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What are the top animation training programs in Spain?
| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Animum Creativity Advanced School | Malaga |
| 2 | Trazos School of Digital Arts | Madrid |
| 3 | FX Animation | Barcelona |
| 4 | Lightbox Academy | Madrid |
| 5 | ESCAC | Barcelona |
| 6 | 9Zeros - Escola de Cinema de Barcelona | Barcelona |
| 7 | Universal Arts School | Valencia |
| 8 | L'idem Barcelona | Barcelona |
| 9 | Pepe School Land | Barcelona |
| 10 | ESDIP Escuela de Arte | Madrid |
Our 2025 rankings of the top animation training programs in Spain.
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.
1. Animum Creativity Advanced School, Malaga, Spain
Animum Creativity Advanced School (Animum) provides a Composition and Lighting Masters, and vocational programs such as 3D Character Creation; Concept Art and 3D Character Modeling; 3D Character and Scene Modeling; and VFX and 3D Production. Across programs, students engage with tutors and guest speakers from major studios such as Disney, Gameloft, Sony Pictures, and Weta FX. Programs culminate with a professional portfolio of the student’s best work. Animum alumni have been hired at places such as Disney Animation, MPC, Illumination, Ubisoft, Digital Domain, Skydance Animation, and Blue Zoo.
2. Trazos School of Digital Arts, Madrid, Spain
Trazos School of Digital Arts (Trazos) is a Houdini, Toon Boom, and Apple Authorized Training Center. The first school of its kind in Spain, Trazos also has partnerships with Pixar Renderman, Nuke, Unity, The Foundry, HP, Pixologic, Autodesk, Unreal, V-Ray, and Wacom. Professional animation training programs include Illustration, Concept Art, 3D, and Animation (three-year diploma); and Illustration and 2D Animation (one-year master’s degree). Examples of single courses include 2D Animation with Toon Boom; Visual Arts; and Illustration. Professional training programs culminate with a final project and portfolio. Graduates have been hired at major studios in Spain and around the world.
3. FX Animation, Barcelona, Spain
FX Animation provides a number of animation programs. Examples include master’s degrees in Creature Animation; Post-Production and Motion Graphics; and Visual Effects (VFX). Programs explore animation for both animated and live-action films. Students will graduate with an industry-ready film, demo reel, and portfolio. With a 99% employment rate with more than 800 companies and studios around the world, FX Animation alumni work at places such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), DreamWorks, Ubisoft, Disney, Mikros Animation, Gameloft, DNEG, Framestore, and MPC.
4. Lightbox Academy, Madrid, Spain
Lightbox Academy (Lightbox) is the only school in Spain founded by one of the country’s largest animation studios—Lightbox Animation Studios. Lightbox is also Houdini Certified and Erasmus accredited. Ideal programs for options for students seeking careers in animation include master’s degrees in Animation; 2D Animation; 3D Animation; 3D Modeling and Animation; and 3D Animation for Film. programs culminate with an industry-ready film project and professional portfolio of the student’s best work. Around 95% of Lightbox Academy graduates find employment in the entertainment industry shortly after graduation. Alumni can be found at major companies and studios around the world.
5. ESCAC, Barcelona, Spain
ESAC houses a Film and Screen Studies master’s degree program that explores animation, experimental filmmaking, game design, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), interactivity, television series production, documentary filmmaking, and auteur, popular, and XR cinema. The program culminates with the 18 credit hour Master’s Final Project (TFM) to be presented to the Master’s Coordinating Committee (CCM). Graduates are prepared to pursue advanced roles in areas such as animated filmmaking; game art and design; live-action, documentary, and experimental filmmaking; television production; AR/VR; visual effects (VFX); simulations; advertising; research; and education.
6. 9Zeros - Escola de Cinema de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
9Zeros - Escola de Cinema de Barcelona (9Zeros/ECIB) provides many paths to study animation. Options include single courses and master’s degrees in 2D Animation and Production; 3D Modeling and ZBrush; 3D Character Animation; General 3D Animation; Concept Art and Character Design; and Stop-Motion Animation and Production—the oldest program of its kind in Spain. Graduates can be found at major studios such as Pixar, Weta FX, DNEG, Aardman, and Lightbox Animation Studios.
7. Universal Arts School, Valencia, Spain
Universal Arts School (UArts) is a Houdini Certified School and Adobe Authorized Training Center with locations in Valencia, Spain and Hollywood, California. The school has an Animation program leading to a master; double master; four- or five-year diploma + certification; 12-month certificate; or two-week training essentials diploma + certification. With the exception of the two-week program (on campus only), all pathways can be completed onsite or 100% online. Programs culminate with a demo reel and professional portfolio. Program alumni have landed positions at major studios such as Pixar, Lucasfilm Animation, Ubisoft, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Disney, Weta FX, and Blizzard Entertainment.
8. L'idem Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
L'idem Barcelona (L’idem) provides bachelor’s degrees in 2D Animation, and 3D Animation and Video Games; master’s degrees in 2D and 3D Animation, and Japanese Animation; and summer courses including Introduction to Anime; and Introduction to 2D or 3D Animation. Programs culminate with a final film project. L’idem graduates enjoy a 92% job placement rate with companies and studios across Spain and abroad. Program alumni are prepared to pursue advanced roles in animation, live-action films, visual effects (VFX), game design and development, and related fields.
9. Pepe School Land, Barcelona, Spain
Pepe School Land (Pepe School) is a selective institution that operates on a biennial format (every two years). This means, the Modeling, Animation, and Storytelling (MAN) program alternates with the DemoReel Creation (CDR) workshop. So, one year, only the MAN program will be taught with 20 students. The following year, only the CDR course will be taught with no more than six students. The MAN program focuses on 3D animation, narrative, and mastering the latest animation software. The CDR program focuses on creating a professional demo reel. Graduates are prepared for careers in animation, games, narrative and modeling, television production, and advertising. Some alumni also go on to teach or launch their own studios.
10. ESDIP Escuela de Arte, Madrid, Spain
ESDIP Escuela de Arte (ESDIP) houses its own production company known as ESDIP Animation Studio. This allows students to gain valuable experience by working on industry-ready short films. Program options include the one-year Introduction to 2D Animation course; a two-year 3D Animated Cinema and Character Creation master’s; and three year diplomas in Animation Film; Artistic, Graphic and Digital Creation; and General Animation. All programs culminate with a physical and digital book of works or portfolio and professional film. Graduates are prepared to pursue roles across the animation, live-action film, television, games, and advertising industries.