National Film and Television School · Animation

Directing Animation

MFAMaster of Fine ArtFunding not verified

Overview

A two-year full-time MFA in Directing Animation at the NFTS main campus, in which students direct a graduation film with a full crew in the second year.

Official program name: Directing Animation
Awarded degree: Master of Fine ArtMaster's · Master of Fine Arts
Source: nfts.co.uk · verified October 14, 2026
Qualification classification: Academic degreeCourse page lists the award as Master of Fine Art (MFA); NFTS holds its own degree awarding powers.Titled as a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree in its own national system.
Source: nfts.co.uk · verified October 14, 2026
Degree-awarding body: The institution itself unless stated otherwise on its official page.
Country: United Kingdom
Teaching language: Not verified
School: National Film and Television School — Animation
Source: nfts.co.uk · verified October 14, 2026
Location: Beaconsfield, England, United Kingdom
Delivery: On campus
Source: nfts.co.uk · verified October 14, 2026
Required attendance: Regular campus attendanceStudents attend classes and studios on campus throughout the program.
Source: nfts.co.uk · verified October 14, 2026
Study intensity: Full-time
Source: nfts.co.uk · verified October 14, 2026
Duration: 2 years full-time
Source: nfts.co.uk · verified October 14, 2026
Credits and credit system: Not verified
Start: January 2027
Source: nfts.co.uk · verified October 14, 2026

Specializations

Specialization	Classification	Evidence
Animation Filmmaking	Dedicated degreeThe degree itself is in this field.	Source: nfts.co.uk · verified October 14, 2026
2D Animation	Broader degree with animationA broader degree in which animation is a central, verified component of the official title or curriculum.	Source: nfts.co.uk · verified October 14, 2026
3D Animation	Broader degree with animationA broader degree in which animation is a central, verified component of the official title or curriculum.	Source: nfts.co.uk · verified October 14, 2026
Stop-Motion Animation	Broader degree with animationA broader degree in which animation is a central, verified component of the official title or curriculum.	Source: nfts.co.uk · verified October 14, 2026

Why this degree is listed

Dedicated master's degree in directing animation.

Source: nfts.co.uk · verified October 14, 2026

We list verified animation degrees only — no certificates, short courses or generic degrees with a few animation modules. Eligibility rules

Curriculum, pathways and faculty

Graduation film, thesis or capstone

Graduation filmIn the second year students develop, produce and direct a graduation film leading a fully crewed team.

Source: nfts.co.uk · verified October 14, 2026

Team productions

Collaboration with other departments including Screenwriting, Editing, Composing and Sound Design.
Source: nfts.co.uk · verified October 14, 2026

Faculty listed by the program

Faculty list: not verified. We publish this only when the school states it on an official page.

Software, equipment and costs

Software and equipment are shown only as the school publishes them: required, taught, provided or bought by the student. Tuition does not include hardware, software or materials unless the school says so, and online students do not automatically share campus facilities.

Software

Software list: not verified. We publish this only when the school states it on an official page.

Equipment, computers and facility access

Studio access: Each student has a desk area with a computer, Cintiq, camera rostrum set-up and software; own office in year two.
Source: nfts.co.uk · verified October 14, 2026

Published equipment and software costs

Equipment and software costs: not verified. We publish this only when the school states it on an official page.

We never estimate a total cost when key expenses are unpublished. Compare equipment and software

Admissions

Each submission item is shown exactly as the school states it. Anything not listed is not verified — never “not required”.

Portfolio and submission materials

Material	Status	Instructions as published
Animation samples	Required	Portfolio of animation/moving images, maximum running time 20 minutes, including at least one complete narrative.Length: up to 20 minutesSource: nfts.co.uk · verified October 14, 2026
Portfolio	Required	Portfolio of still images such as illustrations, sketchbook work, storyboards.Source: nfts.co.uk · verified October 14, 2026

Other requirements

Prior qualification: RecommendedMany applicants hold a degree; applicants without one are considered with a strong portfolio, creative track record or alternative qualification.
Source: nfts.co.uk · verified October 14, 2026
Interview: RequiredShortlisted applicants attend a Selection Workshop at Beaconsfield including a formal interview.
Source: nfts.co.uk · verified October 14, 2026

Tests

Test policy: not verified. We publish this only when the school states it on an official page.

We do not publish acceptance rates or estimate competitiveness. Build an application checklist

Deadlines

Dates are shown with the year and intake the school printed. A past date is marked passed and is never carried into a new cycle.

Application deadline
Applications are now closed for 2027 entry · for January 2027
The school does not print a year with this date.
Source: nfts.co.uk · verified October 14, 2026
Year not printed

Tuition and fees

Each amount keeps its original currency, applicant category, academic year and basis. Per-credit, per-year and whole-program figures — and different currencies — are not comparable with each other. Equipment and software costs are listed separately above.

Category	Amount	Basis and year
Home studentsRule: Includes UK/Irish Nationals and EU/EEA Nationals with EU Settlement Status, subject to meeting residency requirements.	GBP 15,950	per academic year · January 2027 intakeSource: nfts.co.uk · verified October 14, 2026
International studentsRule: Includes non-EU/EEA Nationals and EU/EEA Nationals without EU Settlement Status.	GBP 27,600	per academic year · January 2027 intakeSource: nfts.co.uk · verified October 14, 2026

Mandatory institutional fees

Five-day selection workshop fee (page lists it as an application fee): GBP 150 one-timeMandatory
Source: nfts.co.uk · verified October 14, 2026
Non-refundable deposit on confirmation of place: GBP 500 one-timeMandatory
Source: nfts.co.uk · verified October 14, 2026

Funding

We have not verified an official funding policy for this program. That does not mean funding is unavailable. “Fully funded” never means every personal or production expense is covered. How we classify funding

Funding not verified

Funding policy: not verified. We publish this only when the school states it on an official page.

Sources and verification

Every fact on this page comes from the official pages below. Last verified October 14, 2026.

nfts.co.uk/directing-animation — Official program page, verified October 14, 2026

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