2022

What are the top European animation colleges?

Top 20 European Animation Schools - 2022 College Rankings
RankingSchoolCountry
1GobelinsFrance
2Bournemouth UniversityUK
3The Animation Workshop/VIA University CollegeDenmark
4Royal College of ArtUK
5École Supérieure des Métiers Artistiques France
6RUBIKAMultiple
7ARTFXFrance
8Pearson College of LondonUK
9MoPA School of AnimationFrance
10Teesside UniversityUK
11University of HertfordshireUK
12Lucerne School of Art & DesignSwitzerland
13Staffordshire UniversityUK
14Dún Laoghaire Institute of ArtIreland
15Emile Cohl Art SchoolFrance
16Ballyfermot College of Further EducationIreland
17ISART DigitalFrance
18Glasgow School of ArtUK
19University of Edinburgh UK
20Ravensbourne University LondonUK

Our 2022 rankings of the top animation colleges in Europe. For this ranking we only consider formal degree programs (bachelor's degree or equivalent). For an explanation of our ranking criteria, click here

1. Gobelins, l'école de l'image, Paris, France
Gobelins

Gobelins, l'école de l'image (Gobelins, School of Images) has been around since 1964, making it one of the world’s oldest animation schools. A member of the European Animation School Network, Gobelins serves more than 1,100 students enrolled in programs that lead to a BA, MA or Professional Certification.

The Animation Program at Gobelins has multiple pathway options including the 3D Character Animator Professional Certificate (Level II, 2 years), the 3D Character Animator Professional Certificate (Level II, 3 years), the BA in Animation and Character Animation and Animated Filmmaking (three years), and the MA in Character Animation and Animated Filmmaking (two years).

An Animation Preparatory Year Program is available and open to students with a high school diploma who would like to develop basic artistic and technical animation skills. This program allows students to create at least one project and a portfolio. The Animation Preparatory Year Program can be an entry point for the Gobelins BA in Animation Program.

Across programs, students will explore areas such as acting, 3D layout, body mechanics, animation of characters, motion capture techniques, character and background design, scriptwriting, direction, sound design, storyboarding, the 3D pipeline, dynamics of movement, editing, special effects, and compositing.

Students in all Gobelins Animation Programs have the opportunity to produce a number of short films and a professional demo reel. Students will complete a mandatory two-month internship in France or abroad and participate in workshops and projects sponsored by partner companies and public institutions such as the French Ministry of Justice, Universal Music, Dell, Netflix, BMW, Musée Picasso, and Olympus.

Thanks to events such as the Speed-Recruiting event, which attracts more than 50 companies during the last year of the programs, graduates of the Gobelins Animation Programs enjoy a near 90% job placement rate within six months of graduation.

2. Bournemouth University, Bournemouth, Poole, England, UK
Bournemouth University

Bournemouth University (BU) is home to the National Centre for Computer Animation (NCCA)—one of just a few research-intensive animation centres in the UK. Serving more than 19,000 students and one of the Top 70 Young Universities in the World, BU is also one of the few institutions that have been granted Houdini Certified School status by Side Effects Software. 

The NCCA has three undergraduate Animation course options: BA (Hons) Computer Animation Art & Design, BA (Hons) Computer Animation Technical Arts and BA (Hons) Visual Effects. Students can study the courses for 3 years with an optional 8-week placement, or 4 years with a 30-week placement and will have access to specialist facilities including a new green screen and motion capture studio, as well as animation laboratories, equipped with industry-standard software.  All courses culminate with a major project and dissertation, which students may complete individually or in a group. 

Graduates of the BA (Hons) Animation degrees at Bournemouth University enjoy a near 90% employment rate or further study within six months of graduation. BU NCCA alumni have worked on films such as Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, The Avengers, Blade Runner 2049, Solo: A Star Wars Story, and Dunkirk

At postgraduate level, the NCCA offers courses in MA 3D Computer Animation, MA Digital Effects, MSc Computer Animation & Visual Effects, and MSc Artificial Intelligence for Media. The Master’s degrees take one year to complete, including an optional three-month placement. Postgraduate students will learn and create in a professional studio environment with facilities that include green screen studios and animation labs, a motion capture studio, and a full suite of industry standard 2D and 3D Software such as Maya, Mari, Z-Brush, Nuke, Adobe Creative Suite, Substance Painter and many more. Other features include a collaborative environment, the visiting practitioners lecture series, and the Master’s Project, with a set production time to create a professional, original project that will be presented at the Degree Show for major industry recruiters. 

