Last updated May 19, 2026.

2026

What are the top Asian animation schools?

Top 10 Animation Degree Programs in Asia - 2026 School Rankings
RankingSchoolCountry
1Nanyang Technological UniversitySingapore
2Beijing Film AcademyChina
3National Institute of DesignIndia
4Tokyo Animation CollegeJapan
5Jilin Animation InstituteChina
6City University of Hong KongHong Kong
7Bezalel Academy of Arts and DesignIsrael
8ChungKang College of Cultural IndustriesSouth Korea
9Kyoto University of the ArtsJapan
10Communication University of ChinaChina

Our 2026 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 College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) houses the School of Art, Design and Media (ADM). Established in 2005, the school has a Media Art BFA program with pathways in Animation, Film, Games, and Photography. Students may add a minor such as Film or Art History. At the graduate level, the school houses the ADM MA and PHD programs with research areas such as Digital Humanities and Art; Art in Motion; and Sight and Sound. While students in the MA program can customize the curriculum, all areas explore animation. 

Programs highlight internship opportunities; the ADM Lecture Series; workshops; screenings; and access to state-of-the-art animation suites, a motion-capture studio, and digital sound labs. The Media Art BFA culminates with a media art project. MA students will complete a traditional thesis or art practice thesis to graduate. The culminating experience for PhD students is a traditional thesis or thesis with creative component. Graduates can be found at places such as Disney, Riot Games, Lucasfilm, NBCUniversal, Chips and Toon, IGG Singapore, Finding Pictures, CraveFX, and Mighty Jaxx. 

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

The Animation School (TAS) at Beijing Film Academy (BFA) is China’s first post-secondary animation school. The school provides BA, MFA, and PhD programs across the animation, film, and games disciplines. All students benefit from courses taught by industry insiders; access to state-of-the-art production facilities; participation in campus-based competitions; and internship opportunities. Programs culminate with a final project. 

Graduates have worked on productions that have won awards at Tokyo International Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival, Berlin International Film Festival, Venice Film Festival, and Shanghai International Fim Festival. Program alumni have also secured roles at places such as DreamWorks, Tencent, Ubisoft, Shanghai Animation Film Studio (SAFS), Virtuos, and Base FX.

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

National Institute of Design (NID) houses the Faculty of Communication Design. Within the faculty are two paths to study animation including Animation Film Design BDes and MDes programs. These highly selective programs explore areas such as traditional animation, digital animation, graphic novels, traditional drawing, and short film production. Curriculums for both programs are interdisciplinary, with experiential learning opportunities, and the option to customize a specialization. 

The BDes and MDes Animation Film Design programs culminate with a final project and portfolio. Graduates have been hired at paces such as Disney, Google, Nickelodeon, Adobe, DreamWorks, Microsoft, Cartoon Network, Sony, Netflix, Prime Video, MTV, Infosys, Samsung, and Cognizant.

4. Tokyo Animation College, Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo Animation College

Tokyo Animation College provides two- and three-year programs for animators. Options include Vocational Diplomas in Animation; CG Animation; Anime Production; Character Design; and Anime Sound Engineering. All programs take place in an immersive and collaborative studio environment, where students will complete professional-level animation projects. Other activities include industry seminars, workshops, and internships. 

Programs culminate with a full-length, industry-ready animated production. Graduates can be found at places such as Studio Ghibli, Toei Animation, Production I.G., Nippon Animation, Polygon Pictures, OLM, Sunrise Animation Studios, Madhouse, Bones Animation Studio, Kojima Productions, and Studio Pierrot. 

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

Jilin Animation Institute (JAI) is home to the School of Animation Art (SAA). Established in 2000, the SAA is one of China’s first schools to provide undergraduate major in animation. Today, SAA students can earn a BA in 2D Animation, 3D Animation, and New Media Animation. Program highlights include visiting professors who have worked on major productions such as Kung Fu Panda; professional internships; and the opportunity to produce several market-ready animated films. Graduates have been hired at places such as Tencent Games, Light Chaser Animation Studios, Pixomondo, Fantawild Animation, NetEase, miHoYo, Perfect World Entertainment, CCTV, Alpha Group, and 37 Interactive Entertainment.  

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

City University of Hong Kong (CityU) is home to the School of Creative Media (SCM). Within the school is a Creative Media (CM) program that explores animation, new media, games, and cinema. Degree options include the CM minor, BA, BSc, MA, MFA, and PhD, and a New Media BAS. Joint degrees with Leuphana University of Lüneburg (LU) are also available. Options include the CityU CM BA or New Media BAS + the LU Digital Media BA. All programs highlight interdisciplinary curriculums; access to state-of-the-art studios and labs; and professional internships. 

Programs culminate with a capstone project. Graduates are often hired at places such as Disney, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Tencent, Pixar, Ubisoft, Netflix, Paradox Interactive, BBC, NetEase, and ByteDance. 

7. 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, design, and architecture institution in Israel. The school’s Department of Screen-Based Arts houses a BFA program that explores traditional animation, 2D and 3D animation, stop motion, animation directing, and more. 

Program highlights include collaborative projects; guest lectures; exhibitions; festivals; and professional internships. The program culminates a market-ready animated film. Graduates have been hired at places such as Nickelodeon, Intel, Disney, Microsoft, Warner Bros., Snapchat, Wix, Moon Active, Studio Aiko, Ilyon Games, PitchiPoy Animation Studios, Playtika, Igloo Creative House, and Lightricks.

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

The Animation School at ChungKang College of Cultural Industries (ChungKang) is home to Korea’s largest animation production studio. With 24/7 access, the studio houses of state-of-the-art stop-motion studios, group and private workspaces, the AI Project Lab, and a sound room. Other Animation School highlights include live online tutoring sessions by professionals from places such as DreamWorks, Pixar, Electronic Arts (EA), and Sony Pictures Animation; competency critiques; participation in CK Animation Festival; a workshop-intensive curriculum; job mentoring; and campus recruiting events. 

ChungKang Animation School students can earn an Animation BA that culminates with a thesis project and presentation. Graduates can be found at places such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Pixar, Cartoon Saloon, DreamWorks, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Disney, Weta FX, DNEG, and Bethesda. 

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 two paths to study animation Options include BFA degrees in Character Design; Illustration; and Film Production. Across programs students benefit from state-of-the-art production facilities; collaborative projects; internships; frequent job fairs; and corporate partnerships. Programs culminate with a final project (animated short). KUAD alumni have been hired at places such as Nintendo, SHAFT Animation Studio, Capcom, MAPPA, Kojima Productions, Science SARU, and CyberAgent.  

10. Communication University of China, Beijing, China
Communication University of China

Founded in 1954, Communication University of China (CUC) is one of the first schools of its kind in China. Within the university is the School of Animation and Digital Arts. Launched in 2001, the school houses the Department of Animation and Comics, and the Department of Game and Esports. Across departments, program options include BA degrees in Animation: 3D Animation and Special Effects or Animation Art; Animation: Game Art; and Art and Technology (Digital Entertainment). A major component of all options is the opportunity for students to collaborate across programs. Other program highlights include access so state-of-the-art labs and studios; immersive workshops; and internships. 

Programs culminate with an independent project at design exhibition. Graduates have secured roles at places such as Tencent, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Disney, Electronic Arts (EA), Pixar, and Google. 

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