Top 20 Animation Training Programs in Europe - 2023 School Rankings

Founded in 1991, Filmakademie Baden-Wurttemberg (Filmakademie or FABW) houses the Animation Institute. Established in 2002, the Institute trains students in Animation, Interactive Media, Visual Effects (VFX), Technical Editing, and Animation/Effects Producing.

Features across programs include a project-based curriculum with hands-on training; collaborations with local and international partners; scientific research and development; and guest speakers. All students are assigned their own private workstation equipped with all of the latest technology and software used in today’s Animation studios. Examples include Toon Boom Harmony, Adobe After Effects, SideFX Houdini, Dragonframe, TV Paint, and Autodesk Maya.

Courses at the FABW Animation Institute are taught and mentored by more than 300 experts from the Film and Media industries. In collaboration with instructor mentors, Filmakademie student teams produce at least 250 films each year. Many of these student films win prizes at the Visual Effects Society (VES) Awards and SIGGRAPH.

A major component of the FABW Animation Programs is participation in the Annual Spring FMX Conference on Animation, Games, Effects, and Transmedia. Hosted by the Animation Institute since 1994, the Conference attracts Directors, Producers, and major studios from across Europe. The event takes place in Stuttgart.

Around a quarter of FABW students participate in the international exchange program with partners in countries such as Canada, South Africa Argentina, Lebanon, Poland, France, and Israel.

Graduates of the Animation Programs at Filmakademie have gone on to establish careers at studios in Germany and abroad. Some alumni have launched their own independent studios or freelance businesses.

Founded in 1991, Filmakademie Baden-Wurttemberg serves approximately 500 students. The school consists of a Media Campus spread across two sites separating the Film Academy (including the Institute of Animation, Visual Effects and Digital Postproduction) from the Academy of Performing Arts Baden-Württemberg and the Atelier Ludwigsburg-Paris. Filmakademie is a subsidiary of the State of Baden-Württemberg. The school awards Diplomas, which are equivalent to vocational qualifications from state art schools.

Trazos School of Digital Arts (Trazos) is an Autodesk Authorized Training Center and a Houdini Training Center. The school has training programs for individuals seeking a career in Animation or single courses for working professionals looking to enhance their skills. Examples of courses include 3D with Blender, Unreal Engine, and 3D Animator with a Specialization in Cartoony & Snappy.

Delivered through a combination of online and face-to-face courses, the Cartoony & Snappy Program provides the opportunity to work on 100% “real” projects for the production company Anima. Students will immerse in production for three hours a day, Monday thru Friday, for a total of 150 hours. Upon completion of the program, students will receive an employment contract with Anima. Cartoony graduates will also have a portfolio and the opportunity to apply to more than 1,100 other production companies or studios.

For individuals looking to launch a career in Animation, Trazos has a Double Major in Illustration, 3D and Animation (1,800 Hours); 3D Racing and Animation with Autodesk (1,200); 3D Image or Advanced 3D Image (900 hours); and Race in 3D with Autodesk Maya (900 hours). Professional Master options range from 300 to 600 hours and include Animation; Advanced Character Creation with Zbrush; Advanced Animation; Design and 2D Animation with Toon Boom; 3D and Animation; 3D and VFX with Maya and Houdini; 3D with Autodesk; Character Design and Creation; 2D Animation with Toon Boom; VFX with Houdini; Advanced 3D Mastering with Autodesk Maya; and VFX with Houdini. Programs range from 300 to 1,800 hours.

Across programs and courses, features include access to personal studio spaces and state-of-the-art facilities that function like real professional studios; partnerships with Apple, Pixologic, Adobe, Autodesk, and Maxon; and the opportunity to produce a number of animated productions, including a Final Diploma Project.

Across all Trazos Programs, graduates have been hired to work in wide range of roles at a variety of companies. Examples include Leo Burnett, Ogilvy, Y&R, Accenture, ReasonWhy, Sanitas, Volkswagen, and Adecco. Animation graduates have also been hired at a many local and global studios.

Established more than 25 years ago, Trazos School of Digital Arts is a Professional Training School that prepares students for careers in Animation, Motion Graphics, VFX, game Design, Graphic Design, Web Development, Digital Production, and more. To date, the school has more than 15,000 graduates who are working in their chosen fields.

FX Animation Barcelona 3D & Film School (FX Animation) has two paths to study Animation: the Specialized Studies Program in Character and Creature Animation, and a Higher Master in 3D Character Animation. The FX Animation Higher Master is the only Master’s at the national level to offer a Specialization in the animation of creatures, quadrupeds, and bipeds.

