What are the top animation schools in Australia and New Zealand?
| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | RMIT University | Melbourne |
| 2 | Media Design School | Auckland |
| 3 | Griffith University | Queensland |
| 4 | University of Technology Sydney | Sydney |
| 5 | University of Melbourne | Melbourne |
| 6 | Swinburne University of Technology | Melbourne |
| 7 | Billy Blue College of Design | Sydney |
| 8 | Yoobee School of Design | Auckland |
| 9 | Deakin University Australia | Geelong |
| 10 | Massey University | Multiple |
Our 2020 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. RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
Serving nearly 87,000 students, RMIT University is Australia’s largest university. Established in 1887, this global university of technology, design and enterprise offers programs of study across 17 schools in 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.
2. Media Design School, Auckland, New Zealand
Media Design School is a member of Laureate International Universities—a network of more than 25 higher education institutions serving more than 875,000 students. The school offers degrees in AI, Cloud Computing, 3D Animation and Visual Effects, Interactive Design, Motion Graphics, Game Art, Game Programming, Graphic Design, and Creative Advertising. The 3D Animation and Visual Effects program, which leads to a Bachelor of Art and Design, prepares students for career paths such as Animator, 3D Modeler, Compositor, VFX Artist, Effects Designer, Technical Director, and many others. Graduates of the programs have gone on to win short film awards, land positions at major studios, and work on blockbuster films such as Avatar and The Hobbit.
3. Griffith University, Queensland, Australia
Founded in 1971, Griffith University (Griffith U) serves around 50,000 students across six campuses in South East Queensland, Australia. Housed within Griffith U is one of Australia's longest-running art and design colleges-Queensland College of Art (QCA). 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 and classes are primarily on-campus, with some mixed-mode online delivery and off-campus work placements or internships.
4. University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Australia
Serving nearly 46,200 students, including 15,450 international 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. University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria Australia
Founded in 1853, University of Melbourne serves 52,745 students enrolled in hundreds of programs across eight campuses and dozens of faculties, departments, and schools. Victoria College of the Arts (VCA) houses the Animation Program, which leads to a BFA. The program involves “the practical exploration, innovation and development of animated screen production,” says the school. 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.
6. Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia
Established in 1908, Swinburne University of Technology 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. Billy Blue College of Design – Torrens University of Australia, Sydney, Australia
Billy Blue College of Design opened in 1987. In 2015, the school teamed up with Torrens University of Australia, which provides the opportunity for students to earn a University degree and connect with more than 80 Laureate International Universities. Aspiring animators can earn a Bachelor of Digital Media (3D Design & Animation) that may be completed in a part-time or full-time blended format (online and on campus). Students in the 240-credit point program receive “broad and flexible hands-on skills in modeling, rigging, animation, texturing, lighting and compositing,” says the school. Students may also take electives in Motion Design, Interaction Design or Communication Design to tailor their degree goals. An internship at a professional 3D design and animation studio is also part of the program. Graduates go on to become 3D Animators, Animation Directors, Game Artists, Creative Directors, 3D visualization artists, VFX Artists, and more.
8. 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. The School of Animation and VFX at Yoobee is the largest specialist animation and VFX school in New Zealand. Options for aspiring animators include a Bachelor of Animation with optional Honors and a Diploma in Digital Design – Animation and Film Production. A three-day Introductory 3D Character Animation Program is also available. Upon completion of 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.
9. Deakin University Australia, Geelong, Victoria Australia
Deakin University Australia has been around since 1974. One of Australia's fastest growing research universities, the school serves more than 60,000 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. Students will work on industry briefs and creative projects throughout the program, leading to a solid portfolio of real-world work.
10. Massey University, Auckland, Manawatu, Wellington, New Zealand
Named after former Prime Minister William Ferguson, Massey University began as an agricultural college in Palmerston North, Australia. The college officially opened on March 20, 1928 as a fully constituent college of the University of New Zealand. The school serves 18,000 students across its three campuses, and approximately 17,000 online students. Massey University's teaching and research departments are divided into five colleges offering programs in more than 40 academic subject areas.
The College of Creative Arts offers a Bachelor of Creative Media Production (BCMP) that trains future animators, filmmakers, game designers, and producers. Program highlights include hands-on projects, courses taught by industry professionals, extensive industry connections, access to industry standard production facilities, and an accelerated format—the program takes just three years to complete. Students will leave the Massey BCMP program with a polished portfolio of their work.