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Motion Graphics BA (Hons)
- Level(s) of Study: Undergraduate
- UCAS Code(s): W212
- Start Date(s): September 2023
- Duration: 3 year(s)
- Study Mode(s): Full-time
- Campus: City Campus
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Entry Requirements:
More information
Introduction:
Operating at the intersection of design and creative technologies this Motion Graphics BA Hons course offers a diverse and engaging ideas led curriculum where you will be challenged to think broadly, combining technology, creative thinking, and graphic design fundamentals to test, craft, and shape your individual identity as a motion-based thinker and designer.
Working independently, collaboratively and alongside industry you will acquire the skills, knowledge and understanding to fully embrace the expanding possibilities of this exciting industry and will graduate with a distinct showreel of practice that aligns to your future goals and ambitions.
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You’ll have the opportunity to complete a work experience placement of up to a year in length. Dependent on the duration of your placement, you could gain an additional Diploma or Certificate in Professional Practice. -
Develop your professional skills through self-initiated work experience placements, industry competitions, collaborations with organisations and guest lectures. -
You’ll be able to personalise your studies by choosing from a range of up to eight optional modules. Your course also includes our School-wide, sector-leading CoLab module. -
Opportunity to apply for a European or international exchange to one of our partner institutions, such as RMIT in Australia. You will also have the chance to attend optional study visits to cities like New York and Berlin.
What you’ll study
On our BA (Hons) Motion Graphics course you will work across multiple platforms such as UX/UI, web and app design, VR and AR, and coding, through the lens of a motion designer. This course has a module structure that facilitates and celebrates exploration, personalisation and interdisciplinary collaboration with peers and industry partners. Industry engagement is integrated throughout the course with a range of exciting activities including live projects, guest lectures, portfolio reviews, and mentoring. Specialist practical, theoretical, and technical workshops will develop and enhance your professional skill set for the future. In your final year, you’ll have the opportunity to negotiate and select project briefs that align with your future goals resulting in a distinct showcase of personal practice aligned to your future career ambitions.
The Fundamentals of Graphic Design
(100 credit points)
Learn about, and begin to practise, the process behind effective graphic design. Focus on topics such as typography, image-making, branding, packaging, editorial design, illustration, and film or animation. Throughout this module you will be developing a portfolio of work that demonstrates your ability to document a design process: including evidence of design research, ideas generation and exploration, as well as appropriate presentation skills.
Design in Context
(20 credit points)
Explore the historical and theoretical issues relating to graphic visual culture on a global scale, which will help you to develop your own critical opinions about the role graphic design has played in the wider social content.
Exploring Motion Graphics
(60 credit points)
This module will provide you with the opportunity to further develop and apply the fundamentals you have acquired in your first to an exciting range of motion-based project briefs and workshops. You will investigate and interrogate the possibilities and opportunities of motion graphics to as a creative tool to communicate a variety of content to a defined audience. Through exploration and experimentation, you will evidence your design thinking and problem-solving skills using motion and movement as the primary tool for communication. A varied range of technical workshops will support you in developing and honing the knowledge and skills required to deliver your ideas and outcomes to industry standard. You will have the opportunity to work alongside industry on live project briefs set by a variety of creative agencies, ensuring your understanding of the professional context of the subject. By the end of the module, you will have developed your individual visual style, approach and technical acuity and will be able to identify its location within the context of contemporary motion graphics practice.
Motion Graphics in Context
(20 credit points)
This module introduces and explores the wider social, theoretical, political, and cultural contexts, narratives and debates influencing and informing the subject. You will have the opportunity to demonstrate your ability to research, evaluate and analyse a range of topics and present your observations and findings in both verbal and written form. You will further develop the knowledge and skills acquired in your first year and will hone your critical writing skills in preparation for your dissertation in year three.
CoLab Research, Exploration and Risk-Taking
(20 credit points)
Through active participation with team-based problem-solving, you will work together in mixed teams on a project where you will use your creative ideas to generate solutions to the challenge or brief. Your project will allow you to explore how creativity can make an impact in society, as you choose a theme of sustainability, social justice, enterprise and innovation or community. This collaborative learning experience will expose you to a range of new processes and approaches that will develop your creative thinking.
Optional Module
You will also choose one optional 20-credit module from:
- Telling Stories
- Typography: Use and Expression
- The Art of the Video Interview
- Digital Marketing and Communication
- Ethical Design
- Model Making: Object and Narrative
- Responding to the Visual World
- Publishing: Experimental Formats
Developing a personal showcase
(100 credit points)
This module provides you with the opportunity to personalise and negotiate your final year of study in line with your future goals and ambitions. You will be encouraged to explore, experiment, and innovate, challenging the conventions and perimeters of the subject. The sequential nature of the module supports the development of your practice and through on-going reflection and analysis you will define and apply your distinct style and approach to a variety of challenges. You will select project briefs from a range of sources including international and national competition briefs and assessment schemes, staff briefs, industry projects and self-initiated briefs. You will showcase your design thinking, problem-solving, technical acuity and creativity through the realisation of an individual bespoke showcase of practice that is unique to you. The structure of the module supports you in becoming an autonomous thinker and practitioner who can articulate their thinking both verbally and visually and can manage their time and projects effectively - all these transferable skills will ensure you are ready for your professional future. You will leave the course fully prepared for your next step, whether that be professional practice or further study.
