Curriculum Information

Document Version

QAA Benchmarks

Educational Aim

Learning Outcomes

Course Structure

Level 7 Modules

Teaching and Assessment

Learning and Teaching Methods

Employer Engagement

Visiting Speakers
The Faculty of Creative Industries regularly invites professional practitioners and industry representatives to come in and talk to the students about their experiences working in their field. In addition, other Faculties within USW often host speakers from a range of specialist areas which students may attend. All students are encouraged to attend these opportunities.

Volunteering
Students are actively encouraged to engage with the USW careers service which includes volunteering opportunities, workshops and events. Occasionally there are also volunteer opportunities with some of our external partners. These are largely extra-curricular, but it is possible for students to complete their academic coursework in a setting where they are volunteering (subject to the ethical constraints discussed earlier).

Fieldwork
Key modules have been designed to give students an opportunity to engage with external organisations within fieldwork-based exercises. This are key opportunities to engage with non-University personnel and to build a network of future professional contacts.

Fieldtrips
The course promotes a range of fieldtrips and discounted entry for industry events. In addition, there are opportunities throughout the course to participate in international trips which are part of Faculty wide excursions. There is an additional fee for international trips, and they depend on uptake from students to proceed. In all cases, trips for which fees are required are not compulsory.

Work Placements
Key modules have been designed to allow students to arrange work placement opportunities where available. Students that have previously engaged in these have found the experience to be immensely positive, enhancing their employability skills and career prospects. Any relevant work placement opportunities received by staff are forwarded to all students on the course.

Work-based Learning
Key modules have been designed to allow students to learn within a simulated setting or work-placement opportunity where available. Assessments are devised so that work produced externally can be used as evidence for the module’s learning outcomes. Staff may visit off-site locations to record evidence of learning in these scenarios.

Employer Forums
The course team maintain a regular dialogue with a range of local and national employers. The Faculty of Creative Industries has a formal employer forum which contributes to the course and extra-curricular developments. The course team are also closely involved with voluntary organisation which hosts a range of formal and informal events around Cardiff which are open to staff and students including BAFTA Cymru, The British Animation Awards and Cardiff Animation Festival.

Other
All academic staff members are engaged in scholarly activity, industry liaison, research, or are practising artists themselves.
Any relevant job adverts received by staff are forwarded to all students on the course. Information regarding joining relevant mailing lists are also forwarded.

Means of Assessment

• Portfolio
• Written Assignment
• Presentation

Learning Support

Induction
Students will be given a full induction to the course during enrolment and induction week. Students will be provided with all the necessary information they need to settle on the course quickly. This includes:
• Introducing the student to the course team, history, philosophy, structure and content.
• Exploring the expectations of Postgraduate study and how it differs from Undergraduate.
• Demonstrating how to access academic, personal and practical resources, including course materials through Blackboard.
The induction period is a very important time in ensuring students become familiar with the course, their peers and academic staff, the university and city.

Personal Academic Coach
Students will be allocated a Personal Academic Coach (PAC) who follows their academic progress throughout the course, providing pastoral guidance where appropriate. Additional support is also available through the Advice Zone (please see below). Information about PAC arrangements are provided in the Course Handbook

Office Hours
Students will be informed by the course team when they are available for drop-in sessions to discuss their coursework and any other academic issues. Drop-in sessions are normally available to students during standard working hours but will also be available by appointment for those who cannot make scheduled office hour slots.

Tutorials
Students will be provided with regular one-to-one tutorials by the course team to discuss their progress. In addition, personal tutoring arrangements apply as described in the Personal Academic Coach section above and the Progress Meetings section below.

Seminars
Students will receive the opportunity to regularly join their peers for group discussion, allowing them to see what everyone is doing and provide constructive feedback and support to each other.

Formative Assessment
Students will be provided with the opportunity to regularly receive formative feedback on their work during tutorials and progress meetings. Students will also receive formative feedback through informal presentations to staff and peers during seminar sessions. Finally, students will be invited to submit work by e-mail and to arrange individual meetings for further feedback and support.

Progress Meetings
Student progress will be monitored by the teaching team through regular timetabled meetings within module delivery plans. These sessions will provide opportunities for students to discuss their progress, any queries, issues or concerns they may have, and if any referral to appropriate support services are required.
Students will be able to request meetings with the teaching team at mutually convenient times throughout their time on the course, and in addition, ‘required’ supervision meetings will be built into the timetable. Information about the arrangements for Progress Meetings are provided in the Course Handbook and will be explained in detail during induction week.

