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What are the top animation training programs in Spain?
| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Animum Creativity Advanced School | Malaga |
| 2 | Lightbox Academy | Madrid |
| 3 | Trazos School of Digital Arts | Madrid |
| 4 | FX Barcelona Film School | Barcelona |
| 5 | ESCAC | Barcelona |
| 6 | L'idem Animation School | Barcelona |
| 7 | 9Zeros | Barcelona |
| 8 | Pepe School Land | Barcelona |
| 9 | Universal Arts School | Valencia |
| 10 | ESDIP Escuela de Arte | Madrid |
Our 2026 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) is a 100% online digital art school that provides vocational and master’s degree programs across the film and games fields. Programs are 15, 39, or 48 months. Options include Concept Art; Character Concept Art; Concept Art of Scenarios and Characters; Concept Art and 3D Scene Modeling; and Concept Art and 3D Character Modeling. Across programs, students benefit from interactions with tutors and guest speakers from Disney, Sony Pictures, Gameloft, and Weta FX, among others; workshops; and real-world production experience.
Programs culminate with a final work and professional portfolio. Graduates have been hired at places such as DreamWorks, Pixar, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Ubisoft, Disney, MPC, Skydance Animation, Unity, Blue Zoo Animation Studio, Illumination Entertainment, Digital Domain, Cinesite, and NVIDIA.
2. Lightbox Academy, Madrid, Spain
Lightbox Academy (Lightbox) is a Houdini Certified school founded by Lightbox Animation Studios. In 2023, the studio launched Arxlight Pictures in partnership with Austria's Arx Anima, leading to additional opportunities for animation students to gain real-world production experience. Lightbox program options include specialized master’s degrees in Animation; 2D Animation or 3D Animation; 3D Modeling; Illustration and Concept; and VFX. All students benefit from flexible access to state-of-the-art production facilities; and access to more than 2,000 partner companies for internships, projects, and employment.
Programs culminate with an industry-ready film and professional portfolio. A near-perfect 98% of Lightbox Academy alumni land roles in the industry soon after graduation. They can be found at places such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Pixar, Weta FX, Blizzard Entertainment, MPC, Riot Games, Ubisoft, Framestore, Skydance Animation, Hampa Studio, Illumination, The SPA Studios, and Illusorium Studios.
3. 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 more than 1,500 companies in the creative sector. Examples include Gameloft, Framestore, HP, Ubisoft, and Foundry. For aspiring animators, Trazos has a two-year Animation BA program, and an advanced master’s for students who have already completed a Higher National Diploma (HND). Across programs, students benefit from intensive training at an accelerated pace; state-of-the-art production facilities and studios; and internship opportunities with partner companies.
The program culminates with a final project and portfolio. Graduates have established careers at places such as Lightbox Animation Studios, Skydance Animation, The SPA Studios, and Flying Bark Productions.
4. FX Barcelona Film School, Barcelona, Spain
FX Barcelona Film School (formerly FX Animation) is an Unreal Academic Partner and the first school to integrate virtual production into its training programs. For animators, the school provides several paths of study. Options include a bachelor’s in Digital Arts with a specialization in 3D Character Animation; a double degree in Concept Art and 2D Animation; and a master’s degree in 3D Animation Film. All programs highlight project-based learning with focused coursework in animation for animated and live-action films; cross-disciplinary training; experiential learning opportunities such as internships; and participation in film festivals.
Programs culminate with an industry-ready film, demo reel, and portfolio. Graduates enjoy a near-perfect 99% employment rate across more than 800 studios around the world. Examples include Marvel Studios, DreamWorks, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Netflix, Disney, Sony Pictures Animation, WETA FX, MPC, Blizzard Entertainment, Warner Bros., Riot Games, Ubisoft, Electronic Arts (EA), Pixar, Apple Studios, LAIKA, Amazon, Epic Games, Mikros Animation, Gameloft, DNEG, Bungie, and Framestore.
