Two first-year computer animation students have won a scholarship package of funding and career support with an award-winning games studio.

Hannah Newman

Hannah Newman and Xeno Piras-Trow, who both joined the BA (Hons) in Computer Animation and Visual Effects last September, have been selected for the Creative Assembly Scholarship. They will each now receive £3,000 a year, together with professional mentoring and career support from the games studio, which is best known for its Total War and Alien: Isolation franchises.

Hannah said: “Being selected as a recipient of the Creative Assembly scholarship has given me a real sense of confidence and motivation. Being granted this extra support will enable me to focus fully on my studies, and I sincerely appreciate this investment in my potential.

“My aim is to pursue a pathway in visual effects, and I feel passionate about creating hyper-realistic humans and environments through painting, sculpture, animation and compositing. I am very much looking forward to my future at Bournemouth University, where I can work collaboratively alongside my peers and continue my ambition to become a VFX artist.”

Xeno Piras-Trow

Xeno said: “Receiving this scholarship has reinforced my determination to succeed in the field and will allow me to dedicate myself to my craft in a way that would not otherwise have been as possible. I am very grateful to Creative Assembly for this recognition of my potential and I look forward to continuing to develop my studies with their guidance.”

The scholarship was launched at the start of the academic year as a means of supporting talented young people with aspirations to enter the games industry. To win the scholarship, students were invited to submit project work alongside an application and to meet with the team at Creative Assembly for a short interview.

Lucy Boxall, VP of Strategy and Communications at Creative Assembly said: “Congratulations to Hannah and Xeno for becoming the first recipients of our scholarship with Bournemouth University. We were really impressed with the standard of work we saw from all applicants so they should be incredibly proud of their achievement. We’re looking forward to providing mentorship for Hannah and Xeno throughout their studies and helping them achieve their career ambitions.”

Professor Paula Callus from the National Centre for Computer Animation (NCCA) at BU, said: “We are pleased to be working with the team at Creative Assembly to provide these excellent opportunities for our students. Hannah and Xeno will benefit hugely, not only from the financial support but also from the opportunity to work alongside the Creative Assembly team to gain practical, industry skills and knowledge as they progress through their studies. Alongside their qualifications, this will give them a real headstart in their future careers.”

The Creative Assembly Scholarship joins a growing number of company-funded student support packages at BU, which aim to break down barriers to university study for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. They include the ESET Women in Cyber Studentship and AFC Bournemouth Careers in Sport Studentship.