During your three years of study you will learn the fundamentals of illustration, animation and storytelling as well as art direction and post-production.

You will develop real-world technical skills including:

• Character animation
• Narrative production
• Illustration
• World building & character development
• Storyboarding
• Motion graphics
• Analogue & digital development
• Post-production
• Creative direction

"We are so pleased to be partnered with Illustrators and Animators at the Northern School of Art.

We love bringing the students together to meet Aardman's creatives from across the storytelling platforms, we share processes, experiences and passions, hopefully informing and inspiring as we go. It's always very special to welcome NOSA staff and students to the studios - they have a chance to meet teams from across the company, hearing about our latest ideas and projects. Their residential visit means that we have time to meet and chat with students and staff - to eat biscuits in the canteen with world class directors and animators, brilliant!"

- Rachel Plant, Aardman Academy

Our school engages with a wide range of partners working across each creative sub-sector to ensure that teaching and learning are in line with the latest developments in and requirements of industry, including:

Industry Partners

• Aardman Academy Member
• Danger Mouse – Tim Searle
• Bob’s Burger – Simon Chong
• Writer – Dean Wilkinson
• Atomhawk – Darren Yeomans
• Arcus Animation – Marc De Launay
• Golden Wolf

Guest Speakers

• Pann Lim, Singapore
• Raissa Pardini, London
• NoBrow/ Flying Eye Books, London/New York
• Sam Arthur, London
• Mike Lemanski, Leeds
• Marynka Dovhanych, Ukraine
• Jonny Hannah, Southampton
• Jason Sturgill, Portland
• Peony Gent, London
• Counterpoint Magazine, Edinburgh
• Atomhawk, Newcastle
• Jimmy Turrell, Newcastle
• Charlotte Ager, London
• Edward Kinsella, St. Louis
• Tado, Sheffield
• Aardman Animated Insights (4 sessions per year)

Students recently undertook a work placement at Aardman studios, involving experience on the animated film Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (2024).

We exhibit in places such as:

• Moth X Human – Capitol of Culture Bradford 2025
• Moth X Human – Southbank Centre
• Nowt Special - Newcastle

Students have had the opportunity to work with a range of companies on live briefs throughout their studies, including:

• Cleveland Police Knife Crime Prevention Campaign
• Moth X Human

Animation Foundation and Orientation
In your first year (Level 4), you will be introduced to the core concepts, skills, and techniques that form the foundation of animation practice. You will be introduced to the core animation skills, software, and approaches to help you understand the wide possibilities within the animation industry. This year focuses on developing your creative thinking, technical ability, and awareness of the professional contexts in which animators work in the sector.

• Illustration for Animation
• Core Skills in 2D
• Storyboarding & Animatics
• Narrative, Advanced
• Creative Thinking

Development and Exploration
Your second year (Level 5) builds on this foundation, allowing you to develop more advanced, industry-standard skills and a deeper understanding of animation, including rigging, alternative software opportunities and working collaboratively with others, from voice over actors, to animations specialists. You will begin to define your personal direction through live briefs and self-directed projects, while building a professional portfolio that reflects your developing specialism. During this stage, you are also encouraged to seek relevant work experience or external collaborations where suitable opportunities arise.

• Advanced Production
• Storytelling and Performance
• Collaborative Response
• Creative Discussion

Consolidation and Expertise
In your final year (Level 6), you will consolidate your skills, experience, and creative identity as an animator. Working on self-initiated projects, you will refine your practice and explore your future professional direction. This year provides the opportunity to realise your creative ambitions, demonstrate independence and originality, and prepare for a successful transition into professional practice or further study.

• Specialist Practice 1
• Specialist Practice 2
• Professional Futures and Final Show
• Dissertation and Report

Optional Master of Arts.

Develop your creativity even further with a postgraduate study year – https://northernart.ac.uk/masters-degrees/

Your portfolio review is a chance for us to get to know you, your creative interests and the potential you could bring to the course. We are not looking for a perfect or professional portfolio. Bring a selection of work you feel represents you - finished pieces, work in progress, sketchbooks, experiments, photographs, digital work or written ideas are all useful. Choose work you can talk about, including what you enjoyed, what challenged you and what you would like to develop next. You do not need to include every example below.

Potential things to include:

Drawings, visual development, character or environment ideas, storyboards, comics, paintings, photography, 3D work, experiments with materials, moving image, animation tests, digital work, sketchbooks and writing. We are especially interested in imagination, observation, storytelling and how ideas develop.

This creative-industry-focused programme typically provides 16 hours of contact time per week across the academic year. Students can typically expect to receive 10 hours of taught sessions and 6 hours of supervised open studio time, supported by specialist technicians, and have open access to studios and workshops (subject to School opening times and availability). In the final year, students typically engage in a higher proportion of supervised, independent study, reflecting the increased focus on self‑directed practice and specialist project work at this level.

In addition, students are expected to undertake independent study appropriate to a full-time undergraduate degree programme.