BA Animation and Illustration
About this course
BA (Hons) in Animation and Illustration, a fashion design degree centred on creative image-making, visual storytelling, and moving image production. Core topics include Research Methods, Fieldwork, Project Management, Critical & Analytical Thinking, Ethics & Professional Practice, and Design & Creative Practice. Students can choose to study over three years, add an optional placement year, or complete a foundational year. The first year establishes technical foundations through modules such as Observation to Imagination, Animation Principles, Critical and Contextual Studies 1: Think, Play, Learn, Conceptual and Creative Methods, and Animation Skills. Year 2 advances creative capabilities with Character in Sequence, Creative Digital Practice, Animation in Practice, Critical and Contextual Studies 2: Creativity and Context in Dialogue, and a Ruskin Module, alongside optional modules including Archive: Creative Futures, Reality Checkpoint – Socially Engaged Practice and the Public Realm, Reportage, Time Based Media, and Exhibitions in Context. The final year focuses on professional preparation through compulsory study in Professional Sequential Practice and the Final Major Project, alongside optional modules such as Critical and Contextual Studies 3: Working in the Creative Industries and Critical and Contextual Studies 3: Creative Inquiry.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
112-96 UCAS Tariff points. We accept A Levels, T Levels, BTECs, OCR, Access to HE and most other qualifications within the UCAS Tariff. Preferably to include an Art, Design or Media subject at A level or equivalent level. 3 GCSEs at grade C, or grade 4, or above, including English. You will be asked to provide a digital portfolio for review and will be given the option to book a meeting to discuss this with us. If English is not your first language you will be expected to demonstrate a certificated level of proficiency of at least IELTS 6.0 (Academic level) or equivalent English Language qualification, as recognised by Anglia Ruskin University.
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What students say
Based on about 22 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 89%
- Learning opportunities: 83%
- Assessment and feedback: 82%
- Academic support: 93%
- Organisation and management: 59%
- Learning resources: 87%
- Student voice: 62%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 30 students who started
- Continued on course: 85%
- Left higher education: 10%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 5%
What graduates do next
Based on about 10 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 85%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 20%
- Design occupations: 20%
- Web and Multimedia Design Professionals: 15%
- Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation: 5%
- Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 65%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 45%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 150 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 1%
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 5%
- East Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 66%
- London: 8%
- South East: 11%
- Scotland: 2%
Who gets in
Based on about 30 students who started
- A levels: 90%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Into ARU
- Observation to Imagination
- Animation Principles
- Critical and Contextual Studies 1: Think, Play, Learn
- Conceptual and Creative Methods
- Animation Skills
- Character in Sequence
- Creative Digital Practice
- Animation in Practice
- Critical and Contextual Studies 2: Creativity and Context in Dialogue
- Ruskin Module
- Archive: Creative Futures
- Reality Checkpoint – Socially Engaged Practice and the Public Realm
- Reportage
- Time Based Media
- Exhibitions in Context
- Professional Sequential Practice
- Final Major Project
- Critical and Contextual Studies 3: Working in the Creative Industries
- Critical and Contextual Studies 3: Creative Inquiry
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Animation and Illustration at Anglia Ruskin University earn?
The median salary is £24,000 after 15 months, £18,500 after 3 years, £22,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £17,000 and £28,000. The £22,000 median after five years is £4,000 less than the UK median for Design studies.
What do graduates of BA Animation and Illustration at Anglia Ruskin University do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2022-23).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Animation and Illustration at Anglia Ruskin University?
89% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2024-25.
What grades do I need for BA Animation and Illustration at Anglia Ruskin University?
The average entrant had 106 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Animation and Illustration at Anglia Ruskin University?
85% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.