Animation uni help!

Hi, I’m hoping to study animation this year and been accepted into all 5 of my options (AUB, escape studios, Portsmouth, Middlesex, NTU) but am regretting my options a little and wish I had applied to Hertfordshire. Obviously the only way I could do this now is to reject all my offers and apply to herts through extra but not sure if this is a stupid decision as have little experience with actually animating and it’s one of the most competitive schools…

As I’m still quite new to animation I was hoping to study a course that covers a range of different areas (both 2D/3D etc) so was wondering if anyone could provide info about their experiences at these unis and advice on this 😭😭

Also does anyone know how important grades & portfolio are for application? I have A*AA a levels - 2 being creative subjects, but am not sure if this even matters much compared to a portfolio.

Reply 1

rwatson123

5

Hi! Herts is a really popular animation uni and therefore they don't do clearing. If you want to study 2d and 3d, I would suggest another uni as Herts has separate courses for both of those! Or, I would suggest you take a year out and do a foundation course, it could help you develop a portfolio to submit to Herts the year after! 😊

As for grades, they only really care about your portfolio unfortunately, as long as you have the minimum grades required.

(edited 1 month ago)

Reply 2

PQ

PS Reviewer

21

Original post by lhoneybee

Hi, I’m hoping to study animation this year and been accepted into all 5 of my options (AUB, escape studios, Portsmouth, Middlesex, NTU) but am regretting my options a little and wish I had applied to Hertfordshire. Obviously the only way I could do this now is to reject all my offers and apply to herts through extra but not sure if this is a stupid decision as have little experience with actually animating and it’s one of the most competitive schools…

As I’m still quite new to animation I was hoping to study a course that covers a range of different areas (both 2D/3D etc) so was wondering if anyone could provide info about their experiences at these unis and advice on this 😭😭

Also does anyone know how important grades & portfolio are for application? I have A*AA a levels - 2 being creative subjects, but am not sure if this even matters much compared to a portfolio.

As above Herts will want you to choose.
Of your choices AUB is the only really broad animation degree.
Have you visited your current choices?
Alternatively you could look into taking a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design at a local college or university that offers an animation specialism and then reapply for 2026 start with more experience and an improved portfolio

Reply 3

HnadpickedCotton

1

Hi! I've applied to Herts and Bournemouth for MA Animation course. Bournemouth is specifically offering 3D Animation but the MA Animation course at Herts has no clear outline of what will be the domain of study either 2D or 3D? If anyone has idea drop it here. Also I am a student from technical background of Software engineering would I be able to get into Herts??

Reply 4

aspalax

Universities Forum Helper

13

Original post by HnadpickedCotton

Hi! I've applied to Herts and Bournemouth for MA Animation course. Bournemouth is specifically offering 3D Animation but the MA Animation course at Herts has no clear outline of what will be the domain of study either 2D or 3D? If anyone has idea drop it here. Also I am a student from technical background of Software engineering would I be able to get into Herts??

Herts seems to suggest their online Characters and Creatures Animation Masters for people particularly interested in 3D with MA Animation being more general and focusing on storytelling and fundamentals. I imagine there would be an option to specialise within that but I agree they are somewhat unclear.

I would anticipate all animation programs will require you to demonstrate some kind of portfolio of work (I assume you have some 3D animation work) they may expect to see some traditional art and drawing as well as digital work so I would try and do some life drawing etc. Places that are specifically 3D focused may be more forgiving of a mostly digital portfolio. (but that's not a guarantee)

Have you considered Escape Studios? They also have a very 3D focused program.

Reply 5

moid

9

Original post by rwatson123

Hi! Herts is a really popular animation uni and therefore they don't do clearing. If you want to study 2d and 3d, I would suggest another uni as Herts has separate courses for both of those! Or, I would suggest you take a year out and do a foundation course, it could help you develop a portfolio to submit to Herts the year after! 😊
As for grades, they only really care about your portfolio unfortunately, as long as you have the minimum grades required.

You are right about clearing (thanks for replying), however our first year is a combined first year - so the 2D students will also study some 3D modelling, and a fair bit of 3D character animation as well. Even in the second year of the 2D course there are elective projects that 2D students can take that are in 3D if they find themselves torn between the two disciplines. It's a very helpful way of maximising your chances as an animator for gaining work when you graduate if you can work in both fields.
Yes the portfolio is the most important thing - we really do need to see amazing work. An art foundation is very variable in quality as something to study - most of them no longer seem to teach the skills we need and focus on very out of date experimental fine art stuff - fine if you like that sort of thing; not so fine if you need a portfolio of high quality traditional drawn artwork that demonstrates knowledge of anatomy, perspective, character design etc. Taking a year out (if you are very focused and motivated) may be a cheaper option - as long as you make sure you are getting crits and advice during that year from people who know what they are looking at.

Reply 6

moid

9

Original post by HnadpickedCotton

Hi! I've applied to Herts and Bournemouth for MA Animation course. Bournemouth is specifically offering 3D Animation but the MA Animation course at Herts has no clear outline of what will be the domain of study either 2D or 3D? If anyone has idea drop it here. Also I am a student from technical background of Software engineering would I be able to get into Herts??

Hi there - I don't teach on the Masters at Herts (only on the undergraduate programme) so take my advice with a pinch of salt and ask the staff who do teach on it, however as I understand it the MA Animation is more geared towards 2D animation. There is an online 3D Animation masters, but that is focused solely on character animation.
With a technical background (or any background) they will be looking to see a high quality portfolio of artwork - so that will determine whether you can get on the course.

Reply 7

Amberley_

1

Original post by lhoneybee

Hi, I’m hoping to study animation this year and been accepted into all 5 of my options (AUB, escape studios, Portsmouth, Middlesex, NTU) but am regretting my options a little and wish I had applied to Hertfordshire. Obviously the only way I could do this now is to reject all my offers and apply to herts through extra but not sure if this is a stupid decision as have little experience with actually animating and it’s one of the most competitive schools…
As I’m still quite new to animation I was hoping to study a course that covers a range of different areas (both 2D/3D etc) so was wondering if anyone could provide info about their experiences at these unis and advice on this 😭😭
Also does anyone know how important grades & portfolio are for application? I have A*AA a levels - 2 being creative subjects, but am not sure if this even matters much compared to a portfolio.

Heyy! I'm going to be doing the same course at (hopefully) escape next year I have a couple friends already there and in the first year apparently you do alot of different media in the first year like 2d storyboarding up to 3d modelling and animating and then after that you get to chos your focus area if that makes sense, also hert youd be going in 5 days a week im pretty sure and escape is (or atleast currently for my friends there) only 2 days a week so youd be able to do like home learning or like get a part time, hope this helps im a little bit bias haha.

Animation uni help!

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