Academic Deadlines For Our MA Students 2024-26

2021-2023 deadlines

Below is a list of deadlines for our online MA in 3D Animation for Professionals, delivered in association with Buckinghamshire New University. This is for our new cohort of student animators, those who are joining us in September 2024, and will graduate "Master of Arts" in the summer of 2026.

Note that this list of deadlines is a draft list only, and is subject to change. Students should always check the appropriate Module Guide and Assignment Brief to be certain of the correct submission date. And, of course, check with your tutor.

This list gives our MA students a broad idea of what to expect over the coming 18 months.  But always double-check these dates - if in doubt, email your tutor.

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2024

COM7021 PR1 (Locomotion) is due Friday 13th December 2024, before 2pm.

2025

COM7022 PR1 (Anim Mechanics) is due Friday 14th March 2025, before 2pm.

COM7023 PR1 (Acting & Performance) is due Friday 13th June 2025 at 2pm.

COM7024 PR1 (Animals & Creatures) is due on Friday 12th September 2025 at 2pm

COM7025 (Professional Prep)

COM7025 Theoretical Assignment (Anim Report) is due on Friday 12th December 2025, before 2pm

2026

COM7025 Demo Reel & Portfolio is due on Friday 9th January 2026, before 2pm

COM7028 PR1 (Client Project)

The deadline for the Client Project is Friday 13th March 2026, before 2pm.

The deadline for the Written Assignment is Friday 10th April 2026 before 2pm.

COM7033 - Dissertation

The deadline for COM7033 - Dissertation is tbc

Note that all submissions at BNU are due at 2pm

Missing Deadlines

Dino Walk for COM7024 by Mark Lawson Hall

Missing deadlines is inadvisable, as our academic regulations are very strict. It is always best to submit work on time, even if what you have done is not your very best work. Good enough is better than perfect. 

However, sometimes missing a deadline is unavoidable. For more information on what to do if you miss - or think you might miss - a deadline, read this blog post.

Modules

Six modules make up the MA in 3D Animation: COM7021, COM7022, COM7023, COM7024, COM7025 and COM7028. To see what's in each module, see below. 

COM 7021 - Animation Mechanics 

Circus Parade by Neil Whitman for COM7021

COM7021 - Animation Mechanics - is the first module, taught primarily in Maya, and deals with animation basics, such locomotion and mechanics. 

COM7021 starts with simple actions such as the bouncing ball, and builds up to simple physical actions, such as jumps and throws. 

At the end of Module COM7021 students submit a project for formal assessment based on character locomotion, such as the one below by graduate Neil Whitman.   You can read more about COM7021 here.

COM7022 - Animation Mechanics

COM7022 - Animation Mechanics - is a 20 credit module in which students animate physical actions. In this module, Students create one or more physical actions and combine them into a single shot to create a performance.  As always, we have many video tutorials to support the study of the art and craft of animation. 

COM7023 - Character Performance

Animation by Olavo Lins

In this third module COM7023, students get to grips with character performance, including complex physical actions, pantomime animation, acting, dialogue and lipsync. 

COM7023 builds up to an entry in the monthly 11 Second Club competition, which is also part of the student's assessed work. Below is an excellent example by Bucks MA student Jinng Hwee Tan.  You can read more about COM7023 here.

COM7024 - Animals and Creatures

Character Performance for COM7023

This fourth animation module COM7024 - Animals and Creatures - focuses on animal and creature work, with an emphasis on the kind of photo-realistic animation in which London studios like Framestore, MPC and DNeg specialise. 

In COM7024 - Animals and Creatures students learn quadruped locomotion, as well as how to animate creatures like birds, spiders and scorpions. 

You can read more about COM7024 here.

COM7025  - Demo Reel and Industry Prep

Animation by Victoria Bailey

This penultimate module COM7025 focuses on the creation of a final project and also a demo reel to showcase the student's best work. 

A graduate's demo reel is their shop front, their display of talent and skill, and is the single most important factor in finding work in the industry.

You can read more about COM7025 here.   



COM7028 PR1 (Client Project)
This final module involves the creation of a short piece of animation for a client, and a piece of writing of 1500-2000 words to contextualise the practical outcome. 

The six Modules run consecutively through the year.

COM7033 - Dissertation

The deadline for COM7033 - Dissertation is tbc

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.