.
For international students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for this undergraduate degree, our trusted partner, QA Higher Education offers the following pathway programme designed to develop your academic and English language skills:
- International Foundation Year - for progression to the first year of an undergraduate degree
Key entry requirements
As a general guide, we look for qualifications that are equivalent to the British high school A-levels.
Applicants from outside the UK will be required to submit an electronic portfolio for consideration.
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about UK, EU and international qualifications, please see our course entry requirements document.
For international students who do not meet the direct entry requirements for this undergraduate degree, our trusted partner, QA Higher Education offers the following pathway programme designed to develop your academic and English language skills:
- International Foundation Year - for progression to the first year of an undergraduate degree
Note to all international students requiring a visa
All international applicants need to be aware that the English language requirements to attend Solent University, and the English language requirements to obtain a visa from the Home Office, may be different. This means that if you meet the Solent University language requirement to gain a place on the course, you may still have to meet additional requirements to be granted with a visa by the Home Office.
We strongly advise all applicants to visit the Home Office website which outlines all the requirements for a successful visa application.
104-120UCAS points
Any questions?
Contact international admissions
Email: admissions.international@solent.ac.ukCall: +44 (0)23 8201 5066How to apply
Full-time
Any student applying for the first year of a full-time/sandwich undergraduate course must apply through UCAS (University and Colleges Admissions Service). This includes mature, overseas and EU students.
Nearly all schools and colleges offer their students the facility of applying electronically through the UCAS website using 'Apply'; it may also be used by those applying independently in the UK and overseas. This facility and all course information can be found on the UCAS website: www.ucas.com.
Your application should reach UCAS by 31 January if you hope to enter a course the following autumn. Early application is advised for the most popular subject areas. Late applications may be made until the end of June. The UCAS Code for the University is S30, code name SOLNT.
Find out what happens after you apply
Contextual offers
Solent endeavours to offer learning opportunities to students from all backgrounds. When we receive and review an application, we take into consideration the context and personal circumstances of applicants when making a decision, which means our advertised entry tariff could be reduced.
Alternative entry options
Top-up route:
We welcome applications from students currently studying a Foundation Degree, DipHE, HNC, HND or modules of an undergraduate degree course at another university, who wish to enter directly into Years 2 or 3 of one of our undergraduate degree courses. Please contact our admissions team for more information: contact us
Language requirements
Applicants who do not have English as their first language will be required to demonstrate an approved level of proficiency in the use of the English language. The agreed minimum requirements for this course are:
- IELTS minimum 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each individual component
- TOEFL IBT minimum 80 with a minimum of 20 in each individual component
- Duolingo English Language Test - 115 overall with minimum of 95 in each component or equivalent.
Qualifications are checked before enrolment, and international students must bring their original certificates or certified copies when coming to study at the University.
Pre-Sessional English programme
The University also offers a pre-sessional English programme for international students who wish to improve their level of English before starting a degree course.
Make your application
- 3 years
- 4 years with foundation year
