Creative Media Practice (Animation and Visual Effects) - Level 3 National Extended Diploma

Essentials

Duration: 2 Years Full-time
Start date: 1st September 2025
End date: 4th June 2027
Information Event: Yes

Course fee: FREE (Eligibility criteria may apply)

Course Content

Animation is a rapidly-expanding sector in Ireland North and South, with companies selling home-grown programmes all over the world in TV, Film and Games.

We are offering students an exciting new course, where they will specialise in Story development, 2D and 3D Animation Production, Character Creation, 3D Modelling, Illustration and Digital Graphics, Visual Effects and Stop Motion animation.

Students will have excellent opportunities working on industry projects during their time on the course, getting their work recognised in animation film festivals, whilst gaining confidence in networking and promoting their skills to progress onto University or industry on completion.

Could you create the next Adventure Time, Big Hero 6 or The Nightmare Before Christmas?

Students will have the opportunity to study:

• Character and Environment Design
• How to create stories for animation
• 2D animation
• 3D modelling and animation
• Concept art and storyboarding
• Set design and character puppet building
• Stop motion animation
• How to research, produce and pitch ideas

Course Aims

This course is Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Creative Media Practice.  The main aim is to develop students creatively and entrepreneurially to the point where they can either enter the Animation employment market directly or apply to a specialist university course.

Special Features

Professional animators and media workers lecturing on the course, with specialist software and good industrial links.

Assessment Methods

There are NO examinations. All assessment is completed through coursework.

Applicants must be at least 16 years of age on or before 1 July in the year of proposed entry to the course and should have at least 4 GCSE's at Grade C or above or other relevant qualifications.

Students will be able to explore the local employment market when they achieve this qualification, and / or progress to university in Northern Ireland or beyond.