Everything you need to know...
International/EU: £15,860 per year (£1,200 for placement year)
Come to an open day
Find out more at our undergraduate open days. Book now for your place.
Course summary
- Work across a variety of forms including 2D drawn and digital-based animation, stop motion and 3D CGI animation.
- Specialise in your preferred animation discipline for your major project film.
- Produce a portfolio of project work to showcase your skills to potential employers.
- Learn a broad range of techniques and theoretical knowledge underpinning the form, including storyboarding, life drawing and concept art with this practical animation course. You graduate with the experience to enter the animation industry, or in a wide range of other creative sectors.
The course is an Aardman Academy Partner, giving access to exclusive opportunities from industry professionals.
View our students' work
Find out more about the Media Arts and Communications department and view the work of some of our students.
How you learn
All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.
At every level of the course, you will have the opportunity to engage with live projects set by Animation studios in collaboration with professionals. You can apply to access placements, volunteering opportunities, workshops on professional skills, internships, and work experience engaging with the employability team. Our lecturers are passionate about what they do and are involved in current research and personal practice. This means you may have the opportunity to engage with, and apply, research-based knowledge to real-world projects, making you stand out to employers. Some of the course briefs are designed and delivered in collaboration with industry. Through our Aardman Academy partnership, we can provide relevant learning opportunities for students to thrive in creative industries.
Throughout the course you will experience a range of teaching methods, from specialist workshops in bespoke studios, to lectures and seminars, individual tutorials, and group work. You will be able to develop your own area of interest and specialise in your preferred animation discipline for your major project piece (including 2D drawn, stop motion or 3D CGI animation).
You learn through:
- coursework
- portfolios
- projects
- written reports
- peer critique groups
- Aardman masterclasses
You will be supported in your learning journey towards highly skilled, graduate level employment through a number of key areas. These include:
- access to our unique student support triangle to help with your personal, academic and career development.
- access to our Skills Centre with one to ones, webinars and online resources, where you can get help with planning and structuring your assignments.
- industry-specific employability activities such as live projects, learning in simulated environments and networking opportunities.
- portfolio critiques by Aardman Animation (after selection process).
There are also opportunities to study abroad at one of our partner universities.
Course leaders and tutors
Marta Madrid Manrique
Senior Lecturer in AnimationStaff profile for Marta Madrid-Manrique Senior Lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University
Applied learning
You will have the opportunity to arrange a year-long work placement in between your second and third years. This gives you valuable work experience to prepare you for your future career and allows you to graduate with an Applied Professional Diploma to add to your CV.
- Live projects: you will work on industry briefs in collaboration with Animation Studios and learn to respond to clients’ feedback.
- Field trips: we tend to engage yearly with the Manchester Animation Festival providing individual tickets to all students at no additional cost. We also provide other opportunities to engage with other film festivals such as Aesthetica in York as well as the Children’s Media Conference, and Doc Fest.
- Networking opportunities: we arrange animation seminars and guest lectures by industry experts. Our industry links include Aardman Animation, Double Negative, Frame Store, MacKinnon and Saunders, Cartoon Saloon, Finger Industries, Flickermill, Grizzle, Jellyfish Animation, and Kerrupt Animation.
- Competitions: In your third year you will have the opportunity to submit your work for the Nick Park Award, an annual competition exclusive to Sheffield Hallam students which is judged by the team at Aardman Animation. You may also have the chance to enter other prestigious competitions, such as the annual Royal Television Society Yorkshire Student Television awards, where our students have won multiple prizes.
Student work
A collection of work from our animation students covering 2D, Stop Motion and 3D animation work.
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career as a:
- 2D Animator
- Stop motion animator
- 3D CGI animator
- set designer
- puppet builder
- texture artist
- modeller
- rigger
- compositor
- producer
- Editor
- Background artist
- storyboard artist
- character designer
Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for:
- A Productions
- BBC (CBeebies)
- Blinkink
- Broadcast Media Services
- Calex UK
- Doodledo
- Double Negative
- Flix Facilities
- Fudge Animation Studios
- Fumb Games
- Grizzle
- iHasco
- Industrial Light and Magic
- Kerrupt stop-motion animation
- Squideo
- Twinkle
Student's success story
Heather secured her first graduate role as a 2D Animator and Designer at Flix Facilities designing characters for popular shows on channels like CBeebies.
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour | Keeping safe on Campus
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
You will have access to excellent specialised facilities such as our animation studios equipped with industry-standard technology:
- Stop motion studio with green screens, Dragon Frame, stages, and lighting.
- 2D animation studio with cintiq tablets, Toon Boom Harmony, Adobe CC Suite.
- Industry-standard software such as Autodesk Maya, 3D Studio Max and VRay Render engine, among others.
- Bookable equipment for photographic cameras, audio recording equipment.
We’ve invested over £100m in new facilities to help you study how and when you want. This means 24-hour libraries and study spaces designed by our students.
Learn more about your department
Media, Arts and Communications Facilities Tour
Take a look around the media, arts and communication facilities at Sheffield Hallam University with lecturer Saskia Wilson.
Entry requirements
All students
UCAS points
- 112
This must include at least 64 points from two A levels or equivalent BTEC National qualifications. For example:
- BBC at A Level.
- DMM in BTEC Extended Diploma.
- A combination of qualifications, which may include AS levels, EPQ and general studies.
You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.
GCSE
- English Language at grade C or 4
- Maths at grade C or 4
• Access - an Access to HE Diploma with at least 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2. At least 15 level 3 credits must be at merit grade or above, in a media-related programme from a QAA-recognised Access to HE course, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate
If English is not your first language you, will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.0 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.
If your application is successful, you will be invited to submit a portfolio of work to demonstrate your ability. Find out about the selection process and how to produce a strong portfolio.
We welcome applications from people of any age. We may be flexible in our normal offer if you can show a commitment to succeed and have the relevant skills and experience. This must show that you will benefit from and finish the course successfully.
Please note the University will only admit students who are aged 18 or over at the point of enrolment.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.
You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.
Year 1
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: 2D Animation Foundation | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Animation Analysis | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Cgi Animation Foundation | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Creative Challenges | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Drawing For Animation | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Stop Motion Animation Foundation | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Year 2
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Level 5 Live Industry Project | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Practical |
| Module: Showreel Project | Credits: 60 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Visual Storytelling | Credits: 40 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Year 3
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Module: Placement Year | Credits: - |
Final year
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Dissertation | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Major Animation Project | Credits: 80 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Life Drawing | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Professional Design Project | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Sound Design And Sonic Arts Practice | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Visual Effects Project | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2023/24 is £9,250 per year. These fees are regulated by the UK government and are therefore subject to changes in government policy. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
† If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2023/24 is £15,860 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
Financial support for home/EU students
How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.
Additional course costs
This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
Additional costs for Digital media courses (PDF, 225.8KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
