Foundation Diploma in Multidisciplinary Creative Practice
Animation
Bring characters, stories and ideas to life through animation.
Animation is one of the most powerful ways to communicate stories, emotions, ideas and imaginary worlds. From characters and storyboards to movement, visual storytelling and digital production, animation allows students to explore how still ideas can become moving experiences.
The Foundation Diploma in Multidisciplinary Creative Practice: Animation is an 8-month Creative foundation programme for students who want to explore animation, build a Creative portfolio, and prepare for progression into undergraduate-level study at AMDT.
This specialization is suitable for students who are interested in drawing, characters, stories, motion, visual effects, digital media, games, films, cartoons, anime, motion graphics or animated storytelling.
Students begin with broad Creative exploration and gradually move towards an animation-focused portfolio direction.
A key advantage of the Foundation Diploma route is that students have the opportunity to earn two qualifications through a single programme. Upon successful completion and meeting the relevant requirements, students may receive both the AMDT Foundation Diploma in Multidisciplinary Creative Practice and the Pearson BTEC Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Art, Design and Media Practice.
A foundation pathway
into animation
into animation
The Animation specialization helps students explore how stories, characters, worlds and ideas can be developed through visual movement.
Students are introduced to Creative thinking, visual storytelling, character development, storyboarding, drawing, digital media, motion concepts and portfolio development. The aim is not only to teach animation techniques, but to help students understand how animation ideas are researched, developed, tested, refined and presented.
This pathway is ideal for students who want to explore animation before entering undergraduate-level study, especially if they still need to build confidence, strengthen their portfolio, or understand whether animation is the right direction for them.
Students also benefit from a dual-award opportunity. Rather than completing separate programmes, students can work towards both an AMDT qualification and a Pearson BTEC qualification through the same course, strengthening their academic profile and future progression opportunities.
Who is this course for?
This specialization may be suitable for students who:
• Enjoy drawing, storytelling, characters or imaginative worlds
• Are interested in animation, cartoons, anime, games, motion graphics or digital media
• Want to explore how movement can communicate ideas and emotions
• Need to build a portfolio for undergraduate-level animation study
• Do not yet meet direct Year 1 entry requirements
• Are unsure whether animation, film, media or visual communication is the right pathway
• Want a guided foundation route before entering Creative higher education
• May wish to use the Pearson qualification and portfolio for future study abroad applications, subject to the receiving institution’s requirements
A fully developed animation portfolio is not required at entry. The course is designed to help students begin building one.
Why choose Animation
Turn imagination into moving stories.
Explore animation before specializing further
Understand whether animation is the right direction before entering undergraduate-level study.
Build a Creative portfolio
Develop work that can support progression into animation or related Creative pathways.
Develop visual storytelling skills
Learn how characters, scenes, sequences and movement can communicate ideas.
Gain Creative confidence
Build confidence through drawing, experimentation, digital work, feedback and portfolio development.
Earn two qualifications through one course
Successfully completing the Foundation Diploma route can lead to both an AMDT Foundation Diploma and a Pearson BTEC Level 3 Foundation Diploma, where applicable.
Open study abroad possibilities
The Pearson qualification and portfolio may support overseas applications, subject to receiving institution requirements.
What you will explore
Students in the Animation specialization explore the foundations of animation as part of a broader Creative practice journey.
Areas may include:
• Character design
• Storyboarding
• Visual storytelling
• Drawing for animation
• Movement and timing
• Sequential image-making
• World-building and scene development
• Digital image-making
• Animation concepts
• Motion graphics basics
• Visual effects concepts
• Portfolio presentation
• Creative research and idea development
The focus is on helping students build a foundation, not on limiting them to one animation style or technique too early.
What you will build
During the course, students develop a portfolio that shows their Creative thinking, experimentation and animation-related interests.
Your portfolio may include:
• Character sketches and concept drawings
• Storyboards and visual sequences
• Scene and environment ideas
• Animation concept boards
• Motion or sequence studies
• Digital illustrations or visual experiments
• Research into animation styles, artists, films or visual references
• Creative process journals
• Short animation or motion experiments, where appropriate
• Final portfolio pieces connected to animation progression
The aim is to help students show how they think, develop ideas, experiment visually and prepare for future animation study.
What you will learn
Students develop foundational Creative skills that support animation and related Creative disciplines.
Visual storytelling
Using images, sequence, character and movement to tell stories.
Character thinking
Exploring personality, expression, gesture, costume, form and visual identity.
Drawing and visual development
Building confidence in sketching, observation and idea development.
Creative research
Studying animation references, styles, cultures, audiences and contexts.
Experimentation
Testing visual styles, characters, scenes, media and movement ideas.
Digital practice
Exploring digital tools for image-making, sequencing and presentation.
Communication
Presenting ideas through storyboards, visuals, portfolios and verbal explanation.
Portfolio development
Selecting and presenting Creative work for progression.
Self-management
Building confidence, discipline, time management and independent learning habits.
Where this specialization can lead
The Animation specialization prepares students for progression into undergraduate-level study in animation or related Creative disciplines.
