Want to Teach Animation? Get a Master's Degree

Want to teach? Get an MA

Do Animators Need a Master's Degree?  The answer is, it depends on what you want to do. Academia cares about academic qualifications. Industry cares about demo reels. 

If you want a job in the animation industry, you don't need a masters' level qualification. But if you are hoping to teach, especially in higher education, a masters' degree is more or less a necessity. 

The reason is that universities need evidence that you know what you are doing.  And in higher education, that evidence is a formal post-graduate qualification in your chosen field. 

Intro to COM7021 - Animation Mechanics - at BNU

Introducing COM7021, the first animation module tackled by our MA students at Buckinghamshire New University. The introductory animation module COM7021 starts with animation basics, and deals with character locomotion, specifically walks, characters walks, runs and jumps. To see more about our online MA in 3D animation, delivered in partnership with Buckinghamshire New University, follow this link.

Online MA in Animation with BNU Starts Sept 2025

Animation by BNU graduate Neil Whitman

Our MA in 3D Animation for Professionals is now taking applications.

The online MA in animation at Buckinghamshire New University was launched in 2015 and was the very first of its kind - the first online MA in animation which could be undertaken by students anywhere in the world.  

We continue to partner with BNU to deliver the Online MA 3D Animation for Professionals, ensuring that all our MA Students graduate with industry-level skills.  Teaching starts in September 2025.

Last Call for Online MA in Animation with BNU

Animation by BNU graduate Neil Whitman

Last chance to book your place on our MA in 3D Animation for Professionals.

The online MA in animation at Buckinghamshire New University was launched in 2015 and was the very first of its kind - the first online MA in animation which could be undertaken by students anywhere in the world.  

We continue to partner with BNU to deliver the Online MA 3D Animation for Professionals, ensuring that all our MA Students graduate with industry-level skills.  Teaching starts on Monday 30 September 2024.

How "APEL" Works

APEL: route to post-graduate study

What is the APEL process, and why does it matter? APEL stands for "Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning", and is the formal recognition of prior learning by UK universities.

Why is it important? APEL is the means by which students who do not have an undergraduate degree can gain entry onto a masters' level course, such as our master's programme in 3D animation.

For example, an animator with ten years' experience in the industry might not realise they can apply for our MA course in animation, because they need a BA first.  In fact, this would not necessarily be true.

We can consider a student's body of work, and their professional career, as a route into post-graduate study, permitting them to meet the necessary qualifications for entry onto a masters' programme.

Do You Need a BA to Apply for an MA?

One question we often get asked here at Animation Apprentice is this: "Do I need a BA in order to apply for your MA in animation?". The answer is... "maybe".  Ideally, candidates for our Online MA in 3D Animation, delivered in partnership with Buckinghamshire New University, will already have a BA in an arts-related subject.  However, those without a BA can still go through what is called the APEL process - APEL stands for "Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning". APEL is the formal recognition of prior learning by UK universities, and is the means by which students who do not have an undergraduate degree can gain entry onto a masters' level course, such as our master's programme in 3D Animation.

Online MA in Animation - Now Taking Applications

Animation by robin Herrmann

We are now taking applications through UCAS for the September 2023 intake of our online MA in 3D animation, delivered in partnership with Buckinghamshire New University (BNU).

The online MA is a unique degree (the first of its kind) which can be undertaken by students anywhere in the world, leading to a formal qualification in the field.

Students learn how to animate to a professional level, and also engage at Masters' level with the underpinning theory and structure behind the art form.

BAFTA Scholarship Deadline 20 May 2022

Perhaps you might be considering applying for our Online MA in Animation - but lack the funds? Why not apply for a BAFTA scholarship?

BAFTA has opened applications for its scholarship programmes, worth up to £12,000. The scholarships are open to UK nationals for both undergraduate and post-graduate study. The deadline is 20 May 2022.

Why Animators Should Submit Early

Deadlines matter, and for all our students studying for their Online MA in 3D Animation at Buckinghamshire New University, it is very important to submit formal assessments on time. 

At BNU the animation lecturers have very little leeway in accepting late submissions. The "No Detriment" policy that was in place following the Covid Pandemic is now at an end, and BNU deadlines are now a lot more rigid than they have been for the past year.  Our recommendation to all our master's degree students is this: Don't wait until the due date to submit your work.  Instead, aim to submit your work the night before. 

Online MA in Animation - Apply Now

"School Run" by MA student Lee Caller

We are now taking applications through UCAS for the September 2021 intake of our unique online MA in 3D animation.

