York St John University · Undergraduate
BA (Hons) Animation Bachelor's degree at York St John University
BA (Hons) Animation at York St John University. Over three years of full-time study, you'll engage with core theory, research methods, and specialist applied practice, culminating in an independent project.
BA (Hons)
Award
3
Years
Full-time
Study mode
100%
in work/study (15m)
About this course
Study different production techniques as you bring your ideas and characters to life. It From the provider’s course page.
BA (Hons) Animation is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at York St John University, based in YSJ Main Campus. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Cinematics and photography graduates from this provider, 100% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 65% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £22,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Art & Design, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
9.2
/ 10
Exceptional
3 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Exceptional91
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Graduate outcomes
In work or further study 15 months after graduating
Exceptional100
Limited evidence Published sample: 10; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 100% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Excellent85
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 85% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 4 modules
- Context of PracticeCompulsory20 credits
Module details
On this module you will develop your knowledge of the history, contexts and theories of design by comparing historical and current practices. There will be opportunities to able to apply what you learn on this module while developing your personal practice. You will also further your research, academic writing and presentation skills.
- Animation PrinciplesCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Animation is a type of visual communication. On this module you will gain the basic skills you need to progress in Animation. You will develop and nurture your critical understanding of the key principles as well as begin to understand the core design language of animation production. These principles include: Character design for animation, Environment design for animation, Visual storytelling. You will attend a variety of sessions and work on practical briefs throughout this module to give you
- Design Process and MethodsCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Design is a process, and this is your opportunity to discover methods and techniques that can be used when approaching any design project. As well as looking at existing practice, you will be encouraged to find your own ways of making work. Design is a creative field, not a science. A designer's process tends to be more loopy than linear. By working in a more structured way, you will face new challenges and create original methods of making your work.
- Animation Practice 1Compulsory60 credits
Module details
This module will provide you with the opportunity to gain a practical understanding of animation. You will work on briefs to plan, compose and develop practical animation projects exploring a wide range of techniques. Topics on this module include: Animation theory, Pitching concepts, Concept documentation, 2D, 3D and stop motion fundamentals, Pre-visualisation and visual storytelling.
Year 2 4 modules
- Design Research ProjectCompulsory20 credits
Module details
You will produce an independent research project that demonstrates your ability to interpret, analyse and construct a critical commentary on contemporary and/or future design practice. In this module you will draw on: Your previous work from the research stage of the design process, Your knowledge of design history theory, gained through the Context of Practice module, New knowledge discovered through primary and secondary research.
- Professional PracticeCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Gain experience of professional design practice. You will be introduced to transferable skills to prepare you for entering employment and continued personal development. You will be encouraged to identify potential specialisms around your personal aims and ambitions in preparation for further modules. There will be an opportunity for you to continue learning outside of the classroom, including: Placements, Studio visits, Guest speaker talks, Live briefs.
- Collaborative Design PracticeCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Professional creative practice is always collaborative. Whether negotiating and working alongside a client, peers, or associated professions, you will need to be able to communicate effectively. This module will support you in developing the skills required to be a proactive and effective collaborator. On this module you will take part in a collaborative group project. You will collaborate across design specialisms and work together to solve a complex problem with design. In doing this, you will
- Animation Practice 2Compulsory60 credits
Module details
On this module you will develop the knowledge and skills learned in Animation Practice 1 to a more advanced level. Projects will be more specialised and complex and require a deeper commitment towards research ideation, method and technique. You will be expected to participate in regular peer reviews, resulting in a the creation of your portfolio work. This work will demonstrate various creative and technical competences and represents your own developing voice in a variety of animation contexts
Year 3 3 modules
- Independent Design Research ProjectCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Building on your knowledge from your previous years of study, you will develop your own research project with the help of your allocated supervisor. Together with your supervisor you will decide on your design research question at the beginning of the year, agreeing to a research plan spanning across both semesters. You will then independently lead, manage and produce the work required. Through this you will develop highly transferable skills, such as: Self confidence, Self discipline, Verbal an
- Professional Studio PracticeCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Through a series of lectures, seminars, tutorials, portfolio reviews, group and individual 'critiques', you will build experience of working in a professional environment. This will allow you to produce work that addresses the needs and requirements of external stakeholders including clients, competitions judges, user groups and audiences.
