Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Digital Arts (Common Entry)

Overview

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED

This programme aims to offer students the opportunity to complete year one of a common entry degree in Digital Arts, with Tipperary ETB, before having a guaranteed progression route to years two to four with TUS Midwest (Clonmel Campus).

Year one of this four-year degree programme will provide students with the opportunity to complete modules that will introduce them to the concepts, knowledge and skills associated with digital animation, game art and design and visual effects.

Students will have access to industry standard equipment, software applications and subject matter experts to guide them, so as to ensure they can make an informed decision on their preferred year 2 programme.

Having successfully completed year one of the degree, students will progress to year two of their chosen degree in one of the following (subject to minimum numbers):
• Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Digital Animation
• Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Game Art and Design
• Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Visual Effects for Film, TV, and Animation

Provider Locations and Structure

Year 1 based in the following ETB location:
• Tipperary FET College Clonmel – The Mall, Davis Road, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary E91 K2E2

Years 2, 3 & 4 based in the following TUS campus:
• TUS, Clonmel Digital Campus, Cashel Road, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary E91 D896

Course Content – for all years

This programme, developed and designed with relevant stakeholders, leads to a Bachelor of Science (Honours), in one of three target awards:
• Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Digital Animation
• Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Game Art and Design
• Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Visual Effects for Film, TV, and Animation

Students will commence the degree programme with a common year one, delivered in a Tipperary ETB FET college, with approximately 24 hours of class contact per week. In first year, students will study the following modules:

Digital Technology Fundamentals
This module aims to give students a firm understanding of the fundamentals of computer architecture as commonly found in desktop computers, handheld devices and personal communicators and convergent devices. It also aims to equip the students with an understanding of how data is stored digitally and how data is compressed and transmitted over the internet.
Visual Design for Games
This module aims to introduce the student to the fundamentals of visual design for games. It focuses on developing the student’s understanding of the aesthetic and technical requirements to successful plan design and develop high quality visual assets for a 2D game world that are technically correct, appealing and succinct.
Digital Photography
This module aims to introduce the student to digital photographic theory, equipment and software and to provide them with the skills necessary to undertake a series of photographic projects in the context of digital image capture.
Gaming Fundamentals
This module aims to introduce the student to fundamental gaming concepts. The student will explore the vernacular of game design and examine key game elements, styles and genres.The module will focus on developing the student’s appreciation and understanding of game design.
Introduction to Animation Production
In this module, students engage with the entire production cycle of an animated project. Students produce an animation of a given brief using a variety of production techniques and gain experience working within a production environment.
Drawing Principles 1
This module aims to introduce students to drawing fundamentals through visual observation, communication and expression. Students will get an introduction to anatomy, proportion, gesture and form through life drawing.They will also get an introduction to drawing principles such as perspective, form, structure, composition, line and value through both observational drawing and research-based design projects.
Animation 1
This module will introduce students to the principles of animation and how to apply them to classical, 3D and 2D Tradigital animation processes. Using traditional animation drawing techniques, complemented by 2D Tradigital skills, students apply the basic principles of animation and drawing through simple, object-oriented assignments.
3D Modelling
This module aims to introduce the student to the core techniques and terminology required for the modelling of high quality 3D scenes for use in the entertainment industries. This module will focus on developing the student’s understanding of the technical requirements to successfully model real world hard surface objects.
Audio Storytelling
This module aims to introduce students to digital audio systems and to give them the understanding of the principles and practice of audio creativity, recording and mixing which is required to create high quality audio content for digital animation.
Visual Storytelling
This module aims to introduce students to the basic elements of visual storytelling specifically for animation. Students will develop a balance of creative and technical skills to produce original storytelling content building on a basic understanding of visual language, design, narrative theory, and film language.
Professional Culture and Communication
This is an interactive workshop style module that will assist students in their transition to university life. It offers students the opportunity to explore the importance of culture (of both the university experience and their future work industry). This module will introduce students to relationship building as a key skill in their professional lives. Students will reflect and build interpersonal competence in terms of the various channels of communication including; verbal, nonverbal, written and online.
Professional Culture and Communication
This is an interactive workshop style module that will assist students in their transition to university life. It offers students the opportunity to explore the importance of culture (of both the university experience and their future work industry). This module will introduce students to relationship building as a key skill in their professional lives. Students will reflect and build interpersonal competence in terms of the various channels of communication including; verbal, nonverbal, written and online.
Creative Coding
This module aims to introduce programming concepts to students. It utilises a graphical environment to contextualise the application of programming.

