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What are the top animation schools in Australia and New Zealand?
Ranking | School | City |
---|---|---|
1 | Media Design School | Auckland |
2 | Griffith University | Queensland |
3 | RMIT University | Melbourne |
4 | University of Technology Sydney | Sydney |
5 | Torrens University of Australia | Sydney |
6 | Swinburne University of Technology | Melbourne |
7 | Yoobee School of Design | Auckland |
8 | Animation College | Auckland |
9 | University of Melbourne | Melbourne |
10 | Deakin University Australia | Geelong |
Our 2019 rankings of the top animation colleges in Australia and New Zealand. For this ranking we only consider formal degree programs (bachelor's degree or equivalent). For an explanation of our ranking criteria, click here.
1. Media Design School, Auckland, New Zealand
Media Design School is New Zealand's most awarded tertiary institution for creative and digital technology qualifications. The school offers industry-endorsed courses in AI, Game Art, Game Programming, Graphic Design, Creative Advertising, Motion Design, Interactive Design, Digital Transformation, and 3D Animation and Visual Effects. The school was the first tertiary institution in the Southern Hemisphere to offer a dedicated programme of study for 3D animation using industry-standard computer graphics software.
2. Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia
Founded in 1971, Griffith University (Griffith U) serves around 50,000 students across six campuses. Housed within Griffith U is Australia's largest film school by enrollment, the Griffith Film School. Here, students can earn a Bachelor of Animation (240 credit points) or a Bachelor of Animation (Hons), consisting of 80 credit points. The Bachelor of Animation offers majors in Character Animating, Art Direction, and Technical Direction. Students in this program will have the opportunity to work alongside film and screen media production and game design students to collaborate on and complete projects. The program takes three years to complete, full-time. The Honors program is designed for exceptional visual arts students looking to further develop their practical expertise and theoretical understanding to a more advanced level. The program takes one year, full-time or two years, part-time to complete.
3. RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
Serving more than 83,000 students, RMIT is Australia’s largest university. The school (est. 1887) offers programs of study in 17 schools across three academic colleges. The College of Design and Social Context (DSC) consists of seven schools, including the School of Design, which offers a Bachelor of Design in Animation and Interactive Media and a Master of Animation, Games, and Interactivity. Program highlights include courses taught by practicing artist, designer, and industry practitioners, multi-disciplined design study, access to brand new animation and game design studios, and industry partnerships with ANZ, the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), the Australian Centre for The Moving Image (ACMI) and the Australia Post. Students also have the opportunity to exhibit in festivals and conferences such as Siggraph, MIAF, LIAF, MILIA and Annecy. Graduates of the programs have landed positions at Viskatoons, Iloura, and many others.
4. University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
Serving nearly 46,000 students, University of Technology Sydney (UTS) is Sydney’s largest technology university. Established in 1988, the school offers hundreds of programs through nine faculties and schools, including The Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building. Here, students can earn a Bachelor of Design in Animation, Bachelor of Design in Animation (Hons), or a Master of Animation and Visualization. All programs consist of animation studio courses, elective options, and internship opportunities. The UTS Master of Animation and Visualization was developed in partnership with Animal Logic, and is offered through the UTS Animal Logic Academy. Career options for graduates include Animator, Director, Modeler, Rigger, VFX Artist, Scriptwriter, Concept Artist, Producer, Character Designer, Editor, Storyboard Artist, Compositor, and Producer.
5. Billy Blue College of Design – Torrens University of Australia, Sydney, Australia
With a legacy dating back to the 1800s, Billy Blue College of Design at Torrens University Australia is the nation’s most prominent design school. Since 2016, Billy Blue College of Design joined Torrens University Australia, providing all graduates with a university qualification. Aspiring animators can undertake a Diploma or Bachelor of 3D Design & Animation to study on campus or online. They’ll explore 2D and 3D design and animation technologies to enrich their storytelling and learn the skills of modeling, rigging, animation, texturing, lighting and compositing while working through industry-standard briefs and creative processes. Students may also take electives in Motion Design, UX & Web Design or Communication Design to tailor their degree goals and upskill. Graduates can go on to become 2D/3D Animators, Animation Directors, Game Artists, Creative Directors, 3D visualization artists, VFX Artists, and more.
6. Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia
Swinburne University of Technology (est. 1908), serves more than 42,000 degree-seeking students and nearly 16,400 vocational students enrolled in hundreds of Arts, Business, Health, Science, Design, Engineering, Law, and Technology programs through three faculties. The Faculty of Health, Arts and Design houses the School of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities’ Department of Film and Animation. Here, students can earn a Bachelor of Animation that focuses on career placement from day one. A major component of the curriculum is the Work Integrated Learning Program, which allows students to gain invaluable skills and credit towards their degree through six- or 12-month professional placements, professional internships, industry-linked projects, industry study tours, and accreditation placements. Graduates go on to establish successful careers the Animation, Film, and Television industries as well as Games, Web Broadcasting, Education and Digital Media.
7. Yoobee School of Design, Auckland, New Zealand
Founded in 1997, Yoobee School of Design is part of New Education Group and Animation College NZ. The school serves around 400 students at its flagship campus in Auckland. Thanks to New Zealand’s growing animation and film industry, the Animation and Film offerings at Yoobee are considered the “superstars” of the school’s program lineup. Options include a Bachelor of Animation with optional Honors and a Diploma in Digital Design – Animation and Film Production. A 3-day Introductory 3D Character Animation Program is also available. Upon completion the longer programs, a degree or diploma will be issued by Animation College NZ, a Category 1 Provider, which is the highest rating a school can be awarded by the Government. Career pathways for Yoobee Animation graduates include Animator, Visual Effects Artist, Director, Post-Production Supervisor, Wrangler, Creative Director, and Technical Director, to name a few.
8. Animation College, Auckland, New Zealand
Established in 1989 by former Disney Animator John Ewing, Animation College is the only college in New Zealand to offer degree and diploma level programs specializing in both 2D and 3D Character Animation. Options include Diplomas in Animation, Digital Design – Animation and Film Production, Specialized Animation, and Digital Media, and a Bachelor of Animation with optional Honors. A Certificate in Creative Media is also available. Program highlights include a practical and project-based curriculum, the option to complete the Bachelor program at Yoobee School of Design facilities in Wellington, and access to The Graduate Platform—a job-pairing website specifically for Animation College graduates designed to provide a platform to connect industry professionals with alumni. Graduates of the program have landed positions at both local and international studios.
9. University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Founded in 1853, University of Melbourne serves more than 50,000 students enrolled in hundreds of programs across eight campuses and dozens of faculties, departments, and schools. Victoria College of the Arts (VCA) is home the Animation Program, which leads to a BFA. Per the school, the program involves “the practical exploration, innovation and development of animated screen production.” Students will research and develop ideas, while taking courses covering screenwriting, storyboarding, and character design as well craft and technical production methods and styles. Other program highlights include the access to professional facilities and resources, including animation and stop-motion studios; rushes viewing rooms; editing, sound recording and mixing suites; and HD digital vision and audio post-production facilities, and the opportunity to write, develop and produce an animated production. Finished productions will be exhibited for public viewing.
10. Deakin University Australia, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
Deakin University Australia has been around since 1974. The school serves 57,595 students enrolled in hundreds of programs at five campuses and 14 schools across four faculties. The Faculty of Arts and Education houses the School of Communication and Creative Arts (SCCA), home of the Screen and Design Group. Here, aspiring animators can earn a Bachelor of Design (3D Animation) that takes just three years to complete, full-time. The program allows students to explore animation across a variety of platforms including film, television, advertising, web, motion capture, and game design. Animation methods, such as computer graphic animation (3D CG modelling, character design and rigging, CG lighting and rendering) and motion capture techniques are covered. Per the school, students will work on industry briefs and creative projects throughout the program, leading to “a strong portfolio of real-world work.”