- Graduate Design BriefCompulsory60 credits
Module details
Animators work to bring many kinds of communication to life. The role demands a keen business sense as well as creative flair. On this module you will research, propose, argue and plan your graduate design brief. You will need to apply your design skills to identify and overcome problems, and present critical arguments to support your decision making.
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
This course builds your animation practice through different production techniques, bringing your ideas and characters to life. You'll start with visual foundations, colour, composition, form and design principles, alongside materials and processes across both traditional and digital media. In Year 2, you'll develop sustained studio practice, explore digital and emerging media such as creative software, motion and 3D, and undertake live briefs with real deadlines. By Year 3, you'll pursue specialist pathways such as graphic design, illustration, fine art, fashion and textiles, or UX and digital work, whilst developing professional practice and portfolio skills. You'll culminate in a self-directed final major project, publicly exhibited in a degree show.
Who it's for
This course suits those drawn to visual storytelling and character design, with the patience to learn both technical and conceptual craft. You'll thrive if you can think visually, respond to feedback, and sustain focus through iterative work. Prior experience in drawing or digital tools helps, though curiosity matters most. Expect a blend of individual creative practice and collaborative critique; you'll develop a portfolio alongside technical fluency. This is for people who want to understand how animation works, mechanically and artistically, and who are willing to experiment across different production methods.
Careers & job market
Among Art & Design graduates nationally, 87% are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating. Starting salaries typically range from £22,000 to £27,000; after five years, graduates earn between £20,825 and £29,400. Around 55% of working graduates in the field progress into highly skilled roles or further study. Career paths vary widely, studios, independent practice, broadcast, advertising, and games development all employ animators, though the labour market is competitive and outcomes depend on your specialism and portfolio.
University & format
BA (Hons) Animation is delivered full-time over 3 years at York St John University, a University located on the YSJ Main Campus. Teaching is conducted in English. The degree is a nationally recognised UK qualification. York St John holds a Silver award from the Office for Students' Teaching Excellence Framework (2023).
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
Application timelineWhat happens next
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
PlacementPublished placement option
Placement year. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
Open daysExplore our Open Days
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Typical offer (from the provider)The university’s course page lists around 104 UCAS points. Always check the provider for the current offer and subject requirements.
Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent95% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: 160 - 175 pointsThe most common UCAS tariff band among accepted students. This is what entrants had, not a stated requirement.
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check York St John University's official course page for the current offer.
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 95% |
| No / unknown prior qualifications | 5% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Competitive entry
Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. Check how your predicted grades compare and whether a contextual offer applies.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Your UCAS points0
▾
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Add your grades to see where you land
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
Apply by13 January 2027, 18:00 UK timefor this course
Typical gradesA*A*A*A-level equivalent admitted students held
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask York St John University whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Home£9,790 / yr
International£12,100 / yr
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at York St John University →For students who normally live in England
illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
£9,790tuition used per year, published course home fee
illustrative borrowing over 3 years
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Funding matched to this course
All York St John University funding →Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.
Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.
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Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check
Careers & earnings
What Art & Design graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £22,000 | £17,500 – £25,000 | 10 |
| 3 years after | £18,500 | £13,000 – £21,500 | 65 |
| 5 years after | £23,000 | £20,500 – £26,000 | 60 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 10; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
100%
in work or further study 15 months on
65%
in highly skilled work or study
85%
continue past their first year
70%
find their work meaningful
30%
say work fits their future plans
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in art & design · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Art & Design nationally
Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£22,000
£22,000 – £27,000After 3 years LEO
£18,500
£17,000 – £24,000After 5 years LEO
£23,000
£20,825 – £29,400national rangethis course’s medianaxis £16,000 – £30,500
National figures for Art & Design graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
100 of 100
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
95% working5% working and studying0% in further study65% in highly skilled work or study
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Limited evidence. Published sample: 10; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Art & Design courses at the same study level.
