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Programme Specification: BA (Hons) Animation

1. Awarding Institution University of Sussex
2. Teaching Institution Ravensbourne College of Design and
Communication
3. Programme Accredited by N/A
4. Name of Final Award BA (Hons) Animation
5. UCAS Code W616/E616
6. Total Number of Credits 145 (25 at Level 2, 120 at Level 3)
7. Subject Benchmark Art and Design
Statement Communication, media, film and cultural studies
8. Points of Reference External
QAA - The framework for higher education
qualifications in England, Wales and Northern
Ireland
QAA Subject Benchmarks (as above)
QAA Code of Practice
University of Sussex Code of Practice for
Validation

Internal
College Learning and Teaching Strategy
College Academic Plan
College Procedure for Course Development
Approval and Validation
Academic Regulations for the Awards of BA and
BSc
9. Date of Production January 2006
10. Overview

The BA (Hons) Animation course aims to provide an intellectually and academically

challenging education in the specialist field of animation. It is concerned with the
development of the creative professional practice, technological knowledge and
theoretical understanding which employers would expect in a graduate entrant to
animation and related industries.

The course benefits from a compulsory bridging programme designed to support

students make the transition from the more vocationally orientated foundation degree
to the rigour of honours level academic study. The bridging programme is mandatory
for all entrants and is normally delivered immediately on completion of the foundation
degree. It is organised around three units which broaden the students’ contextual
knowledge and academic writing skills to prepare them for the challenges of the
honours level.

At the beginning of the course students are prepared for the creative and professional
challenges of bringing an elemental idea or concept to the stage of a feasible project
proposal appropriate for identifiable markets. They learn how to generate, visualise
and develop ideas and how to present these professionally to a client or potential
employer. They gain a comprehensive understanding of the creative processes,
techniques and working methods involved in the pre-production of an animated

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project and how to plan, schedule and budget such a project.

In the latter part of the course learners consolidate and develop their skills to a high
professional level, applying them to the challenges of realising a major collaborative
animated project(s). They develop a portfolio of animation production work which will
demonstrate the application of their professional skills for future employers.

The course places specific emphasis on the balance of creativity and technology.
Students will develop and demonstrate a minimum professional standard across all
three key areas of the animation pipeline (i.e. artistic direction, technical direction and
animation). However students will be encouraged to focus in a particular area of the
animation according to their career ambitions and how they situate themselves in
relation to contemporary practice.

In addition to the practical and professional skills which the course develops, students
develop a critical understanding of the contemporary stylistic, theoretical and business
contexts of animation and of the creative industries more widely. They develop the
analytical, critical and problem solving skills which will underpin their future
professional practice. Students demonstrate the high the level of these skills through a
major independent study leading to a dissertation.

By the end of the course, students will have acquired the interdependent professional
skills of working, both independently and as part of a creative team, which are an
essential part of professional life in animation and the wider creative industries.
Through a unit focused on personal and professional development, students will
develop as reflective practitioners. They will understand how to diagnose their own
development needs in relation to their aspirations and goals and acquired the life long
learning skills necessary for their future careers.

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11. Educational Aims of the Programme

The course aims to provide graduates with the knowledge and skills appropriate to a
range of career outcomes in the animation industry. Students are encouraged to
develop their individual creative ability and support this with the development of a high
level of technical skills. In particular, the programme aims to enable students to
develop:

• a range of creative, technical and professional skills relevant to employment in

animation and related areas;

• an understanding of the key critical, social, cultural, historical and business

concepts, issues and debates relevant to the area of animation;

• a comprehensive knowledge of contemporary professional practice and the

creative process in the professional field in which they will specialise and an
awareness of current areas of development and innovation;

• the ability to make creative use of and experiment with new and existing
technologies;

• a clear vision of where their creative strengths lie and how these can be utilised
in the animation industries and potential career opportunities;

• skills in research, analysis, problem solving and critical reflection and the
visual, written and verbal communication skills required of a graduate entrant to
the animation industry;

• initiative and personal responsibility, experience of collaborative working

methods and the ability to be responsive and adaptable to changing needs,
and the transferable skills and competencies which enable life-long learning.

