Concept Art and Animation Level 3

Concept Art and Animation Level 3 | UAL Diploma / Extended Diploma in Creative Practice: Art, Design and Communication
Do you want to create exciting worlds full of amazing stories and characters? Animation and illustration are two constantly developing and exciting areas of the creative industries; animators and illustrators are employed to create characters, animations and visuals for films and television, social media, advertising, games concepts and many other areas.

The Concept Art and Animation UAL Diploma / Extended Diploma Level 3 course is designed for students with an art and design or graphics background who have a real enthusiasm for drawing and making. Applicants should enjoy learning about illustration and animation and have an interest in visual culture.

Course Info
Do I have to pay a fee?
Other courses in this area
Concept Art and Animation Level 3
Qualification: One Year: UAL Level 3 Diploma in Art and Design | Two Years: UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Art and Design
LevelLevel 3
LocationColchester
DurationOne or Two Years:
Year 1: Diploma |
Year 2: Extended Diploma
Study ModeFull-Time
Campus / Adult Skills CentreColchester Campus
Start DateSeptember 2025
Fee(s)16-18 year olds: Free
19+: £8,583 (This fee covers the full two-year course)
What Will I Learn?

This exciting programme has been developed to introduce a range of animation and illustration techniques. Through inventive projects, you will develop digital and traditional skills that are highly desirable and recognised in the industry. You’ll also learn about research and analysis and get the chance to find out what’s going on in the world of animation through visiting festivals and exhibitions.

During the diploma programme, you will complete eight core units helping you to develop research and evaluative skills alongside practical and technical competencies.

You will explore sequence and simple narrative through alternative approaches to drawing and mixed media experimentation. The programme will introduce art and design contexts and research methods, enabling you to start to make connections with the work of other artists, illustrators and animators.

Projects are varied and wide-ranging enabling you to identify and develop personal interests whether they be in Illustration, 2D Character Design, 3D Modelling & Design, Stop motion, frame animation, Cut Out Animation, Critical Thinking Skills, Concept Art, Comic book art, Sequential and Narrative Art. You will produce a variety of work suitable for developing the right portfolio to progress onto a variety of Higher Education Courses in moving images and the sequential arts. Depending on your grades on entry you will also engage in activities to develop your English and maths as well as GAP activities to develop your employability skills.

The course supports learners to develop presentation and communication skills through group discussion tasks and exhibition opportunities. Learners are also given the opportunity to develop employability skills and industry knowledge through ‘live’ projects with community groups and organisations.

Course Content

Concept Art and Animation UAL Diploma / Extended Diploma Level 3 modules include;

  • The Creative Process
  • Developing Creative Practice
  • Responding to a set Brief
  • Researching a Specialist Industry Practice
  • Specialist Technical Skills Development
  • Specialist Creative Outcome

Sessions will involve practical demonstrations, workshop activities, group work, seminars and individual tutorials. You’ll work in a variety of art and design workshops and digital studios.

Entry Requirements
  • 5 GCSEs (9-4), including English and Maths, or Level 2 Functional Skills equivalent and an Art and Design subject, or satisfactory results (Merit/Distinction) in a relevant Level 2 qualification
  • An interview with a portfolio of artwork
Portfolio examples

Concept Art and Animation Level 3 Portfolio Example:

Career Opportunities

This is a growth area and there are varied opportunities and career possibilities including working within the 2D or 3D animation industries, film, illustration and visual effects. Animation skills are widely utilised in advertising, music, TV and film promotions.

Course Progression

After completion of the Level 3 Diploma qualification learners can progress to a second year and work towards an Extended Diploma qualification.

On successful completion of the Diploma 1st-year programme you can continue your study of Concept Art and Animation on a one-year Extended Diploma Level 3. It’s also possible for learners to progress onto other Extended Diploma qualifications in art and design including photography and graphic arts. The Extended Diploma qualification prepares students for degree-level study in a related area.

Alternatively, students can choose to study on the Art and Design Foundation Diploma, or Creative and Digital Media Apprenticeship. Students can also progress to Higher Apprenticeship qualifications. Depending on your age and prior attainment, some learners may also progress directly to Higher Education, for example to a BA (Hons) Graphic Design programme.

After completing their Extended Diploma qualification, a high proportion of our learners progress onto higher education programmes in areas such as Graphic Design, Illustration, Animation, Advertising and Games Design.

Fees and Finance

Students’ college education is funded for three academic years after leaving secondary school in year 11. Please click the button below which will apply to your age on the 31st August 2025 in order to find out more information about fees and finance relating to your course.

Disclaimer

All fees, prices and funding information shown on this page are for courses starting in the 2024-25 academic year unless stated otherwise, and are correct at the time of entering/printing information, however these may be subject to change due to factors outside of our control. The College cannot accept legal or financial liability as a result of any such changes.

Courses fees are generally not confirmed for September until June / July due to the above factors.

The course information describes programmes offered by Colchester Institute. The College takes all reasonable steps to provide courses as described, but cannot guarantee provision. The information is for guidance and does not form any part of a contract.

The College reserves the right to update and amend information as and when necessary. Colchester Institute will do its best to provide the courses shown, but may have to modify or withdraw a course depending on customer demand and other factors.