Animation with Integrated Foundation Year

Animation is a discipline that brings images to life through the controlled progression of frames, creating the illusion of movement and investing characters, environments, and objects with personality, emotion, and narrative purpose. From the hand-drawn traditions of classic cel animation to three-dimensional computer graphics, motion capture, stop motion, and mixed media, animation is a field of extraordinary technical and creative diversity. At its core, the craft requires an understanding of timing, weight, and the performance of movement, combined with the storytelling instincts that make animated work emotionally resonant.

At Ravensbourne University London, this four-year programme includes an integrated foundation year, which provides a thorough grounding in creative and technical skills before the main degree begins. This is particularly valuable in animation, where the range of software, techniques, and conceptual skills required is wide, and the foundation year ensures that all students develop a confident foundation before engaging with the full demands of the degree. As you progress, you will work across a range of animation techniques and styles, developing skills in character design and animation, storyboarding, 3D modelling and rigging, compositing, and visual effects.

Portfolio development runs throughout the programme, and you will graduate with a body of work that demonstrates your range and capabilities to prospective employers.

Ravensbourne is a specialist creative and technology university located in Greenwich, close to the creative industries of east London and with strong connections to broadcasters, studios, and digital media companies. The programme reflects the university's practical, industry-facing ethos, and students benefit from teaching by practitioners as well as academics.

Graduates of animation programmes work in film and television production, games development, advertising, visual effects, interactive design, and digital media. The animation industry is genuinely global, and London is one of its most important centres, making Ravensbourne an advantageous location for building connections and launching a career.