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12. Intended Learning Outcomes - This programme provides opportunities for

students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills, qualities
and other attributes in the following areas:

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

A - Knowledge and Understanding of: Teaching and Learning Methods

1. the established skills and techniques of Learning and teaching in relation to these
animation learning outcomes tends to be primarily
2. a critical understanding of narrative forms project based (see Practical and
in the animation genre Professional Skills below). This is
3. the filmic and visual language used to supported by varied learning and teaching
articulate concepts and ideas in animation methods which may include as appropriate:
4. the creative potential of digital project briefings, studio based lectures,
technologies in the field of animation (staff and student led) group seminars,
5. the nature of technological change and technical or practical workshops,
the continuous development of knowledge demonstrations, critiques, individual or
6. the production process(es) and the roles group tutorials and self directed study by
involved in animation and their the student.
interrelationships
7. key professional practices and business Learning is facilitated by well qualified
processes necessary to underpin graduate permanent teaching staff and by sessional
employment in the creative industries staff and visiting speakers who are
8. a critical understanding of practising professionals and bring an
communication and media practice and important industry perspective to the
theory in the context of history, society, course. Traditional modes of delivery may
contemporary global culture, business and be supported where appropriate by e-
an appreciation of the significance of the learning and/or resource based learning.
work of other practitioners in animation
Contextual and theoretical learning are
delivered both as an integral part of the
practice based units and separately in a
progressive series of mandatory cross-
College units. This prevents a
theory/practice dichotomy while ensuring
that this aspect of learning is sufficiently
weighted in the curriculum.

Assessment Methods

Knowledge and understanding is primarily

assessed through essays, reports and
individual and group presentations, and
through its application in practical projects
in a manner appropriate to each unit of
delivery. Some units additionally require
the submission of rationales, background
research, development materials and/or
evidence of reflection on the project
process.

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SKILLS AND OTHER ATTRIBUTES

B - Practical/Professional Skills – Able Teaching and Learning Methods
To:
Professional and practical skills are gained
1. demonstrate a critical understanding of primarily through self-directed project
the skills used by the various branches of based learning.
animation and how they are articulated
2. use digital technology creatively as part Supported by staff, students work on
of the animation process and as a tool for project briefs designed to foster creative,
presentation and communication technical and academic skills while
3. use visual languages to investigate, progressively introducing professional
analyse, interpret, develop and articulate contexts and constraints. This approach is
ideas and information student-centred, encourages deep learning,
4. create compelling storylines to form the builds problem solving ability and integrates
narrative bases to animated sequences academic with professional learning.
5. produce distinctive and creative work Students learn to take responsibility for
which demonstrates the effective use of their own learning progressively. Some
sound and animated images projects are intentionally collaborative
6. define animation proposals and generate encouraging team working and peer
unique solutions in response to a brief or an learning. This may involve students from
identified need which meets the other courses.
requirements of professional practice
7. plan and manage projects to ensure Projects are supported by briefings,
deadlines are met and that solutions reach studio lectures, workshops and
the standard required demonstrations, critiques, group
8. work collaboratively in the realisation of seminars, tutorials and student self
an animation project directed study. Learning is facilitated by
9. experiment, select, test and make permanent teaching staff and by sessional
appropriate use of materials, processes, staff and visiting speakers who are
languages, techniques and practices practising professionals and bring an
important industry perspective to the
course. These methods may be supported
where appropriate by e-learning and/or
resource based learning. The project based
approach culminates in independently
negotiated project work in the final level of
the course.

Assessment Methods

Practical and professional skills are

assessed primarily through their application
in project work submitted for summative
assessment. Some units additionally
require the submission of rationales,
background research, development
materials and/or evidence of reflection on
the process of development. An individual
or group presentation may form part of the
assessment requirements of some projects.

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SKILLS AND OTHER ATTRIBUTES (Continued)

C - Intellectual Skills – Able To: Teaching and Learning Methods

1. generate ideas, concepts, proposals, Intellectual skills are gained primarily

solutions or arguments independently through lectures, seminars, workshops,
and/or collaboratively in response to set individual tutorials and self-directed
briefs and/or as self-initiated activity study but also through project based
2. be intellectually curious, analytical and learning.
reflective, capable of carrying out sustained
independent enquiry and develop the skills Students are introduced to a variety of
that underpin professional development and research and analytical methods through
life-long learning the contextual elements of the course and
3. understand the similarities and apply them in an independent major study
differences between the interrelated and the preparation of a dissertation in
disciplines of animation and their interaction the third level of the course. Project
4. be entrepreneurial, imaginative, have based learning stimulates analysis,
divergent thinking skills and think creatively contextual and visual research, problem
whilst still satisfying the needs of the solving, creative thinking and personal
project/client reflection.
5. place their own work critically in the
context of business, culture, society, the Assessment Methods
environment, ethics, history, and be aware
of the impact politics and economics can Students are primarily assessed through
have on the relevance of animation a variety of means including essays,
6. understand that the acquisition of presentations and a dissertation. Some
knowledge is continuous and ongoing elements are assessed through their
professional and personal development is application in submitted project materials.
essential This may include rationales, background
7. critically assess work with reference to research, development materials and/or
existing and emerging professional and/or evidence of reflection on the process of
academic debates development in addition to practical
material.