Motion Graphics Dissertation
(20 credit points)
In this module you will build on the research and writing skills that you have acquired in Levels 4 and 5 by producing a referenced and illustrated written study. You will have the opportunity to select a visually based issue of your choice to investigate. Your dissertation will demonstrate your ability to independently research appropriate source materials and develop a critical viewpoint on the topic selected through a reasoned and structured argument that encompasses and evaluates relevant artefacts, issues and contexts. The skills of analysis and research developed on the dissertation module will also help you with your studio work.
How you’re taught
Teaching and learning experiences will include:
- Lectures and briefings
- Studio workshops
- Seminars
- One-to-one tutorials
- Group tutorials
- Peer and self-evaluations
- Verbal and visual presentations
- Teamwork
- Live projects
- Study trips
- Personal development planning
Collaboration across courses
This course offers our new innovative collaboration module. This gives you the opportunity to work collaboratively with your contemporaries from a range of different art and design subjects and beyond. You’ll be working alongside artists, designers, photographers, illustrators, animators, and filmmakers on daring and creative projects that prepare you for a rewarding career in your chosen industry. Your project will allow you to explore how creativity can make an impact in society, as you choose a theme of sustainability, social justice, enterprise and innovation or community.
Exchange opportunities
If you’re thinking about studying part of your degree abroad, the course has exchange agreements with a number of institutions around the world.
Exchanges take place in Year Two of the course. You’ll receive guidance from the University about where you can study, and help in completing your application and arranging your exchange.
Showcase
You will be given the opportunity to exhibit your work during your time at NTU to members of the creative industries. Visit our ‘We Are Creatives’ showcase to take a look at the work of this year's graduating students’.
Contact hours
*Year 1 lectures/seminars/workshops/tutorials (20%), independent study (80%)
*Year 2 lectures/seminars/workshops/tutorials (20%), independent study (80%)
*Year 3 lectures/seminars/workshops/tutorials (20%), independent study (80%)
Further information
NTU is in the UK’s Top 15 for Art & Design in the Complete University Guide 2023 (Ranked 15th).
How you’re assessed
20% of your final degree mark will be based on your work in Year 2, and 80% from your work in your final year.
Careers and employability
You’ll graduate with a bespoke professional showcase of motion[1]based project work that demonstrates your abilities as an agile independent creative thinker and problem solver. You’ll be equipped with the distinctive intellectual, technical, and professional knowledge and skill set required to undertake a wide variety of roles within the creative industries. Areas include broadcast design, exhibition and brand experience, music and entertainment, brand creation, advertising, information design, UX/UI, web and app design, VR/AR/XR, gaming, VFX design and compositing, art direction, creative direction and production design.
Connecting with industry and work placement opportunities
Industry professionals will visit the course to guest lecture and share their experiences. Live projects and competitions will help you to gain real experience of the industry, make contacts, and build your portfolio and CV.
You’ll be encouraged to undertake short periods of work experience alongside your studies. You will normally complete these placements during holiday periods, but you will have the option of taking up to two weeks out of term time, which you can negotiate with your tutor.
In addition, you’ll also have the opportunity to complete a longer work experience or placement, with the chance to gain an additional Diploma or Certificate in Professional Practice, dependent on duration. Course tutors and our Employability team are on hand to support you in applying for placement and professional practice opportunities.
YouFirst – working with our Employability team
Studying a creative degree in a large university has many benefits, none more so than having access to a large employability team.
Our friendly, experienced careers consultants will work closely with you at every stage of your career planning, providing personal support and advice you won't find in a book or on the Internet. You can benefit from this at any time during your studies and for up to three years after completing your course.
Creative Industries Federation
We are members of the Creative Industries Federation (CIF), which means students in the Nottingham School of Art & Design have the opportunity to sign up to free student membership. Creative Industries Federation are an organisation that represents, champions and supports the UK’s creative industries and membership grants students exclusive access to their selection of resources and events to help advance your career and connect with industry.
Campus and facilities
Entry requirements
112 UCAS Tariff points
What are we looking for?
- 104 - 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications (two of which must be A-level equivalent).
- GCSE English and Maths grade C / 4.
To find out what qualifications have tariff points, please use our tariff calculator.
Other requirements
Other qualifications and experience
We may also consider credits achieved at other universities and your work/life experience through an assessment of prior learning.
This may be for year one entry, or beyond the beginning of a course where applicable, for example, into year 2. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route.
Contextual offers
A lower offer may be made based on a range of factors, including your background (such as where you live and the school or college you attended), your experiences and individual circumstances (you may have been in care, for example). This is called a contextual offer and we get data from UCAS to make these decisions. NTU offers a student experience like no other and this approach helps us to find students who have the potential to succeed here but who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university. Find out how we assess your application.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form.
