Top 10 Animation Schools in the UK - 2024 College Rankings

Bournemouth University (BU) is home to the Faculty of Media & Communication, which houses the National Centre for Computer Animation (NCCA). Established in 1989, the NCCA is one of the few research-intensive Animation centers in the UK. In 2011, the NCCA was presented with the Queen’s Anniversary Award for world-class computer animation teaching with wide scientific creative applications. In addition, BU is one of a small number of institutions in the UK to achieve Houdini Certified School status by Side Effects Software. 

The NCAA at BU has both undergraduate and graduate programs for students seeking a career in Animation. At the undergraduate level, students can earn a BA in Computer Animation and Visual Effects. Graduate students have three options including the 3D Computer Animation MA; the MSc in Computer Animation and Visual Effects; and the Digital Effects MA. 

All options are ScreenSkills recognized and feature collaborative projects that simulate real world scenarios and challenges; lecture series; access to animation labs equipped with industry-standard software such as Houdini, Maya, Unreal Engine, Zbrush, Unity, and Nuke; access to green screen motion capture, and virtual production studios; and industry guest speakers. 

Studios that have visited BU include Disney Animation Studios, Pixar, DreamWorks, Microsoft, DNEG, Epic Games, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe (SIEE), Framestore, Moving Picture Company (MPC), Animal Logic, Illumination, and Blue Zoo Animation.  

A major component of the animation programs at Bournemouth University is participation in the Annual BFX Festival. With nearly 1,000 attendees and nearly 60 speakers, BFX is one of the largest Animation, Games, and Visual Effects festivals in the UK. This international event features networking opportunities with artists and speakers from all areas of entertainment; talks and panels; competitions; screenings; and nearly 20 masterclasses by experts in the industry. 

The Computer Animation and Visual Effects BA at BU has three pathway options including Visual Effects; Art and Design; and Technical Arts. Course examples for the program include Modeling and Texturing; Principles of 3D Animation; Procedural Content Creation; Lighting and Look Development; Image Manipulation for Animation & Visual Effects; Concept and Story; and Professional Practice. 

All BA students have the opportunity to complete an invaluable 30-week internship at a studio; work with supportive tutors who will review their work; and tailor their studies with option units such as Computer Graphics for Sustainable Development, and Moving Images of a Computerized Age. 

The Computer Animation and Visual Effects BA program at Bournemouth University culminates with a major project and dissertation. Students may complete the project and dissertation individually or in teams. 

Graduates of the program enjoy a near 95% employment rate or further study within six months of graduation. BU alumni have worked on films such as Blade Runner 2049, Solo: A Star Wars Story, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, The Avengers, and Dunkirk.

The 3D Computer Animation MA at Bournemouth University helps students develop advanced skills in computer animation for animated features, films, television production, computer games, scientific visualization, interactive media, flight simulation, virtual environments, advertising, and architecture. All students will work and learn in a professional studio environment, and create a major project to be exhibited at the degree show. This event attracts top industry recruiters from around the world. 

Course examples for the 3D Computer Animation MA include Visual & Critical Studies; Core Production Principles; Core Production Techniques; Research and Development in Computer Animation; and Production Development. In addition to the final project, MA students will build a master’s portfolio either solo or with a group.  

In the BU Computer Animation & Visual Effects MSc, students will learn how to apply math, algorithmic, and technical skills to create tools to be used in the production of animated works and computer games. Course examples for the program include Simulation and Rendering; CGI Tools; Pipeline and Technical Direction; Animation Software Engineering; and CGI Techniques. Students will complete group projects and a master’s project to be displayed at the end of year degree show. 

The MA and MSc programs at Bournemouth University take one year to complete. Graduates are prepared to pursue leadership roles across industries. In the entertainment and games industries, program alumni have worked on films and games for major studios such as DreamWorks, Pixar, Sony Picture Imageworks, and EA Games. Examples include the Harry Potter series, Happy Feet, Grand Theft Auto, Monsters vs Aliens, the Lord of the Rings trilogy, King Kong, and Crysis 2. 

Bournemouth University dates back to the 1970s, when Bournemouth College of Technology was created. By 1976, the school had changed its name to Dorset Institute of Higher Education, and again in 1992 to Bournemouth Polytechnic. Within two months, the school became Bournemouth University. Today, BU provides more than 240 degree programs to 19,000+ students. The programs at Bournemouth University are accredited by agencies such as the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), and the Club Managers Association of Europe (CMAE).