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SKILLS AND OTHER ATTRIBUTES (Continued)

D - Transferable Skills – Able To: Teaching and Learning Methods

1. work independently, setting own aims, Students develop transferable skills

objectives and deadlines to manage primarily through self-directed project
learning, workload and projects, including activity, which progressively introduces
time, personnel and resources professional contexts.
2. work effectively and collaboratively with
others in a team from a variety of Though most learning takes place during
backgrounds and disciplines the projects and through students’ critical
3. manage information in a range of media, and reflective responses to these, this
selecting and using a variety of sources and aspect of learning is supported by a
technologies to evaluate and record/present Personal and Professional Development
information unit in each of the course levels. The first
4. articulate ideas and information in visual, level concentrates on ensuring that
oral and written forms, and communicate students ‘learn how to learn’. The second
ideas and work clearly and appropriately to and third levels focus on career planning
a variety of audiences, including technical and the development of professional
and non-technical audiences transferable skills to enable the student to
5. produce work that is literate, numerate make the transition to employment and/or
and coherent, deploying established further study.
techniques of analysis and enquiry
6. identify, define and creatively solve Assessment Methods
problems, using appropriate knowledge,
tools and methods, often in complex and Transferable skills are assessed within
unpredictable situations appropriate units throughout the course,
7. demonstrate critical awareness and and in particular through the submission
reflection through evaluating own strengths of Personal and Professional
and weaknesses, and adapting proposals Development Files. These files
and plans accordingly (containing a learning plan, reflective
commentary and evidence-base) are
developed within the Personal and
Professional Development unit and
provide evidence of work and learning
carried out across the course. For
instance, evidence of personal
development achieved through research,
design development and realisation;
responses to briefs; and evidence of
project management. Students are also
assessed through peer, group and self-
assessment.

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13. Admission Criteria

This programme will recruit principally from the FdA Computer Visualisation and
Animation programme at Ravensbourne College. Normally, the prerequisites for
entry to the top-up course are:

• Successfully completed FdA Computer Visualisation and Animation;

• A minimum of 2.2 profile (Grade C) at Level 2 (calculated by weighted
average);
• A Pass in all ‘bridging’ units:
 Management and Organisations;
 Understanding Media;
 Research Preparation.
• That no more than 3 years will have expired since completion of the FdA
Computer Visualisation and Animation.

The course may also recruit external candidates with similar qualifications. Places
are subject to availability and interview.

Detailed admission and selection criteria are set out in the Criteria for Admission to
BA (Hons) Animation.

Students applying from another Foundation Degree course are expected to have
acquired, to an equivalent level, the skills achieved by Foundation Degree
graduates. This might be through work or alternative study.

Applicants may need to complete a suitable bridging course before commencing

study on the BA (Hons) Animation, which will normally run in the summer before
enrolment. There is no right of entry to the course for Foundation Degree students;
all applicants will be subject to meeting threshold achievement criteria and a
selection interview.

Applications are positively welcomed from those who may not possess formal entry
qualifications, mature students, those with work experience or with qualifications
other than those listed above.

Students will be expected to attend for interview and submit a portfolio of examples
of work.

Students will be selected according to the criteria set out in the College Procedure
for the Admission of Students and Guidance Notes for Selecting Candidates
for interview.

When appropriate the College’s Accreditation of Prior Learning Policy and

Procedure will be used to assess applicants at interview. The key criterion for entry
is evidence of commitment and motivation to study in the subject area.

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14. Assessment Regulations and Principles

In common with all Ravensbourne honours degree courses, this course is subject to
the Academic Regulations for the Awards of BA and BSc.

In summary, in order to complete a unit, a student must successfully complete all the
assessment specified for that unit. In order to progress from level two (bridging
course) to level three, a student must successfully complete all the units in that level
of the course. In order to achieve the award, a student (having completed the level
two bridging course) must successfully complete all the units in level three. In
certain circumstances, the Examination Board may at its discretion choose to permit
performance in one area to compensate for underachievement in another subject to
the provisions of the Academic Regulations for the Awards of BA and BSc. However,
there is no automatic right to such compensation.

