Ravensbourne University London

Ravensbourne University London is a specialist higher education institution located in the Design District on the Greenwich Peninsula, directly opposite the O2 Arena. Established in 1962 through the merger of the Bromley, Sidcup, and Beckenham Schools of Art, the institution achieved full university status in 2018. It operates from an open-plan building designed by Foreign Office Architects, positioning students alongside London's design, broadcasting, and digital technology communities.

Learning is structured around an industry-focused, practice-led model. In creative technical subjects such as animation, game art, motion design, and film post-production, coursework emphasizes live client briefs, collaborative production workflows, and simulated studio settings rather than purely theoretical instruction.

Specialist Disciplines

• Games Art: Operating on a games-first methodology, the curriculum covers concept art, environmental design, and character modeling. In their second year, students run a collaborative simulated game studio and work with technical workflows spanning UX/UI and generative AI.
• 3D Animation: Focused on acting performance, character mechanics, rigging, and visual storytelling for cinematic and gaming contexts, supported by practitioner mentorship. Practical assignments include live external projects, such as student animations created for Tate Kids and screened at Tate Modern's Starr Cinema.
• Motion Graphics: Concentrating on typography, motion design, and visual narratives, students work with software such as Cinema 4D and the Adobe Creative Suite, presenting major projects during the on-campus Mode Festival.
• Digital Film Production: Endorsed by ScreenSkills, the program trains students across cinematography, editing, and directing, integrated with professional color grading suites.

Facilities and Technology

Ravensbourne's 17,000-square-meter campus houses specialist infrastructure designed to replicate commercial digital studios. The Centre of Excellence in Emerging Technology provides motion capture suits, virtual and augmented reality headsets, and high-performance workstations configured for Maya and Unreal Engine. Facilities also include a high-definition digital broadcast center, 2D and 3D fabrication labs, an equipment kit store for cameras and lighting, and a Materials Library curated by Material ConneXion.

Studio Connections

The university maintains formal links with the creative industries, holding ScreenSkills affiliate status and maintaining partnerships with companies such as Blackmagic Design, which provides DaVinci Resolve training and software access. Students across animation and visual effects also engage with London-based studios—including Framestore, DNEG, Blue Zoo, and Jellyfish Pictures—through masterclasses, studio visits, and industry portfolio reviews.