Top 10 Animation Schools in Asia - 2023 School Rankings

The College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (CoHASS) at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) houses the School of Art, Design and Media (ADM), which provides a variety of interdisciplinary programs taught in a collaborative environment. ADM students also benefit from experiential learning activities such as fieldwork, a 10-week internship, and study abroad experiences.

Within NTU Singapore’s School of ADM is a Media Art Program that combines Digital Animation, Games, Digital Filmmaking, and Photography. Leading to a BFA, the Media Art Program allows students to choose a Specialization such as Digital Animation or Digital Filmmaking, a second Major, or one of 20 Minors offered across the CoHASS. Examples of second Majors include Communication Studies, Theater and Drama, and Art History. Minor examples include Film, Design and Systems Thinking, and Art History.

Course examples for the BFA Program include 3D Character Animation, Graphic Storytelling, Issues in Animation Practice, Digital Compositing, Cinematic Concepts and Motion Capture Applications, Writing for Animation, Lighting and Rendering Pipeline, Advanced Stop Motion, Visual Effects I-II, Game Design, Film Editing, 3D Production, Storyboarding & Production Design, and Rigging for Animation.

The Media Art BFA Program at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore culminates with the Final Year Project (FYP), worth nine academic units (AUs).

Graduates of the Media Art BFA Program at Nanyang Technological University are prepared to pursue careers in Animation, Game Art and Design, Film, Advertising, and VFX. Some graduates go on to pursue an advanced degree such as the Art, Design and Media MA (ADM MA) at Nanyang, Singapore. The School also has an ADM PhD Program.

Both options are customizable, allowing students to tailor the curriculum to suit their interests. In addition, ADM has six specific Graduate Research Areas. Options include Audiovisual Art; Visual Art and Digital Humanities; Art, Design and Media Histories and Criticism; Design Studies; Southeast Asian Art, Design, and Media; and Cultural Identity and Heritage.

The Audiovisual Art Area is ideal for Animators. This Area surveys the practical and theoretical facets of Film, Character Animation, Sound Art, Motion Graphics, Real-Time 3D Storytelling, Art Installation, Stop-Motion, VR Film, Data Visualizations, Motion Capture, and Experimental Filmmaking.

Graduates of the ADM MA and PhD Programs at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore are prepared for faculty positions, research careers, and advanced positions in all areas of Animation, Film and Television, Advertising, Sound Design, Games, and more.

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore traces its roots back to 1981, when Nanyang Technological Institute was established as a teaching university on the grounds of Nanyang University. Nanyang, Singapore was officially established in 1991. Today, the school serves 33,000 students, making it the second largest public university in Singapore. Nanyang Technological University, Singapore provides hundreds of programs at all degree levels across four colleges that house 14 schools.

The School of Animation at ChungKang College of Cultural Industries (ChungKang) has an Animation Program that consists of three years of college coursework, followed by one year of intensive training in the Animation Major. During the first three years, the program trains up to 180 students.

The curriculum for the program is studio- and project-based, workshop intensive, and multidisciplinary, allowing students to study Animation, Cartooning, and Game Design. The curriculum also explores Planning, Directing, and Post-Production.

Course examples for the program include 12 Basic Principles of Animation, 3D Modeling & <aping Techniques for Problem-Solving, Basic Graphic Film, Digital Animation Techniques, 3D Character Animation Production, Match Move Compositing, Understanding Film, Visual Storytelling, Animation Directing, CFX Simulation, Visual Development, 3D Rigging, and 3D Human Modeling. Intensive workshops include 2D Animation Production I-II, 3D Modeling, and 3D Animation.

Other program features for the Animation Program at ChungKang include access to state-of-the-facilities, including the largest animation studio in Korea; a sound recording studio and a render farm; courses taught by industry professionals; a tutoring program; opportunities to gain experience through mandatory local and international internships; independent study opportunities; and portfolio development.

Upon completion of the three-year program at ChungKang College of Cultural Studies, students move on to the final year (1-year intensive program), which consists of just 50 students. During this time, advanced Animation students will develop their Thesis Project and Presentation to earn their Animation BA. Graduates are prepared to pursue positions in Animation, Film, Games, Television, Advertising, and other areas that require advanced skills and experience in Animation. 

ChungKang College of Cultural Industries opened in 1996 as South Korea’s first post-secondary institution with a primary focus on the cultural industries. Today, ChungKang provides programs ranging from Animation to Early Childhood Education. Programs are housed across the Schools of Manhwa Contents, Game, Culinary Arts, Animation, Fashion & Beauty Style, Convergence, Performing Arts, and Mobile IT, and the Department of Early Childhood Education.

Tokyo Animation College is equipped with an Animation Lab, Comic Lab, Archive Rooms, and a Voiceover Studio for students enrolled in the school’s 13 programs. Options are housed across four departments and include Anime Production (three years), Animator/Animation (two years), Comics (three years), Story Comic (two years), and Character Design (two years).

Students in all programs have access to state-of-the-art facilities such as an Animation, Manga, Illustration, and Voice Acting practice rooms; drawing, computer, and training rooms; vocal, recording, and post-recording studios; and free spaces.

The Character Design Program at Tokyo Animation College provides opportunities to study animation through courses such as Flash Anime, Production Development, 3D Design, and Advanced Flash Anime. However, the most popular options for animators are the Anime Production and Animator/Animation Programs.

