Birmingham City University

BA Digital Animation with a Foundation Year

Birmingham City University

Course overview

This BA Digital Animation with a Foundation Year is a four-year degree programme at Birmingham City University designed to build your creative and technical skills, preparing you for the three-year BA (Hons) Digital Animation degree. 

During the foundation year, students will explore different art and design disciplines, develop their drawing and visual communication skills, and learn the basics of digital media, which will give them a strong base for specialising in digital animation in the following years. Upon completion of the foundation year, students will automatically progress to the three-year BA (Hons) Digital Animation degree. 

This degree will teach the skills and techniques needed to create animations for various platforms, including film, television, games, and online media. Students taking this course will learn about 2D and 3D animation, character design, storyboarding, visual effects, and motion graphics. They will learn through workshops, tutorials, studio work, and independent study, and progress will be checked through assignments, presentations, and project work. Students will also have access to industry-standard animation software and equipment.

Entry requirements

To apply for this course, you need to write a personal statement. In this statement, please explain your reasons for wanting to study BA Digital Animation with a Foundation Year at Birmingham City University. Also, include any important details about your previous education. You will also need to provide a reference letter from a teacher or an employer. If you have any relevant work experience, you can also include your CV with your application.

Grade Requirements:

  • The usual entry requirement for the 2025/2026 school year is 80 UCAS points. You can get these points through different qualifications, such as A Levels, a BTEC Extended Diploma (at MPP grade), a BTEC Diploma (at MM grade), T Levels, or the International Baccalaureate. 
  • The university also considers other qualifications from around the world that are seen as equal to A Levels.

English Proficiency:

  • If English is not the first language you speak, you will need to show that you have a good understanding of English. Usually, this means getting an overall score of 6.0 in the IELTS test, with a minimum score of 5.5 in each section of the test. 
  • The university also accepts similar scores from other English language tests, such as PTE or TOEFL.

Scholarships

  • Accelerate Scholarship

    If you come from a lower income family or household, you could receive an offer that is up to four grades below our normal entry requirements – and possibly claim a £1,000 scholarship too.

    Up to £1,000

  • Bowater Financial Assistance Award

  • Graduate Scholarship

    20% fee discount for BCU graduates undertaking Master’s or PhD study.

    Up to 20% of fees

  • International Postgraduate Scholarships

    BCU is offering a scholarship of £3,000 to all self-funding international postgraduate students joining BCU on a full-time postgraduate taught Master’s degree in 2026.

    Up to £3,000

  • International Undergraduate Scholarships

    BCU is offering a guaranteed scholarship of £5,000 to all self-funding international undergraduate students joining BCU on a full-time degree in September 2026.

    Up to £5,000

  • Sports Scholarship

    Enhanced performance support funding.

  • The High Achievers' Scholarship

    You will be eligible for a £1,000 scholarship to get your university life off to a flying start.

    Up to £1,000

Career opportunities

Graduates can pursue a variety of careers in the animation and creative industries, including roles such as:

  • Animator (2D and 3D)
  • Character Designer
  • Storyboard Artist
  • Motion Graphics Designer
  • Visual Effects Artist
  • Games Animator

Cost of study

For students coming from outside the UK, the yearly cost to study the BA Digital Animation with a Foundation Year at Birmingham City University for the 2025/26 school year is £17,690.

Admission

You can apply for the BA Digital Animation with a Foundation Year at Birmingham City University through UCAS or directly to the university. If you would like help with your application, you can talk to our trained advisors.

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