Bachelor of Animation | Courses | Swinburne University

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The Bachelor of Animation is designed to provide you with practical, hands-on experience in 2D, 3D and stop-motion animation for film and television, visual effects and games. You'll get to specialise in character animation, production design, production management, story development or direction.

You'll also access be able to state-of-the-art workstations; a purpose-built animation studio; interactive pen displays; high-end cameras; and render farms for processing 3D computer animation. In this degree, you'll also build up your CV with real industry experience while you study through our Work Integrated Learning programs, which are a guaranteed part of all our bachelor degrees and can include placements, internships or industry-linked projects.

In the units Major Project: Development and Pre- and Post-Production (ANI30001 & ANI30002), you’ll work as a team in professional roles to pitch, develop and produce a project for exhibition within public film or animation festivals, public galleries or public broadcast.

ATAR 65 2023 Guaranteed Entry ATAR

Start dates

Hawthorn campus

Semester 1 - 27 February 2023

View application and start dates

Duration

3 years full-time or equivalent part-time

Full-time, Part-time

VTAC codes

3400210061 (CSP)
3400210063 (IFP)

Student experience

Listen to Jasmine's story of being inspired by animation as a child, and how she's drawing her own success story at Swinburne.

Course details

- Course structure, work integrated learning and career opportunities.

Course structure

Successful completion of the Bachelor of Animation requires students to complete units of study to the value of 300 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.
View course rules and special requirements

Core studies

15 units (200 credit points)

Units	Unit codes	Credit points
Introduction to Animation	ANI10001	12.5
2D Production Techniques for Animation	ANI10002	12.5
History of Animation	ANI10003	12.5
Introduction to Character and Environment Design	ANI10004	12.5
3D Production Techniques for Animation	ANI10005	12.5
Action Analysis and Locomotion	ANI10006	12.5
Sound Design and Acquisition	FTV10005	12.5
Genre and the Moving Image	FTV10006	12.5
Advanced Character Design for Animation	ANI20001	12.5
Writing and Directing for Animation	ANI20002	12.5
Acting for Animation *	ANI20003	12.5
Producing and Production Management for Animation *	ANI20004	12.5
Major Project: Development and Pre-Production *	ANI30001	12.5
Major Project: Production and Post-Production *	ANI30002	25
Major Project: Screen Writing *	FTV30014	12.5

*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes

Other studies

8 units (100 credit points)

Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 100 credit points of other study. Students may also select elective units (12.5 credit points each).

– Work Integrated Learning + Co-major + Advanced minor + Minors + Elective units + Signature Series

Work Integrated Learning

Swinburne's Work Integrated Learning program provides additional opportunities for you to gain valuable skills and real industry experience in the form of placements, internships or study tours - all while earning credit towards your degree.

Choose a Work Integrated Learning option:

You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for 12 months, where you'll combine hands-on learning with academic submissions, workplace reflection and feedback from your host organisation. Most students undertake their placements in the third year of their degree, so you’ll want to map out your electives as soon as you can and register for a placement at least 6 months before your preferred start date.

The Professional Placement co-major has four 25 credit point units.

Professional Placement in Film and Television

Units	Unit codes	Credit points
Work Experience in Industry A	WEI20001	25
Integrated Professional Placement A - Film and Television	FTV20018	25
Work Experience in Industry B	WEI20002	25
Integrated Professional Placement B - Film and Television	FTV20019	25

You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for 6 months, where you'll combine hands-on learning with academic submissions, workplace reflection and feedback from your host organisation. Most students undertake their placements in the third year of their degree, so you’ll want to map out your electives as soon as you can and register for a placement at least 6 months before your preferred start date.

The Professional Placement minor has two 25 credit point units.

Professional Placement in Film and Television

Units	Unit codes	Credit points
Work Experience in Industry A	WEI20001	25
Integrated Professional Placement A - Film and Television	FTV20018	25

A Professional Internship is all about gaining valuable real-world skills in your area of study all while earning credit points towards your degree. Plus, it looks great on your CV as it shows you’ve had real industry experience before you’ve even graduated!

You might choose to complete your internship part-time over a semester or in a more intensive block during Summer or Winter terms.

Travel overseas, discover other cultures, enrich your professional experience and enhance your CV all while gaining credit towards your course.

Co-major (100 credit points)

A co-major is a major in a field of study outside this course. You can choose one in addition to a first major. Co-majors will not be named on your testamur certificate however will be shown on your transcript of results.

Advanced minor (50 credit points)

Advanced minors are a structured set of 4 units or 50 credit points in a field of study which builds upon your first major. Advanced minors can only be taken in conjunction with specific majors - more information will be available soon.

Minors (50 credit points)

Minors are a structured set of 4 units or 50 credit points and may be chosen from any field of study.

Elective units

Any of the following units may be undertaken.

