2020

What are the top animation training programs in Europe?

Top 10 Animation Training Programs in Europe - 2020 School Rankings
RankingSchoolCountry
1Filmakademie Baden-WurttembergGermany
2National Film and Television SchoolEngland
3Trazos School of Digital ArtsSpain
4The Odd SchoolPortugal
5Animum Creativity Advanced SchoolSpain
69Zeros Animation SchoolSpain
7Universal Arts SchoolSpain
8AnomaliaCzech Republic
9Ballyfermot College of Further EducationIreland

Our 2020 rankings of the top animation training programs in Europe. For this ranking we only consider professional training programs, that is, non-degree programs such as certificate, diploma, and similar programs that are not formal 4-year bachelor's degrees. For an explanation of our ranking criteria, click here

Correction: Gobelins was mistakenly included at #1 in these rankings when we first published in early April. The school should have  instead been included in our separate rankings of schools and colleges offering formal (four-year) degree animation programs, and not included in this set of rankings at all. We corrected the mistake on April 20, 2020. Prior to this date, schools currently ranked 1 through 10 would have been ranked one spot lower. We deeply regret the error and apologize for any confusion it may have caused.     

 

1. Filmakademie Baden-Wurttemberg, Ludwigsburg, Germany
Filmakademie Baden-Wurttemberg

Filmakademie Baden-Wurttemberg was founded in 1991 as a publicly funded film school in Ludwigsburg, Germany. The school houses the Animation Institute, which was established in 2002. The Institute is a training center for Animation, VFX, and International Media that highlights a practice-oriented and project-based curriculum that covers the entire spectrum of animation. Students will engage in interdisciplinary work in all the departments of the Film Academy, interact with guest speakers, and participate in the FMX Conference on Animation, Effects, Games and Transmedia, which the Animation Institute has hosted since 1994. Diplomas are offered in Animation Artist, Effects Artist, Animation/Effects Producer, and Technical Director. Animation Institute graduate films regularly win prizes at major festivals such as SIGGRAPH and the VES Awards. Many alumni go on to establish successful careers at media companies or well-known studios, while others have established their own businesses.

2. National Film and Television School, Beaconsfield – Buckinghamshire, England
National Film and Television School

National Film and Television School (NFTS) opened in 1971 as The National Film School. The school serves more than 400 students enrolled in more than 30 MA and Diploma programs. The only UK film school with its own television studios and post-production facilities, NFTS offers MA degrees in Directing Animation, Digital Effects, and  Screenwriting (Animation, Film, TV), as well as a Diploma in Model Making for Animation and a Certificate in Character Animation (three months). The MA Programs may be completed in two years and the Diploma Program takes one year to complete. Internship opportunities are available and all programs require a full-time commitment.

3. Trazos School of Digital Arts, Madrid, Spain
Trazos School of Digital Arts

Trazos School of Digital Arts has been existence for 25 years. Trazos trains professionals in technology and new media as well as Digital Art disciplines such as Animation, VFX, Motion Graphics, Graphic Design, Web Development, Videogames, Digital Marketing, and more. The school says that the objective of all its training is the creation of specialized professional profiles, with a focus entirely aimed at job placement in the industry, as well as updating and improving skills of active professionals. Aspiring animators choose the 3D and Animation Program, which covers the first stages of production to texturing and final animation, using the latest software and tools including Maya, Zbrush, Substance Painter, Nuke Studio, Arnold, and more. Graduates will leave the program with a portfolio and “videoreel.”

4. The Odd School, Lisboa, Portugal
The Odd School

The Odd School was established in 2007 as an educational space to feed the Animation, Games, Visual FX and Programming industries. The school offers intensive courses that take anywhere from 12 to 24 months to complete, full-time, eight hours a day, five days a week. Program options include 3D Modeling & Texturing (12 months), 3D Animation (13 months), and Concept Art (24 months). Foundation courses ensure that students master the tools necessary to complete a large number of required projects. Foundation courses include 3DS Max, After Effects, Cinema 4D,  Drawing, Traditional Sculpture, Script for Animation/Cinema, Houdini, Maya, Modeling and Render for Architecture, Photoshop, Project for Pitching and Support, Rigging, Storyboard, Toonboom, VRay, and ZBrush. Graduates will leave the program with a portfolio consistent and equivalent to that of a Junior Artist.