Research Supervision
Students will be allocated a supervisor who will guide them throughout their research studies. Students and staff will keep in touch using a variety of methods including email, tutorials, and progress meetings. Some may operate ‘office hours’ for drop-in discussions, while others may schedule regular meetings with students.

Online Resources
Students will be able to access online resources made available by the course team through USW’s UniLife page and via Blackboard. The library also provides access to online resources. Students are directed to other online resources as appropriate and are encouraged to develop their own online presence and to share useful resources with peers and tutors.

Advice Centres
Students can make an appointment to see a specialist advisor at USW’s Advice Zone on matters relating to finance, health and wellbeing, as well as support with study skills to improve their academic performance. Students will receive a visit from representatives who will explain the services provided by the Advice Zone and how to access these. Students will be referred to the Advice Zone by the course team as appropriate.

DDS Service
Students with disabilities can make an appointment at USW’s Disability and Dyslexia Support Service (DDS) for information, advice and guidance. Support available includes:
• Autism
• Physical, sensory, mental health or unseen disabilities
• Specific learning difficulties, for example, dyslexia
Students will receive a visit from representatives who will explain the services provided by the DDS Service and how to access these. Students will be referred to the DDS Service by the course team as appropriate.

IT/Library
Students will have access to a wide range of state-of-the-art equipment and resources. IT staff will ensure student interaction with technology runs smoothly during their studies, including accessing their online student account, software and printing services.
USW has a strong commitment to providing technology-based learning environments to support students. Whether studying on campus, at home or elsewhere, students will have online access to resources and course materials anytime and anywhere.
IT and library services are explained in detail during induction week. Students will also receive a visit from representatives who will explain the services provided by the library and how to access these.

Course Exit Points

Progression Route

The course provides a steppingstone towards a career in academia and further study opportunities such as a PhD. As mentioned above, the course provides diverse career progression routes for graduates.
In terms of careers in Academia one of our current masters lecturers is Leon Dexter, Alumni of the course. Leon also runs his own studio, Bumpy Box.
We encourage all of the cohort to continue studying to Phd level and currently we have two students who have continued their educational journey.
There is an ever-increasing range of job areas for animation graduates to pursue. These include:
Animation:
Animator, Rigger, Animation Technical Director, Layout Artist, Lighting Artist, FX Technical Director, Compositor, Concept Artist, Head of Story, Storyboard Artist, Art Director, Character Designer, Model Maker, Background Designer, Director, Producer and Production Coordinator.
Games:
Concept Artist, 3D Modelling Artist, Texturing Artist, Animator and Technical Animator
VFX
Concept Artist, Previsualisation Artist, Environment Artist, Layout Artist, Lighting Artist, Matchmove Artist, Creature Technical Director and Compositor.

Entry Requirements

Admission to the course is typically through the following qualifications:

Applicants to the MA Animation course can directly apply via the USW website. The USW admissions team deal with all applicants and the Course Leader is only contacted if an applicant has a nonstandard entry requirement profile, for example, relevant work experience. In such cases the Course Leader will be asked to make a recommendation regarding the application (reject, accept or refer). The course will have the following entry requirements:

• A minimum 2:2 Honour's degree or an equivalent qualification, or significant relevant workplace experience.
• All UK national students are required to partake in an interview, present or online.
• All candidates must demonstrate an IELTS (Academic) of 7.0 with a 6.0 in each subskill, or other evidence of English language abilities at this level.
• However, applicants with an IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 (to include 5.0 in each sub-score) will be considered provided they undertake and successfully complete the University’s ten-week pre-sessional English course.

Those not meeting the entry requirements will be considered on an individual basis, where prior experience will be considered. All UK based students will be required to attend an interview.

Portfolio Requirements
All applicants will need to provide a digital portfolio and/or showreel of recent work. They may choose a relevant site where we can access the work. This can be a personal website, video channels or artwork sites, etc.

What We Would Like To See:
The MA Animation course attracts individuals from wide range of disciplines, including animation, film, fine art, graphic design and illustration. Generally, we like to see examples of the following:
• Animation/Film work
• Design work
• Concept Artwork
• Contextual Research
• Design work
• Illustration work
• Life Drawing work
• Personal Artwork
• Sketchbook work

Inclusive Curriculum Statement

The University of South Wales operates a policy of inclusive learning, teaching and assessment to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to fulfil their educational potential. Course teams will have considered ways of designing out any potentially disadvantageous element of courses during the course design process. However some specific needs may remain, details about how to apply to have your needs assessed can be found at: http://unilife.southwales.ac.uk/pages/3040-disability-and-dyslexia-service/

Addendum for Delivery at a Partner Institution

N/A