Through a partnership with Epic Games, Escape Studios was the first Unreal Authorized Training Center in the UK. Also an Unreal Engine Academic Partner and Houdini Certified School, Escape Studios provides programs that are developed and maintained in partnership with Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), PlayStation London, DNEG, Moving Picture Company (MPC), Jellyfish Pictures, Cinesite, Framestore, and Mikros Animation. The school’s partnerships with these major studios provide endless opportunities for students to network with established professionals in the industry. 

Other Escape Studios features include programs in Animation, Games, Visual Effects (VFX), and Motion Graphics; courses led by instructors who have worked with Disney, DreamWorks, Fox, and Warner Bros; intensive training sessions on industry-standard software such as Maya and Toon Boom Harmony; access to state-of-the-art studios and equipment; and internships with major studio for four weeks, three months, or a year. Students may also participate in the Annual VFX Festival hosted by Escape Studios. 

Escape Studios has 13 paths to study animation. For students seeking a shorter program, the school has eight-, 10-, 12-, 18- and 20-week options in everything from Character and Creature Creation to 3D Animation. Degree-seekers have five options including the BA (Hons)/MArt in The Art of Computer Animation (3D); BA (Hons)/MArt in The Art of Computer Animation (2D); the BSc (Hons)/MSci in Character Creation for Animation, Games & VFX; a 3D Animation MA; and the MA in Character & Creature Creation. 

Students at Escape Studios will learn in classrooms that simulate real animation studios. They will also have the opportunity to master all areas of the Animation production pipeline. Graduates are prepared to work in all areas of animation, film, game art and design, television, advertising, and more. 

Escape Studios graduates have won 500 awards, 77 honorable mentions, 163 finalist nods, and 25 nominations. worked on productions and games such as Harry Potter, Assassin’s Creed, Top Gun: Maverick, Star Wars, Avengers, Unchartered 2, Captain America: Civil War, The Batman, Ex Machina, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Gravity, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever; Interstellar, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Forza Horizon, and The Jungle Book. Escapees have also gone on to launch their own studios or freelance businesses. 

Escape Studios was established in 2002. To date, the school has produced 4,000 alumni known as “Escapees.” Escape Studios provides seven BA and BSc programs, five MA options, dozens of short programs, and industry training in VFX Compositing, Houdini, and Unreal Engine. These options can be completed on campus in London or entirely online.

The School of Creative Arts at University of Hertfordshire (UH or Herts) has three undergraduate paths to study animation. Options include BA degrees in 2D Digital Animation; 3D Animation & Visual Effects (VFX); and Comics and Concept Art. At the graduate level, the school has MA programs in Animation, and Character and Creature Animation. This fully remote program is provided through UH Online. 

Accredited by SideFX and the International Association of Film and Television Schools (CILECT), all programs feature courses and projects led by professional Animators who have worked on productions such as Thor, Harry Potter, The Hobbit, Tom & Jerry, Doctor Who, and The Avengers. 

Course examples across BA programs include Applying CG; Creativity, Concept & Story; Animated Thinking; Progressing 3D and Visual Effects; Moving Visions; Design, Interactivity & Professional Practices; Progressing 2D Animation; Concepts in Motion: Articulated Research & Writing; Progressing Character & Concept Art; Pre-Production for 2D Animation; Moving Visions; Pre-Production for 3D Animation; Comics & Professional Practices; and Pre-Production for Comics and Concept Art. 

The 2D Digital Animation and 3D Animation & VFX BA programs also provide opportunities to complete several live projects, including a final film project to be screened at the School of Creative Arts Animation Exposé. In addition, BA students will complete a number of simulated real-world projects; a portfolio of their best work; and an internship. 

Students have opportunities to complete a short or year-long study abroad experience at partner universities across Europe, Africa, South America, Asia, Canada, and Australia. 

The Animation MA at University of Hertfordshire is a multidisciplinary program that emphasizes project-based learning. Students in this program will actively participate in art- and software-based workshops and lectures; seminars; work placements; and a study abroad year. Students will complete 180 credits across five modules. These include Practice 1: Developing Skills (30 credits); Digital Media: Sources and Significance (30 credits); Practice 2: Creative Project Development (30 credits); Exploring Professional Practice (30 credits); and Major Study: Animation (60 credits). 

