Staff Current Students

Apply Now

Your courses

Click Apply now above and continue to stage 2 where you can review and choose courses 3 to apply for.

FdA Animation

Start Date: 7th September 2026

Length 2 years
Study Full-Time
Location Rye Hill Campus

Qualification Gained

FdA Animation (awarded by NCG)

Apply Now Print course information

More about the course

Bring imaginative worlds to life and combine creativity with cutting-edge technology for a dynamic and rewarding career in the animation industry.

In this Foundation Degree in Animation you will learn about principles of animation, character and environment design, 3D design, and stop motion delivered by our industry-experienced tutors.

Develop your practical skills in our animation studio which hosts state-of-the-art facilities including 24” Cintiq pro graphics tablets, a green screen, stop motion facilities and industry-standard software.

You will work on live briefs and benefit from industry expertise through our specialist lectures and workshops from animators such as Alex Davy and Arcus Studios.

Once you have completed this two-year course, you will have the opportunity to progress to our BA (Hons) Animation (Top-Up), or start your career in the animation industry with a solid portfolio and practical experience.

Entry requirements

64 UCAS points (in a related Art and Design or Digital arts subject).

Once your application has been reviewed, you will be asked to submit a digital portfolio (details will follow through email from our Admissions Team) or invited to Newcastle College University Centre to discuss your portfolio in-person.

If you are a current Newcastle College student and you successfully meet the published Level 3 entry criteria in an appropriate subject[s], you will be guaranteed a place on this course.

Applicants are normally expected to have achieved grade 4 or higher in GCSE Maths and English Language or the Level 2 equivalents (i.e. Functional Skills or Adult Literacy/Numeracy).

At Newcastle College University Centre we welcome applications from students studying new T-Level qualifications.

Further details on our entry requirements can be found here.

What will I learn?

Year One

Fundamentals of
Animation
Academic Study Skills
Pre-Production
WRL (2D Asset Production and Animation)
Introduction to 3D
Character Design
Personal Development.

Year Two

Stop Motion
WBL (Visual Effects/VFX/Motion Graphics)
Experimental Animation
Environment Design
Digital Storytelling
Professional Development.

How is the course taught?

Studio practice
Seminars
Lectures
Specialist workshops
Guest speakers
Independent study
Critiques
Tutorials.

How am I assessed?

Portfolios
Written assignments
Practical assessments
Presentations.

Work experience

You will work on live briefs and benefit from industry expertise through our specialist lectures and workshops from animators such as Alex Davy and Arcus Studios.

You will work on personal and professional development modules to set up creative and professional social media and portfolios.

Students as Producer provides opportunities for you to undertake cross-disciplinary work with other students from other vocational areas.

Where can I progress?

Upon successful completion of this course, you can progress onto our one-year BA (Hons) Animation (Top-Up) degree.

You can also progress into industry through employer links in your Professional Development module.

Course costs and information

Tuition fees vary depending on the course and mode of study. Read more about tuition fees and financial support.

Fees for international students vary depending on the course. Find out more about international fees and payments.

It's important that you know what your tuition fee includes and what other costs you'll need to plan for. Read what your fee includes here.

Alfie Flounders

Level 6 Photography

"I love the independence of the course and being able to reflect back on the development of my skills since I started here."

Paul Smyth

Lecturer | Digital Arts

"I run my own 3D animation company and I'm one of the lecturers on the BA (Hons) Animation course. I try to not only bring in industry skills, but also push experimentation with new technologies to further our students' skills."

Alessio Pesci

Level 6 Creative Digital Design Professional Degree Apprentice

"The tutors were really supportive and I think the whole class would agree with that. We felt really welcomed and really calm, and I feel that support was always there throughout. I’d 100% recommend an apprenticeship with Newcastle College University Centre."