As an exchange student, you will enroll in our full degree programmes taught in English. You will be joining a class consisting of both international and Danish students.
Teaching at the PBA Programme in Animation is planned in modules which use an experimental and practice-based approach. The course programme applies a variety of teaching methods. These are described in the curriculum (section 20 “Instruction and working methods in the PBA Programme in Animation”). In general, the programme is built up, so students learn the fundamentals of animation during the first two years (1st-4th semester). From the 5th semester the students specialise. This means far less teaching hours and more work and research on your own or with your group at 5th semester.
Language
The programme is taught in English
Duration of the semesters
Spring semester 2025: 1 February – 27 June 2025
Autumn semester 2025: 25 August - 31 January 2026
Character Animation, 3rd semester (autumn semester 2025)
Content
During the course of their 3rd semester, the students will build upon their animation skills by delving into the world of 3D. Through an array of animation assignments in the software Autodesk Maya, students will take their knowledge of basic animation and implement it in 3D. As the semester advances, the assignments focus more and more on the interaction between characters.
Examples of assignments on 3rd semester:
- Bouncing ball
- Generic walk cycle
- Character walk cycle
- Box lift
- Parkour action
- Interaction between two characters
- 4-legged creature animation
Programme elements
- Animation Software and Production 2 – 5 ECTS
- Advanced Animation – 10 ECTS
- Animation Basics 3 – 15 ECTS
Please find a description of the relevant programme elements in the curriculum, where you can read more about the learning objectives and the exam for this semester. The programme elements should be stated in your learning agreement if you are accepted on an exchange semester.
CG Arts 3rd semester (autumn semester 2025)
Content
During the course students will make a creature in 3D and have a course in bi-ped rigging. The semester involves compositing course in Nuke and the creature project; designing a creature and taking it from concept through the 3D pipeline – modelling, sculpting, texturing, shading, lighting rendering, and integrating the character into a live action plate. The semester also includes a 3-week rigging course build around rigging a biped-character and a two-week introduction course to a real-time engine - currently Unreal.
Programme elements
- CG Art Software 2 – 10 ECTS
- Character 2 – 15 ECTS
- Character 3: Rigging for Animation – 5 ECTS
Please find a description of the relevant programme elements in the curriculum, where you can read more about the learning objectives and the exam for this semester. The programme elements should be stated in your learning agreement if you are accepted on an exchange semester.
Character Animation 4th semester (spring semester 2025)
Content
During the course of the 4th semester, students will advance in their animation studies by using their skills in 3D animation on a longer project in groups. The 2nd year project takes place in the 4th semester and provides the students with the opportunity to go through a full 3D production – from idea development, storyboard, pre-visualisation, keys and style frames and production. Through working on a larger project, students will gain knowledge in communication, group work and animating delegated shots as well as working with different kinds of rigs. Students will furthermore be learning about cinematography, film analysis, idea development and adaptation for animation. Students will also gain insight into the animation industry, and the different career paths open to them.
It is a requirement that the applicant can show a very good understanding of basic 3D Animation and preferably is at a slightly advanced level as well. Full degree Character Animation-students at TAW have been working in 3D for 13 weeks and have a strong understanding of 3D Animation when they enter their 4th semester. As an exchange student you should be able to go directly into animating on a longer 3D project together with the full degree 4th semester students.
Programme elements
- Animation and Film Studies – 5 ECTS
- Visual Storytelling and Cinematography – 10 ECTS
- Animation Industry and Business – 5 ECTS
- Internship 1 – 10 ECTS
Please find a description of the relevant programme elements in the curriculum, where you can read more about the learning objectives and the exam for this semester. The programme elements should be stated in your learning agreement if you are accepted on an exchange semester.
CG Arts 4th semester (spring semester 2025)
Content
During the course of the 4th semester, students will advance in their animation studies by using their skills in 3D animation on a longer project in groups. The 2nd year project takes place in the 4th semester and provides the students with the opportunity to go through a full 3D production – from idea development, storyboard, pre-visualisation, keys and style frames and production. Through working on a larger project, students will gain knowledge in communication, group work and modelling, texturing, shading, rigging, lighting, render and compositing. Students will furthermore be learning about cinematography, film analysis, idea development and adaptation for animation. Students will also gain insight into the animation industry, and the different career paths open to them.
Programme elements
- Animation and Film Studies – 5 ECTS
- Visual Storytelling and Cinematography – 10 ECTS
- Animation Industry and Business – 5 ECTS
- Internship 1 – 10 ECTS
Please find a description of the relevant programme elements in the curriculum, where you can read more about the learning objectives and the exam for this semester. The programme elements should be stated in your learning agreement if you are accepted on an exchange semester.
Character Animation and CG Arts 5th semester (autumn semester 2025)
Content: Individual specialisation and external collaboration
The 5th semester serves to prepare students for their individual ambitions and career. The semester requires students to be self-driven and take initiative for their own learning, as the teaching method consists mostly of supervision. The lectures and workshops provided will give the students valuable insights and tools to make informed decisions for their future career and to create portfolios targeted towards their goals. The students will also practice collaboration with external directors to prepare for future careers in the industry.
The semester concludes with an individual written exam.
Career design and portfolio
Through lectures and supervision, the students will be presented with relevant information enabling them to make informed decisions about their individual careers and create portfolios targeted towards these goals.
Collaboration with external director
Working with Animation Director students from The National Danish Film School on their IPs, the students will learn to interpret and translate vision and creative direction from creators that are not trained artists and may present a different approach to storytelling and production. This is to prepare them for their internships and future careers in the industry.
Electives
Students will be able to choose electives within their areas of specialisation. Electives varies from year to year, but could cover areas such as:
- Story
- Design
- Game Production
- Advanced CG
- Advanced Animation
Programme elements
- External collaboration – 10 ECTS
- Career Design – 5 ECTS
- Elective: Specialisation – 15 ECTS
Please find a description of the relevant programme elements in the curriculum, where you can read more about the learning objectives and the exam for this semester. The programme elements should be stated in your learning agreement if you are accepted on an exchange semester.