All UH animation students have the opportunity to complete a simulated brief in collaboration with Animation alumni and organizations such as National Poetry Day and Promise. 

The Character and Creature Animation MA at Herts allows students to study at their own pace. Ideal for professionals already working in the industry or those seeking a career change, the CCA MA consists of the following core modules: Introduction to Animation Skills (pre-requisite); Animal & Creature Animation (30 credits); Character Performance (30 credits); Locomotion and Mechanics for Animation (30 credits); and The Animation Industry: Preparing for a Career (30 credits).  

The program culminates with the 60 credit hour Graduation Portfolio module, consisting of a several larger works organized into a professional portfolio. 

Graduates of the animation programs at University of Hertfordshire enjoy a near-perfect 96.5% employment rate. Program alumni are prepared to pursue titles such as 2D or 3D Animator (Film), Game Animator, Character Designer, Visual Affects Artist, Creature Animator, and Creative Director. 

School of Creative Arts alumni have gone on to win Oscars, Emmy’s, and BAFTAs for their work on productions such as Start Wars, Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, The Lion King, Avatar, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Jungle Book, Inception, and Gravity. HU Animation alumni have also been recruited by major studios such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Sony, Blue Zoo, and Creative Assembly. 

University of Hertfordshire (UH) was founded in 1952 as Hatfield Technical College. Serving 1,500 students, the school specialized Aeronautical Engineering, the Natural Sciences, and Mechanical Engineering. Today, University of Hertfordshire serves approximately 32,000 students from more than 140 countries with access to over 550 carer-focused degree options. UH operates across eight schools and two campuses in Hatfield – Hertfordshire and London.

Staffordshire University (Stafford) is home to the School of Digital, Technology, Innovation and Business. An Unreal Authorized Training Center, the school provides transdisciplinary programs in the creative arts and digital technologies. This includes BA and MA degrees in Animation. 

Students in all programs benefit from university connections with studios such as Pixar, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Carse & Waterman, and Aardman; interactions with visiting speakers; learning that takes place in a workshop environment; trips to the UK Animation Festival and others; apprenticeships; international excursions; and access to state-of-the-art studio spaces as well as digital, animation, games, and stop motion labs. 

Animation students also have opportunities to display their work at annual industry and public events such as GradEX, New Designers, and the Degree Show. 

The Animation BA at Staffordshire University is a three-year program that focuses on animation, drawing, and production. Delivered in a module format, the program features courses such as Animation Principles; Character Creation; Animated Stories; Animation World; and Team Animation. In the final year of the program, students may complete an internship, professional animation profile, and a portfolio showreel. Final student work will be presented to a panel of industry leaders as part of Industry Portfolio Week. 

Stafford Animation BA graduates are prepared to pursue careers across the animation, games, film, and advertising industries. Program alumni have worked on projects such as Guardians of the Galaxy, Transformers, Wes Anderson’s Isle of Dogs, and Skyfall. Graduates have also landed positions at major studios such as Disney, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Sony, Moving Picture Company (MPC), Blue Zoo Animation, DNEG, Cinesite, Aardman Animation, and Brown Bag Films. 

The Animation MA program at Staffordshire University has both full-time (13 months) and part-time (22 months) options. Both allow students to customize the degree to fit their career goals. Modules for the program include Animation Design and Technology; Animation Industries and Ecosystems; Animation Production Proofs and Solutions; Animation Story and Performance; and Animation Culture and Critique. 

In the final phase of the program, students will participate in Animation Production Consolidation. Over two modules, students will have the opportunity to complete a short film or showreel for the Animation Presentation. This screening event attracts industry partners, collaborators, and future investors. 

Graduates of the Animation MA program at Staffordshire University have landed positions at studios such as DNEG, Brown Bag Films, Cinesite, and Boulder Media. 

Staffordshire University opened as a polytechnic institute in 1914. On June 16, 1992, the school was officially given university status. Serving thousands of students around the world, Staffordshire provides programs across the School of Digital, Technology, Innovation and Business; the School of Health, Education, Policing and Sciences; and the Institute of Education. In 2019, the school launched Staffordshire University London—a specialist campus that focuses on education and training in the computing and gaming sectors.