The final degree is classified on the basis of the level three units only. Classification
is determined by the average of the final results achieved in each of the final year
units weighted by their credit size, according to the banding below:

Classification Grade Percentage Banding

First Class Honours A 100 – 70
Upper Second Honours B 60 – 69
Lower Second Class Honours C 50 – 59
Third Class Honours D 40 – 49
Pass E 35 – 39

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15. Support for Student Learning

Learning and teaching on the course is supported by permanent teaching staff and
sessional lecturers, all of whom are experts in their fields. Most are professionally
active as practitioners who bring with them contemporary thinking and up to date
perspectives and practices from the industry.

The College acknowledges the difficulties students may have during the transition
from Foundation Degree Level 2 to Honours Degree Level 3. This transition is fully
supported through the bridging programme, which focuses on the development of
both research and analysis skills and key communication skills. Personal tutorials
and study skills support is also offered to all students.

Much of the learning on the course takes place during resource based project work.
In order to support student learning the following resources and services are
available:

• College Wide General Computer Resource (Word Processing, Spreadsheets,

Graphics etc);
• Blue CAVE production facility;
• Purple CAVE production facility;
• Animation (digital) production facility A014;
• Room A020 (traditional) facility;
• Room A012 seminar/lecture room.

Support for students with learning difficulties and study support needs are in place
through the College Student Support Services.

16. E Learning

In addition to the aspects of the curriculum delivered in the traditional manner

through lectures, workshops and other face to face delivery methods, learning will
also be supported by the developing ‘Moodle’ Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).
Course Handbooks, project briefs and other course materials will be stored for
retrieval and access on or off campus. Similarly students are able to apply
themselves to on-line group forums and critiques and tasks at the time and place
most suitable to their personal schedules and commitments.

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17. Indicators of Quality and Standards

The course operates within a College quality assurance framework which ensures
that the standards set at validation are maintained and enhanced and the quality of
the student learning experience is good. As part of this framework the course is
subject to the following processes:

• Course Review;
• Mapping against FHEQ and Subject Benchmark Statement during development;
• College Internal Validation;
• External Validation by the University of Sussex;
• External Examiner Reports;
• Annual Course Monitoring;
• Student Feedback;
• Student Representation;
• Peer Observation of Staff;
• Staff Training Programme;
• Industry collaboration (for specific projects);
• An advisory committee which ensures that the programme is up to date and in
line with the thinking and direction of the industry and professional world.

18. Multidisciplinary Environment

Collaborative and multidisciplinary working is a fundamental part of the

Ravensbourne ethos. All courses incorporate formal and informal opportunities for
cross course collaboration. These may include the BA (Hons) Content Creation and
Broadcast, BA (Hons) Broadcasting (Sound Design, Post Production, Production),
BA (Hons) Design for Interaction and FdA Broadcast Post Production courses.

19. External Contexts

In line with the College’s aim of ensuring the continued commercial relevance of our
academic provision, the course actively discusses trends and developments with
industry and relates the course to these. Recent evidence of this has been:

Jonathan Hills ( production company)

James Allen (Big Buoy …Facilities house)
Flavia Timiani (Eidos ….Games developers)
Nathan Pollard (Granada Graphics ….TV graphics/animation)

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20. Unit List

Level 2 (bridging units)
Unit Code Unit Title Credit
Value
ANI201 Management and Organisations 10
ANI202 Understanding Media 10
ANI203 Research Preparation 5
TOTAL 25

Level 3
ANI301 The Animation Business 15
ANI302 Animation and Film Analysis 15
ANI303 Pre Production for Animation 20
ANI304 Portfolio (Animation Production) 40
C301/ANI305 Dissertation 20
PPD3b/ANI306 Personal and Professional Development 3 10
TOTAL 120

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21. BA (Hons) Animation – Level 3 Unit Map

ANI302 Animation and Film ANI303 Pre Production for

Analysis Animation
15 Credits 20 Credits

ANI304 Portfolio (Animation

Production)
40 Credits

ANI301 The Animation

C301/ANI305 Dissertation
Business
20 Credits
15 Credits

PPD3b/ANI306 Personal and Professional Development 3

10 Credits

TERM 1 TERM 2 TERM 3

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ANI302 Animation and Film ANI303 Pre Production for

Analysis Animation formative
formative
15 Credits 20 Credits

summative summative formative

ANI304 Portfolio (Animation
Production)
40 Credits

ANI301 The Animation formative

C301/ANI305 Dissertation formative
Business
20 Credits
15 Credits

summative summative summative

PPD3b/ANI306 Personal and Professional Development 3 formative

10 Credits summative

TERM 1 TERM 2 TERM 3

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21. Outcome Map A = Knowledge and Understanding D = Transferable Skills

