Character Animation BA
Learn how to bring characters to life through movement, expression and storytelling. Develop artistic and technical skills to create engaging animated performances for film, games and digital media.
Is this for you?
This degree could suit you if you:
Enjoy creating characters and stories
Are interested in animation and film
Like expressive and creative work
Want to specialise in animation
Have strong artistic skills
Popular Career Fields
Film & Television
Gaming & Interactive Media
Advertising & Marketing
Digital Media & Technology
Your Personality Might Be:
Storytelling focus
Gaming & Interactive Media
Patient animator
Imaginative creator
What is it?
What Is a Character Animation Degree?
Character Animation focuses on the craft of creating believable movement and emotion for animated characters. You will study drawing, performance, acting theory and animation principles. The degree explores how characters communicate through motion and how story and personality shape animation choices.
Why Study Character Animation?
This degree suits students who enjoy drawing, storytelling, performance and digital creativity. It prepares you for roles in animation studios, games and visual effects by combining artistic skill with technical understanding.
Course Summary
Learn how to bring characters to life through movement, expression and storytelling. Develop artistic and technical skills to create engaging animated performances for film, games and digital media.
What you'll study
Most Character Animation degrees cover:
Animation principles and timing
Drawing for animation and gesture studies
Character design and performance theory
2D and digital animation techniques
3D character animation using industry software
Storyboarding and acting for animators
Movement analysis and anatomy
Production pipelines and professional practice
You can often specialise in areas such as advanced acting for animation, creature animation, motion capture, digital puppetry, visual storytelling or mixed media performance.
Skills You'll Gain
A Character Animation degree helps you develop a wide range of creative and technical skills, including:
Animation performance and timing
Drawing and gesture for expressive movement
Character acting and emotion
2D and 3D animation workflows
Understanding of anatomy and physicality
Storytelling and visual communication
Problem solving and teamwork
Showreel and portfolio development
Explore Uni Open Days
Pathways, Placements and Work Experience
CAREERS
Career Pathways
Many universities offer:
Placements with animation studios, game developers or creative agencies
Opportunities to work on student film and game projects
Live briefs and industry mentoring
Access to performance capture spaces or acting workshops
These experiences help you understand animation pipelines and build industry contacts.
Work Experiences & Placements
Placements in recording studios, media companies or live sound venues
Salary Profile
Coming soon
Qualifications, Personal Satement, What to do Next?
AM I ELIGIBLE?
Entry Requirements
A-levels or equivalent. Most universities accept a broad range but Art, Design Technology, Media Studies, Film Studies, or Computer Science are beneficial.
Personal Statement Tips
Include character sketches, gesture drawings or performance studies
Show animation exercises such as walk cycles or acting shots
Demonstrate understanding of personality, emotion and storytelling
Include both finished work and process sketches
What to do Next
Practise drawing characters from observation and imagination
Learn basic animation principles using free tools or apps
Watch animated films with an analytical eye for character performance
Attend open days or online animation workshops to explore facilities
Wider Reading
The Animator’s Survival Kit — Richard Williams
Industry standard on animation principles, timing, and character movement.Cartoon Animation — Preston Blair
Classic guide to drawing appealing animated characters and actions.The Illusion of Life — Ollie Johnston & Frank Thomas
Disney masters’ insights into the 12 basic principles of animation.Acting for Animators — Ed Hooks
Practical guidance on performance, expression, and bringing characters to life.Character Animation Crash Course! — Eric Goldberg
Focused techniques for personality, timing, and expressive motion.