Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Animation with Foundation Year

at Wrexham Glyndwr University - Wrexham Campus United Kingdom

Our Animal Science subject area is top in the UK for overall satisfaction and learning community (WGU analysis of unpublished NSS data 2019) and our BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour, Welfare and Conservation Science with foundation year programme is one of the courses in the subject area. This broad-based course is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills required to enter a variety of professions within the animal sector.

Students will develop their knowledge in the core themes of animal behaviour, welfare and conservation. At level 6 students will design and implement their own research project, enabling them to specialise in an area of their choice. Personal and professional development is embedded within the course to maximise students’ employability within the industry and to enable you to focus upon your chosen career path.

This course is based at our rural Northop campus, set in the stunning North Wales countryside, with access to a rare breeds farm, animal unit, equestrian facility and woodland. Off-site visits to animal charities, wildlife centres and other industry related venues form part of the course.

Key course features

• Develop high-level knowledge of animal physiology, behaviour, training, welfare, and conservation.
• Urban and rural study environments - split your study time between the Northop campus set in the stunning North Wales countryside and our Wrexham campus, on the edge of the largest town in North East Wales.
• Excellent links with industry. Opportunities to carry out your own research project in a specialism of your choice within a variety of settings.
• Industry-active staff with specialist academic and practical skills, and experience of working with a range of domestic, and wild animals.
• Join our zoological society and enjoy a range of events, activities and trips throughout the year.
• Subject area is number one in the UK for overall satisfaction, learning community, student voice and students' union in the 2019 National Student Survey * (WGU analysis of unpublished NSS 2019 data).
• Progression from the BSc (Hons) Animal Behaviour, Welfare and Conservation Science includes employment or post-graduate study. 

The Foundation year is taught at our Wrexham campus, with Level 4 (year 2) studies moving to our Northop campus.

Studying Social and Cultural History at Wrexham Glyndwr University will introduce you to themes such as family, fashion, crime, art, politics and propaganda – from the Roman era through to the modern age. 

Alongside regular class-based teaching, there are also visits to country houses, historical archives, and sites of historical importance.  These provide a strong practical element to the degree and encourage engagement with a wide range of sources and experiences. We also offer a work placement module in a historical setting of your choice. 

Our degree is designed to be diverse and enjoyable, with a focus on the investigative and analytical elements of historical study.  This focus opens up a wide range of careers.  Our students have gone on to work as teachers, writers, researchers, financial analysts and members of the legal profession. 

*Our history subject area has been rated first in Wales and in the top 10 in the UK for student satisfaction, Complete University Guide 2021. 

The Foundation Year in Humanities will introduce students to a diverse range of themes and activities from the disciplines of History, English Literature, Creative Writing, Theatre and Media.

Key Course Features

• Wide-ranging degree – from Ancient Rome to Modern Britain - connected by important social and cultural themes
• Work experience opportunities - Placements are available in archives, libraries and heritage centres
• A blend of theory and practice -  Visits to aristocratic homes and other sites compliment class-based learning
• Develop your research, analysis, interpretation, communication and presentation skills
• Analyse primary documents from the past
• Study local, national and international history
• *Our history subject area has been rated first in Wales and in the top 10 in the UK for student satisfaction, Complete University Guide 2021. 

Today’s businesses demand the ability to have computer systems and networks, which operate on a global scale – so there is a high demand for people with the skills to make this happen.

This subject area has been rated top in Wales for learning opportunities and academic support (WGU analysis of unpublished 2019 NSS data) and includes a mix of technology, security and networking modules with many hands-on practical opportunities.

Students will

• Develop critical skills and cutting edge thinking to gain the confidence to keep up with the fast pace of change in this field
• Develop technical knowledge of the installation, operation security, and maintenance of computer systems and networks used in business and industry
• Develop industry-critical key skills such as team working, communication and business skills
• Have opportunities to work on real-life projects
• Learn the fundamentals of data communications and how to apply this knowledge to manage, design, implement, configure and operate secure networks on a professional footing
• Learn how to identify a range of significant threats to network security and formulate and implement defence strategies.
• Have the opportunity to complete the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) qualification whilst studying for their degree
• Have access to Cisco Systems state-of-the-art equipment is used in practical sessions
• Have the option of an Industrial Placement Year 