Graduates from the BU Master's courses are highly sought after within the industry. Our alumni have worked on many high-profile projects, including movies such as Venom, Paddington 2, Avatar, Star Wars, the Lord of the Rings trilogy, King Kong, Shrek, Guardians of Ga'hoole, the Harry Potter series, Sucker Punch, Happy Feet, Monsters vs Aliens, James Bond and Judge Dredd, among many others.

All NCCA students also have the opportunity to attend the Annual BFX Festival, which features masterclasses and talks by award-winning industry professionals. 

3. The Animation Workshop/VIA University College, Viborg, Denmark
The Animation Workshop/VIA University College,

The Animation Workshop/VIA University College (TAW) is part of the School of Business, Technology and Creative Industries. Launched in 1988, TAW serves around 650 of VIA University College’s 17,800 students across seven departments including the Bachelor of Arts Department, Animated Learning Lab, Business Development, Open Workshop – Artist Residency, Visual Talent Center, Professional Training, and Research and Development.

Housed in an old military complex, TAW features include nearly 119,000 square feet of facilities and buildings, 100 instructors who are professionals in the industry, and a creative community of more than 30 animation, games, and new media start-ups, companies, and freelance artists. TAW also hosts the Viborg Animation Festival (VAF)—the biggest animation festival in Denmark.

The Animation Workshop has two formal degree programs for Animators including BA degrees in Character Animation, Computer Graphic Arts, and Graphic Storytelling. Professional training programs, seminars, and non-degree programs are also provided by TAW. 

The TAW BA in Character Animation is taught in English and may be completed in 3.5 years. The final semester of the program features a 14-week internship with a production studio such as Illumination, Sun Creature, Aardmann, Nørlum, or Cartoon Saloon. The Computer Graphic Arts Program is also taught in English, and it takes 3.5 years to complete. The Graphic Storytelling BA takes four years to complete, and it is also taught in English.

All degree options consist of assignments, lectures, and mini productions. Programs culminate a final project that typically takes four to five weeks to complete. Students focusing in animation will complete an animated short film.

Professional training programs, seminars, and non-degree options include the Animated Documentary Development Seminar - ANIDOX: LAB, TDA Classical & Visual Storytelling Foundation, TDA Classical Foundation, TDA Advanced, TDA Portfolio, Visual HF, Creative Simulation Technologies, Storyboard, 3D Character Animation, Illustration, Animation Sans Frontieres (ASF), Animation Production Manager, Animation Producer, 2D TV Animation, Comic Creation, Animation, Classical Drawing, Computer Graphic Arts for Beginners, Character Design, and Drawing for Animation.

4. Royal College of Art, London, England, UK
Royal College of Art

The Royal College of Art (RCA) is a postgraduate institution that has advanced degrees in the areas of Art, Communication, Design, and Humanities. Established in 1837 and serving around 2,300 students, RCA is the only entirely postgraduate institution of university status offering degrees in these specific areas. Programs at RCA are housed in the Schools of Architecture, Communication, Arts & Humanities, and Design.

The School of Communication is home to the Animation Program, which has been in existence for more than 30 years. Leading to an MA, Animation is a multidisciplinary program that takes two-years to complete, full-time. The program explores animation forms, methods and contexts, VR and AR, drawing and illustration, projection mapping, extra-cinematic animation, games and apps, drama, film and media, STEM disciplines, and more.

Other program features include visiting artists and professionals, workshops, multidisciplinary elective options, a collaborative learning environment, and experiential learning opportunities such as field trips to animation studios, museums, exhibitions, and archives.

The Animation MA Program at Royal College of Art culminates with an Independent Research Project that will be presented to the Examination Board.

5. École Supérieure des Métiers Artistiques (ESMA), Montpellier, France
École Supérieure des Métiers Artistiques

The main École Supérieure des Métiers Artistiques (ESMA) campus is now located in the Creative Campus, which was built in Montpellier’s new district—The Creative City. The new location is outfitted with state-of-the-art classrooms, sound studios, an auditorium, and the FabLab. Other ESMA campuses include Lyon, Nantes, and Toulouse, France, and Montreal, Canada.