International qualifications
We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:
Undergraduate preparation courses (Foundation)
If you don’t yet meet our entry requirements, we offer Foundation courses through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC), based on our City Campus:
English language entry requirements
You can meet our language requirements by successfully completing our pre-sessional English course for an agreed length of time, or by submitting the required grade in one of our accepted English language tests, such as IELTS:
Advanced standing (starting your undergraduate degree in year 2 or 3)
You may be able to start your undergraduate course in year 2 or 3 based on what you have studied before. This decision would be made in accordance with our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy.
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
Fees and funding
Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there's no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our fees and funding pages will answer all your questions.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494
What's included in the course fees?
The School will cover the costs of any mandatory study trips.
In your final year, the Nottingham School of Art & Design will provide infrastructure costs for the Showcase.
Additional costs
Print and copy costs
The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.
Material costs
Depending on the materials you choose to work with, you should budget around £100 per year (minimum) for production costs associated to your course, including things like your final year project.
Stationery and reading materials
Most study modules will recommend one or more core textbooks, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary between courses and further information is available in the University’s bookshop, Blackwell’s.
A good supply of these essential text books are available in the University libraries, which students can easily borrow or access on-line/directly whilst studying in the library. You should budget £100 per year (minimum) for stationery and reading materials.
Although this is not a requirement for entry on the course or for successful study, once you have joined the course, some students choose to buy a laptop. Costs for this can vary depending on the technique you want to work in and the subsequent computer specification. If you do wish to purchase a computer, we advise you to wait until the course starts so that you can take advice on the specs needed for the work you are doing. You should expect to pay between £800-£1,500.
As part of your studies, you’ll need to store large quantities of data and we recommend you budget £70 for a rugged 1TB portable hard drive.
Field trips
All essential field trip costs will be included in your course fees. There may be the opportunity to take part in optional field trips, which do incur additional costs.
If you choose to join an optional UK study trip, you’ll need to budget around £50 per year (minimum). If you choose to join an optional international study trip, you’ll need to budget £500 per year (minimum).
Placements
If you're undertaking a placement year, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst on placement. Many of our placement students do earn a salary whilst on placement which can help to cover these living costs.
If you undertake work experience or a longer placement, you will have the chance to gain an additional Certificate or Diploma in Professional Practice, dependent on duration. The Diploma in Professional Practice incurs a fee for the additional placement year.
Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there's no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our fees and funding pages will answer all your questions.
You might be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies. We award scholarships to those international students who can demonstrate excellent achievement, passion, and dedication to their studies.
Please take a look at our International students page for information about fees, scholarships for international students, visas and much more.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494
What's included in the course fees?
The School will cover the costs of any mandatory study trips.
In your final year, the Nottingham School of Art & Design will provide infrastructure costs for the Showcase.
Additional costs
Print and copy costs
The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.
Material costs
Depending on the materials you choose to work with, you should budget around £100 per year (minimum) for production costs associated to your course, including things like your final year project.
Stationery and reading materials
Most study modules will recommend one or more core textbooks, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary between courses and further information is available in the University’s bookshop, Blackwell’s.
A good supply of these essential text books are available in the University libraries, which students can easily borrow or access on-line/directly whilst studying in the library. You should budget £100 per year (minimum) for stationery and reading materials.
Although this is not a requirement for entry on the course or for successful study, once you have joined the course, some students choose to buy a laptop. Costs for this can vary depending on the technique you want to work in and the subsequent computer specification. If you do wish to purchase a computer, we advise you to wait until the course starts so that you can take advice on the specs needed for the work you are doing. You should expect to pay between £800-£1,500.
As part of your studies, you’ll need to store large quantities of data and we recommend you budget £70 for a rugged 1TB portable hard drive.
Field trips
All essential field trip costs will be included in your course fees. There may be the opportunity to take part in optional field trips, which do incur additional costs.
If you choose to join an optional UK study trip, you’ll need to budget around £50 per year (minimum). If you choose to join an optional international study trip, you’ll need to budget £500 per year (minimum).
Placements
If you're undertaking a placement year, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst on placement. Many of our placement students do earn a salary whilst on placement which can help to cover these living costs.
If you undertake work experience or a longer placement, you will have the chance to gain an additional Certificate or Diploma in Professional Practice, dependent on duration. The Diploma in Professional Practice incurs a fee for the additional placement year.
How to apply
Apply through UCAS.
We will ask you to provide a digital portfolio. Visit our webpage which has some advice on what to include to help make your portfolio stand out. After you have submitted your portfolio, we may also invite you to an online interview to help us make our final decision.
Getting in touch
If you need any more help or information, please email our Admissions team or call +44 (0)115 848 4200.
You can apply for this course through UCAS. If you are not applying to any other UK universities, you can apply directly to us on our NTU applicant portal.
Application advice
Apply early so that you have enough time to prepare – processing times for Student visas can vary, for example. After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
Writing your personal statement
Be honest, thorough, and persuasive – we can only make a decision about your application based on what you tell us:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.