Belgium 
University of the West of Scotland
Programme information
The University of the West of Scotland offers the widest range of animation, multimedia, art and design, film, broadcast and new platform content development courses in Scotland.The School of Creative Industries and the School of Computing specialise in animation and digital art, film-production, screen writing, music and sound, and new platform content development.
The School of Creative Industries has grown from 40 students in 1996 to 700 today. Digital Art offers students a mix of fine art and digital design education, while the School of Computing runs a varied range of animation and multimedia courses.
The BA Hons in Digital Art programme aims to widen access to art and design at Higher Education level, providing students with the practical expertise, creative thinking and aesthetic sensibilities that will be attractive to employers in the creative industries. Through a range of activities, which will include analytical drawing, life drawing and design, students will become proficient in the use of the visual elements and composition. Digital media is the main focus in the second component and looks at how these art and design principles can be applied in the digital domain. Students use state-of-the-art equipment and cover topics such as design for print, web design, video production and animation. In the third part, academic studies, students develop their critical thinking as they examine the way art and other texts engage with people.
BA/BSc Hons Computer Animation. Students can concentrate on animation by following a Single subject degree route or supplement their animation knowledge by combining animation with Digital Art or Multimedia. The Single subject Honours degree investigates a wider range of practical animation skills. The Computer Animation with Digital Art course incorporates a theme including video, drawing for animation and art. The Computer Animation with Multimedia degree includes a theme on design, creating content and authoring for multimedia and techniques for delivering this content. Considerable time is spent on examining how visual images, first created on paper (2D), can be manipulated and enhanced using computer technology so that the final result (2D or 3D) can be delivered in an animated and potentially interactive form using digital media such as CDs and websites.
BSc Hons Computer Games Development. A games programmer for web and personal technologies must be able to work in small studio-based teams and be business-aware. Students on the programme develop an awareness of the growth and spread of digital technologies, and will be creating entirely new gaming experiences on the ubiquitous technologies that exist in almost every pocket, handbag or home in the developed and developing world.
The BSc (Hons) Computer Games Technology has been designed in co-operation with many of the world’s leading names in computer gaming. The heart of the video game is written by the console games programmer. This course develops the skills of a games programmer.
BA (Hons) Broadcast Production and BA (Hons) in Film-making & Screenwriting offer students the opportunity to participate in the future of television, radio, film production and new broadcast platforms.
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Programme description
By year 3, students are able to define their own creative pathways, leading to a final year specialising in their chosen area and styles of work.
The facilities are equalled only by those of the broadcast and media industries. The animation courses are also supported by extensive technical resources and a wide range of animation and multimedia software packages. There are also TV studios, four radio studios, a fully operational and licensed radio station, and extensive digital editing suites. There are dedicated Art studios and dedicated PC labs running Lightwave, Mac labs running MAYA 3D animation software, Apple’s Final Cut Pro video editing software, the Macromedia suite for web design, and Adobe packages for illustration and image manipulation. When not timetabled for classes, these facilities are on open access.
Current animation, art and film degrees at the University of the West of Scotland include the Honours Degrees:
Philosophy
Our main philosophy is one of seeking to allow students to develop as creative producers. We seek to equip students with skills required to succeed beyond university, as artists but also as project creators and managers. Our students’ artistic development is complemented by courses in media law, industry and entrepreneurship, and personal development. Courses are designed and taught by industry professionals, supported by a strong academic underpinning. Courses have very close ties to individuals and key companies within the industry.
Our philosophy also extends to collaboration with European partners through a number of on-going academic and commercial projects.
School Informations
School of Creative Industries, Ayr Campus, Beech Grove, KA8 OSR Ayr - Scotland. UK
School of Computing, Paisley Campus, Hight St.
PA1 2BE Paisley - Scotland, UK
www.uws.ac.uk
Jason.Robertson@uws.ac.uk
Tel. (44) (1292) 88 60 00
Fax. (44) (1292) 88 63 71
Contact:
Jason Robertson
0044 7930342051
Student Works / Award
Our student work has been involved in a wide range of events, festivals and competitions. Examples include showcases by Scottish Students on Screen, and the Royal Television Society, and via broadcast such as MTV. Staff work has been screened on the BBC, Channel Four and broadcast internationally, as well as being showcased at festivals such as the Edinburgh International Film Festival and the British Animation Awards and via full cinema release.
