Animation

Animation is the art and craft of bringing characters, worlds, and stories to life through a sequence of images. It is one of the most technically demanding and creatively rewarding areas of the visual arts, requiring a combination of drawing, design, storytelling, and an understanding of how movement, timing, and visual rhythm work together to create the illusion of life. The animation industry has grown dramatically with the expansion of streaming platforms, gaming, visual effects, and online content, making it one of the most dynamic areas of the creative economy.

At York St John University, this three-year full-time degree develops your knowledge and practical animation skills across a range of techniques and contexts, from traditional character animation and illustration to digital animation, motion graphics, and the use of technology to solve design communication problems. The programme includes a sandwich year, a year abroad option, and a work placement, giving you structured opportunities to develop professional experience in animation or creative media settings and to broaden your perspective through international study. York's creative and digital communities provide a supportive context for developing your practice, and the degree connects academic learning with the industry skills that employers look for.

Animation graduates work across the creative and technology industries in a wide range of roles. Film and television animation, visual effects, game development, interactive media, advertising, and digital content production are all major areas of employment. Many graduates work for animation studios, games companies, post-production houses, and digital agencies, while others develop independent practices as freelance animators or motion designers.

The storytelling, visual communication, and technical skills the degree develops also transfer into UX design, interactive art, and digital marketing. Postgraduate study in animation, visual effects, or a specialist area of digital arts is a further option. The typical entry tariff is 120 points.