University of Portsmouth (UoP) has several paths to study animation including an Animation BA; a BSc in Computer Animation and Visual Effects (VFX); and a Computer Animation MSc. Animation BA at University of Portsmouth requires 120 credit hours of study. Accredited by Joint Audio Media Education Services (JAMES), the BA program combines lectures, seminars, workshops, and tutorials with courses taught by professionals from major studios such as Sony, Disney, and Cartoon Network. 

BA students will learn to work in 2D and 3D using both digital and traditional techniques, while mastering professional production techniques. Software includes Adobe Creative Cloud, Maya, TV Paint, and Wacom Cintiq Drawing Studio. Other program benefits include the opportunity to earn Adobe Certified Professional (ACP) accreditation; a full one year internship; and participation in the annual UoP Game Jam. 

The Animation BA program culminates with the completion of a dissertation, showreel, and portfolio. Final works will be presented at UoP’s Annual Graduate Shows. Around 93% of Animation BA graduates find employment or go on to pursue an advanced degree.

Program alumni have been hired at places such as Sony Pictures Animation, Cartoon Network, Framestore, The Mill, Centroid 3D in Pinewood Studios, Climax, and Kuju Games. Some UoP animation graduates have worked on productions such as Avatar, World of Gumball, Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland, and The Amazing Life of Pi. 

The Computer Animation and VFX BSc at University of Portsmouth is a JAMES accredited, Houdini Certified program led by industry experts in animation, film, computer games, and advertising. Program features include guest speakers and lecturers; collaborative projects; access to state-of-the-art facilities such as the Motion Capture Studio and Center for Creative and Immersive Extended Reality; participation in the annual UoP Game Jam; internships at places such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Moving Picture Company (MPC), and Framestore; and an optional Creative Technologies Study Exchange (overseas study). 

Students in the BSc program will explore 3D animation, concept drawing, physics-based simulation, and compositing, and master professional software such as Zbrush, 3ds Max, Houdini, Maya, Nuke, and Mari. The program also provides the opportunity to learn a foreign language through the Institute-Wide Language Programme (IWLP). 

Course examples for the program include Modeling for Animation and VFX; Designing for Animation; CGI Lighting and Look Development; Visual Communication; Computer Animation and VFX Research; Visual Effects; Create Worlds; Advanced Creature FX and Rigging; Advanced Programming for Animation and VFX; Animation and Setup for Computer Animation; and Motion Capture Applications. 

The Computer Animation and VFX BSc program culminates with a final year project and portfolio. All students have the chance to win sponsored prizes for final projects.  

Graduates of the Computer Animation and Visual Effects BSc at University of Portsmouth are 3D Animators, VFX Artists for film and television, Game Artists, Concept Artists, Modelers, and Art Directors. Program alumni have worked with studios such as ILM, DNEG, Framestore, MPC, and Milk VFX. 

The Computer Animation MSc at University of Portsmouth is a 180 credit hour program that provides the opportunity to focus in a specific area of computer animation. Students also benefit from access to state-of-the-art graduate facilities that include Cintiq’s, high-end computers, and industry standard software such as Substance 3D Painter, Houdini, Maya, and Nuke; UoP’s relationship with local VFX company Dark Cosmos Creative; participation in clubs and workshops such as ZBrush Sculpt Club, Film/Animation Nights, and Character Animation Workshop; industry talks; and career/networking events that attract local and regional employers. 

All students will complete 180 units of study across five modules and 12 months. Modules include Professional, Academic and Research Development; Project Context and Definition; Project Design and Development; and Project Evaluation and Resolution. The program culminates fit a final project that demonstrates leadership skills in the students chosen area of expertise. 

Graduates of the MSc Computer Animation program at University of Portsmouth have landed positions such as Art Director, Storyboard Artist, FX Artist, Animator (feature film), Motion Capture Technician, Creative Director, Modeler, and Concept Artist. Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) is one of many studios that hire UoP MSc graduates.  

Established in 1908 as a school for chemistry and engineering, University of Portsmouth was one of the largest polytechnic schools in the UK before gaining university status in 1992. Today, the school serves 31,000 students, with 5,700 students representing 150 countries around the world. With campuses in Portsmouth and London (UoP London), UoP provides bachelor’s and master’s degree programs across all disciplines. University of Portsmouth is officially recognized by the Privy Council.