Programme Specification
This Programme Specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.- Awarding Institution / Body
- Teaching Institution and Location of Delivery
- University School/Centre
- External Accreditation
- Title of Final Award
- Modes of Attendance offered
- UCAS Code
- Relevant Subject Benchmarking Group(s)
- Other external influences
- Date of production/revision of this form
- Aims of the Programme
- To create the next generation of digital animators.
- To foster skills in each individual animator to equip them with the necessary depth of knowledge to address a range of professional animation problems.
- To produce animators with the skills to investigate, analyse and present visual information as well as interpret briefs related to animation to an industry standard.
- To develop and nurture an awareness of an animator’s role and responsibilities within the media industry as an individual and as part of a team.
- To equip animators with the capability to focus on their personal and professional aspirations.
- Learning Outcomes, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
A.Knowledge and Understanding
On completion of the programme students will be able to:
A1. Use fundamental animation theory to inform their practical work.
A2. Use historical and contemporary developments to interpret the practice and significance of the animation industry in society today.
A3. Identify and select from a range of animation and illustrative techniques to inform their personal work-style.
A4. Display a competencewithin a specialist area of digital animation and illustration.
A5. Employ visual language in the creative process.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Knowledge and understanding is traditionally gained largely through lecturer input.Whilst lecturer input will be importanton this programme a significant proportion of knowledge and, particularly, understanding is gained through student-generated learning, research, directed and self-selected learning, structured tasks and assignments, and project work. Tutorials will facilitate exchange of knowledge, exploration of subject boundaries and provide a forum for building on the knowledge base and enhancement of understanding.
Assessment methods
Knowledge and understanding is assessed using a variety of methods. The principal methods of assessment for this skill area will be:
Essays
Presentations, individual and group
Sketchbooks
Dissertation
Digital Animations
Projects
Project Plans
Storyboards
Scripts
Portfolios
Showreel
Formative assessment supported by tutor feedback will be employed throughout the programme and will aid the development of knowledge and understanding. Feedback will be a crucial component of summative assessments.
B.Subject-specific skills
On completion of the programme students will be able to:
B1. Develop an idea from a conception through to a final outcome.
B2. Generate and employ creative ideas to produce distinctive work.
B3. Use a variety of contemporary techniques to produce professional animations.
B4. Employ professional practices and procedures to produce and present work.
Teaching and Learning Methods
For subject-specific skills the teaching and learning methods willfocus on practical workshops, projects and self-learning, supported by teacher input and directed study. The challenge of developing creative skills will be addressed by cultivating a variety of creative techniques drawing on a critical appreciation of the visual and narrative heritage underpinning the animation world.
Students will gain a working knowledge of creative possibilities, exploring their own creative potential in a critical and supportive environment.
Assessment methods
Subject-specific skills will be primarily assessed through practical outputs, specifically:
Sketchbooks
Digital Animations
Projects
Project Plans
Storyboards
Scripts
Formative assessment supported by tutor feedback will be employed throughout the programme and will aid the development of subject-specific skills. Feedback will be a crucial component of summative assessments.
C.Thinking Skills
On completion of the programme students will be able to:
C1. Research and interpret material and stimuli in order to synthesise informed ideas.
C2. Critically analyse and evaluate a variety of complex information.
C3. Formulate evidence-based arguments and engage in debate.
C4. Identify and solve a range of multifaceted problems.
C5. Synthesise and refine visual and verbal ideas and concepts as a part of the creative process.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Students develop thinking skills through the challenge of undertaking set tasks and assignments supported by significant tutor input throughout the programme. For example, research techniques are taught in contextual-based modules and then developed through completing assignments and receiving feedback on the results. Students will be closely supported in the process of synthesising ideas and concepts and translating them into creative artefacts.
Assessment methods
Assignments which primarily assess knowledge, understanding and subject-specific skills implicitly contain a thinking skills component; thus, every assignment will assess thinking skills to varying degrees.
Formative assessment of thinking skills, supported by tutor feedback, will be employed throughout the programme. Feedback on written and oral assignments will include comment on the employment of thinking skills.
D.Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
On completion of the programme students will be able to:
D1. Communicate complex ideas and arguments confidently and effectively using oral, visual and written methods.
D2. Work successfully in teams and interact with othersin a variety of professional contexts.
D3. Implement time management techniques to plan and execute complex projects.
D4. Perform critical self-analysis, identify skills gaps and plan personal development to maximise employment potential.
Teaching and Learning Methods
As this is a vocationally focused course employability skills are central to the whole student experience. The challenge for the programme delivery team is to ensure that the employability benefits of the subject-specific skills are complemented by the parallel development of personal skills such as communication and team working.