Key Course Features

• Extensive PC and networked computer facilities with Internet access.
• A specialist computer laboratory dedicated to computer networking.
• The computing subject area is a recognised Cisco Academy. You have the opportunity to complete the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) qualification whilst studying for your degree.
• The optional Industrial Placement Year gives students the opportunity to experience the workplace first-hand and gain valuable employment experience for the future.
• This course responds to identified skills gaps and you will develop the critical understanding, knowledge and skills needed for successful employment.
• The University is home to ARCLab, which specializes in research in the field of Computing and Computer Science.
• The optional Industrial Placement Year gives students the opportunity to experience the workplace first-hand and gain valuable employment experience for the future.
• subject area is 1st in Wales for learning opportunities and academic support (WGU analysis of unpublished 2019 NSS data)

This course is available to study with an Industrial Placement year BSc (Hons) Computer Networks and Security (with Industrial Placement)
You can also choose to study this course as a foundation year BSc (Hons) Computer Networks and Security (four years including foundation year)

This is an exciting course, specially designed for those wanting to work positively with children, young people, marginalised groups and communities. *It has been ranked first in Wales for learning community in the National Student Survey 2019 (WGU analysis of National Survey of Students 2019).

Successful completion of the Foundation Year will also lead to an Agored Cymru Level 2 & Level 3 Youth Work accreditation.

Through this course, you can gain a professional youth work qualification endorsed by Education Training Standards Wales with over a third of your time in placement activities.  Successful completion of the course will allow you to register with the Education Workforce Council in Wales as a Youth Worker. There is also the option to study a faith-based route in the first year and exit with a Certificate in Higher Education Youth and Community Work (faith-based), or to top up the full degree and JNC Qualification*.

As well as placement opportunities in Wales and the UK, there are also opportunities for a part-funded placement through the Erasmus programme with a university in Europe.
The youth and community department at Wrexham Glyndwr University is regarded as the “home of youth work in Wales”, having offered education and training to the youth and community sector for more than 43 years. As such the department has excellent links with employers across North Wales, North West England, and the Midlands, and it works in partnership with organisations across the statutory, voluntary and third sector.
Please be aware it may be necessary to work outside of normal working hours, e.g. during evenings or over weekends, whilst on placement due to the nature of this profession.

You can also choose to study this course as a three-year degree (without a foundation year) BA (Hons) Youth and Community Work (JNC)

Key Career Features

• Includes a foundation year to prepare you for further years of study.
• A degree programme with professional endorsement, and course content aligned with National Occupational and Professional Standards in the sector.
• Opportunities for continuing professional development through additional training opportunities and professional networking on a course with strong links with employers and local training providers.
• Learn and gain experience with 800 hours of supervised fieldwork practice, with a placement in each year of study. This can be in a variety of settings either in the UK or internationally.
• Start the academic year with a learning experience with a partner project to see youth work skills in action.
• Develop skills in teamwork, positive communication, working with groups and individuals, reflective practice and leading others.
• Develop knowledge and core skills for youth work practice and informal education that are transferable to work with children, young people and adults in a range of different settings.
• *1st in Wales for learning community in the National Student Survey 2019 (WGU analysis of National Survey of Students 2019).

Explore drawing, painting, sculpture, installation, video and lens-based media and printmaking and then take the opportunity to specialise, combine areas or to remain broad-based.
You will:

• be able to develop as a creative independent artist with opportunities to take on commissions, showcase your work in exhibitions and enter competitions.
• develop your own unique visual art practice and learn how to creatively use skills and choose materials to express your ideas
• enjoy high-quality studio space set within a traditional Art School environment, allowing you to test out ideas through making
• study in small groups allowing for individual support
• benefit from strong links with a range of galleries and other exhibition spaces in Wales and the rest of the UK
• have opportunities to study abroad or take part in projects with an international dimension
• be encouraged to exhibit your work
• gain knowledge from high profile visiting artists

You can also choose to study this course as a foundation year  BA (Hons) Fine Arts (four years including foundation year)

Key Course Features

• We have vibrant studio spaces set within a traditional Art School environment, allowing students to test out ideas through making.
• Small group sizes allow for individual support.
• Our experienced tutors are passionate about their subjects and regularly produce and exhibit their own work, both nationally and internationally, as well as writing about art practice in books and journals.
• We have strong links with a range of galleries and other exhibition spaces in Wales and the rest of the UK.
• Opportunities to study abroad or take part in projects with an international dimension.
• Students are encouraged to exhibit their work and to gain knowledge from high profile visiting artists.

