BA (Hons)

Modelmaking FAQ

1) Does the course allow you to specialise in one field?

The course enables students and graduates to specialise in a wide variety of disciplines. It equips students with a broad skill set which can be applied to any specialist area.

Students are encouraged to explore many different types of modelmaking and develop versatile portfolios which expand employment opportunities. Modelmaking is a global industry and the range of opportunities is vast. Visiting industry specialists present their work and highlight opportunities to students through lectures, workshops and tutorials. Specialist subjects can be developed through work experience and learning agreement-led briefs. By the third year students are expected to have developed a clear understanding of their specialist areas of interests, how they intend to progress and where the employment opportunities are within that field or fields.

2) What are the employment prospects?

The courses employment record is excellent and we have enjoyed employment rates of 90% and above for many years.

Graduates have successfully gained employment around the world. Modelmaking is a very specialist field which demands a comprehensive knowledge of a broad range of skills; as such the employment of our graduates is excellent. Some of our more proactive students often secure employment before graduation, usually through prior contacts developed during work experience.

3) I am interested in working in film ‘special effects’ is this an area the course covers?

Interest in special effects and the film industry is very common and our graduates continue to gain successful employment in this field. A Film, Animation, Theatre orientated brief is explored in the first year in addition to the progressive development of related skills.

Breadth of knowledge and versatility of skills are key attributes to gain successful employment in this field. Employers are keen to employ modelmakers who can diversify, who are able to ‘cross’ departments and be able to turn their hand to all types of models and processes. With this in mind the course’s curriculum explores many aspects of the modelmaking industry including Architecture, Product, Film Media, Animation, Museum & Heritage, Digital Modeling, Digital machining, Design, Fine Art, Sculpture and Teaching. We don’t just expect our graduates to excel in one area; we aim for them to excel in all areas. We are also fortunate to be able to work collaboratively with BA courses such as Film, Acting, Animation and Costume.

4) What do you need to see in my portfolio?

There are five elements that we expect to see in your portfolio of work at interview:

• Final outcomes of projects covered in the current or most recent course on which you have studied.
• Sketchbooks and worksheets that evidence research, experimentation and design development.

(We are particularly looking for a progression or development of an idea into a final solution)

• A written document (essay preferred)
• A physical piece of 3D work (something we can handle)
• Life drawing (not necessarily figure drawing but something that is drawn from life)

We do not expect to see, but would like included, any examples of digital work (Photoshop or CAD drawings).

Examples of hand or machine made 3D Objects, Sculpting, Painting, Printing, Drawing, Film, Animation, Ceramics and Photography are all relevant if available.

5) What other costs are expected to be covered by the student?

All basic materials are included within the course fees (no strings attached) This includes materials such as plastics, clay, silicone, PU casting resin, plaster, MDF, timber, model board, PU foam, card, cellulose spray paints, solvents & adhesives, armature wire and sculpting wax. An extensive range specialist equipment is available for students to sign out and use at any time.

Students are invited to purchase a tool kit at the start of the course which includes all the basic tools and protective equipment required to get them started. This tool kit is sold at cost price, approximately £75. In addition students are expected to cover the cost for project specific, specialist materials and any personal consumables. We stock a range of specialist sculpting materials and consumables which we buy in bulk and sell at cost price to modelmaking students.

6) What work experience is available? Is there help obtaining this?

Work experience is regularly available throughout the year and is actively encouraged. We support students in their efforts to gain experience, although our aim is to enable students to arrange work experience and develop industry contacts independently.

We have close links with the Modelmaking industry, who take on our students for work experience regularly throughout the year. We have arranged a number of annual work experience opportunities which offer students an insight into key specialist areas of modelmaking such as Film Effects, Product Development and Architecture. In addition, we have a selection of live projects available for student participation throughout the year. Live projects and work experience are offered at all levels depending on their complexity and their relevance to units and intended learning outcomes.

Work experience is approached formally in Year 2 within a unit called Commercial Exploration. During this unit students are expected, with appropriate support and guidance, to conduct company visits and arrange work experience. Year 3 starts with an external brief, where students are responsible for finding a client with a live project or dummy brief, this can also include work experience. Work experience and live projects are also available throughout the third year of studies.

7) How much teacher contact time do I get each week?

The nature of Modelmaking as a subject demands regular tutor contact. We are, however, very successful in enabling students to work more independently as they progress through the course. There are approximately 4 days tutor contact per week in year 1, 3.5 days in year 2 and 2.5 days in year 3.

We encourage students to work independently but never in isolation. This is supported by the development of their skills in research, experimentation and problem solving. The course team is very supportive and aware of individual needs and interests. All of the modelmaking teaching staff and associated technicians have professional modelmaking experience.

8 ) How many students are on the course?

We aim to recruit and maintain 36 students in each year group. The actual number varies between 36 and 40. This variance includes students with previous experience entering directly into the 2nd and 3rd year as well as students returning to us having interrupted their study.

Retention of students on the course is excellent. Teaching hours are directly linked to the number of enrolled students and this staff to student ratio is further enhanced and supported by our highly skilled technician demonstrators and workshop team as well as a variety of visiting industry specialists.