Successful completion may support progression into Year 1 of a relevant AMDT undergraduate-level programme, subject to meeting AMDT’s academic progression requirements.
Students who complete the Foundation Diploma route also benefit from holding both an AMDT qualification and, where applicable, a Pearson BTEC qualification. This combination can strengthen progression opportunities by providing recognised evidence of Creative learning, portfolio development and academic achievement.
Possible future study and career directions include:
• Animator
• Character Designer
• Storyboard Artist
• Concept Artist
• Motion Designer
• 2D Animator
• 3D Animation Artist
• Visual Development Artist
• Digital Illustrator
• Game Artist
• Animation Director
• Visual Effects Artist
• Content Creator
• Creative Technologist
• Film / Media Creative
• Digital Storyteller
This course is the starting point. It helps students build the foundation, portfolio and confidence needed to move towards animation and related Creative pathways.
Why this foundation route matters
Animation can be an exciting but unfamiliar study choice for many parents. This Foundation Diploma gives students a structured and guided first step before committing to undergraduate-level study.
Students are supported to explore their interests, build discipline, develop Creative confidence, improve their portfolio, and understand whether animation is the right direction for them.
Parents can expect a learning experience that is:
• Structured and guided
• Portfolio-focused
• Progression-oriented
• Supported by academic and Creative feedback
• Connected to AMDT undergraduate-level pathways
• Designed to help students make a more informed decision before moving forward
• Enhanced by the opportunity to earn both an AMDT qualification and a Pearson BTEC qualification through a single programme, where applicable
This is not a short-term hobby course. It is a serious foundation route for students preparing for Creative higher education.
Foundation Diploma vs Year 0
Same curriculum. Same classes. Different award outcome.
AMDT offers two routes through the same foundation learning experience: the Foundation Diploma and the Year 0 Programme.
Students in both routes follow the same curriculum, attend the same classes, complete the same learning activities, and develop the same portfolio and project work. The difference is the fee structure and the qualification outcome.
Route
Foundation Diploma
Year 0 Programme
Curriculum
Same curriculum
Same curriculum
Course Fee
Higher fee
Lower fee
AMDT Certification
Yes
No
BTEC Qualification
Yes (where applicable)
No
Main Purpose
Qualification Route
Bridging to AMDT Year 1
Study Abroad Support
Possible
Not applicable
The Foundation Diploma route offers additional value through the opportunity to earn two recognised qualifications
from one programme, while Year 0 serves as a non-award bridging route.
Students looking for the lower-fee bridging route can explore the Year 0 in Multidisciplinary Creative Practice.
Awards and certification
Students enrolled in the Foundation Diploma route may receive:
AMDT Foundation Diploma in Multidisciplinary Creative Practice: Animation
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Art, Design and Media Practice
(where applicable and subject to successful registration and completion of Pearson requirements.)
Two qualifications. One learning journey.
One of the key benefits of the Foundation Diploma route is that students can work towards both qualifications through the same programme of study. This means students gain the recognition of an AMDT Foundation Diploma while also benefiting from the added credibility and international recognition associated with a Pearson BTEC qualification.
Year 0 students follow the same curriculum and classes but do not receive a qualification or certification upon completion.
I always liked animation, characters and stories, but I did not know how to build a portfolio or where to begin. The Foundation helped me explore different Creative areas, understand animation better, and prepare work for my next step.
AMDT Student
Entry Requirements
We accept students from a range of backgrounds. If you are not sure whether you qualify, the AMDT Admissions Team can guide you.
This programme is especially suitable for students who want to prepare for undergraduate-level Creative study but do not yet meet direct Year 1 entry requirements.
Applicants should show interest in Creative education, animation, visual storytelling or related Creative areas, and should be willing to explore, experiment and develop a portfolio.
A fully developed animation portfolio is not required at entry. However, AMDT may ask applicants to attend an interview or share samples of Creative interest as part of the admissions process.
Course Fee Information
AMDT offers course fee options for both the Foundation Diploma route.
Foundation Diploma Route
Fee Item
Amount
Application Processing Fee
LKR 10,000
Enrolment Fee
LKR 20,000
Tuition Fee
LKR 420,000
Monthly Instalment Option
LKR 52,500 × 8 months
Qualification / Certification
Opportunity to earn both the AMDT Foundation Diploma and Pearson BTEC Foundation Diploma
Pearson BTEC Registration Fee
Approx GBP 191
Early Bird Discount
Students who register before 10 July 2026 may be eligible for an Early Bird Discount
of LKR 40,000 subject to AMDT’s terms and conditions.
For full fee details, payment options and Pearson registration information, please speak
to the AMDT Admissions Team.
Please note: All fees, discounts, payment plans and registration charges are subject to
change without prior notice. Terms and conditions apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Start your animation journey with AMDT
Explore animation, build your Creative portfolio, prepare for undergraduate-level study, and gain the added value of working towards two recognised qualifications through one programme.
Get in touch
Speak to a course advisor to get more information and assistance about the career and course you wish to learn.
Get in touch
Speak to a course advisor to get more information and assistance about the career and course you wish to learn.
