Where you can study
International students
International students are not New Zealand citizens or residents.
Specialise in Animation for your Bachelor of Screen Arts with Honours at Massey
The Bachelor of Screen Arts with Honours (Animation) major caters for those interested in joining the industry, as well as providing pathways for students wishing to gain studio employment or explore the medium as independent filmmakers.
Our focus is on skills using sophisticated, industry-standard 3D and 2D software to greatly enhance workflow. By becoming artistically and technically competent, you will work smarter instead of harder, freeing you to enjoy your craft as capable animators within a variety of team-based production environments.
In this major you will learn how to animate, focusing on the principles of the craft and learn how to model, texture and light 3D assets. There will be opportunities to work in team-based production environments, as well as on personal animation projects.
Facilities
Animation students will have access to world-leading and cutting-edge hardware, such as motion capture facilities, and software including Autodesk Maya, Toon Boom Harmony, Adobe Substance Painter & Designer, Pixologic ZBrush, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After Effects etc.
Planning information
Full-time study is recommended. You’ll take 120 credits per year or 60 credits per semester.
About this major
The Animation major in the Bachelor of Screen Arts with Honours consists of 180 credits.
Minors
Completing a minor is optional and may be a way for you to show the breadth of your degree.
A minor must be in a different subject from your major and be made up of at least 60 credits.
If you’re interested in doing a minor you should contact us using the Get advice button on this page. Our student advice team will be able to talk you through your options and help you plan your degree.
More information: ‘Yellow Book’.
Official regulations
To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.
You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Undergraduate Degrees, Undergraduate Diplomas, Undergraduate Certificates, Graduate Diplomas and Graduate Certificates.
Returning students
For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.
In some cases the qualification or specialisation you enrolled in may be no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.
Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.
Courses you can enrol in
Course planning key
- Prerequisites
- Courses that need to be completed before moving onto a course at the next level. For example, a lot of 200-level courses have 100-level prerequisite courses.
- Corequisites
- Courses that must be completed at the same time as another course are known as corequisite courses.
- Restrictions
- Some courses are restricted against each other because their content is similar. This means you can only choose one of the offered courses to study and credit to your qualification.
Core courses for the Bachelor of Screen Arts with Honours
As well as the specialisation courses listed below, this qualification has core courses that you will need to complete.
Bachelor of Screen Arts with Honours core courses
Animation courses
180 credits from
Course code: 289103 Introduction to Animation 15 credits
An introduction to the principles and concepts of animation. Students will gain a creative and basic technical knowledge of the tools and techniques essential to the development and production of animation.
View full course detailsCourse code: 289208 Animation Production 15 credits
Further the application of industry standard tools for animation production. Students will gain extended creative and technical understanding of animation processes and develop their knowledge and application of aesthetics and form.
View full course detailsCourse code: 289218 Animation Project 15 credits
Further extend knowledge of industry standard tools for animation production. Students will apply techniques, creative approaches and methodologies to the production of a short animation project.
View full course detailsCourse code: 289303 Major Project Development 15 credits
Students engage in technical prototyping, technical ideation, and practical experimentation associated with preparing for Major Project production and post-production studio courses. Techniques are project and discipline-specific and may include developing new technologies and learning pipeline-specific methods and tools.
View full course detailsCourse code: 289333 Screen Arts Major Project 30 credits
Work to an advanced technical, creative and professional standard in a collaborative production environment to complete a Major Project. Students will put into production the projects developed in the Major Project Development course managing deadlines and schedules to ensure project completion.
View full course detailsCourse code: 289701 Production Planning and Development 30 credits
Students gain a professional knowledge and develop expertise in a range of creative research practices, tools and techniques for organising large scale productions. Students will apply these skills toward planning and communicating an Advanced Production Project.
View full course detailsCourse code: 289803 Advanced Production 60 credits
Students will produce and finalise an advanced work demonstrating highly executed production standards informed by their research. Students will be required to demonstrate and sustain an professional creative and technical level of proficiency together with professional production management of workloads and deadlines.
View full course detailsEntry requirements
Admission to Massey
All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.
Specific requirements
There are no specific entry requirements for this qualification, outside of university admission regulations.
English language requirements
To study this qualification you must meet Massey University's English language standards.
English language skills
If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.
Can't meet the entry requirements?
If you need to do a course before you start your programme, there may be options for you in Summer School.
Fees and scholarships
Fees, student loans and free fees scheme
Your tuition fees may be different depending on the courses you choose. Your exact fees will show once you have chosen your courses.
There will also be some compulsory non-tuition fees and for some courses, there may also be charges for things such as study resources, software, trips and contact workshops.
- Get an estimate of the tuition fees for your qualification
- View a list of non-tuition fees that may be payable
Already know which courses you're going to choose?
You can view fees for the courses that make up your qualification on the course details pages.
Student loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free scheme
You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees.
The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students. Find out more about the scheme and your eligibility on the Fees Free website. To use the site's eligibility checking tool, you will need your National Student Number.
Current and returning Massey students can find their National Student Number in the student portal.
- Student loans (StudyLink)
- Fees Free
- Student portal
Scholarship and award opportunities
Search our scholarships and awardsFees disclaimer
This information is for estimation purposes only. Actual fees payable will be finalised on confirmation of enrolment. Unless otherwise stated, all fees shown are quoted in New Zealand dollars and include Goods and Services Tax, if any. Before relying on any information on these pages you should also read the University's Disclaimer Notice.
Careers and job opportunities
Animator (both 2D and 3D), digital artist, modeller, texture artist, shader/lighting artist, background artist, concept artist, content developer, VR/AR content developer, animation director, animation producer, line producer, storyboard artist, motion capture animator, character/creature technical director, virtual producer, director, producer, writer.
International students
New Zealand is a great place to study. Massey University’s reputation is supported by our international rankings, accreditations and associations. We are rated 5-star plus by the QS World University Rankings.
Massey University has small class sizes, and our lecturers and staff are friendly and approachable.
As an international student, there are entry requirements that will apply to you. We recommend that you apply at least three months before your anticipated start date so your application can be processed in time. There are additional steps you will need to take. These include obtaining a visa and travel bookings if your study is to be in New Zealand.
Related study options
Factual Production – Bachelor of Screen Arts with Honours
Storytelling is the basis for all human connection, and stories that tell us about real people, situations and issues are compelling touchstones in relating to our fast-changing times. True stories shape our identity and reflect our world back to us.
Film Production – Bachelor of Screen Arts with Honours
The Film Production major offers comprehensive, practical filmmaking, covering all aspects of film production including creative development, pre-production, production and post-production.
Game Development – Bachelor of Screen Arts with Honours
Games are one of the most powerful forms of storytelling, allowing players to creatively engage with characters and narratives in innovative ways.
Immersive Media – Bachelor of Screen Arts with Honours
Virtual and Augmented Realities (VR and AR) allow new ways for us to blend the physical and digital worlds, creating uncharted possibilities for the future.
Media Technology – Bachelor of Screen Arts with Honours
The evolution of media technologies and screen production, driven by digital innovation, is offering new ways of working and is creating new tools and techniques for content production and consumption.
Visual Effects – Bachelor of Screen Arts with Honours
The Visual Effects major provides expertise in creating fantastic characters and scenes for all forms of screen media.
Useful planning information
Key information for students
Compare qualifications and academic information across different New Zealand institutions. Learn more on careers.govt.nz