Animation

What will I do?

This MA in Animation programme is a broad and imaginatively inclusive offering featuring four distinct study pathways. The pathways include Practice-based; Practice-led; Scholarly; and Animation Teaching options. The programme will be flexible, capable of adaptation and will be much less prescriptive than existing offerings across Ireland and the UK. All Masters in Animation study pathways will require Masters-level engagement with the Research Methods module and with components of scholarly and reflective reading, research and writing through each of the Project modules (alternative modes of project submission and delivery are welcomed).

What modules will I study?

• Research Methods for Visual Media and Creative Arts (10 credits)

Research methodologies appropriate to Level 9 practice, scholarship and pedagogy. An opportunity to integrate research skills and associated knowledge and apply them to the student’s chosen project.



• Early Project module (20 credits)

The student’s applicant project proposal is refined (with Masters programme team) to become the Learning Agreement. Early preparatory work is done on the student’s project.



• Collaborative Project module (10 credits)

Collaborative project challenges learners to collaborate within Animation creative teams, or to critically analyse group working in order to properly understand the creative power of jointness.



• Major Project module (20 credits)

The student embarks on the main creative work for their chosen Project. Their Learning Agreement refined and revised at end of module.



• Project Completion module (20 credits)

The student brings their chosen project to successful completion.



• Capstone and Exhibition module (10 credits)

Students demonstrate their competencies in the Programme Learning Outcomes, by integrating a wide array of skills and knowledge in Animation in order to answer research questions directly related to their chosen field. Students are also asked to map their learning, plan for the future and exhibit and/or present their Major Project work.

Who can apply?

Students with a Level 8 qualification or RPL (to include completed postgraduate study in related Art and Design areas or postgraduate experience working in the animation industry). We also envisage learners coming from other discipline areas, with a strong interest in relating their expertise to animation-related practice.



International Students

We welcome international students to IADT. To learn how to apply as an International student please see " International Students" below.



Portfolio: Yes.



What should my portfolio include?

Applicants need to present an animation-related project proposal. This can be an animated film project, an animation project with a research or scholarly component, a proposal to attempt a piece of animation-related scholarly research or writing or a proposal to investigate a specific aspect of animation teaching and learning.



We suggest that applicants should submit, at this early stage, three very short proposal ideas (can be up to one page each, can include images or video/animation links). Applicants must understand that any project proposal (even seemingly highly developed proposals) will be subject to modification and change as they develop through the Masters in Animation application and learning processes.



Any animation-related project proposals should attempt to focus clearly on two central questions:



• What I am proposing to do through my Masters in Animation project?

• What I hope to learn through my Masters in Animation project?



Applicants will also present a portfolio of art or animation work, relevant showreel, film or animation-related work, scholarly work, digital or web-based work or other relevant work. Any work submitted as part of the application process, whether creative or scholarly (film, art, or text-based), should support the specific project proposals of the applicant. Any presented work will be assessed by the programme team as part of the application or RPL process. The DL931 Masters in Animation lecturing team may choose to interview applicants (online). The programme has agreed to start no more than 12 Masters in Animation students per annum.

Thank you for considering IADT as part of your Educational Journey. To apply for this course please see "Application Weblink" above.



Having completed the above application webform, qualified applicants will be sent a second form which must be filled out in order to complete the application to the programme.

18 months full-time.

Applications for September 2026 are now open.

Future careers

The Masters in Animation programme will keep pace with what is a rapidly evolving medium and with a constantly changing industrial and technological context, future proofing graduates to accommodate challenges and opportunities that emerge within the field, in terms of practice, scholarship and pedagogical methodologies. Successful candidates, whether working independently, in specific studio-based contexts, or in research and academia, will have the opportunity to develop and enhance specific areas of their professional and/or creative practice.



The Masters in Animation programme and our Masters students will play a particular role in coalescing and consolidating the field of Animation practice, research and scholarship, marking IADT’s leadership (nationally and internationally).



IADT Animation graduates are employed in leading Irish animation studios such as Cartoon Saloon, Boulder Media, ELK Studios, Kavaleer, Lighthouse and Brown Bag Films. In addition, IADT recent graduates have established independent animation studios and enterprises including Paper Panther Productions, and maps and plans, Algorithm and Matchbox Mountain.