Overview
Awarded in partnership with leading creative art institution, University for the Creative Arts, BSBI takes great pride in offering this flagship animation course as one of the first of this calibre outside the UK.
The University for the Creative Arts is ranked as the country's top creative specialist university by The Guardian Best Universities League Tables 2021.
The course aims to attract the best creative talent and join the fascinating world of animated filmmaking. We will ensure you reach your full potential as you work in an industry standard studio with state of the art facilities. You will be supported by an esteemed faculty who will guide you to find your own unique approach within the field.
Combining theory with practice, this course enables you to develop a series of short films through being taught via a blended learning approach. The curriculum incorporates latest industry technology and meets contemporary digital standards too, ensuring you are equipped with relevant software for the field.
The four-year international route programme includes a foundation year, which will introduce you to the fundamentals of the creative industry and will give you the opportunity to refine a career path. You’ll build a strong portfolio needed to progress directly into your BA degree, whilst being prepared to use English language in an academic context.
Berlin School of Business and Innovation is in partnership with University for the Creative Arts (UCA). As a result of this partnership, BSBI is able to offer the BA (Hons) Animation programme. UCA is an acclaimed creative institution in the UK that ranks highly in all three of the major UK league tables. The university has also been ranked 13th out of all UK universities in the Guardian League Table 2020; and ranked no.7 in the 2021 Guardian League Tables for Business, Management & Marketing.
Secure your place on this programme by applying today for early 2023 intakes - find out how to apply here.
What will you experience?
The course will build your animation skills through lectures, seminars, practice related briefs and exercises as well as life drawing practice and sound production. You will also be supported through live industry briefs. In your final year you will be able to undertake primary and secondary research and demonstrate your newly acquired skills via demonstration of a strong portfolio of production.
The course is delivered 100% on-campus with full access to state-of-the art facilities. Students will also have additional access to course and reading materials via the University for the Creative Arts platform.
Why study this course?
You will earn a bachelor’s degree with 120 UK credits per year (equivalent to 60 ECTS per year). This helps student mobility in the EU when it comes to transferring credits from one higher education institution to another.
Who should take this course?
This course is aimed at those aspiring to build a successful career in the field of animation and animated filmmaking. You will be supported to develop a critical understanding in the field of animation in order to confidently formulate and pitch ideas professionally, as well as work on screenings.
Course Price
2023 INTAKES
International students Price: €11,000/year | EU students Price: €8,000/year
Special offer effective Jan 2023: Up to 33% discount for International Students | 10% discount for EU Students
Terms and conditions apply. Find out more here.
The School's admissions process is subject to the Consumer Contracts (Terms and Conditions). Information on your Right of Withdrawal and our Refund Policy can be found in the BSBI study agreement.
BSBI Portfolio Scholarship Competition
Students have the opportunity to showcase their creativity and the chance to receive a scholarship on tuition! This competition is valid on the Faculty of Creative Industries programmes being offered at the Hamburg campus.
Best Portfolio (Study for Free!)
1 Student | 100% Scholarship on Tuition
Second Best Portfolio
10 Students | 50% Scholarship on Tuition
Third Best Portfolio
20 Students | 40% Scholarship on Tuition
Find out more about how to apply here.
Programme Structure
The modules of this programme are offered and delivered 100% on campus. Students will also have additional access to course and reading materials via the University for the Creative Arts platform.
The learning and teaching will consist of a variety of elements such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, animated/non-animated video, practical work, seminars and trips. The assessment strategy will include individual/group reports and/or presentations, case studies, essays, portfolio development, reflective journals and experiential work based activities.
You will study up to four days per week, in smaller class sizes and more frequent sessions. Teaching takes place Monday to Saturdays, during morning, afternoon, or evening sessions.
International Foundation in Art Design and Media
- English for Academic Purposes, Research and Study skills
- Exploring Practices, Process, Materials and Techniques
- Investigating Specialist Practice
- Final Major Project
Year 1
- Animation: Contexts and Concepts
- Digital Skills
- Drawing for Animation
- Animation Principles
Year 2
- Animated Cultures
- Advanced Digital Techniques
- Short Film
- Research and Concept
- Animated Cultures: Study Abroad Option
- Advanced Digital Techniques: Study Abroad Option
- Study Abroad Exchange
Year 3
- Destinations
- Proposal and Pitch
- Final Film
- Dissertation
Key Programme Information
◥- Delivery: On-campus
- Location: BSBI Campus Hamburg
- Duration: 3 years/ 4 years including integrated International Foundation Studies in Art Design and Media
- 2023 Intakes: February, October
- Degree awarded by University for the Creative Arts
- 2023 Price: €11,000/year (international students) | €8,000/year (EU students)
The School's admissions process is subject to the Consumer Contracts (Terms and Conditions). Information on your Right of Withdrawal and our Refund Policy can be found in the BSBI study agreement.