Founded in 1958, ESMA houses the CG Animation Cinema and Special Effects Department, which has two programs for animators: the 3D Animation Cinema & Special Effects leading to a Professional Diploma and the CG Animation & FX Master’s Degree. The Diploma Program includes an eight-week internship, where students can gain hands-on experience in animation before graduating. Available at all ESMA campuses, the 3D Animation Cinema & Special Effects Program has a 100% recruitment rate within nine months of graduation.

Available at the Montpellier, Lyon, Nantes, and Toulouse campuses, the CG Animation & FX Masters explores animation techniques and the animation production pipeline. Students in this program will have the opportunity to create an industry-ready animated short film in groups of four to seven students. The ESMA CG Animation & FX Masters takes three years to complete. Graduates of the program enjoy a 93% recruitment rate within six months after graduation and a 100% recruitment rate within just nine months.

Graduates of the Animation Programs at ESMA have been recruited by Ubisoft, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Illumination Mac Guff, Framestore, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Weta Digital, Aardman, Fontes Architecture, IKKS, Mikros Animation, MPC, Untold, A+Architecture, and ba&sh, among others.

6. RUBIKA, Valenciennes France, Montreal Canada, and Pune India
RUBIKA

RUBIKA specializes in 2D/3D Animation, Design, and Video Games. Programs are collaborative and studio-based, with options across four campuses in Valenciennes (France), Montreal (Canada), Pune (India), and Nairobi (Kenya). With more than 1,300 students attending each year, Rubika has partnerships with more than 300 companies and a 90% employment rate within a year of graduating. Examples of RUBIKA partners include DreamWorks Animation, Gameloft, Pixar, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Disney, Illumination Mac Guff, Framestore, Ubisoft, and Aardman.

Launched in 1988, the Animation Program at RUBIKA has 2D Animation and 3D Animation Programs that lead to a Bachelor’s Degree in three years and a Master’s Degree in five years. Program features include several mandatory internships, participation in festivals and contests, annual projects that allow students to work on project and team management, and a Final 3D Animation Project that will be presented to a professional jury.

Graduates of the Animation Programs at RUBIKA are CG Animators, Technical Animators, 2D/3D Animators, VR Animators, Character Designers, VFX Artists, Modeling Artists, Compositing Artists, Shading & Texture Artists, Lighting Artists, Riggers, Layout/Tracking Artists, Lighting Artists and, Set & Environmental Artists. They work at studios such as Aardman, Disney Animation Studios, DreamWorks, Framestore, Illumination Mac Guff, Industrial Light and Magic (ILM), and Pixar.

7. ARTFX, School of Digital Arts, Montpellier, Lille, Paris, France
ARTFX

ARTFX, School of Digital Arts, has an Animation Program with two options leading to a Master’s Degree. The 2D Film Animation and 3D Character Animation can be completed in five years. Open to applicants with a Bachelor’s Degree, the Animation Programs at ARTFX feature masterclasses with partner studios, a mandatory internship lasting six weeks (students may complete multiple internships), workshops, and access to state-of-the-art classrooms, labs and studios equipped with software such as Storyboard Pro, Affinity, Krita, SideFX Houdini, Autodesk Maya, Dragonframe, ZBrush, Unreal Engine, and Affinity Photo.

Established in 2004 and serving around 500 students, ARTFX is also recognized Toon Boom Center of Excellence. Students in all programs will complete an animated short film and participate in the program’s End-of-Studies Job Dating Session, which attracts French and international recruiters from top animation studios. ARTFX alumni enjoy a 95% job placement rate within six months to a year after graduating.

The graduation films at ARTFX have won dozens of awards and received more than 900 selections in festivals around the world. Alumni have worked on productions such as The Lion King, Star Wars Episode VIII, The Minions, Gravity, and Ready Player One. Potential job titles include 2D Animator, Character Designer, Animator, Concept Artist, Puppet Animator, Background Artist, Storyboard Artist, and Layout Artist.

