Top 10 Animation Schools in France - 2024 College Rankings

Animation at Gobelins Paris (Gobelins) consists of a 3D Character Animator certificate, a preparatory program, and degree options at all levels. The certificate program emphasizes learning by doing through simulation exercises and experiential learning opportunities. Coursework covers 3D animation, acting, animation styles from cartoon to realism, character animation, body mechanics, and 3D layout. Other program benefits include trips to animation conferences; a two-month internship; and the production of a final individual demo reel. 

The Gobelins 3D Character Animator certificate takes just one year to complete, full-time. Graduates have a 100% employment rate within six months of completing the program. Examples of career opportunities include 3D Animation Supervisor, 3D Character Animation, and Director of 3D Animation. 

Designed for students with a high school diploma, Gobelins’ preparatory program provides the opportunity for students to develop basic creative and technical skills through courses and topics such as Observation Drawing; Animation Techniques; History of Arts and Animation Cinema; Stop Motion; and Character Design. 

Animation Preparatory students also benefit from hands-on learning; workshops; mentorship; and optional internships during school holidays. This full-time program has both online and on-campus options that can be completed in just one year. 

The Animation Preparatory program culminates with a final project or portfolio of the student's best work. Upon completion of the program, graduates are prepared to pursue an entre-level position or apply to one of Gobelins Animation degree programs. These include a BA in Character Animation and Animated Filmmaking; a Bachelor in 3D Animation; an MA in Character Animation and Animated Filmmaking; and a Visual Storytelling MA. Programs are provided in partnership with CITIA (la Cité de l’Image en mouvement d’Annecy). 

The Character Animation and Animated Filmmaking BA, and the 3D Character Animation program explore areas such as anatomy, special effects (SFX), 2D/3D animation, motion capture, acting, scriptwriting, character and background design, 3D layout, storyboarding, film analysis, direction, history of art, and editing. Students will also master digital tools specific to Animation such as Maya, Première, Photoshop, TV Paint, Animate, After Effects, and Storyboarder. 

For both programs, students will work their way through the entire Animation production pipeline. Both programs take three years to complete, full-time. All graduates enjoy a near 90% employment rate within six months after graduating. 

The Character Animation and Animated Filmmaking MA at Gobelins Paris is a two-year program that explores filmmaking, scriptwriting, 2D and 3D character animation, directing, graphic design, storyboarding, sound design, 2D and 3D layout, rigging, acting, special effects animation, rendering, and compositing. Students in this professional program will work in teams on projects and animated productions; complete an internship; and produce a demo reel and portfolio. 

Other program features include courses taught by professionals from major studios; participation in workshops and projects sponsored by partner companies and public institutions such as Netflix, the French Ministry of Justice, Dell, Universal Music, BMW, Olympus, and Musée Picasso; access to state-of-the-art equipment, studios, and dedicated workstations; and participation in a speed-recruiting event organized during the Annecy festival with more than 50 companies in attendance. 

Graduates of the Animation degree programs at Gobelins Paris are prepared to pursue titles such as 2D Animator, 3D Animator, Crowd and Series Animator, 2D Animation Director, Previz Artist, Film Director, Character Designer, Storyboard Artist, 3D Animation Supervisor, and Video Game Animator. 

The Visual Storytelling MA at Gobelins Paris is a two-year program that prepares students for careers in areas such as animation, video game design, illustration, comic book publishing, and motion design. The program explores character development, universe design, production pipelines, new and emerging technologies, audiovisual creation, adaptations, narrative forms, and group studies. 

This project-based program provides the opportunity for students to intern with a French or international company; complete a study trip and research paper on narrative techniques; or participate in an academic mobility at a partner school. Students will also learn how to pitch in teams or individually, and develop a project in animation, gaming, motion design, serious gaming, comics, or other related area. Each student's final pitch will be evaluated by a professional jury. 

Founded in 1964 by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIP) of the Paris Ile-de-France region, Gobelins Paris is one of the oldest Animation schools in the world. Serving approximately 1,105 students today across two campuses in Paris and one in the French Alps, Gobelins provides a variety of programs leading to a BA, MA, or Professional Certificate. Single courses such as 2D Animation, From Storyboard to Animatic, and Drawing for Movement are available online. Gobelins Paris is a member of the French Animation School Network known as RECA, and IPAX—the U.S. network of schools recognized by Sony Pictures.

