ObjectivesThis course has been designed for people who would like to spend one calendar year (four 10 week terms) working on a single project to submit for assessment for a Masters award (MA or MSc). To qualify for consideration students should have already achieved an appropriate level of skill in the use of the animation or digital effects software supported at the NCCA (National Centre for Computer Animation), or in computer graphics and animation programming. Projects may be the production of a computer animation or digital effects sequence, the development of software tools, computer games related productions, fine art, scientific visualisation, or motion graphics. We are open to original and innovative suggestions. Group projects and ‘Live’ projects are welcome. Qualifications may be academic or you may have had equivalent experience in industry. Students on the course will be part of the NCCA, which includes a large group of fellow enthusiasts with whom they are encouraged to share their ideas and experience: other postgraduates, BA's, researchers, and academics. The Masters by Project in Computer Animation shares one assessed unit with related courses - the Personal Research Unit - in which students pursue research related to their subject area and present it at a symposium held in Term 3.
Entry requirementsNormally applicants should have one of the following: An honours degree: -For the MA route in the fields of art, media or design. -For the MSc route in computing or mathematics. (Exceptionally well-qualified applicants from other disciplines may be considered at the discretion of the interviewing panel). or A professional qualification or diploma recognised to be equivalent to an honours degree or Industrial experience deemed to be equivalent to an honours degree A project proposal and prior experience deemed suitable for the study of an MA or MSc: -for MA students prior experience of 3D computer animation systems -for MSc students prior experience of programming/mathematics To be offered a place on the programme, applicants should submit a viable project proposal and then, if selected for consideration, attend an interview.
Academic titleMA/MSc by Project in Computer Animation
Course descriptionProgramme Content
Masters Project (165 Credits)
A project proposed by the student.
Pursued over four, ten-week, terms the project culminates in a final presentation of the work produced and submission of a report. Progress is informed by regular tutorials and critiques with supervising staff and fellow students. Each student is appointed a personal tutor based on the nature of the proposed project.
We are keen to encourage a broad range of projects and welcome enquiries from individuals, partnerships and groups.
Personal Research (15 Credits)
Each student engages in a focussed personal enquiry, supervised by a member of staff. This is started during the second term. Findings are presented by students at the Masters Symposium in the third term.
The year ends with a Computer Animation Show, which gives the students from all of the NCCA's postgraduate courses the opportunity to showcase their work to industry professionals and potential employers, longside friends, family, and past graduates from the course. This show is usually held in London.