8. Pearson College of London - Escape Studios, London, England, UK
Pearson College of London

Pearson College London (PCL) houses Escape Studios, which provides programs in Animation, Game Art, Motion Graphics, and Visual Effects. All PCL programs have been created in partnership with major studios such as PlayStation London, Framestore, and DNEG. Pearson College of London is also a Houdini Certified School and an Unreal Engine Authorized Training Center—one of the few in the UK.

Students in all PCL programs have the opportunity to network with industry partners such as Cinesite, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), London Studios, MPC, Passion Pictures, Blue Zoo, State of Play, and Jellyfish Pictures. Internships and study abroad opportunities are part of the PCL programs as well as access to artists who have worked for DreamWorks, Warner Bros., Fox, and Disney.

Founded in 2002, Escape Studios at Pearson College London has the following degree pathways for animators: BA/MArt in The Art of Computer Animation (Integrated Masters) and MA Degrees in 3D Animation, Character & Creature Creation, and Storyboarding & Previsualization. Short Programs lasting anywhere from eight to 20 weeks are available and include examples such as 3D Animation (20 weeks), Advanced Animation (18 weeks), Storyboarding & Previsualization (12 weeks or 18 weeks), and 2D Animation with Toon Boom Harmony (12 weeks), Animation (12 weeks).

Students in all Escape Studios programs will complete intensive training sessions on industry-professional software such as Maya and Toon Boom Harmony. Programs also take place in classrooms that look and feel like real animation studios. Students will have the opportunity to master all areas of the animation production pipeline.

PCL - Escape Studios graduates have worked on productions such as Harry Potter, Star Wars, Avengers, Captain America: Civil War, Ex Machina, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Gravity, Interstellar, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and The Jungle Book. PCL alumni have also worked on games such as Assassin’s Creed and Forza Horizon, and award winning advertisements. Many program alumni have gone on to launch their own studios or freelance businesses.

9. MoPA School of Animation, Arles, France
MoPA School of Animation

MoPA School of Animation (MoPA) 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, Video Games, Audiovisuals, and Graphic Arts and Design.

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

The Animation Program at MoPA utilizes a project-based teaching method that emphasizes collaboration and teamwork. Leading to an Expert Diploma in 3D Design, Production, and Animation (Baccalaureate), the program takes five years to complete, which includes a preparatory year and two cycles: Fundamentals and Training and Professional Development. Examples of areas explored across the Prep Year and Cycles include rigging, body mechanics, facial animation, acting, body language, emotional expressions, compositing, and tracking.

In the final year of the program, students will work in teams of four to six to produce a short animated film under real studio conditions. Student films at MoPA are presented at the Final Year Jury in the Theatre of Arles. The event attracts 2,000 artists and spectators. After this public screening, student films will make their way through the International Film Festival circuit. MoPA graduates are prepared to seek careers in all areas of animation and game art, among others.

10. Teesside University, Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, England, UK
Teesside University

Animation students at Teesside University have access to state-of-the-art engineering and production facilities, instructors who are leaders in the film, television, and animation industries, and networking opportunities with industry professionals through Animex—Teesside’s International Festival of Animation and Computer Games featuring industry leaders from Disney, Sony, Pixar, and Rockstar Games, and ExpoTees—the school’s Annual Exposition of final year student works. Teesside Animation students also benefit from Teesside’s strategic partnerships with local employers in all sectors, and major studios and companies such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Double Eleven, Ubisoft, Animmersion, Cubic, and Creative Assembly.

Housed in the Department of Transmedia, Digital Art & Animation in the Teesside School of Computing, Engineering & Digital Technologies, the Animation Program consists of an Animation MA and BA Degrees in Concept Art, 2D Animation and Stop Motion, Visual Effects, and Animation. All programs provide an optional Foundation Year, short work placements, internships, and other work experience opportunities. Programs culminate with a film sequence or short film

Founded as Constantine Technical College in 1930, Teesside University serves close to 21,300 students enrolled in dozens of programs in five schools. School of Computing, Engineering & Digital Technologies graduates have worked on films and AAA games such as Red Dead Redemption 2, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and Spider-Man: Far From Home.

11. University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield – Hertfordshire, UK
University of Hertfordshire

University of Hertfordshire (UH) houses the School of Creative Arts, which serves a large number of the school’s 30,000+ students. Established in 1952 as Hatfield Technical College, UH opened with just 1,500 students.