ARTFX is a Toon Boom Center of Excellence that houses the schools of Animation, Cinema, Visual Effects, and Video Games. The Animation School has a program with 3D Character Animation and 2D Film Animation options leading to an MA degree. All students benefit from workshops led by professionals in the industry; masterclasses and other activities with partner studios such as Moving Picture Company (MPC), Illumination, DNEG, Framestore, Lighthouse Studios, Cinesite, and Mikros Animation. 

Other program features include access to state-of-the-art classrooms, labs and studios equipped with industry-standard software such as Storyboard Pro, Affinity, Krita, SideFX Houdini, Autodesk Maya, Dragonframe, ZBrush, Unreal Engine, and Affinity Photo; one mandatory internship lasting six weeks (students may complete multiple internships); and RECA—an association founded by ARTFX that consists of 28 industry-recognized French Animation Film Schools. 

In the first year of the 3D Character Animation and 2D Film Animation programs, all students will complete the common core. In addition to completing foundation courses during this time, students will collaborate and experiment with techniques in film, animation, and games; develop storytelling skills; and prepare projects for an exhibition and individual portfolios. 

In the following years students will complete additional projects and reels related to their degree. In the final year of the Animation MA programs at ARTFX, students will create and direct an animated short film that will be screened by a professional jury. Graduation films have won dozens of awards and received more than 900 selections in festivals around the world. 

Upon completion of these five-year programs, animation students will have the opportunity to participate in the End-of-Studies Job Dating Session, which attracts French and international recruiters from major Animation studios. To date, ARTFX animation graduates have enjoyed a 95% job placement rate within six months to a year after graduating. 

Graduates are prepared to pursue advanced roles in areas such as 2D animation, 3D character animation, puppet animation, storyboard art, game art and design, character design, background art, concept art, and layout design. Program alumni have worked on productions such as Ready Player One, The Lion King, Star Wars Episode VIII, The Minions, and Gravity. 

ARTFX, School of Digital Arts was founded in 2004 by French Special Effects (SFX) pioneer Gilbert Kiner. Launched in Montpellier, the school’s first program was 3D Animation and SFX. Today, ARTFX employs 80 professors and 50 permanent staff that serve 1,100 students across three campuses in Paris, Lille, and Montpellier. This independent art school is registered with the Répertoire National des Certifications Professionnelles (RNCP).

MoPA (School of 3D Animation) has partnerships with major studios that often lead masterclasses, attend juries, and provide internship opportunities. Just a few MoPA partners include DreamWorks Animation, DNEG, Reel FX, Pearl Studio, Framestore, Aardman, Mikros, and Axis Studios. 

The school focuses on project-based teaching that emphasizes collaboration and teamwork. Leading to an Expert Diploma in 3D Design, Production, and Animation (Baccalaureate), the program includes Cycle 1: Years 1-3; and Cycle 2: Years 4 and 5. During the preparatory year (year one), students engage in animated film, video, and photography workshops; multiple projects using a wide range of animation and filmmaking techniques; art history coursework; and Adobe Creative Suite courses. 

In Cycle 1, students will work on projects individually and in groups. Students will work their way through the entire production pipeline of an animated short film. Areas explored include film analysis, storyboarding, modeling, character design, script, and sound illustration. In this Cycle, students will also develop advanced skills in Maya, Nuke, Zbrush, V-Ray, and Substance. 

In Cycle 2 of the MoPA Animation program at students will select a specialization in Animation Professions or Image Professions. Students will also work in teams of four to six to produce a short animated film in a real studio setting. 

Other program features include access to 200 computers across MoPA’s studios; access to the same equipment and software used in professional studios; internship opportunities; and study abroad experiences. 

The MoPA diploma program culminates with the Final Year Jury in the Theatre of Arles, which attracts 2,000 artists and spectators. After this public screening, student films will begin their journey through the international film festival circuit. 

MoPA graduates are prepared to pursue careers in pre-production, production, and post-production in areas such as animation, film, television, and game design. Possible job titles include 3D Character Animator, Production Manager, Special Effects Artist, Director, Matte Painter, Sound Designer, Layout Artist, Storyboarder, Concept Artist, Screenwriter, and Artistic Director. 

MoPA School of Animation dates back to 1988 when it launched as Supinfocom School—the first French institution of its kind devoted entirely to CGI. Supinfocom became MoPA School of Animation in 2015. In 2022, MoPA became a member of a network of schools known as the BRASSART Group. Located across 14 cities in France, the Group specializes in 3D Animation, Graphic Art and Design, Video Games, and Audiovisuals. MoPA is also a member Réseau des Écoles Françaises du Cinéma d'Animation (RECA)—a network of 28 French animation schools recognized by the professional community in France and around the world.