Units	Unit codes	Credit points
Discovering the Universe	AST10001	12.5
Anatomy and Physiology	BIO10004	12.5
Building Career Confidence and Connections	CAR10002	12.5
Concepts and Narratives	DCO10001	12.5
Introductory Design Studio	DDD10006	12.5
Typography for Screen and Motion	DDM10006	12.5
Product Visualisation 1: 2D and 3D Exploration	DID10001	12.5
User Centered Design	DID10004	12.5
Digital Video and Audio	DIG10004	12.5
Introduction to Game Studies	GAM10001	12.5
Principles of Game Design	GAM10002	12.5
Introduction to Health Sciences	HEA10001	12.5
Writing Fiction	LIT10002	12.5
Introduction to Philosophy	PHI10002	12.5
Critical Thinking	PHI10003	12.5
Energy and Motion	PHY10001	12.5
Digital Video Camera Techniques	DDM20003	12.5
Digital Video Camera Techniques	DDM20003	12.5
Digital Narratives	DIG20001	12.5
Experimental Screen Production	FTV10009	12.5
Exploring Iconic Texts	LIT20004	12.5
Screen Franchising and Innovation	MDA20007	12.5
Industry Innovation Project	MFP20006	12.5
Digital Video Compositing	DDD30021	12.5
Graphic Narratives: Comics, Graphic Novels, and Manga	LIT30002	12.5

Signature Series

A Swinburne education prepares you for life. That’s why we’ve developed the Swinburne Signature Series. It’s a suite of study opportunities that embody Swinburne’s ethos – of confidence, clarity and adventure. These opportunities give our students something extra; whether that’s a new perspective on the world through a Study Tour unit, an expanded sense of possibilities through our Innovation Minor, or a deeper understanding and respect for culture through our Indigenous Minor. Like Swinburne University itself, our Signature Series will grow and adapt to reflect the evolving issues of the day.

Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year
Part-time study: 50 credit points/four standard units of study per year
One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)
See the course planner for an example degree structure

Course learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

exercise critical thinking and judgement to articulate concepts and solve problems across a range of animation media and contexts
analyse, critically review, consolidate and synthesise knowledge of animation to inform creative and technical decision-making
apply cognitive and technical skills to pre-visualise and produce animation within linear or interactive narrative structures
demonstrate a breadth of creative and production techniques to craft high quality characters, objects, environments and their animation
present a clear, coherent and independent articulation of animation topics, genres and trends within the field of animation
show initiative and judgement during the development, production and management of animated concepts
compare, select and apply best-practice production techniques and workflows to different animation mediums and contexts
extend communication and organisational skills to manage animation projects and tasks with personal responsibility and accountability
perceive organisational, social, legal and ethical issues, and address these within the development, production and distribution of animated productions.

Career opportunities

The program provides a range of opportunities within the film, television and animation industries as well as allied creative industries such as the games, web broadcasting, education and digital media areas.

Fees

- Fees for 2022.

Students who participate in a six- or 12-month professional placement will be subject to an increase in total course fees.

2022 rate*	Estimated total cost of the course	Estimated cost of the course per year if studying full-time*	Amenities fee per year if studying full-time*
Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)	$43,890	$14,630	See how your SSAF is calculated

Fees are estimates only: The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply for units studied in 2022 only and may change for units studied in future years. If part-time study is permitted, annual fees will be proportionally lower based on the number of units taken per semester. Students who participate in a six or 12-month professional placement will be subject to an increase in total course fees.

How do I pay my fees?

HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to eligible students enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of the student contribution amount.

Find out more about fees.

How to enter this course

- Entry requirements, pathways, credit transfer and recognition of prior learning.

Entry requirements

2023 Guaranteed Entry ATAR: 65

Or, via Early Entry Program – range of criteria with school recommendation. Head here for more info on this program and the VTAC code associated with this entry pathway.

In addition:

Successful completion of:

the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification
completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including Certificates IV (completed), Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas, Associate Degrees and Degrees)
applicants without a formal qualification may be considered for entry upon completion of the STAT test.

Course prerequisites
VCE Units 3 and 4 – a minimum study score of 25 in any English (except EAL) or 30 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or equivalent.

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee offer of a place. See Admissions at Swinburne,for general information about the admission process.

Pathways

Pathways allow students to progress from one qualification to another where the first course is recognised as an entry requirement and/or provides advanced standing to the second.

Progress from these courses to Bachelor of Animation	Maximum amount of credit available
Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media - Animation	12 units
Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media - Animation	12 units

This information should be used as a guide for those who have completed a course and are seeking credit into another course. For those yet to commence their course, during the time taken to complete, this information may change. Credit available may vary depending on the major selected within any given degree. Progression to professional degrees may be subject to additional criteria or academic performance.

Learn more about pathways.

Credit transfer

Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Learn more about credit.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Learn more about RPL.

How to apply

Applications for Semester 1 for courses listed on the VTAC Guide are generally made through VTAC. Under certain circumstances, some students (e.g. Non-Year 12) may apply directly to Swinburne. Find out more about how to apply.

Applications for all other intakes should be made directly to Swinburne.

View the Course Admission Information, which includes the ATAR and Student profiles for this course. Swinburne’s general admissions information is also available here.