The UH School of Creative Arts has BA Degree options in 2D Digital Animation and 3D Animation & Visual Effects. At the graduate level, the school has an Animation MA that emphasizes multidisciplinary studies, research, and project-based work. Students in this program will actively participate in lectures, seminars, workshops, work placements, and the study abroad year. Other Animation MA Program features include the opportunity to complete a simulated brief in collaboration with program alumni and organizations such as Promise and National Poetry Day.

Graduates of the University of Hertfordshire Animation Program have been recruited by Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Blue Zoo, and Creative Assembly, among others.

At the undergraduate level, 2D Digital Animation and 3D Animation & Visual Effects BA will have opportunities to complete several projects, including a final film project to be screened at the School of Creative Arts animation Exposé. Students will also complete a number of simulated real-world briefs, a portfolio of their best work, and internships and study abroad experiences at partner universities in throughout Europe, and in Australia, South America, Africa, Canada, and Asia.

University of Hertfordshire graduates enjoy a 96.5% employment rate. UH School of Creative Arts alumni have won Emmy’s BAFTAs, and Oscars for their work on productions such as Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, Avatar, The Chronicles of Narnia, Gravity, The Jungle Book, Inception, Star Wars, and The Lion King.

12. Lucerne School of Art & Design, Lucerne, Switzerland
Lucerne School of Art & Design

Founded in 1877 as the Lucerne School of Arts and Crafts, Lucerne School of Art & Design is the oldest college of art and design in Central Switzerland. Part of Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts, the school serves more than 700 students enrolled in 20 programs leading to a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree.

Lucerne School of Art & Design has a Bachelor of Animation Program and an MA in Film with a Specialization in Animation. The BA explores all areas of animation. Students will have the opportunity to complete an internship, several short films, and a portfolio of their best work. Graduates of the Bachelor of Animation Program are 2D Animators, Directors, Producers, Illustrators, and Game Artists, among others.

The MA is an interdisciplinary program that combines Film, Fine Arts, and Design. The program is divided into three tracks: Conception, Exploration, and Project and Research. Students will have two years to focus on a personal project—the culminating experience for the program. Other program features include access to three-week workshops and the opportunity to study abroad for a semester.

Graduates of the Lucerne School of Art & Design MA Program have gone on to become Film Directors, Animation Filmmakers, Researchers, Art Directors, and Professors. They work at film studios, advertising agencies, television studios, major colleges and universities, and museums among others.

13. Staffordshire University, Staffordshire and London, England, UK
Staffordshire University

Staffordshire University (Stafford) opened as a polytechnic institute in 1914. The school received university status in 1992. Serving more than 20,000 students around the world, Stafford houses three academic schools (Digital, Technologies and Arts; Health, Science and Wellbeing; and Justice, Security and Sustainability), the Institute of Education, and Staffordshire University London.

The School of Digital, Technologies and Arts has three-year Animation Program that leads to a BA. Students may Specialize in 2D or 3D Digital, Computer Games or Stop Motion Animation. As part of the School of Digital, Technologies and Arts, Animation students have access to state-of-the-art design, music, and sound studios, labs and production studio spaces, creative workshops, guest speakers, and opportunities to participate in educational trips. All students have the opportunity to present their work at industry events such as the Art and Design Degree Show, New Designers, and GradEX.

Other program features include global connections to Aardman, Nickelodeon, Pixar, and Walt Disney, participation in public screening events, international trips, and UK animation festival visits.

The program culminates with the production of a professional show-reel and body of work that supports the students career goals. In the final year of the Animation BA Program, students will have the opportunity to present their work to a panel of industry leaders as part of Industry Portfolio Week.

Stafford Animation graduates work in Animation, Stop Motion Animation, and Film at studios such as Brown Bag Films (BBF), DNEG (formerly Double Negative), Aardman Animation, Cinesite, Mackinnon & Saunders, Boulder Media Animation, Carse & Waterman, and many others. Program alumni have worked on projects such the CiTV series Go-Jetters, as Isle of Dogs, and Chuck Steel: Night of the Trampires.

14. Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Dublin, Ireland
Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art

With more than 2,500 students enrolled, Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT) has more than 25 program options leading to a Certificate, Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. Pathways are offered across Design, Art, Film + Media, Business, Psychology, and Research. Under Film + Media, the Animation Program has BA and MA options.

