Bournemouth University

National Centre for Computer Animation Art (NCCA)

The NCCA sits within Bournemouth University's Media School, one of the largest of its kind in the world and has a global reputation for combining research and teaching practice. Since its establishment in 1989 The National Centre for Computer Animation has conducted research of international significance and has pioneered both undergraduate and postgraduate courses in computer visualisation and animation and digital effects.
Computer animation is one of the most rapidly expanding areas of creative endeavour and technical development. Some of the more visible applications of 3D computer animation are seen in animated sequences in feature films and television, digital special effects in feature films, computer games, computer animated simulation rides and interactive virtual environments. The expansion of the market and the application areas of computer animation are predicted to continue an explosive growth well into the century. This is an exciting, fast changing and rewarding area to be involved with. Well qualified professionals in this area are and will, in the foreseeable future, continue to be in great demand internationally and command substantial rewards. The employment record of our past graduates in computer animation is unequaled.

BU offer 3 undergraduate and 3 postgraduate courses:

· BA (Hons) Computer Visualisation and Animation- This course is one of the most established computer animation courses in the UK and was developed after extensive consultation with many of the leading companies in the computer animation, digital special effects and computer game sectors to meet their needs. The course has a focus on the creative use of computer graphics and animation technology.

· BA (Hons) Computer Animation Arts, This course contains specialist units in art practice, visual studies and aesthetic theory. Graduates will have skills applicable to a wide range of careers in animation, effects and games, but will be especially suited to roles such as director, environment artist, concept artist, character animator or compositor.

· BSc (Hons)Software Development for Animation, Games and Effects, This course contains specialist units in software engineering and applications design. Graduates will have skills applicable to a wide ranges of careers but will be especially suited to the role of Research and Development Technical Director or Game Engine Programmer.

· MA/PD 3D Computer Animation, This animation course has been designed to introduce students to all aspects of computer animation: Modelling, Texturing, Rigging, Lighting, Dynamics, Compositing and Scripting. The course aims to enable students to become creative practitioners in computer animation with a good understanding of the inter-relation of aesthetic, perceptual ad technical factors involved in the development of computer animation productions.

· MA/PD Digital Effects, The aim of the MA Digital Effects course is to produce graduates with the range and depth of skills necessary to be future visual effects designers or digital effects supervisors. The course is oriented toward the creation of well-rounded digital effects artists for the feature film effects industry. The skills and experience gained can equally be applied to the production of effects for television commercials, music promos and television series.

· MSc Computer Animation and Visual Effects, The aim of the MSc Computer Animation course is to produce graduates with the range and depth of skills necessary to become future Technical Directors within the computer animation and computer games sectors. The course is oriented toward the creation of graduates with a combination of artistic sensibilities, problem solving and technical skills.