Animation, Games and Visual Effects International Foundation Year

Academic English Skills aims to provide thorough training in the language and related academic skills which will enable international students to best achieve their academic potential at university. Our Academic English programme is validated by UK ENIC, the UK government agency responsible for providing information and expert opinion on qualifications and skills worldwide.

You will develop awareness and competency in a range of language-related academic skills, including the processes of academic writing, effective and extensive reading strategies, effective participation in seminars and delivery of presentations, and listening to and recording information effectively from lectures. You will also develop the accuracy and range of written and spoken language required to use language effectively and appropriately, with clarity and confidence in an academic context.

Alongside your classes, your studies will be supported by an online learning platform, providing you with a range of tasks and activities specifically designed to develop and extend your language and academic skills outside the classroom and to give you more control over your own learning.

This module will introduce students to fundamental programming concepts, including problem solving, code design, compilation, testing and debugging. Students will create their own programmes to solve specific problems through an explorative approach which will help learners retain information and reinforce it with experimentation. The students will be introduced to the fundamentals of visual scripting including variables, functions, and operators. Students will use these concepts to implement functionality and interaction using a contemporary game engine.

This module will introduce students to drawing techniques and principles using traditional tools and materials, such as pens, pencils, and charcoal, and develop an understanding of colour, tone, composition, proportion, perspective, light and volume. Students will also develop their creativity and design skills, enabling them to produce high-quality, creative, and interesting images for a game, animation or VFX product. Guided through a range of techniques, students will be encouraged to push their ideas and designs in alternative directions with the view to expanding their drawing skills and creative thinking and developing their ideas in new ways. The module will also encourage students to make connections between seemingly unrelated beginnings and outcomes with given briefs that allow creative freedom and broad interpretation. Students will produce a range of visual images and worksheets to develop their image making styles and processes.

This module will develop the students’ technical skills in using a game engine and develop their understanding of game design considerations and project management. Students will produce an individual small game project using a game engine. Students will apply their skills and knowledge and independently develop a small game from start to finish. This will include the production of a concept document, a proof-of-concept demo, testing, and a completed game. The game will be produced using a contemporary game engine.

This module will introduce students to the production of 2D Digital Art for animation, games, and VFX. The fundamental principles of design and composition will be applied and explored using appropriate graphics software. Students will explore the purposes and characteristics of 2D digital art and use industry practice to develop assets for a product. Students will plan and design their own digital graphics for an intended purpose. There is a strong emphasis on the development of practical skills, through which students can demonstrate creativity and technical proficiency.

This module will develop the students' technical skills and understanding of the 3D modelling pipeline required to develop high quality 3D models and animations. The module will equip students with the principles of 3D computer modelling, texturing, animation, lighting, and rendering. Students will learn the principles of 3D modelling with the view to creating appropriate original assets for animation, games or VFX. Students will use 3D software to produce an original 3D model that will be rigged, textured, animated, and rendered with lighting, and imported into a game engine. The module will be assessed through a portfolio.