Our degree is a mixture of animation and illustration. When we created the course, we spoke to our contacts in the industry and asked them what the course should cover. As well as both 2D and 3D animation, the industry wants people who can draw and they are in short supply.
2D Animation
Illustration
Pre-production
3D Animation
3D Modelling
Post-production
Motion Graphics
Portfolio Development
Motion Capture
Why Choose The Digital Animation and Illustration Degree at Futureworks?
By initially focusing on traditional 2D animation skills, the course produces more rounded and proficient 3D digital animators. The illustration aspect of the course makes it stand out from many digital animation degrees and you will enjoy the way we come together as a team to express stories in a fun, creative and exciting way.
As you move on to digital animation, you will be using the latest versions of industry-standard software, like Autodesk Maya, together with the same hardware and workflows that you will find in the real world.
The reason for this is that our tutor team are all industry professionals who either still work within the industry or contribute to current projects on a freelance basis. They feel that it is essential that you understand the way the industry work as soon as you start on the course. This highly experienced team of tutors is augmented with independent animators and professional comic book illustrators who teach specific specialisms and deliver guest lectures.
Finally, all our students really appreciate the smaller class sizes at Futureworks. You can be confident that you will get plenty of one-to-one tutor time when you need it and our students often say that there is a real family feel to the course.
Your Digital Animation and Illustration Degree Opportunities
In your final year, we will be focusing on your future career. We will develop your online portfolio and look at ways of marketing yourselves effectively in this predominantly freelance industry. During your time at Futureworks, you will have many opportunities to make career contacts and we will explore ways of exploiting those contacts, finding jobs and interviews and even work on interview technique.
Students who complete this course can expect to find roles as Illustrators, storyboard artists, 2D or 3D animators and other roles within the animation industry. You could end up working freelance, within animation companies, post-production facilities or other sectors of the creative industries.
September 2026
Futureworks (Manchester)
New Bailey Street,
Riverside,
Manchester,
M3 5FS, NORTHERN ENGLAND, United Kingdom
To be considered for this course, you will require 104-120 UCAS points. This could be gained via a number of qualifications, for example:
• BCC or above at A2 Level
• DMM or above at Extended Diploma Level
• M or above at UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma Level
• A proven interest in this area
Applicants who do not have the required qualifications, but do have the industry experience and/or proven interest in the subject will also be considered.
All applicants are expected to have at least a grade 4 in GCSEs Maths and English Language. Non-UK applicants will need to have an English Language qualification at International Level B2 or higher, such as an IELTS of 6.0 or better (with no component below 5.5). Students with equivalent qualifications will also be accepted.
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
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