The online MA is a unique degree (the first of its kind) which can be undertaken by students anywhere in the world, leading to a formal qualification in the field.

You will not only learn how to animate, but you will engage at Masters' level with the underpinning theory and structure behind the art form.

30 Week Course or MA - Which is Best?

One of the most common questions I get asked at Animation Apprentice is this: Should I take the 30 Week Course in 3D Animation, or do the Masters' Degree in partnership with Bucks New University? - Which is Best? The answer, of course, is that it depends on what you want to do.  If you want to be trained to be a 3D animator, and find work in the industry, you don't really need any letters after your name. But if you have an ambition to teach animation, especially in higher education, then you should do the MA. Watch the video above to find out more.

Why Do Animators Need a Masters' Degree?

Do Animators Need a Master's Degree? It's a question we get asked often at Animation Apprentice, mainly by prospective students who want to know if the committment of time necessary to complete an MA in animation (such as the one we run with Buckinghamshire New University) is worth the effort.

The simple answer is, it depends on what you want to do. Academia cares about academic qualifications. Industry cares about demo reels.

If your focus is purely on industry, and on finding work there, you don't really need a masters' level qualification.  But if you are hoping to teach, especially in higher education, a masters degree is more or less a necessity.

April 11 Second Club

This month, our masters' degree student animators are working on DA702, their character animation Module, with a view to entering The 11 Second Club, a monthly character animation competition in which aspiring animators practice their skills.  The Master's students practical assignment for the module is due on Monday April 22nd.

Online MA at Bucks New University

"School Run" by MA student Lee Caller

Animation Apprentice and Buckinghamshire New University are now taking applications through UCAS for the September 2019 intake of our part-time online MA in 3D animation.

The online MA is a unique degree which can be undertaken by students anywhere in the world, leading to a formal qualification in the field.

You will not only learn how to animate, but you will engage at Masters' level with the underpinning theory and structure behind the art form.

Apply Now For Our Online Master's Degree

The world's first online MA in animation

Animation Apprentice and Buckinghamshire New University are now taking applications through UCAS for the September 2019 intake of our part-time online MA in 3D animation.
The online MA is a unique degree which can be undertaken by students anywhere in the world, leading to a formal qualification in the field.

You will not only learn how to animate, but you will engage at Masters' level with the underpinning theory and structure behind the art form.

Graduation Day 4 September 2018

Graduation Day 2017

Graduation Day is coming. Our newest MA animation graduates will attend graduation day at Buckinghamshire New University in High Wycombe, on Tuesday 4th September at 2.30pm.

On that day, Bucks will welcome all the online MA graduates to come and celebrate their achievement.

Of course, the event is something of a formality - no-one actually has to turn up, but we hope that many of our online animation students will come and celebrate their achievement - graduating as Masters of Arts on the world's first online MA in Animation.

Celebrating Our New MA Graduates

Alexi Balian, Charlie Falconi, Tim Millson, Neil Whitman, Stephen Young. 

Today was Graduation Day at Bucks New University and our new MAs in Animation made a little piece of animation history.

Our first graduating cohort aren't the first animation MAs in the world, but they are the first to get their MA purely online.

And, despite living in far-flung parts of the world, many came to Bucks for the graduation ceremony, for the chance to wear a robe and a silly hat and - at last! - meet up in person for the first time.

Our First Online MA Animation Graduates! Yay!

Graduation Day at Buckinghamshire New University

Our very first online MA students will be graduating in September.  Graduation Day at Buckinghamshire New University (our degree-awarding partner) takes place in early September, and we are especially proud to welcome our new MAs in Animation.

Of course, the event is something of a formality - no-one actually has to turn up, but we hope that many students will come and celebrate their achievement - graduating as Masters of Arts on the world's first online MA in Animation. There might even be a celebratory lunch!

And, in a small way, everyone there will be making a little piece of animation history.

What's Inside our Online MA in 3D Animation?

What's inside our Online MA in 3D Animation? It's a question we get asked a lot; after all, anyone signing up for 18 months of study wants to know what they're actually committing themselves to.

Govt Loans For Post-Grad Study

Government help is available

The UK Government's student loan system for postgraduate master's degrees is now up and running.

These low interest loans now provide students in the UK with access to postgraduate university courses - including our Online MA in 3D Animation.

This is very good news indeed for prospective students who would like to go on to do post-graduate study with us.

So, how does the system actually work?