University course · real outcomes from HESA / Discover Uni · part of Careermash
University degree

Animation and Games Art

University of Sunderland
Qualification
Degree
Length
-
UK fees / yr
£9,535
Study
part-time
Robin · your guide
Here's the honest picture on this course - what you'd study, whether you'd likely get in, what it pays, and where it leads. Everything's real data.
About this course

Animation and games art sits at the intersection of visual storytelling, technical craft, and interactive design. It is a discipline that drives some of the most commercially significant and culturally resonant creative industries in the world, from feature films to blockbuster video games. Practitioners must master both artistic principles and digital tools, developing an eye for movement, weight, timing, and character that can bring imaginary worlds to life.

On this programme you will develop skills in 2D and 3D animation, exploring character-led work and building fluency in industry-standard software. You will study traditional animation techniques alongside newer digital approaches, understanding how foundational principles underpin even the most advanced tools. The course runs part time, giving you the flexibility to manage your studies alongside other commitments.

A sandwich year and a year abroad are both built into the programme, as is a work placement, so you will gain substantial experience of professional environments and international creative cultures before you graduate.

Graduates from this field go on to careers in games studios, animation production companies, visual effects houses, advertising agencies, and independent creative practices. The technical and artistic versatility you build also opens routes into motion graphics, user interface design, and virtual reality development. Many graduates pursue further study at postgraduate level, specialising in areas such as character animation, game design, or screen production.

Whether you are drawn to games, film, or emerging interactive media, this programme equips you with the breadth and depth of skills that studios and creative employers look for.

Pay & prospects
What graduates earn over time
£14,000
3 years on
£19,500
5 years on
In students' own words
★★★★★
Exceeded expectations
I was sceptical before starting — now I'd recommend it to anyone. The best part: access to facilities (workshop, equipment, specialist software) is genuinely first-rate. If I'm honest, a few modules feel under-resourced compared to the flag
Final year · Full-time
★★★★★
Exceeded expectations
Honestly, one of the best decisions I've made. The best part: access to facilities (workshop, equipment, specialist software) is genuinely first-rate. If I'm honest, accommodation allocation was stressful in the first year. On the city — th
Third year · Full-time
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Where this degree can lead
Like the look of it?
When you're ready, the full entry requirements and application are on University of Sunderland's own site.
Apply on uni site
Careermash · real course data from HESA / Discover Uni, in plain English.

Career data: role, pay and progression profiles built for Careermash's careers engine; AI-impact estimates from Anthropic's observed AI-usage telemetry and OpenAI's AI Jobs Transition Framework. Course data: HESA / Discover Uni, including Graduate Outcomes, LEO and the National Student Survey. Apprenticeships: IfATE-published standards, approved only.

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