Animation Apprentice is excited to announce the launch of an animation world-first – the first online MA in animation.
Building on our partnership with the Animation and Visual Effects Course at Buckinghamshire New University, we are helping to launch a new online post graduate degree which can be undertaken by students anywhere in the world. Above is a short video that explains what the new course will look like, and how it works.
What is it?
The world's first online MA in animation.
Who is Offering the MA? Animation Apprentice?
No. Animation Apprentice is not a university – we cannot award a degree. The MA is being awarded by Buckinghamshire New University, under the umbrella of their animation and visual effects department. But the practical content of the course will be supplied by Animation Apprentice.
What's so special about this new MA?
Plenty. Until now, if you wanted to do an MA in animation, you had to go to a university and study there, at a place and time that is convenient for the university. Never mind that you have a day job and a family – you have to study when it suits them, not when it suits you.
Now, you will be able to complete the degree online, from anywhere in the world. You don't even need to show up for graduation – though you will definitely be invited!
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| Anim & VFX at Bucks New Uni |
What will you learn?
The course is a unique blend of practical and academic content. That means you will learn how to animate, stop by step, and be properly trained as a skilled professional 3D animator. At the same time, you will have to engage with the theory behind the craft, and take a close look at the industry, critically engaging with the underpinnings and possibilities of the medium.
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| Bologna – the first university. We still wear the silly hats. |
How is Animation Apprentice involved?
We are offering the practical content, training students to become great animators. Bucks New Uni supplies the academic content. It is the combination of practical and academic content in a distance learning environment that makes this course so unique.
Why does anyone need an MA?
Because it's a proper, globally recognised qualification. Having an MA shows that you can engage in critical thinking at an advanced level, and make a thorough analysis of the subject being studied. In practical terms, without an MA you can't realistically hope to get a job teaching at a university.
But don't studios want practical skills?
Yes they do. Studios hire animators with great demo reels. That is why our course has a strong emphasis on learning the techniques of 3D animation, as well as academic content. By the end of it you will have a strong demo reel, good enough to help you find work in this fast-growing industry.
Who is this course for?
We think our course will be of special interest to anyone who wants to learn the craft of 3D animation, and also for anyone who would like a career in teaching animation. There isn't another course that we know of which offers this blend of practical and critical content.
Can Existing Students of Animation Apprentice Get Course Credit on the New MA?
Yes! There is a process called APEL at Bucks which will give existing students of Animation Apprentice credit for the practical content on the course. There are some forms to fill and hurdles to clear but the essence is that graduates of Animation Apprentice will only have to tackle the academic content in order to win an MA. The fees will also be pro-rated to reflect the reduced content.
When Does It Start?
September 2015
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| Just £6,075 if you apply before June |
How Much Does It Cost?
The course costs £6,750, but if you apply before 1 June, you get a 10% discount. So that would be £6,075. That's $9,416 in US Dollars. And don't forget that the UK government will soon be extending loans to graduate students. For more on UK Government funding for MA study, read this post.
What kind of jobs are available to graduates?
The animation industry is expanding rapidly worldwide. 3D animation is everywhere now, on TV, in the movie theatres, on your smart phone, on the web, and in games. The skills you will learn are transferable to any kind of animation.
How Can I Sign Up?
To visit the official page and register for more information, follow this link.
To find out more about Animation Apprentice, click here for a link to Frequently Asked Questions. To sign up for our next classroom at Animation Apprentice, follow this link. For more information on finding work and surviving in the animation and visual effects business, read our post on how to find a job in the animation industry, and check out our post about what not to do at a job interview. Also see our post on starting your own small animation business, learn how to create an invoice, and see how we are helping our students find work through our film co-operative Nano Films. Download the free Escape Studios Careers in VFX Handbook. Take a look at how awn.com can help you find a job, and read our piece about how to survive as a freelance animator. Also, find out what Cinesite look for in a student's demo reel, and read our post on setting up your own animation business. Also see our post about freelancers and taxes.