The IADT Animation BA is a full-time, four-year program that features group projects, workshops, live projects, professional studios, and work placements. Modules explore all areas of drawing, animation, and production. Graduates of the IADT Animation BA Program have shown films at Sundance Film Festival, they have animated and produced award-winning TV series, and some have even been nominated for Oscars.

Program alumni work in animation locally and around the world at studios and companies such as Cartoon Saloon, Brown Bag Films, Boulder Media, WETA Workshops, JibJab, and JAM Media, among others.

The new 3D Animation MA is the first master’s degree of its kind in Ireland developed in partnership with Sheridan College Ontario. This full-time, 18-month program requires a seven-week course in Research Methods for Creative Practices (in Canada or Ireland) and a 15-week final term at IADT’s Dublin campus. Research for the program may  take place abroad. Other program features include technical and project-based modules, team productions and individual exercises, immersive 3D animation production studios, and portfolio development.

Around 92% of IADT graduates are employed within a year of graduating. MA Program alumni work in positions across the animation, game, and film industries.

15. Emile Cohl Art School, Lyon, France
Emile Cohl Art School

The Animation Specialization at Emile Cohl Art School focuses on helping students develop skills in screenwriting and film production, from start to finish, and industry-standard animation tools such as Toonboom Harmony, TV Paint, and Adobe After Effects. Program features include workshops, professional critiques, business conferences, group projects, a six-month internship, and support and preparation for the final graduation project.

Students in the program will take courses that explore character design, sketching, modeling and digital sculpture, lighting and rendering in Maya and 3DS Max, composition painting, media writing, methodology and documentation, layout, scenery and level design in Photoshop, storyboards, sound design, compositing. and visual effects in Adobe After Effects and Nuke.

The Animation Specialization at Emile Cohl Art School takes two years to complete and it leads to Professional Certificate.

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

Ballyfermot College of Further Education (BCFE) has three program options for animators. The BA in Animation Visual Media is a two-year program that builds on the BCFE Classical and Computer Animation Higher National Diploma (HND). The third option is the Animation Drawing Studies Program which explores animation layout and design, painting, animation drawing, and sculpture & figure studies. This option can be completed in one year and leads to a Certificate in Art.

The Classical and Computer Animation HND is a two-year program that leads to a National Certificate after the first year. The program explores computer and traditional hand-drawn animation including 3D modeling, animating for television and games, character animation, and animating for film. All BCFE Animation Programs feature individual and group projects, and portfolio development.

Graduates of the Animation Programs at Ballyfermot College of Further Education are prepared for careers in all areas of animating for film as well as game design and other related areas. 

Established in 1979 as the Senior College, Ballyfermot, BCFE is a vocational school consisting of nine departments housed across the Main Building, Media Building, Arts Building, and the College Sports Hall. In addition to animation, Ballyfermot College of Further Education has business, digital, graphics, tourism, music performance, media, and social care programs, among others.

17. ISART Digital, Paris and Nice, France
ISART Digital

ISART Digital has campuses in Paris and Nice, France, and Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The school also has a partnership with Tokyo University of Technology, which allows students at other campuses to immerse in the video game and 3D-FX animation industries in Japan (TUT). During a one-month stay, ISART students will have the opportunity to participate in a Game Jam. Longer stays of six to 12 months allow students to complete a research thesis project with a TUT professor. Both options are suitable for Animation students who are interested in game art and animating for games.

Launched in 2001, ISART Digital has programs that prepare students for careers in visual effects, 3D animation, and video game design and development. For animators, ISART has two options: MA degrees in 3D Cinema or 3D Film. The 3D Cinema Program is based at the main campus in Paris. Students may Specialize in 3D Animation or Special Effects. Program features include the opportunity to master the entire animation production pipeline in a setting that functions like a real film studio, the chance to produce several productions individually or in groups, and the opportunity to complete two internships.

Graduates of the ISART Digital 3D Cinema MA Program have enjoyed a 90% employment rate for the past three years. Examples of potential job titles include 3D Animator, Concept Artist, Motion Designer, Art Director, Environment Artist, Storyboard Artist, CG Supervisor FX Artist or Supervisor, and Technical Director.