Mental ill health is estimated to cost the Welsh economy £7.2billion each year. It can arise from a combination of factors and people living with mental health issues may require support from a range of services such as housing, social enterprise and community organisations as well as statutory health and social care services.

That’s why it’s vital there are knowledgeable practitioners to fill roles which will help to reduce the stigma, disadvantage and inequality experienced by people living with mental health issues and to work within communities to promote good mental health and wellbeing.

This course:

• Is orientated towards prevention and recovery
• Combines theory with work based learning to ensure that our graduates are perfectly placed to access a variety of careers in this ever-developing sector
• Is in a subject area rated 90.4% for satisfaction with teaching and 97.4% for satisfaction with learning opportunities (WGU analysis of unpublished National Student Survey data 2020)

Students will:

• Work on assignments that reflect the real life skills needed by future employers
• Develop their self-awareness, emotional literacy, reflective and interpersonal skills – all of which are key to becoming an effective and competent practitioner
• Be assigned a personal tutor on enrolment who will support them throughout their time on the programme
• Benefit from the department’s open door policy and established peer mentor system

This course is also available to study with a foundation year BSc (Hons) Mental Health & Wellbeing (four years including foundation year)

Key Course Features

• The programme team work with local employers to ensure that the theory taught is relevant to current practice in the sector.
• Delivered by academics from a range of backgrounds, which means that you will be part of a diverse community of practice.
• Established peer mentor scheme, so you can obtain support from students already undertaking the programme.
• Innovative and flexible teaching methods are embedded throughout, including interactive lectures, tutorials, case studies, workshops, online activities and learning resources.
• Work based experience which you can tailor to your own area/s of interest in years two and three of the programme.
• Opportunities to take part in additional relevant events and volunteering within the wider University, giving you a full portfolio of experience on graduation.

With its special focus on comics, this degree will provide you with the technical and creative skills to develop both your illustrative style and flair for storytelling. The programme introduces a broad range of creative skills, from the generation of ideas to their technical production through printmaking, bookbinding, 3D materials, life drawing, traditional and digital media, with an emphasis on drawing and the development of a unique personal style.

Students will

• Work with experienced and industry active staff, learn how to write stories, draw comics and produce a professional portfolio
• Have opportunities to explore visual sequencing, narrative imagery, anthropomorphism and character development
• Gain personal, professional and entrepreneurial skills, learning about the business of working as a freelance artist
• Be encouraged to working on live briefs and competition

Key Course Features

• You will be part of a vibrant and creative community of commercial artists including children’s book artists, illustrators, animators, game artists and designers.
• You will be taught by a teaching team with a broad range of experience working professionally in the comics and illustration industries.
• We encourage our students to self-publish and learn how to produce high-quality production prototypes to pitch to the publishing industry through the use of our in-house Bindery.
• Our students have won illustration prizes and awards such as the Oxford University Press Illustration competition, the Macmillan Children’s Book competition, the Caldecott Society and D&AD awards and been nominated for prestigious Eisner and Silver Reuben Awards.

Developed for students with a passion for independent photography, film and cinema, this innovative multi-genre programme combines practice, theory and professionalism. Whether you prefer to work with the still or moving image, you can creatively and conceptually explore film and photography on our inspiring, challenging and rewarding degree.

Students will

• Discover a range of skills including how the lens can be used creatively as a tool for storytelling, specialist and experimental camera techniques, lighting for studio and location work, editing and post-production
• Be encouraged to acquire unique approaches to the photography and film disciplines
• Develop and research their own ideas in relation to project briefs, learning transferable skills needed to work as an imaginative professional
• Generate and produce ideas through location and studio work
• Be guided in making submissions for international galleries, expositions, festivals, drama, documentary, advertising, music media and other forms of digital imagery and visual effects
• Have the opportunity to study abroad through the Erasmus Scheme

You can also choose to study this course as a foundation year BA (Hons) Photography & Film (four years including foundation year)

