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What are the top animation schools in Australia and New Zealand?
| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | RMIT University | Melbourne |
| 2 | Griffith University | Brisbane City, Queensland |
| 3 | University of Technology Sydney | Sydney |
| 4 | Media Design School at Strayer | Auckland |
| 5 | University of Melbourne | Melbourne, Victoria |
| 6 | Queensland University of Technology | Brisbane |
| 7 | Swinburne University of Technology | Melbourne |
| 8 | Deakin University | Melbourne, Victoria |
| 9 | Australian National University | Canberra |
| 10 | YOOBEE College of Creative Innovation | Auckland |
Our 2026 rankings of the top animation degree programs 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. RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
RMIT University is a Melbourne International Film Festival (MIAF) partner that provides several paths to study animation. The School of Design houses the Animation and Interactive Media BDes program; a Master of Animation, Games and Interactivity (MAGI); and the AGI graduate certificate. RMIT’s College of Vocational Education (VE) houses an intensive, one-year Diploma of Screen and Media (Animation, Gaming and Visual Effects). Across programs, students benefit from internship opportunities; courses taught by industry professionals; participation in the RMIT Graduate Shows; and access to state-of-the-art production facilities.
Programs culminate with a final project and portfolio. Graduates go on to launch their own studios or land positions at places such as Disney, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, Cartoon Network, Blizzard Entertainment, Digital Domain, Bethesda, Naughty Dog, and Rising Sun Pictures (RSP).
2. Griffith University, Brisbane City, Queensland, Australia
Griffith University is home to Griffith Film School (GFS). A Toon Boom Center of Excellence (COE) and the largest school of its kind in Australia, GFS houses a Bachelor of Animation program that provides opportunities to gain real-world experience through the in-house multimedia studio known as LiveLab, and internships with places such as Ludo Studio (Bluey), Liquid Animation Studio, and Pixel Zoo. Students also have the option to select from majors including Character Animation; 3D Art and Environments; Virtual Production and VFX; Post-Production; Writing and Development; and Art Direction.
Other program highlights include access to masterclasses and guest lectures by artists from places such as Lucasfilm and Disney; international partnerships with Gobelins, ASPA, and NEP Group; participation in animation film festivals; and collaborative projects with illustrators and game artists from Queensland Conservatorium and Griffith's Queensland College of Art and Design.
Programs culminate with a final project and portfolio. GFS graduates can be found at places such as Electronic Arts (EA), DreamWorks, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Netflix Animation Studios, Disney, Warner Bros., Sony Pictures Imageworks, Weta FX, DNEG, and Triggerfish Animation Studios.
3. University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
University of Technology Sydney (UTS) provides several paths to study animation. Programs include Diploma of Animation Production with standard (12 months) and accelerated (eight months) options; the three-year Bachelor of Creative Production in Animation; and the one-year accelerated Master of Animation and Visualization (MAV) developed in partnership with Netflix Animation Studios. Across programs, students benefit from partnerships with more than 1,000 industry partners; access to state-of-the-art digital production studios; industry presentations by places such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) and DNEG; participation in hackathons and competitions; and professional internships.
Programs culminate with a final project (short film) and showcase. Graduates can be found at places such as ILM, Netflix Animation Studios, Flying Bark Productions, Arterra Interactive, and Crafty Apes.
4. Media Design School at Strayer, Auckland, New Zealand
Media Design School at Strayer (MDS) is a Houdini Certified School and New Zealand’s only Unity Authorized Training and Certification partner. The school also houses the country’s first 3D Animation program. Leading to a Bachelor of Art and Design (3D Animation and VFX), the program allows students to specialize in 3D Animation, Compositing, or Modelling and Technical Studies. All coursework and creative activities take place in a collaborative studio-like environment. In the final year of the program, students will work in teams on an industry-level production to create a market-ready short film.
