I recently sent of my uni application, I have only applied for two places, Bristol and The arts institute at Bournemouth, I am trying to get onto the animation course in either of them. Bristol is my first choice as the classes are smaller, the area is simpler to commute around and the facilities were evenly focused on all types of animation (Bournemouth seemed like it was %70 drawn).

Basically I wanna get out of London for a while, although I love it here I have spent my entire life here and want to try living away from home in a different environment. Although saying that the courses I have applied for get well over 250 applicants for classes of around 25-30 :S so I will take a gap year if I am not able to get in.

I have quite a lot of experience in stop motion, yet I am completely self taught. This might give me an edge over other applicants as they said it was rare for someone to apply with more than very basic understanding of movement in producing animations, however I lack in the life drawing department... cos I haven't done any.

Any1 else recently applied, or if you are in similar courses or even just at uni do you have any advice???

I've seen your animations at claynation, they are very good, I like the blutac ones.

I can give you tonnes of advice for uni, I've spent four years there *yikes*, what advice do you need?

Oh yeah, I did a (looong) module in animation technology in year two by the way

ive applied to go back to Uni in september, i applied to Manchester and Cardiff to do politics

@highwaystar Thanks : )

I have so many little questions... hmm, for starters am I expected to wear a suit for the interview? lol
What equipment for your accommodation should you bring?
How much money do you end up spending on going out, travel etc
How much work do you end up having to do outside class (I know it must vary from subjects)
Does it live up to all the hype?

Just a few that come to mind.

suit for the interview?

I went smart casual, just a pir of black suit trousers, a nice well fitting shit and a black jumper. Oh and nice shoes. The kind of stuff you may wear to a nice resturant.

What equipment for your accommodation should you bring?

Well I can't say for halls because I lived in student housing from year one. I just brought bedding, plate and cutlery, you know the usual. I think a TV is a difficult one, I had to get rid of mine as I watched it too much in first year.

How much money do you end up spending on going out, travel etc

Travel for me is around £400 a year for a bus/train pass. Going out has t be done on the cheap I'm afraid, lots of people I know only go out on maybe £20 or so. You wont notice it in year 3 though as you wont go out more than once or twice a month (not including going out with the missus)

How much work do you end up having to do outside class (I know it must vary from subjects)

LOTS, lots and lots and lots. It is a good idea to learn how to work efficiently early on, it is important to work smart more than it is to work long. However, you will have a lot of days when you have to do 8 hours or more (but they don't happen in first year).

I would say that third year requires about 10 times more work than four A-levels.

Does it live up to all the hype?

In first year yes, second year you still do stuff but it gets a bit dull and nights out become a bit sparse, but you still have fun. But I wouldn't exchange the experience for the world. I am planning on doing it again, thinking I may try and so a PhD lol.

^^ Thanks, that was pretty useful (and scary knowing the work load).

What does animation technology involve? any actual production involved i it?

Yup, i did three productions. It was essentially just learning the ins and outs of animation, how it is done. It only has a little relevence to my course, they said we would probably need it one day. It was more theory than practical though.

Don't worry about the workload, it always gets done. You are an animator, you guys are praised for patience and efficiency, you will be fine.

Learning animation is pretty fascinating when you start off, I can't wait to get started on 3d, and 2d animation. : ) thanks for the support and tips.

good luck btw