Entry Requirements
◥Foundation International Route Option
Minimum Age: 18 (titles awarded upon completion of at least 11 years of schooling)
(if applicant is 17 and turns 18 within 3 months of enrolment still eligible for enrolment)
How to create an exceptional portfolio will be available in this integrated international route foundation in art design and media course to guarantee you a direct progression into your BA degree course.
Academic Qualifications ECCTIS UK equivalent to GCSE
English language requirements:
- Official English Tests
- IELTS – minimum OS 5.0 (with min 4.5 in each component)
- Password test – minimum OS 5.0 (with min 4.5 in each component)
- PTE (Academic) – minimum OS of 46 (with min 41 in each component)
- LanguageCert International ESOL SELT OS B1 Achiever High Pass
- Duolingo test with an overall score of 95+
- West African Certificates (WAEC AND NECO only) as a stand-alone with a minimum of C6 in English and issued within the last 5 years. Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) is also accepted with an overall grade C or above. For Tanzania and Cameroon, we request an IELTS (or equivalent certificate).
- WAEC/NECO must be enhanced by a successful (50%+) Internal English Assessment if issued more than 5 years ago.
- Nationals of a majority English speaking country who have taken their academic qualifications in that country, do not need to sit an English test ( Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, UK and US
The English Language test can be waived and a Medium of Instruction Letter submitted if:
- applicants have achieved ECCTIS recognised High School Certificate, where the medium of instruction was entirely in English (teaching and assessment)
- you are a Canadian national who has completed studies at an English-speaking School/College/University
BA (Hons)
Minimum Age: 18 (titles awarded upon completion of at least 12 years of schooling)
For direct Year 1 BA entry you’ll be required to submit an online portfolio via our BSBI Applicant Portal.
Academic qualifications: A school leaving certificate with a pass to pursue higher education in Germany e.g. Abitur, Fachhochschulreife or Matura. Alternatively, an international baccalaureate, international school leaving certificates, BTEC/national diploma or advanced vocational certificate of education will be accepted.
If you do not meet the above academic requirements, applicants with professional qualifications and/or four years of full-time work experience will be considered on an individual basis.
English language requirements:
- Official English Tests
- IELTS – minimum OS 6.0 (with min 5.5 in each component);
- Password test – minimum OS 6.0 (with min 5.5 in each component);
- PTE (Academic) – minimum OS of 56 ( with min 51 in each component);
- TOEFL IBT OS 80 (Listening 17, Reading 18, Speaking 20, Writing 17);
- Cambridge English Advanced (CAE) or Cambridge English Proficiency OS 69 (min 162 in each component)
- LanguageCert International ESOL SELT OS B2 Communicator High Pass (min 33 in each component)
- Duolingo test with an overall score of 105
- Applicants who have an insufficient score in one component (i.e. 5.0 instead of 5.5) but overall meets the required threshold, can sit for an English diagnostic test online. Students based in Germany will also be able to sit for an internal assessment, free of charge, with a successful passing rate of 50%+.
The English Language test can be waived and a medium of instruction letter submitted if:
- Applicants who have achieved ECCTIS UK recognised High-School Certificate within the last 2 years where the medium of instruction was entirely in English (teaching and assessment). Medium of instruction letter can also be accepted if the applicant have graduated within the last 5 years but must be supported by a Duolingo test
- Canadian nationals who have completed a bachelor’s degree at an English-speaking University must submit a Medium of Instruction Letter
- West African Certificates (WAEC AND NECO only) as a stand-alone with a minimum of C6 in English and issued within the last 5 years. Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) is also accepted with an overall grade C or above.
For applications from Tanzania and Cameroon, we request an IELTS (or equivalent certificate)
WAEC/NECO must be enhanced by a successful (50%+) Internal English Assessment if issued more than 5 years ago.
- Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge AICE certificates
- International baccalaureate diploma with: English Syllabus A: Standard or Higher Grade 4, or above and English Syllabus B: Standard Grade 5 or Higher Grade 4, or above.
- Nationals of a majority English speaking country who have taken their academic qualifications in that country, do not need to sit an English test ( Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Malta, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, UK and USA
* A high school certificate can be undergraduate certificate, undergraduate diploma, HNC, HND,CertHE, DipHE, etc.
Schengen Zone residents entry requirements
- Applicants who are residents in Schengen Zone are not required to present an IELTS language test or equivalent but required to pass BSBI English diagnostics interview, which will be provided by BSBI.
Top-up Degree
◥BSBI, in partnership with leading creative institution, University for the Creative Arts (UCA) is offering the opportunity to enrich your vocational qualification with this top-up bachelor’s degree in just one year.