5. ESCAC, Barcelona, Spain
ESCAC provides two flexible programs for animators seeking an advanced degree. The broad Master in Film and Screen Studies explores animation, game design, experimental filmmaking, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), interactivity, VR cinema, documentary filmmaking, and television production. The Master in Cinematography allows students to study animation through mentoring and focused electives in digital animation, VFX, and live-action film. Programs culminate with the Master’s Degree Final Project (TFM) in written and/or audiovisual format. Graduates have been hired at ESCAC’s own production company Escandalo Films, and places such as Netflix, Suma Content, Alicante Films, and FLIMAX.
6. L'idem Animation School, Barcelona, Spain
With three campuses in Barcelona, France, and Madrid, L'idem Animation School (L’idem) is a Toon Boom Center of Excellence that provides master’s degrees in 2D Animation; 3D Animation; Concept Art; and 3D Generalist. Program highlights include small class sizes; real-world team projects in a simulated studio environment; participation in the L’idem International Animation Summit, which attracts studios from around the world; required internships; immersive workshops; and partnerships with places such as Ubisoft, DreamWorks, Epic Games, Paramount, Framestore, Illumination, and Gameloft.
Programs culminate with an industry-ready film project. L’idem graduates enjoy a 96% job placement rate. Program alumni can be found at places such as Epic Games, Paramount, Atlantis Animation, Ghost VFX, Ellipse Animation, Hampa Studio, B Water Animation Studios, Voodoo Animation, and THE LINE Studio.
7. 9Zeros, Barcelona, Spain
9Zeros is the animation branch of ECIB - Escola de Cinema de Barcelona (The Barcelona Film School). As part of ECIB, 9Zeros is an Authorized Auto Desk Training Center and Avid Learning Partner that provides more than a dozen animation degrees and short training programs. Examples include the Animation diploma, and master’s degrees in Character Design, 2D Animation, 3D Animation, Concept Art and Character Design, Storyboarding, VFX, and Stop-Motion—the oldest program of its kind in Spain. Across programs students benefit from courses taught by veteran animators; workshops; access to state-of-the-art production facilities; visiting artists; and professional internships.
Programs culminate with an original animated short. Graduates have been hired at places such as Pixar, Aardman Animations, DNEG, Weta FX, Digital Domain, Lightbox Animation Studios, and Reel FX.
8. Pepe School Land, Barcelona, Spain
Pepe School Land (Pepe School) is a competitive institution that accepts just 20 students per year. With dedicated production facilities and an immersive curriculum, the school provides a Modeling, Animation, and Storytelling (MAN) program that alternates with a DemoReel Creation (CDR) workshop. This means, one year only the MAN program will be taught with 20 students. The next year, only the CDR course will be taught with no more than six students. The MAN program focuses on mastering the latest 3D software, narrative, and 3D animation. The CDR workshop focuses on producing a professional demo reel. Graduates can be found at places such as Pixar, Gameloft, Paramount, Aardman Animations, Valve Corporation, and Crema.
9. Universal Arts School, Valencia, Spain
Universal Arts School (UArts) is a Houdini Certified School and Adobe Authorized Training Center that provides specialized, career-focused programs that prepare students for immediate entry into the entertainment industry, among others. With locations in Valencia, Spain and Hollywood, California, the school has an Animation program with the following options: bachelor’s, master’s, dual master’s, diploma + certification, 12-month certificate, and two-week training essentials diploma + certification. The two-week program is available on campus, while all other pathways are delivered 100% online.
All programs culminate with a professional demo reel and portfolio. Program alumni have secured roles at places such Disney, Blizzard Entertainment, Warner Bros., DreamWorks, Pixar, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Ubisoft, Riot Games, Lucasfilm, Epic Games, Weta FX, Framestore, and Naughty Dog.
10. ESDIP Escuela de Arte, Madrid, Spain
ESDIP Escuela de Arte (ESDIP) provides several paths to study animation. Options include three-year diplomas in Animation Film, General Animation, and Artistic, Graphic and Digital Creation; a two-year 3D Animated Cinema and Character Creation master’s; and one-year Introduction to 2D Animation program.
Across programs, students have opportunities to work on short films at the school’s in-house production company ESDIP Animation Studio. Programs culminate with a portfolio and professional film. Graduates have secured roles at places such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Disney Animation Studios, Ubisoft, Framestore, Mikros Animation, Lightbox Animation Studios, Hampa Studio, and Zinkia Entertainment.