Key Course Features

• Students have access to an on-site cutting-edge high definition TV studio with green screen, photographic studio as well as analogue facilities with a dedicated dark room. Small group sizes allow for individual support and experimentation with ideas in a creative environment.
• Post-production, 3D workshops, media training and computer editing facilities utilising the latest in HD technology and non-linear editing.
• Well-equipped computer labs with both Apple and PC based systems loaded with a wide selection of industry-related software.
• Teaching team are research-active practitioners enthusiastic about their subject areas. They exhibit their own work both nationally and internationally as well as writing about art and design practice in books and journals.
• Opportunities to study abroad or take part in projects with an international dimension.
• Be part of our vibrant community of artists and designers where students are encouraged to exhibit their work and to gain knowledge from high profile visiting artists and designers.
• 1st in Wales and 10th in the UK for overall satisfaction in the subject area of Cinematics & Photography. (WGU analysis of unpublished NSS 2019 data).

You will gain experience and develop knowledge of a broad range of graphic design and multimedia techniques throughout the course enabling you to successfully fulfil roles within this fast expanding industry.

Areas covered will include advertising, typography, editorial, packaging, branding, web design, installation design, mobile communications and motion graphics. As the course advances there will be opportunities to work on ‘live briefs’ through our industry contacts enabling you to develop your problem solving skills fto fulfill a client. 

You can also choose to study this course as a three year programme (without a foundation year) BA (Hons) Graphic Design or  or as a four year integrated Masters MDes Graphic Design

Key Course Features

• Includes a foundation year to prepare you for further years of study
• Experience a wide variety of learning opportunities throughout your study.
• Opportunities to visit design exhibitions and museums, attend conferences such as Offset in Dublin and visit design companies throughout the UK.
• Opportunity to enter your work for national and international design competitions, like the D&AD, YCN, The Roses and ISTD.
• State of the art facilities in our new Centre for the Creative Industries
• Small, friendly community of students and lecturers at our own campus in Regent Street
• Teaching staff who are knowledgeable practitioners and research-active in the Creative Industries.

Learn and work in a real production environment – this Professional Sound and Video course is developed in close collaboration with the BBC, Skillset and leading industry experts.

The course, which focuses on exploring current and emerging technologies applicable to still and moving image production, also sound design for installations, and is different to many as students can engage in the day-to-day operation of the television studio and audio production facility, extending student participation beyond the lecture theatre.

Students will also develop a theoretical and practical understanding across a range of skills in pre-production, production, post-production, audio design and live sound.

The course centres around the use of the university’s audio recording and television studio where students explore single and multi-camera filmmaking in addition to lighting and acquisition for audio visual effects work. It is designed to teach and develop skills across disciplines and covers a broad range of technologies that will help in the development of your own portfolio.

As well as the television studio, the course is built around the practical use of the university’s Centre for the Creative Industries and its wide range of facilities.  The centre is home to BBC Cymru Wales in North East Wales.

You can also choose to study this course as a foundation year BSc (Hons) Professional Sound and Video (four years including foundation year)

Key Course Features

• The Centre for the Creative Industries supports work across a range of creative disciplines using the latest in television production technology.
• Wrexham Glyndwr’s Television Studio, which features 4K and High Definition cameras and equipment and multi camera control room.
• Post-production facilities both Mac and PC based with grading and finishing suite
• Students lead Glyndwr.tv live sessions, streamed live and featuring a mixture of high profile as well as local bands and performers.
• There are two audio post-production studios in the Wall Studio and TV studio respectively.
• Calon FM Community radio station is based in the creative industries building and offers volunteer and collaboration work. The University is one of only three higher education institutions to have such a facility on campus.
• Our graduates have collaborated with a range of local companies including NHS Wales, Wales Rugby League, Clwyd Theatre Cymru and numerous local organisations and productions.
• Past graduates have gone on to work with media companies such as the BBC, Universal Music, QVC and Technicolor and other students have taken on freelance roles and formed their own production companies.
• Previous Creative Industries events at the University have included Ffresh Student Moving Image Festival of Wales and an annual Creative Futures networking event.
• The IT facilities form a core part of course delivery, introducing a range of Non Linear Editing software such as Final Cut, Premiere and AVID as well as colour correction, compositing and 3D packages. The audio is catered for by use of Logic, Protools, MAX, MSP, Jitter and various bespoke packages. These IT facilities are also open access and are available to students in order to develop their skills.