ISART Digital (ISART) has 3D program with options in 3D Animation and Special Effects. Leading to a bachelor’s and eventually, the MA, this project-based program is delivered in a film studio setting equipped with the latest industry-standard tolls and technology. All students benefit from partnerships with Tokyo University of Technology (TUT) and Niigata Computer College, which allow them to spend one month or 6-12 months in Japan, while immersing in the local 3D, FX, animation, and game industries.   

During one-month stays, ISART students can participate in a Game Jam. During longer stays, students will have the opportunity to complete a research thesis project under the direction of a TUT professor. All study abroad opportunities are ideal for students who are interested in animating for games. Across programs, students will also complete up to two internships—locally or abroad.   

The ISART 3D bachelor’s is a three-year program that focuses on the fundamentals of 2D and 3D, character animation, shooting and editing, environment creation, and photography. Students will learn about the animation production process from pre- to post-production. Utilizing a variety of 3D tools, undergraduate students will complete several group and individual projects. 

Sample course content for the program includes 2D Animation; Storyboard; Organic Rigging; Animation and Special Effects; 3D Animation; Motion Design; 2D Character Design; Compositing; Vectorial Drawing; Roto-Animation; Lighting & Rendering; and History of Cinema. 

The master’s 3D program is dedicated to the completion of an end or studies film project. For 24 months, graduate students will develop advanced production skills while working in the studio to animate, rig, and compose all of the elements of a professional, industry-ready 3D film. Sample course content for program includes Character FX; Advanced Rigging; Dynamic Simulation; Advanced 3D Animation; 3D Sculpture; Realistic/Stylized Preproduction; and Rush Animation. 

Graduates of the 3D program at ISART Digital enjoy a 90% employment rate. Program alumni are prepared to pursue positions such as 3D Animator, Technical Director, Storyboard Artist, Art Director, Environment Artist, CG Supervisor, FX Artist or FX Director, Concept Artist, and Motion Designer. 

Launched in 2001, ISART Digital serves approximately 1,200 students across campuses in Paris, Nice, and Montreal, Canada. ISART provides more than a dozen degree programs in the 3D animation, visual effects (VFX), and game design disciplines. The degree programs at ISART Digital are accredited by the French & Canadian governments. In addition, ISART is a member of the Network of French Cinema Animation Schools (RECA) and Les Femmes s'Animent (LFA).

L'Institut Supérieur des Arts Appliqués (LISAA) provides several paths to study animation. At the undergraduate level, LISAA has a bachelor’s degrees in 2D Animation; 3D Animation; 2D/3D Animation; and VFX. All programs are provided at the main campus in Paris. The 2D/3D program is also available at the Toulouse campus. 

At the graduate level, LISAA has a 3D Animation master’s that can be completed in two years at the Paris campus. Across programs, students benefit from partnerships with studios such as Illumination, Mikros Animation, and Method Studios; the opportunity to complete solo and team projects; and access to state-of-the-art facilities such as motion capture and post-production sound studios, a digital calibration station, and a computer park equipped with professional software. 

LISAA also has more than 50,000 contacts across 650+ professions, and additional partnerships with Wacom, the Toon Boom Center of Excellence, progiss/3DVF, and Adobe. 

In addition to taking courses such as Digital Color/3D Techniques, Shooting/VFX, Storyboard, 2D Animated and Motion Design, LISAA animation students will master industry-standard software such Maya, Toon Boom Harmony, Nuke, Houdini, Unreal Engine, Autodesk 3ds Max, Unity, and V-Ray. All programs culminate with a professional film and portfolio.  

LISAA animation graduates are prepared to pursue titles such as 2D Animator, 3D Animator, VFX Artist, Texturing Artist, Character Designer, Art Director, Animation & Special Effects Production Manager, CG Generalist, Storyboard Artist, Background Designer, Game Artist, Lighting/Rendering Artist, Modeler/Mapper, Tracking/Match Move Artist, Motion Designer, Texturing Artist, Rigger, and Screenwriter. 

Founded in 1986, L'Institut Supérieur des Arts Appliqués is a private higher/technical education institution that trains Artists in the fields of animation, graphic design, games, interior architecture, and fashion. Serving more than 4,000 students. LISAA has a main campus in Paris and six additional campuses from Bordeaux to Toulouse.