The 3D Film MA at ISART Digital provides the same opportunities as the 3D Cinema MA. Students in this program will spend the first two years of the program perfecting 3D Art skills. The final two years of the program consist of specializing in an area that fits the students career goals. Students will also complete a 3D short during this time. In addition to the job titles mentioned earlier, graduates of the 3D Cinema MA Program can pursue titles such as 2D/3D Graphic Designer, Character Designer, Previs Artist, SFX Artist, Digital Matte Painter, 3D Supervisor, and Compositing Artist.

18. Glasgow School of Art, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
Glasgow School of Art

Glasgow School of Art (GSofA or GSA) houses the School of Simulation and Visualization (SimVis), which has a BSc Program that provides the opportunity to study animation. The BSc in Immersive Systems Design has a Specialization in 3D Modeling that explores 3D Modeling for Animation, VFX, and Digital Games. The program is supported through investments and relationships with Sony, Amazon, Microsoft, Sky Broadcasting, and Meta, among others.

Other program features include access to state-of-the-art production and sound studios housed in the Hub at Pacific Quay, courses taught by Unity Certified instructors, internship and study abroad opportunities, access to open studios, and portfolio development services.

Graduates of the BSc Program at Glasgow School of Art are prepared to pursue positions such as Animator, Character Animator, Environment Artist, 3D Modeler for Film and Games, Asset Artist, VFX Artist, Look Development Artist, and Texture Artist, among others.

The School of Simulation and Visualization at GSA has an additional program option for animators interested in producing sound for animated films. The BDes in Sound for Moving Image is a two-year program that explores sound for animation, film, electronic games, television, new media, and visual art.

Graduates of the Sound for the Moving Image BDes Program at Glasgow School of Art have established careers in Animation, Film and Television, Game Design and Development, and Audio-Visual Arts, among others.    

Founded in 1845 as one of the first Government Schools of Design, Glasgow School of Art serves more than 2,000 students enrolled in more than 50 programs leading to an undergraduate, graduate or PhD. Foundation Programs and single courses offered during the day or on weekends are also available.

19. University of Edinburgh - Edinburgh College of Art, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
University of Edinburgh

Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) is one of 21 schools housed across University of Edinburgh’s three colleges: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences; Medicine & Veterinary Medicine; and Science & Engineering. ECA dates back to the 1760 when it was founded at the Trustees Drawing Academy of Edinburgh—the first public school of art in Britain. The school became Edinburgh College of Art in 1906, and merged with University of Edinburgh in 2011.

Within ECA are five schools: Edinburgh School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture (ESALA); the School of Art; School of Design; Reid School of Music; and History of Art.

The ECA School of Design has an Animation Program that leads to a BA. Program features include small class sizes, individual and team-based projects, visiting animators who are industry leaders, access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment such as CGI Labs, rostrum cameras, and stop frame studios, individual workspaces, and technical workshops. During the final year of the ECA Animation BA Program, students will complete a film as part of a team or solo.

ECA Animation graduates have launched successful careers at animation and game studios such as Aardman, Rockstar North, Rushes, Framestore, and MPC Film. Program alumni have also worked for directors such as Tim Burton. Many have launched their own studios or work as independent filmmakers.

20. Ravensbourne University London, London, England, UK
Ravensbourne University London

Ravensbourne University London, formerly Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication, has Digital Media and Design Programs that lead to an undergraduate or graduate degree. Short programs and pre-degree options are also available. Founded in 1962 and serving 2,600 students, Ravensbourne University London (Ravensbourne) has an Animation BA Program that provides the opportunity to collaborate on live briefs within the animation industry, work on individual and group projects, and obtain advice and direction through mentorships with industry professionals.

Students in this three-year, full-time program also have access to state-of-the-art production studios equipped with industry-standard software, internship and study abroad experiences, and the opportunity to complete an industry-ready portfolio at the end of the program. Areas explored include Animation Fundamentals, Visual Narrative, Human and Creature Mechanics, Character Modeling and Rigging, Contemporary Culture, Big Ideas and Philosophies, and the Animation Industry.

Since 2017, graduates of the Ravensbourne University London Animation BA Program have enjoyed a 90%-96.4% employment rate within six months of graduation. Program alumni work in Animation, TV and Film, Gaming, Corporate Films, Advertising, Publishing, App Development, and VFX, among other areas.

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