The Animation MA course at The Royal College of Art focuses on a director-led approach to animation to guide student's visions and bring them to life.

Develop creative expertise to influence how audiences see and understand the social, political and cultural aspects of animated worlds and experiences.

Shape the future of animation by joining a community that drives creative boundaries and embraces innovation, with our director-led approach to help students bring their visions to life.

This programme revolves around practice-as-research, experimentation and constructive critique, with a discursive approach emphasising the development of creative time-based content through collaboration, questioning, exchange and process exploration.

Digital tools, deep learning processes, sound, display practices and film language enhance these traditional media.

We engage with various screen-based and related forms, including installations, projection mapping, VR, AR, extra-cinematic animation, theatre environments, sci-tech visualisation tools and the spatial politics of citizen science games or apps.

Students will grasp opportunities from animation's increasing pervasiveness and shape how audiences understand the worlds and experiences they create.

They also work in a collaborative, professional environment to build an equitable and encouraging community of practitioners, including peers from other programmes.

Modules include Animation Forms, Methods and Contexts, Making Worlds with Others, Critical Non/Fiction and Experimental/Expanded Practices, AcrossRCA and Independent Research Project.

School: The Royal College of Art
Course: Animation MA
Type: Postgraduate
Location: London, UK
Course dates: September 2026 to July 2027
Application deadlines: 19 January 2026

Applications to this course have now closed.

What will I learn during this course?

– Community building activities
– Practice-as-research
– Collaboration with students from other programmes on a self-initiated themed project that addresses cultural, social, environmental or economic issues
– Apply intellectual, technical and professional skills to briefs

What are the requirements?

– A portfolio showcasing your work and artistic vision
– A personal statement (around 300 words) describing your interests, motivations and future goals
– An introduction video (maximum two minutes) to introduce yourself and explain your artistic approach and project ideas

What facilities and resources are available?

– Infrastructure, discipline-specific tooling and support for students to master the skills for their particular aesthetic and approach
– Guidance from technicians in glass, metalwork, jewellery, embroidery, screen printing, dying or letterpress printing
– Specialist facilities across cutting-edge digital technologies such as VR, 360 sound, robotics, rapid prototyping, CNC milling and 3D scanning

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