2025

What are the top Asian animation schools?

Top 10 Animation Degree Programs in Asia - 2025 School Rankings
RankingSchoolCountry
1Nanyang Technological UniversitySingapore
2Beijing Film AcademyChina
3Tokyo Animation CollegeJapan
4National Institute of DesignIndia
5Jilin Animation InstituteChina
6Bezalel Academy of Arts and DesignIsrael
7City University of Hong KongHong Kong
8ChungKang College of Cultural IndustriesSouth Korea
9Kyoto University of the ArtsJapan
10Digital Hollywood UniversityJapan

Our 2025 rankings of the top animation colleges in Asia.

For this ranking we only consider formal degree programs (bachelor's degree or equivalent). For an explanation of our ranking criteria, click here

1. Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore, Asia
Nanyang Technological University

The School of Art, Design and Media (ADM) at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU) houses a Media Art BFA program with a specialization in Animation. Students may add a minor such as Film or Art History. Graduate options include the ADM MA or PhD. Possible research areas include Audio and Media Art (Animation/Film/Interactive) and Visual Art and Digital Humanities. Across programs, graduates are prepared to pursue advanced roles in animation, games, and film, among others. 

2. Beijing Film Academy, Beijing, China
Beijing Film Academy

Beijing Film Academy (BFA) launched The Animation School (TAS) in 2000. China’s first college-level animation academy, TAS serves nearly 360 students enrolled in BA, MFA, and PhD programs in Computer Animation; Comics; Art of Animation; Game Design; Film; and Art Design. TAS graduates have worked on productions that have won awards at Cannes Film Festival, Shanghai International Film Festival, Venice Film Festival, Tokyo International Film Festival, and Berlin International Film Festival. 

3. Tokyo Animation College, Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo Animation College

Tokyo Animation College provides two-year Animator and CG Animation programs, as well as three-year Animation and CG options. Programs culminate with a full-length, industry-ready animated production. Graduates have gone on to work on productions such as the manga series Witch Watch and the anime series Lycoris Recoil.

4. National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, India
National Institute of Design

The Faculty of Communication Design at National Institute of Design (NID) provides two paths to study animation: the BDes and MDes in Animation Film Design. With less than 20 available seats per program, the BDes and MDes curriculums cover traditional animation, digital animation, and short film production. Graduates have been hired at paces such as Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, MTV, and Cognizant.

5. Jilin Animation Institute, Changchun, Jilin, China
Jilin Animation Institute

The School of Animation Art (SAA) at Jilin Animation Institute (JAI) is one of the first schools in China to offer an animation undergraduate major. Today, the SAA houses 2D Animation, 3D Animation, and New Media Animation BA programs. Students in all programs will complete several industry-ready animated films and a professional internship. Graduates have been hired at places such as Tencent Games, Light Chaser Animation Studios, NetEase Games, and Perfect World Entertainment. 

6. Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, Jerusalem, Israel
Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design

Established in 1906, Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design (Bezalel) is the oldest art and design institution in Israel. Within the school’s Department of Screen-Based Arts is a Screen-Based Arts BFA that explores 2D and 3D animation, stop-motion, experimental filmmaking, and video art. The program culminates with the production of an industry-ready animated film. Graduates have gone on to work at animation, film, game, and television studios where they have produced dozens of award-winning films.

7. City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
City University of Hong Kong

The School of Creative Media (SCM) at City University of Hong Kong (CityU) houses a Creative Media (CM) program with options leading to a BA, BSc, MA, MFA PhD, or minor in Creative Media. A New Media BAS and joint degrees with Leuphana University (LU) are also available. Joint options include the CityU BACM or BAS + LU Digital Media BA). All programs highlight animation, games, new media, and cinema coursework. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in animation for entertainment, game art, animation (health and science), media art, and multimedia design.

8. ChungKang College of Cultural Industries, Icheon, South Korea
ChungKang College of Cultural Industries

The School of Animation at ChungKang College of Cultural Industries (ChungKang) houses the largest animation production studio in Korea. The school also houses a workshop-intensive Animation BA program that serves 180 students. The program culminates with a thesis project and presentation. Graduates are prepared to pursue roles in animation, film and television production, and game design.

9. Kyoto University of the Arts, Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto University of the Arts

The Faculty of the Arts at Kyoto University of the Arts (KUAD) provides several paths to study animation. These include the Character Design BA in the faculty’s Department of Character Design; the Illustration BA in the Department of Information Design; and the Film Production BA in the Department of Film Production. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in animation, film and television, game design, fine art, and advertising, among others. 

10. Digital Hollywood University, Tokyo, Japan
Digital Hollywood University

The Faculty of Digital Communication at Digital Hollywood University (DHU) has an Anime program that takes students through the entire animation production pipeline from concept to industry-ready film. Leading to bachelor’s degree, the program culminates with a final project to be displayed at the Graduate Exhibition. DHU graduates enjoy a 92% employment rate. Anime alumni are prepared to pursue advanced roles in all areas of animated film production. 

Locations