This course £23,000Peer median £24,500Middle 50% £22,125–£26,500
36th percentile
Compared with 1,698 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Artistic, literary and media occupationsSOC 2020 341 · 25% of published destinations · ASHE median £33,824
- Web and Multimedia Design ProfessionalsSOC 2020 214 · 20% of published destinations · ASHE median £32,574
- Managers, directors and senior officialsSOC 2020 1 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £51,733
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 25; response rate: 60%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Is BA (Hons) Animation worth it?
Weigh it carefully. On these figures graduates of BA (Hons) Animation earn close to non-graduate pay, so on cost alone the course is slow to pay off.
Slower payoff: this course’s graduate earnings stay close to non-graduate pay
Cumulative earnings vs. going straight to work at 18, counting tuition and 3 years of wages given up while studying. The model remains below break even after 30 years. This is a simplified gross-earnings comparison, not a forecast of cash loan repayments.
−£39,370
10-year payoff
extra earnings over the first decade, after the fees you pay
-0.34×
Return on investment
extra earnings over 10 yrs per £1 of fees
£29,370
Tuition over the course
£9,790/yr × 3 yrs (published course home fee)
£23,000
Grad earnings, 5 yrs on
£1,000 below a non-graduate (£24,000)
Model: this course’s own median graduate earnings (Graduate Outcomes / LEO) above the £24,000 non-graduate baseline (ONS), net of £9,790/yr over 3 years (published course home fee). Eligible England-domiciled students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan; repayments are 9% only on income above the threshold, with anything left written off after 40 years. That makes the cash flow different from conventional commercial debt. Opportunity cost assumes £18,000 gross earnings forgone in each study year; figures are nominal and exclude tax, living costs, investment returns and loan interest. A simplified estimate. Earnings and actual fees vary by graduate, provider, fee status and UK nation.
Job market & outlook
How Art & Design graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
87%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across Art & Design courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes55%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled85%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuationHow AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Art & Design graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Design studios & agencies
- In-house brand teams
- Games & media companies
- Freelance & self-employed
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Art & Design graduates.
Fine Art TechnicianFirst Choice StaffPharmacy Technician – Brand New State-of-the-Art HospitalCompass AssociatesArtificial Intelligence Engineering ManagerMBN SolutionsArtificial Intelligence EngineerExperis UKDelivery Driver (Part Time 24 hours) - AndoverOcado LogisticsCompliance Business PartnerNashrock Insurance RecruitmentLive from the StudySmarter job board · as of 2026-08-01.See all matching jobs
Is this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
💷
Student finance
Published home tuition is £9,790/year for this course. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
📈
Where graduates go
100% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £22,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
🎯
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
⭐
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 9.2 out of 10: NSS 91.3% · in work or study 100% · continued 85%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
York St John University
All students12,150
International37.1%
Aged 25+31.6%
Design, and creative and performing arts across the UK
Students178,755
Aged 25+15.7%
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around YSJ Main Campus
2,229 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Violent Crime 714Anti Social Behaviour 546Shoplifting 353Public Order 133Criminal Damage Arson 121
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Art & Design right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to York St John University from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £12,100 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check York St John University’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with York St John University and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at York St John University
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
Entry is competitive. Accepted students typically held strong UCAS tariffs. The most common tariff band among recent entrants was 160 - 175 UCAS points. Use the calculator on this page to see where your predicted grades would put you; many universities also make lower contextual offers.
What are the entry requirements?
Set by York St John University. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
What do graduates go on to do?
For Cinematics and photography graduates from this provider, 100% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 65% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £22,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
What will it cost me?
The published home tuition is £9,790 per year for this course. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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