Bachelor of Animation
Blended learning – on-campus and digital learning
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.
Second semester, your next chapter.
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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
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
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.
- 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 |
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.

Scholarships
At Swinburne scholarships are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. Scholarships are available for both commencing and current students.
How to enter this course
- Entry requirements, pathways, credit transfer and recognition of prior learning.
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.