Years two to four modules will depend on which degree programme students progress to year two in; Digital Animation or Game Art and Design or Visual Effects for Film, TV, and Animation.

In year three of this tertiary programme, students will undertake a work placement.

Accreditation, Embedded and Step Back Awards

This tertiary programme is designed to support academic success over a four-year period. However, if a student leaves before completing the final year, this programme offers embedded awards that formally recognise learning achieved during time on the programme.

The following are the embedded awards associated with this programme:

After successfully completing Year 1
NFQ Level 6 Certificate of Completion, Minor Award, 60 ECTS Credits from TUS.

After successfully completing Year 2
NFQ Level 6 Higher Certificate in Digital Animation or Higher Certificate in Game Art and Design or Higher Certificate in Visual Effects for Film, TV and Animation, 120 ECTS Credits from TUS.

After successfully completing Year 3
NFQ Level 7 Bachelor of Science in Digital Animation or Bachelor of Science in Game Art and Design or Bachelor of Science in Visual Effects for Film, TV and Animation, 180 ECTS Credits from TUS.

After successfully completing Year 4
The final NFQ Level 8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Digital Animation or Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Game Art and Design or Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Visual Effects for Film, TV and Animation is awarded by TUS, 240 ECTS Credits.

Planned intake (number of places)

20 places

Entry requirements and eligibility

Prospective students wishing to be accepted onto this programme must meet the following minimum entry criteria:

Leaving Certificate Students:
A minimum of two H5 & 4 O6/H7 grades in six leaving certificate subjects, including Mathematics, and English or Irish.

QQI Students:
A full NFQ Level 5 QQI Major Award, that includes Distinctions in at least three modules.

Mature Students:
Those that do not meet the minimum entry requirement, and who are aged 23 years or over (on the 1 January of the calendar year they commence the programme), may be assessed on their merits, considering their life experience, work or community experience, and prior learning.

Additional Information:
All applicants whose first language is not English and who have not been educated through the medium of English must demonstrate CEFR proficiency at B2 for access. An Irish Leaving Certificate qualification achieved through English meets this requirement.
Prospective students will be invited to meet with staff to discuss their creative ability and discuss a sample of their work. This is an opportunity to showcase passions, creative skills, abilities, interests, and personality.

Onward Pathways

Graduates of the NFQ Level 8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Digital Animation may work in the following types of roles: Rigged Animator (2D & 3D), Hand-drawn Animator, FX Animator, Rigger (2D), Compositor, Technical Artist, Storyboard Artist, Background Painter, Layout Artist, Scene Prep, Art Director, Animation Director, Production.

Graduates of the NFQ Level 8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Game Art and Design may work in the following types of roles: Animation, 2D Designer/Concept Artist, 3D Modelling, Technical Artist, and Game Design.

Graduates of the NFQ Level 8 Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Visual Effects for Film, TV and Animation may work in the following types of roles: 3D Modeller, Texturing Artist, Animator Compositor, Character Designer, Digital Matte Painter, Lighter, Director, Concept Design and Effects Artist.

In addition, successful graduates of this programme may be eligible for NFQ Levels 9 and 10 postgraduate programmes within TUS or elsewhere

Special Features

No Portfolio Required: Students applying for this tertiary programme do not have to submit a portfolio. Instead, they are asked to attend an interview and bring some samples of their creative work to demonstrate their suitability for the programme.

Sample Modules Across Three Different Degree Programmes: Students on the programme have a unique opportunity in year one to engage with modules that will give them knowledge across three-degree programmes; digital animation, game art and design, and visual effects.