The three-year Anime Production Program explores TV Animation, 3D Animation Art, Theatre Animation Production, 3DCG, and Web Animation. Course examples for the program include Advanced Flash Anime, Character Design, Directing Techniques, Color Design, Digital Filming/Editing, Advanced 3DCG, Background Arts, Advanced Sketching I-IV, Business, and Anime Production I-II. Anime Production students will complete the Graduation Production I-II courses leading to a full-length animated production.

Graduates of the Anime Program at Tokyo Animation College are prepared to pursue positions such as Animator, Flash Animator, Technical Director, Animation Director, Cartoonist, Producer, CG Director, Film Director, and Production Controller.

The two-year Animator/Animation Program begins with basic skills such as Sketching, Motion and Drawing. Students will move on to mastering Animation Production Processes such as Color/Filming Editorial Techniques and Background Art.

Graduates of the Animation Program at Tokyo Animation College are prepared for careers such as Key-Animator, Character Designer, Production Assistant, Digital Cell-Painter, Animation Supervisor, and Inbetweener.

Tokyo Animation College traces its roots back to 1979, when the Music School was founded. In 1984, the school became a specialized training institution authorized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. In addition to production facilities, Tokyo Animation College houses dorms, libraries and other reference centers, and a career center.

The Faculty of Multimedia Creativity at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (Limkokwing University) has two paths to study Animation including an Animation & Multimedia Design Diploma and the Animation BA.

The Diploma Program explores Emerging, Experimental, and Advanced Digital Animation Techniques. Course examples include History of Animation, Illustration, Animation Methodology, Design Studies, Animation Production Design, Computer Graphics, Analytical Drawing and Communication Studies. Students in this program will also complete a final project across two courses.

Graduates of the Animation & Multimedia Design Program at Limkokwing University are prepared for careers such as 2D Animator, Concept Artist, Character Designer, Visual Development Artist, Assistant Animator, Background & Layout Artist, Storyboard Artist, and Digital Ink and Paint Artist.

The Animation BA Program at Limkokwing University explores Classical Animation, Animation History, Scriptwriting, Storytelling, Industry Software, Video and Special Effects (SFX), and the Animation Production Pipeline. Animation BA students will complete hands-on projects and coursework in a professional studio-like environment, while gaining real-world skills through the internship program.

Course examples for the program include Animation Practice 1-4, History of Animation, 3D Environment & FX, Video Production, 3D Animation 3, Multimedia Imaging, 3D Modeling, and Animation Project Management. Animation BA students will also take Professional Studies and Entrepreneurship courses. The Animation BA Program at Limkokwing University culminates with an Animation Dissertation and Final Project completed across two courses.

Graduates of the Animation BA Program at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology graduates are prepared for careers such as Animator, 3D Animator, Character Animator, Animation Supervisor, 3D Modeler, Texture Artist, and Digital Matte Artist.

Limkokwing University of Creative Technology was established in 1991 under the name Limkokwing Institute of Creative Technology. Serving more than 30,000 students from over 165 countries, Limkokwing University has 13 campuses in Botswana, the UK, Namibia, Sri Lanka, Lesotho, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, eSwatini, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Uganda. This private university provides hundreds of accredited diploma, degree, and postgraduate programs across seven faculties, Limkokwing Sound & Music Design Academy, and the Limkokwing Post-Graduate Center (PBC).

The College of Design and Arts at Hongik University was established in 1991. Within the College are the Schools of Design and Media; Games; Advertising and Public Relations; and Management and Technology. The College also houses the Department of Sport Science.

Within the School of Design and Media is a four-year Animation BFA Program that explores traditional and emerging techniques in Animation, Film, and Video. Program features include immersive studios; workshops and seminar; and unique elective options such as Cartoon Graphic Narrative, Video Media Startup, Doll Making, and Video Advertisement Production.

Course examples for the program include Visual Storytelling, Hybrid Video Production, Animation Movement and Expression, Video Directing, 3D Animation Production, Video Editing, Short Film Production, and Storyboard and Layout.

The Animation BFA Program at Hongik University culminates with the Video Animation Graduation Project, which takes two academic years to complete.

For students interested in a graduate program, Hongik University has a Digital Animation Program that provides access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment such as a sound recording studio; Quantel eQ editing workstations; Avid, Final Cut Pro, and Premiere editing systems; and HD cameras and equipment.

Housed in the Graduate School of Film and Digital Media (GSFDM) and leading to an MFA, the Digital Animation Program consists of four semesters of coursework and a full semester of thesis writing. MFA students will also complete a number of workshops and seminars. Course examples for the program include Image Semiotics, Experimental Video and Animation, Video and Production, Animation Planning and Directing, Understanding Color, Character Animation, Lighting and Camera, and Korean Cinema Theory.

The Digital Animation MFA Program at Hongik University culminates with the Final Graduate Video Animation Project.

Hongik University was established as Hong-Moon Higher Educational Institute in Yongsan-gu in 1946. The school was renamed Hongik University in 1947. Today, Hongik University serves approximately 18,400 students enrolled in hundreds of programs across 10 colleges, 12 schools, and 24 departments. Hongik graduates have gone on to become successful Animators, Filmmakers, Writers, Rappers, Actors, Illustrators, Journalists, Television Personalities, and Painters, Poets, and Performers.