Hertfordshire Animation 2016 (2D, 3D, games, SFX)

Heya there!! Congratulations on your offer- I'll be starting at the same time as you doing 2D animation We have a facebook group which you're more than welcome to join. We've also got a facebook group chat where everybody talks about things like accomodation & we get to know eachother! Here's a link to the group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1522267304734515/) and if you join that I'll add you to the chat! Look forward to getting to know you :3

Hi, I have read your review and seems that you are really happy about Hertfordshire. I did my interview for 2d animation one week ago and recieved an offeer weeeee. Could you tell me your experience in the uni, is it good? I have read a lot of reviews and opinions... but could you tell me yours? Is it worth to go to Hertfordshire? Are you happy there?Thanks!!

Hi there!

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS! That is wonderful news- I might see you around the building next year!

My experience at university has been awesome! Just to give you a little catch up, I began on the 2D Pathway but after a few months I realized I wasn't actually too keen on animating! Luckily (because you share the pathway with 3D, VFX and Games Art), I found my passion for VFX instead. Not everybody is so lucky when it comes to accidentally stumbling across something you really enjoy, and quite a few people do drop out because they discover it might not be for them. It has simultaneously been the best and most difficult two years of my life. The work load is intense (they're really not lying when they tell you in emails & at your interview), often times I found myself thinking I might not actually be able to finish an assignment even though I was working on it every day since getting it, but you do manage to pull through! As you're in 2D it might be a good idea to dabble in 3D as well, this will make Semester A of first year a lot easier. I didn't take this advice before I arrived and I had quite the steep learning curve. I recommend downloading a program called Maya and having a play around with that just so that settling into the course isn't too overwhelming. First year has a cool set of 2D briefs which include some environment/street digital painting, character concepts, life drawing etc.

Once you get past first year it does get a lot easier! I think first year is designed to teach you all the information you need to know before moving on with your own projects. Both 2nd and 3rd year revolve around group or solo film projects- tutorials and one on one advice are more common in these years vs. getting lectures. If you get good at time management (or if you already are good), second year will come naturally to you and give you the creative freedom to pursue what you want to do. Some 2D artists freelance as concept artists for the other pathways or make a 2D animated film- there's a lot of creativity!

As far as the University of Hertfordshire goes, the campus isn't comparable to the much older universities (i.e. Oxford, Cambridge, Durham) but it does have a lot of green space. We also have a pub and a club on campus which can make going out a lot easier (if you're into it). The town of Hatfield itself definitely leaves something to be desired but we do have a 24 hour Asda, a shopping mall and a cinema. All the more exciting things you might like to get up to, London is only a 20 minute train ride away! The newer accommodation on College Lane is amazing and you won't find it hard to get to know your flatmates. I can't say much for the De Havilland campus but I believe a few people found it quite annoying having to travel to the other campus for lectures, flat parties, going to the uni pub etc. so if you're able to, I'd recommend College Lane. As far as the facilities go, the LRC is one of the most wonderful student librarys you can get. It is open 24/7 pretty much every day of the year and we have a dedicated computer lab (with special software) downstairs to get on with work whenever we choose to (I'm in there pretty much every day!). I have also found that the University really does seem to have your best interests at heart. A lot of people tend to develop some mental health problems and find that the university services (counselling etc.) do help a lot. I know this isn't something you might normally consider when choosing a University but you don't know how much you might struggle with being away from home, coping with the stress of assignments etc. so it's good to keep in mind. They also have a good free gym class timetable (http://www.activestudents.co.uk/?ai1ec=action~agenda|page_offset~-1|request_format~json) which I didn't really have time for in first year, but have been enjoying a lot in second year! It's great to be able to get fit without having to spend a lot on gym memberships!

I would highly recommend checking out http://www.3dhit.co.uk/ . Students from all pathways and years post their work on here to get feedback. Have a look at the 2D section to see what some of the students get up to there. A lot of people from UH Animation really respect the community feeling you get from being on the course so are more than happy to answer your questions, give you advice on your choices. If you make an account on 3DHit you can message people through there, don't be worried! If not, you can message me personally through here and I might be able to get you the details of some people on 2D that might be able to get you a better review than mine (as I did switch to VFX after first year Christmas).

Please feel free to message me personally so we can chat somewhere else that might suit you better!
If not, I wish you all the best with your decision making- have a wonderful summer!

Thank you very muuch for your quick response!!! You have cleared my doubts a lot! I am very excited to start. When i went to the interview and saw the rooms with the students and all the drawings and work in the walls and computers i was more than happy! It really is my dream to be an animator... Another thing, you said you can go to London in less than half an hour, is that so? that's amazing! because one of the cons about this uni was the location...
Do you have instagram? we could chat more directly from there
hope to see you next year too :3

Alicia

Hello! Sorry for butting in, but I saw you post a couple years ago about being set on BU. I was aiming for Falmouth last year but due to medical difficulties, had to cancel and am reapplying for animation this year. I'm considering BU (again!) but Hertfordshire now as well. Was there any reason you chose Herts over BU? I'm glad in the end, years later, you've chosen a uni you're enjoying! ^^
I'm a little concerned over Herts and BU not being art-specialist universities- is there a good creative atmosphere to Herts? :^)
Sorry for bombarding you with questions!

Hi! I actually studied at BU for a year before I decided to change to Herts. Personally, I don’t like the teaching style and the lack of preparation- Herts has a trip to Annecy (networking event for animation every year) apparently which is already waaay better than BU. I feel like it’s much easier to network in Herts too, due to it being close to London, whereas BU is in the middle of nowhere (I also got bored quickly!)