B = Practical/Professional Skills X = Assessed and Delivered
C = Intellectual Skills d = Delivered

A A A A A A A A B B B B B B B B B
Unit Code Unit 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Level 2
ANI201 Management and Organisations X X X X X X X X X X
ANI202 Understanding Media X X X d d d d X X X X X X X X
ANI203 Research Preparation X
Level 3
ANI301 The Animation Business X d
ANI302 Animation and Film Analysis X X
ANI303 Pre Production for Animation X X X
ANI304 Portfolio (Animation Production) X
C301/ANI305 Dissertation X
PPD3b/ANI306 Personal and Professional Development 3 X X X X X X

C C C C C C C D D D D D D D
Unit Code Unit 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Level 2
ANI201 Management and Organisations X X X X X X X X
ANI202 Understanding Media X X X X X X X X
ANI203 Research Preparation X X X X X
Level 3
ANI301 The Animation Business
ANI302 Animation and Film Analysis X X X
ANI303 Pre Production for Animation X X
ANI304 Portfolio (Animation Production) X X
C301/ANI305 Dissertation X X X X X X X
PPD3b/ANI306 Personal and Professional Development 3 X X X X X X X X X
ANI301 The Animation Business X X X X X

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A - Knowledge and Understanding of: B - Practical/Professional Skills – Able To:

1. the established skills and techniques of animation 1. demonstrate a critical understanding of the skills used by the various
2. a critical understanding of narrative forms in the animation genre branches of animation and how they are articulated
3. the filmic and visual language used to articulate concepts and ideas in 2. use digital technology creatively as part of the animation process and as a
animation tool for presentation and communication
4. the creative potential of digital technologies in the field of animation 3. use visual languages to investigate, analyse, interpret, develop and
5. the nature of technological change and the continuous development of articulate ideas and information
knowledge 4. create compelling storylines to form the narrative bases to animated
6. the production process(es) and the roles involved in animation and their sequences
interrelationships 5. produce distinctive and creative work which demonstrates the effective use
7. key professional practices and business processes necessary to underpin of sound and animated images
graduate employment in the creative industries 6. define animation proposals and generate unique solutions in response to a
8. a critical understanding of communication and media practice and theory brief or an identified need which meets the requirements of professional
in the context of history, society, contemporary global culture, business practice
and an appreciation of the significance of the work of other practitioners in 7. plan and manage projects to ensure deadlines are met and that solutions
animation reach the standard required
8. work collaboratively in the realisation of an animation project
9. experiment, select, test and make appropriate use of materials, processes,
languages, techniques and practices
C - Intellectual Skills – Able To: D - Transferable Skills – Able To:

1. generate ideas, concepts, proposals, solutions or arguments 1. work independently, setting own aims, objectives and deadlines to manage
independently and/or collaboratively in response to set briefs and/or as learning, workload and projects, including time, personnel and resources
self-initiated activity 2. work effectively and collaboratively with others in a team from a variety of
2. be intellectually curious, analytical and reflective, capable of carrying out backgrounds and disciplines
sustained independent enquiry and develop the skills that underpin 3. manage information in a range of media, selecting and using a variety of
professional development and life-long learning sources and technologies to evaluate and record/present information
3. understand the similarities and differences between the interrelated 4. articulate ideas and information in visual, oral and written forms, and
disciplines of animation and their interaction communicate ideas and work clearly and appropriately to a variety of
4. be entrepreneurial, imaginative, have divergent thinking skills and think audiences, including technical and non-technical audiences
creatively whilst still satisfying the needs of the project/client 5. produce work that is literate, numerate and coherent, deploying established
5. place their own work critically in the context of business, culture, society, techniques of analysis and enquiry
the environment, ethics, history, and be aware of the impact politics and 6. identify, define and creatively solve problems, using appropriate knowledge,
economics can have on the relevance of animation tools and methods, often in complex and unpredictable situations
6. understand that the acquisition of knowledge is continuous and ongoing 7. demonstrate critical awareness and reflection through evaluating own
professional and personal development is essential strengths and weaknesses, and adapting proposals and plans accordingly

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7. critically assess work with reference to existing and emerging

professional and/or academic debates

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Please note, this specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and
the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate
if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information
on the learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each unit can be
found in the Course Handbook, Unit Descriptors and Project Briefs. The accuracy of the information
contained in this document is reviewed by the College and may be checked by the Quality Assurance
Agency for Higher Education.

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