In addition to working on films such as The Hobbit and Avatar, MDS Animation graduates have secured roles at places such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), DreamWorks, Activision, Pixar, Electronic Arts (EA), Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), Disney, Lucasfilm, Weta FX, Warner Bros., Microsoft, and Unity.
5. University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
University of Melbourne is home to Victorian College of the Arts (VCA). Established in 1972, VCA houses an intensive, studio-based Animation BFA that allows students to produce an animated sort film in every year of the program. Other highlights include a collaborative, interdisciplinary learning environment; professional internships; and access to state-of-the-art facilities such as animation and stop-motion studios, post-production suites, and editing, mixing, and sound recording rooms.
VCA BFA students will graduate with a professional portfolio. Program alumni have secured roles at places such as Netflix Animation Studios, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Weta FX, and Method Studios.
6. Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
The Faculty of Creative Industries, Education, and Social Justice at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) provides two paths to study animation. Options include the Bachelor of Creative Arts (Animation) and the Bachelor of Games and Interactive Environments (Animation). For both programs, learning activities and projects take place in an environment that mirrors today’s professional studios. Other program highlights include courses taught by industry professionals; experiential learning; visiting artists; and workshops.
Programs culminate with a capstone (short film) or market-ready game. Graduates can be found at places such as Gameloft, Lucasfilm, Disney, Weta FX, Netflix Animation Studios, DNEG, and RSP.
7. Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia
Swinburne University of Technology (Swinburne) provides a number of Toon Boom and Wacom recognized programs for animators. Options include a Bachelor of Animation; Bachelor of Games and Interactivity/Bachelor of Animation; Bachelor of Animation/Bachelor of Applied Innovation; Diploma of Screen and Media-Animation; Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media-Animation; and the Certificate IV in Screen and Media. Across paths, students have the opportunity to complete a professional internship through Swinburne’s Work Integrated Learning (WIL) initiative and Professional Placements program. Many interns secure roles before graduating.
Other program highlights include trips to expos and other related events; access to state-of-the-art production facilities; workshops; and collaborative projects. Programs culminate with a final project (animated film or other work). Graduates have secured roles at places such as Electronic Arts (EA), Ubisoft, Framestore, Method Studios, Cinesite, Flying Bark Productions, and Red Cat Motion.
8. Deakin University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
The School of Communication and Creative Arts (CCA) at Deakin University (Deakin) houses a Bachelor of Film, Television, and Animation that combines studio-based courses with opportunities to work on projects for real clients. An Animation minor for students in programs such as Digital Media and Film and Television is also available. Students in both programs have access to access to state-of-the-art production facilities. Degree-seeking students have the opportunity to complete a professional internship at places such as Dreamscreen Australia and Fox Sports.
Programs culminate with an animation project and presentation. Graduates have been hired at places such as Warner Bros., Fox Sports, NantStudios, and Dreamscreen Australia.
9. Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
The School of Art and Design at Australian National University (ANU) houses a studio-based Bachelor of Visual Arts (BVART) with a major in Animation and Video. The program explores areas such as 2D animation, compositing, 3D animation, editing, production, and virtual reality (VR). Other program highlights include access to the latest industry software and other production tools in state-of-the-art facilities; visiting artists; workshops; and internship opportunities.
The program culminates with a final project. Graduates are prepared to pursue roles at places such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Netflix Animation, Gameloft, and Rising Sun Pictures (RSP).
10. YOOBEE College of Creative Innovation, Auckland, New Zealand
YOOBEE College of Creative Innovation is a Toon Boon Center of Excellence that houses a Bachelor of Animation with specializations in Story and Character; Worldbuilding and Visual Effects; and Interactive Media and Games. The program can be completed in three years, culminating with a team capstone project and an individual investigative project. Students can pursue a career in animation or continue studying by opting for the Honors year, culminating with a project thesis. Graduates of the four-year program are prepared for advanced roles in animation or academia.
Bachelor of Animation alumni can be found at places such as Weta FX, HP, Meta, Yoozoo Animations, Cloud Imperium Games, and TVNZ.