This will be achieved through the design of tasks and assignments that demand skills beyond those that are technical and subject-based, and call for a broader personal skills set. Tutor input and feedback in a supportive context will help students to build on their positive traits and address gaps and weaknesses in their profile.
Assessment methods
The centrality of vocational skills throughout the programmeresults in all assessments being directly or indirectly related to employability and personal development. The assessmentmethods which are particularly significant are:
Essays
Personal Development Plans
Reflective journals
Presentations, individual and group
Projects
Digital Showreels
Throughout the programme feedback on formative and summative assessments will help students develop their employability and personal development skills.
13.Programme Structures / 14.Awards and Credits
Level / Module Code / Module Title / Credit rating
6 / AX3420
AX3421
AX3410
AX3411 / Honours Project
Professional Animation and Illustration
Motion Capture
Personal Portfolio Development / 40
40
20
20 / Bachelor Honours Degree
Requires 360 credits including a minimum of 120 at Level 5 or above and 120 at Level 6
Bachelor Degree
Requires 320 credits including a minimum of 120 at Level 5 or above and 80 at Level 6
5 / AX2410
AX2420
AX2411
AX2412
AX2413
AX2430 / Digital Animation
Year 2 Animation Project
3D Modelling
Professional Illustration for Animation
Post-Production
Contemporary Animation / 20
20
20
20
20
20 / Diploma of Higher Education
Requires 240 credits including a minimum of 120 at Level 5 or above
4 / AX1410
AX1420
AX1430
AX1411
AX1412 / Fundamentals of 2D Animation
Year 1 Animation Project
History of Animation
Creative Thinking
Pre-production / 20
20
20
40
20 / Certificate of Higher Education
Requires 120 credits at Level 4 or above
15.Personal Development Planning
Introduced at induction, the purpose and process of PDP will be explained and students will be provided with a PDP template. At each level one module is identified asthe primary vehicle for addressing PDP. Within the identified modules tutors will discuss the ongoing PDP process on a one-to-one basis, helping students to build on their strengths and identify and address gaps in their skill set. The level 6 module “Personal Portfolio Development” specifically requires students to research and use analytical techniques relating to personal development and employability and develops a high-level approach to Personal Development Planning.
Throughout the learning process students will be encouraged to identify and evaluate their personal development activity. All practical assessments employ reflective journals which will assist students in this process.
16.Admissions criteria
Programme Specifications include minimum entry requirements, including academic qualifications, together with appropriate experience and skills required for entry to study. These criteria may be expressed as a range rather than a specific grade. Amendments to entry requirements may have been made after these documents were published and you should consult the University’s website for the most up to date information.
Students will be informed of their personal minimum entry criteria in their offer letter.
Applicants are required to hold:
- A minimum of 5 GCSE passes at Grade C or above including Maths and English (or equivalent)
- 240 to 300 UCAS points at A2(or equivalent)
- Submit a creative portfolio which will demonstrate their creativity and enable assessment of their potential to complete the programme successfully.
- Attend an interview to assess their commitment and motivation.
17.Key sources of information about the programme
- Course factsheet
- Student course handbook
- Futureworks prospectus
- Futureworks website
18.Curriculum Skills Map
Please tick in the relevant boxes where individual Programme Learning Outcomes are being assessed
Level / Module Code / Module Title / Core (C), Compulsory (COMP) or Option (O) / Programme Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and understanding / Subject-specific Skills / Thinking Skills / Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
A1 / A2 / A3 / A4 / A5 / B1 / B2 / B3 / B4 / C1 / C2 / C3 / C4 / C5 / D1 / D2 / D3 / D4
LEVEL 6 / AX3420 / Honours Project / COMP / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
AX3421 / Prof.Animation & Illustration / COMP / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
AX3410 / Motion Capture / COMP / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
AX3411 / Personal Portfolio Development / COMP / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
LEVEL 5 / AX2410 / Digital Animation / COMP / X / X / X
AX2420 / Year 2 Animation Project / COMP / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
AX2411 / 3D Modelling / COMP / X / X / X
AX2412 / Prof. Illustration for Animation / COMP / X / X / X / X / X / X
AX2413 / Post-production / COMP / X / X / X / X / X / X
AX2430 / Contemporary Animation / COMP / X / X / X / X / X
LEVEL 4 / AX1410 / Fundamentals of 2D Animation / COMP / X / X / X / X / X
AX1420 / Year 1 Animation Project / COMP / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
AX1430 / History of Animation / COMP / X / X / X / X / X / X
AX1411 / Creative Thinking / COMP / X / X / X / X
AX1412 / Pre-production / COMP / X / X / X / X / X / X / X
Note:Mapping to other external frameworks, e.g. professional/statutory bodies, will be included within Student Course Handbooks