The course will enable you to reach your full design potential with the help of industry experts. You’ll build a strong portfolio of powerful software skills and demonstrate effective thinking methods to navigate the challenges of today’s creative industry. This course is ideal for those looking to top up and enhance their expertise, confidence and skills in animation. You’ll become equipped with the latest skills in digital animation software in order to produce an industry-standard portfolio for future career opportunities.
Aimed at students looking to build on their existing knowledge, this course will allow you to hone your creative animation skills and bring your ideas to through a series of short films and final major project.
Modules
•Destinations
•Proposal and Pitch
•Final Film
•Dissertation
Key Facts
Duration: 1 year (full-time)
Intakes: October 2023
Delivery: On-campus (Hamburg)
2023 Price: €11,000/year (International) | €8,000/year (EU)
Entry Requirements
Graduates from a vocational academy/institute are not required to present a portfolio upon certified successful completion of their vocational training and are eligible for a direct entry into year 3 Top Up Degree.
Same is applicable for students who completed HND in Graphic Design, Illustration or Animation or direct year 3 progression upon successful completion of level 5/Year 2 by a UK award UK awarding body.
English language requirements:
- Graduates from a Schengen zone vocational academy/HND/ Level 5 progression by UK awarding body are not required to present an IELTS language test but required to pass BSBI English diagnostics test which will be provided by BSBI for direct entry year 3 BA Top Up Degree.
Technical Entry Requirement
◥Portfolio Submission
◥Your Portfolio Submission
For year 1 entry you’ll be required to submit an online portfolio via our BSBI Applicant Portal. Before submitting your artwork, please have a look through the Portfolio Cookbook
What is a portfolio?
- Your portfolio is a collection of your best work. We want to see what inspires you, how you develop your work, your creative thinking processes, how and what you create and what makes you a unique creative individual.
What should my portfolio contain?
- Your portfolio might contain sketches and paintings, digital art and design. It might also contain sound work, short films.
- Upload up to 12 pieces of work which can include audio or video files.
How do I submit my portfolio?
- We’ll only be accepting portfolios digitally. You can do this once you’ve applied via our online submission system within the Applicant Portal.
- You can also link to external websites such as Vimeo and YouTube.
Further information on how to compile and upload your portfolio will be provided by our admissions team via our admissions portal once you have applied.
Online Application
◥You can apply now to study with BSBI! It’s quick and easy, here’s how it works:
- Create an account here
- Select the programme and intake you want to apply for
- Complete all sections of the online application
- Submit online application
- Our Admissions Team will liaise with you with regards to next steps
Living in Hamburg
◥Learn all about what Hamburg has to offer as an international study destination by clicking here
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course students should be able to:
Knowledge
- Apply good knowledge of English to communicate relevant international, cultural, contemporary knowledge and historical, theoretical and professional contexts
- Demonstrate a range of general, specialist and transferable skills and competencies relevant to both postgraduate study and future employment
- Create a resourceful application towards presenting progressive animations results in terms of authorship, team efforts and all aspects of commercial animation production
Application
- Apply autonomy to deliver primary and secondary research involving the identification and use of relevant resources
- Create individual responses to all forms of animation production
- Demonstrate specialist skills and competencies related to their chosen field of specialism within animation and the wider creative arts industries
Skills
- Demonstrate professional skills through project management presentation and communication of ideas
- Develop a special focus on their chosen and specified field of animation results
- Develop an in-depth technical skillset to demonstrate their broad level of authorship and agency in their creative practice
- Demonstrate understanding of the theoretical debates relevant to animation in its wider cultural context
Career Progression
BSBI’s industry focused study environment is dedicated to supporting our students in reaching their career goals. Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to pursue a role in the following areas:
- Freelance animation
- In-House animation
- Project management
- Web and app animation
- Filmmaking Special effects
- Art director
- Set designer
- Education
- Freelance 3D artist
The gaming industry is booming, and here's why:
- Are you aware that the German games market has had a considerable surge in sales revenue in the Covid-19 year 2020? What does this mean? It means that this industry is gaining popularity, interest and the investment from both a consumer and customer is growing. Source: Game.de
- Of 1.2 Million employed in the creative industries, over 30%, around 472k are based in the software/gaming industry. Source: Statista
- In Hamburg, the software and games industry only accounts for 28% percent of the workforce. Source: Monitoring report culture and creative industries 2019 on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi). ZEW - Leibniz Center for European Economic Research GmbH Mannheim. Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI. December 2019
BSBI’s dedicated Careers Service helps animation students and alumni reach their career goals and realise their potential. The Service offers specialised support and aims to build long-lasting relationships with local and national employers. To find out more about the support available, visit the Careers Service website.