Expand+Interview Applications Now Open for September 2017!
This course is a direct application course and includes an interview. Applications are currently taken through the Application Form below. Upon receiving your application form our Admissions Team ...

Hide-Interview Applications Now Open for September 2017!
This course is a direct application course and includes an interview. Applications are currently taken through the Application Form below. Upon receiving your application form our Admissions Team will contact you to schedule your course interview.

The programme is designed for all ages and skill levels, whether you are new to the industry, looking to up-skill, or wanting to learn new skills and enhance your career options within the Animation, art and media industries. No industry experience is required and applicants may be accepted without formal academic qualifications.

There is no portfolio requirement to enrol on this course.
Please see further information on the course requirements and interview process below.

Expand+Full-time Fees
Total Course Fee Per Year

€6,770 per year (2 years in duration)

Flexible Payment Option

Deposit: €800 (payable upon acceptance onto the course, following interview)

Enrolment Fee: €3,500 (payable in September)

Instalm...

Hide-Full-time Fees
Total Course Fee Per Year

€6,770 per year (2 years in duration)

Flexible Payment Option

Deposit: €800 (payable upon acceptance onto the course, following interview)

Enrolment Fee: €3,500 (payable in September)

Instalments: 4 payments of €617.5 (Oct – Jan)

Part-time Fees
Total Course Fee Per Year

€3,570 per year (2 years in duration)

Flexible Payment Option

Deposit: €800 (payable upon acceptance onto the course, following interview)

Enrolment fee: €800 (payable in September)

Instalments: 4 payments of €492.5 (Nov – Apr)

Expand+General Course Requirements

•A proven interest in Art and/or Animation techniques and to display some interest in related creative media arts

•Basic knowledge of computers (Mac/PC, and animation software): helpful but not essential

Interview...

Hide-General Course Requirements

•A proven interest in Art and/or Animation techniques and to display some interest in related creative media arts

•Basic knowledge of computers (Mac/PC, and animation software): helpful but not essential

Interview Process

This course requires an interview as part of your application. Please see the FAQ’s below for commonly asked questions regarding the interview process.

International Student Living Abroad or in Ireland

For applications whose first language is not English you will be asked for an original or certified true copy of one of the following:

•TOEFL Paper based 570 with a TWE (test of written English) score of 4.5.
•Computer based 233 with a score of 4.5 in the essay.
•Internet based 90 with a written score of 21.
•Cambridge Proficiency Grade C.
•Cambridge Advanced Grade A.
•IELTS Academic Version 6.5 with no individual band below 6.

Note: Students who do not satisfy Pulse College’s English language requirements for direct entry will be required to take an English language preparatory course before commencing studies. While the College does not offer an English language preparatory course, you will find this information from the Department of Education and Science’s official listing of recognised language schools.

Expand+Take the first step to becoming a professional animator

Pulse College’s 2-Year Diploma in Animation is developed and taught by practicing industry professionals to ensure that you receive the very highest levels of training. A key part of the cour...

Hide-Take the first step to becoming a professional animator

Pulse College’s 2-Year Diploma in Animation is developed and taught by practicing industry professionals to ensure that you receive the very highest levels of training. A key part of the course involves producing a portfolio of work that will help you get into the exciting and growing Irish and international animation industry.

Studying at Pulse College will introduce you to valuable professional workflows and teach you everything from the basics of animation through to full 3D modelling. With the significant benefit of hands-on experience, you will be taught beyond the standard levels required by academic institutions. This practical experience is an essential element of our unique programme.

This course covers the full range of topics from preproduction, production, and postproduction in 2D and 3D animation, as well as the theory behind animation to create an in-depth understanding of the work you do. A key aspect of this course is to produce a polished and exciting portfolio over the course of the 2 years to give you the best opportunity to break into the dynamic, and creative animation industry.

During the course, you will learn about:

•The history and theory of animation
•Sequential art design and production
•Life drawing
•Storyboarding and layout
•Character modelling
•Unwrapping and texturing 3D objects
•3D rigging and animation
•2D asset creation and animation
•Creating 3D assets for games
•Audio Production
•Life Drawing for Animation
•Videogame Tools
•Entrepreneurship
•Narrative and Storytelling

Expand+Year 1

Animation Studio 1
•Explore the history and development of animation
•Introduction to the 12 principles of animation
•Create simple biped 3D characters for animation
•Texture, rig, and animate 3D characters

Life Drawing
•Line and co...

Hide-Year 1

Animation Studio 1
•Explore the history and development of animation
•Introduction to the 12 principles of animation
•Create simple biped 3D characters for animation
•Texture, rig, and animate 3D characters

Life Drawing
•Line and contour drawing techniques
•Tonal value in creating the human form
•Gesture drawing
•Skeletal and muscular structure

Narrative and Storytelling
•Creating a consistent narrative
•Theories and methods of storytelling
•Constructing and evolving a story

Animation Studio 2
•Rigging 3D characters for use in animation
•Topology and weight painting
•Keyframe animation and the graph editor
•Create biped and quadruped 2D characters for animation
•Use animation principles to augment 2D animation

Storyboarding and Layout
•Defining a storyboard
•Explore the different types of storyboards, techniques, and methodologies
•Designing storyboards for animation

Texturing and Unwrapping
•Unwrapping different types of 3D models
•Creating multiple texture maps
•Explore a variety of map types and their purposes
•Texturing characters and scenes

Year 2

Animation Studio 3
•Create 3D characters for use in videogames
•Use of realtime 3D lighting for games
•Creating consistency between model styles for games
•2D Animation preproduction
•In-depth look at 2D animation software

Life Drawing for Animation
•Use of negative and positive shapes in creating the human figure
•Use of tonal value in creating the human form
•Line of action, expression, and emotion in drawing

Audio Production
•Basic audio recording and editing techniques
•Recording and manipulating sound effects
•Creating original foley sounds
•Integrate music and sound effects into animation

Animation Studio 4
•Create advanced rigging systems
•Lip-synching dialogue
•Use of lighting effects in 3D
•Use of environmental effects in 3D
•Use of particle effects in 3D

Video Games Tools and Environments
•Create 2D concepts for 3D reference
•Create and manipulate 3D objects
•Model and texture 3D assets using the games industry pipeline
•Learn game engine visual effects and techniques

Sequential Art Design and Production
•Create a visual narrative in your own style
•Examine colour theory
•Identify target market and publishing channels

Entrepreneurship and Business
•Starting a small business
•Entrepreneurial theories
•Competitor analysis
•Identifying business opportunities
•Idea generation