Features across programs include partnerships with companies such as HP, Wacom, ASUS, 22 Barcelona, and Polford; small class sizes (up to 15 students); and the opportunity to complete one or more internships. FX Animation students have interned at studios such as The Game Forge, Deluxe, B-Water Animation Studios, Digital Legends, Scarecrow Studio, Music Has No Limits, Entropy Studio, and El Ranchito.

Students in the Character and Creature Animation Program will master Autodesk Maya, Mudbox, MotionBuilder, Autodesk Sketchbook, and Zbrush, among others. Module examples for the program include CGI, FXExperience, 3D Advanced Character Animation, Animation Film Production, Realistic Animal Animation, and Fantastic Creatures Animation. Students will also complete two Animation Short Production modules. The program culminates with the production of an industry-ready animated films.

The Higher Master in Character and Creature Animation may be completed online or on-campus. Students in this program will master industry-standard tools and software such as Maya, Mudbox, TVPaint, Autodesk Sketchbook, and MotionBuilder. The program explores everything from the 12 principles of Animation to advanced Animation of creatures.

All FX Animation students benefit from intense training in other industry-standard tools and software such as Houdini, LightWave, Nuke, Avid, Cara VR, Pro Tools, RailClone, Adobe Premier Pro, V-Ray, Adobe After Effects, DaVinci, Mari, SynthEyes, 3ds Max, Cinema 4D, and Forest Pack. In addition, all FX Animation students have access to state-of-the-art production equipment, workshops, labs, studios, and technical classrooms.

FX Animation Barcelona 3D & Film School has a near perfect 99% job placement rate, with graduates working at more than 800 companies across Europe and around the world. FX Animation alumni work in areas such as Animation, Film, Games, VFX, Advertising, and TV.

Established in 2007, FX Animation Barcelona 3D & Film School provides training in 3D Animation and Cinema. Programs are led by more than 40 professionals with expertise in Animation, Film, and Education. FX Animation serves approximately 300 students.

The Game Assembly (TGA) is one of the few schools that provides the opportunity to spend a third of any program in the workplace. The school also features partnerships with local gaming studios; small class sizes; courses taught by professionals who are active in the industry; and the opportunity to collaborate with students across all TGA programs.

For Animators, The Game Assembly has a Game Animator Program that takes 2.5 years to complete. This immersive program explores the 12 Principles of Animation as well as software such as Autodesk Maya and MotionBuilder. Courses for the program are advanced and include examples such as 3D Graphics, Animation: Body Mechanics, Animation: Motion Capture, Animation: Creatures, Animation: Rigging, and Animation: Cinematics.

Throughout the program, students will have the opportunity to develop a total of eight games, both individually and in teams, from concept to playable game.

The Game Assembly Game Animator Program leads to a Diploma. Graduates are prepared to pursue positions in all areas of Animation for Television and Film, Game Art, and Game Animation.

Founded in 2008, The Game Assembly is a Higher Vocational Education Institution with campuses in Malmo and Stockholm, Sweden. Serving hundreds of students each year, the school is HBTQI Certified.

Escola de Cinema de Barcelona – ECIB (9Zeros Training Program) is the only school in the Catalonia Region that offers training in all aspects of Film. For animators, ECIB/9Zeroes has degree programs, courses, and workshops in Animation, Concept Art and Character Design, VFX Animation, Animation and Stop Motion Production, 3D Character Animation, Animation and 2D Realization, and 3D Animation Generalist. Programs lead to a Diploma or Master’s Degree.

The ECIB Animation Program is an ideal option for students seeking an undergraduate degree. Covering the three branches of Animation (2D, 3D and Stop-Motion Animation) this three-year pathway is the only program in the Catalonia Region that provides training in all three areas.

Across programs, ECIB/9Zeros graduates have secured positions at major studios such as Pixar, Weta Digital, Lightbox Animation Studios, DNEG, and Aardman Animations. ECIB/9Zeros graduates have worked on productions such as The Chronicles of Narnia, Cars 3, The Hunger Games, X-Men: Apocalypse, Inside Out, Brave, and The Jungle Book.

Since 2015, Escola de Cinema de Barcelona has incorporated the 9Zeroes Training Program into its curriculums. Founded in 1995, this private school serves hundreds of students from Spain and several other countries.

The Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (FAMU) is one of the three schools of the Academy of Performing Arts. Within the school is the Department of Animated Film (KAT), which has both Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Animated Film. The Bachelor’s Program takes place over six semesters, and the Masters’ Program can be completed in four semesters.

