Basic Information
The Location of the school: Poole, Dorset, United Kingdom
The URL or address of the official website: https://www1.bournemouth.ac.uk/
Course titles (duration):
Bachelor’s Degree
– BA (Hons) Computer Animation Art and Design (3 years, 4 with placement)
– BA (Hons) Computer Animation Technical Arts (3 years, 4 with placement)
– BA (Hons) Visual Effects (3 years, 4 with placement)
Master’s Degree
– MSc Computer Animation & Visual Effects (1 year)
– MA Digital Effects (1 year)
– MA 3D Computer Animation (1 year)
The number of students admitted to each course:
– BA (Hons) Computer Animation Art and Design: 40
– BA (Hons) Computer Animation Technical Arts: 40
– BA (Hons) Visual Effects: 25
– MSc Computer Animation & Visual Effects: 20
– MA Digital Effects: 35
– MA 3D Computer Animation: 35
Where we may check out the works of students and graduates: https://youtu.be/yIm-cAAzJpU
Interview with Chris Williams Head of the National Centre for Computer Animation
1. Could you please give us an overview of the curriculum of the animation course?
Chris Williams: The curriculum varies depending on the course. Our courses are all predicated on the concept of ‘Science in the service of the Arts’. All of our students are exposed to scientific practice and principles that impact on their ability to create amazing images. This is applied to a greater or lesser degree depending on the programme, but our students are taught in a way that prepares them for long and productive careers in the animation, games and visual effects industries.
2. What do you think are your unique characteristics or strengths?
Chris Williams: Our strengths are our industry focus and the basis for the creation of the National Centre for Computer Animation (NCCA) when it began, which is “Science in the service of the Arts”.
3. What do you look for in prospective students? What characteristics or skills do you want your prospective students to have when they apply?
Chris Williams: Again, this very much depends on the programme they are entering, but a strong artistic focus is key in most programmes, and others require some knowledge of computing and mathematics to a lesser or greater degree.
4. Could you please let us know what is your vision of the career that prospective students can expect by learning from you?
Chris Williams: We want our students to be problem solvers, not just factory workers who know how to use a piece of software. Software changes and they need to be able to adapt and change, so we focus on fundamental skills that equip them for a career rather than a role. That is why a huge number of people in the UK visual effects and animation industry are NCCA graduates and leaders in their field.