5. Animum Creativity Advanced School, Malaga, Spain
Animum Creativity Advanced School

Animum Creativity Advanced School has been teaching Digital Arts for more than a decade. The school serves hundreds of students in more than 30 countries enrolled in programs delivered face-to-face and online. Programs for aspiring animators include Master’s Degrees in 3D Animation and Illustration, Advanced 3D Production, Animation or Modeling of 3D Characters for Cinema and Videogames, VFX and Composition with Houdini and Nuke, and Digital Drawing and Animation 2D. A number of intensive courses and workshops are also offered including Digital Composition with Nuke, Animation of 3D Characters for Video Games, Rigging 3D Characters, Advanced Cartoon Animation, Explode Your Reel - Animation or Animation of Creatures for VFX, Foundations of 3D Production with Autodesk MAYA, Basics of Drawing, and Foundations of 2D Animation. Animum alums have landed positions at videogame studios, advertising companies, VFX studios, and motion graphics studios for web and television. Framestore and Illumination Mac Guff are just a few companies that have hired Animum graduates.

6. 9Zeros Animation School, Barcelona, Spain
9Zeros Animation School

Animum Creativity Advanced School has been teaching Digital Arts for more than a decade. The school serves hundreds of students in more than 30 countries enrolled in programs delivered face-to-face and online. Programs for aspiring animators include Master’s Degrees in 3D Animation and Illustration, Advanced 3D Production, Animation or Modeling of 3D Characters for Cinema and Videogames, VFX and Composition with Houdini and Nuke, and Digital Drawing and Animation 2D. A number of intensive courses and workshops are also offered including Digital Composition with Nuke, Animation of 3D Characters for Video Games, Rigging 3D Characters, Advanced Cartoon Animation, Explode Your Reel - Animation or Animation of Creatures for VFX, Foundations of 3D Production with Autodesk MAYA, Basics of Drawing, and Foundations of 2D Animation. Animum alums have landed positions at videogame studios, advertising companies, VFX studios, and motion graphics studios for web and television. Framestore and Illumination Mac Guff are just a few companies that have hired Animum graduates.

7. Universal Arts School, Valencia, Spain
Universal Arts School

Established in 1994, Universal Arts School (UA) has two campuses in Valencia, Spain and one in Hollywood, California. The school offers a Character Animation Bachelor's that takes 33 months to complete, a Character Animation Diploma that takes 25 months to complete, and a 17-month Character Animation Master's. Programs may be completed on campus or online and all students have the opportunity to complete a final project and professional demo reel. A unique benefit of the program is the Start-Up component, which helps students develop the skills needed to start their own business. In addition to starting their own studios, graduates of the program have landed positons at some of the top studios in the world including BlueSky Studios, Blizzard Entertainment, Disney, Pixar, Lucasfilm Animation, Industrial Light & Magic, and more.

8. Anomalia, Litomysl, Czech Republic

Established in 2008, Anomalie offers professional training in animation in a unique environment. Programs are held at the European Training Center, which is part of the “renowned” Renaissance castle complex and old brewery house. The school says that Anomalia “does not feel like a school, which is what we wanted.” Aspiring animators have their choice of programs or labs including 3D Graphics, 3D Animation, Concept Art Lab, Character Design Lab, and the Story Lab. Students will work solo and/or with mentors and peers to create a series of animated projects. Graduates of the programs at Anomalie are prepared to pursue positions in animation, gaming, and VFX. Many have landed positions at top studios such as PIXAR, Valve, Aardman Animations, Blue Sky Studios, and many others.  

9. Ballyfermot College of Further Education, Dublin, Ireland
Ballyfermot College of Further Education

Ballyfermot College of Further Education (BCFE) opened in 1979 as the Senior College, Ballyfermot. The school offers programs through nine departments including Art, Design and Graphics, Business, Animation, Digital, Media, Moving Images, Music Performance; Sound & Management, Tourism & Travel; Lifelong Learning, and Social Care. The Animation Department offers a two-year BA (Hons) in Animation – Visual Media, a one-year Animation Drawing & Illustration Studies Program, a two-year Animation – Classical & Computer Diploma, and a one-year Visual Effects Traineeship – Creative Media for Production (Visual Effects/Animation/Video Production). Course highlights for the programs include Design and Technology, Advanced Life Drawing for Animation, Principles of 2D Animation, Layout and Storyboarding, Principles of Analysis for Animation, 2D Character Animation, and Advanced 3D Modeling for Animation. BCFE Animation Programs are certified by the University of Dundee Scotland.

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