Across programs, students will explore all aspects of making Animated films, Directing, and Screenwriting through hands-on exercises, projects, and creative workshops led by Department instructors. Other program features include access to state-of-the-art equipment and facilities; internship opportunities; and a final project to be presented at an exhibition. In addition, students will leave the program with a polished portfolio of their best work.

Graduates of the Animated Film Programs at FAMU are prepared to pursue positions at Animation studios around the world. The Certificate is also transferrable to a four-year degree program at any college or university. 

Founded in 1946, The Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague is the fifth oldest film school in Europe. An incubator for young artists, the school provides six accredited programs across  twelve departments. FAMU is a founding member of the European League of Institutes of the Arts (ELIA), the European Film Academy, the International Association of Film and Television Schools (CILECT), and the European Grouping of Film and Television Schools (GEECT). FAMU is also an institutional member of the Czech Society for Film Studies (CEFS). 

L'idem Barcelona: International School of Creative Art (L’idem Barcelona or L’idem) has two paths to study Animation including a Bachelor’s in 2D/3D Animation and Video Games and a 2D/3D Animation Master’s. These international programs boast a 92% job placement rate with companies and studios across Spain and abroad.

Across programs, students also benefit from a network of 1,000 companies that collaborate with L’idem; small class sizes that allow individualized attention and collaboration in small groups; classes led by instructors who are 100% active in the Entertainment Industry; creativity workshops; and access to state-of-the-art facilities in an industrial setting.

The 2D/3D Animation and Video Games Bachelor’s at L’idem Barcelona consists of 240 credits (ECTS) completed over four years. Students in this program have the opportunity to Specialize in one of three areas including 2D/3D Animation, 3D Generalist, or Art. Course examples for the program include Art History, Animation Drawing, Visual Arts, 2D Animation, 3D Animation, Storyboard, Matte Painting, Rigging, Soundtrack and Sound Design, Acting, and Nuke.

The 2D/3D Animation and Video Games Program at L’idem Barcelona culminates with a professional showreel. Graduates are prepared for careers such as 2D Animator, 2D Animator, Storyboard Artist, Modeler/Digital Sculptor, 3D Generalist Artist, VFX Artist, Rigger, Generalist Game Artist, Lighter, and Concept Artist.

The L’idem 2D/3D Animation Master’s is a one-year program that can be completed on-campus or online. Consisting of 60 credits, the program features projects that can be completed in an environment that functions like a real professional studio. Course examples for the program include Animation 2D and 3D, Matte Painting, Storyboarding, VFX, Rigging, Soundtrack and Sound Design, Games, Sculpt 3D, and Culture of Animation. Students will also complete a required internship.

Graduates of the 2D/3D Animation Master’s at L’idem Barcelona are prepared for advanced positions in Animation, 2D and 3D Animation, VFX, and Games. 

L'idem Barcelona: International School of Creative Art has been preparing students for careers in the Entertainment industry since 1996. With campuses in Barcelona, Spain and Perpignan, France, the school serves hundreds of students enrolled in Animation, Game, VFX, Digital Design, and Graphic Design. Programs at L'idem Barcelona: International School of Creative Art lead to French and European degrees certified by the French Government. L’idem Barcelona is authorized by the Department of Education of the Generalist de Catalunya.

Escola Superior de Cinema Audiovisuals de Catalunya (ESCAC) has a Master’s Degree Program that begins with the History and Fundamentals of Animation. Students will then work their way through the technology and techniques used in creating Animated Films.

Areas explored include Origins and Techniques of Animation, Flat and Volume Animation, Computer Animation, Fictional Tricks and Effects Experimental Cinema and Credits, and Animated and Screen Studies. The ESCAC Animation Program culminates with a final project, which may be a traditional written essay or an animated production.

Graduates of the Animation Master’s at Escola Superior de Cinema Audiovisuals de Catalunya are prepared to secure positions in all areas of Animation. Program alumni will also have the skills to pursue careers in areas such as Game Design, Visual Effects (VFX), Advertising, and Television Production.

Established in 1993, Escola Superior de Cinema Audiovisuals de Catalunya is affiliated with the University of Barcelona. The school serves hundreds of students enrolled in programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. ESCAC adheres to the standards set forth by the Agency for the Quality of the University System of Catalonia (AQU).

Games Academy is the largest Game Developer in Europe. Within the school’s Digital Art Department is the two-year Digital Artist course, which explores Drawing and Modeling (Fine Arts) and  Animation, 3D Modeling, and Texturing (Computer Visualization). This four-semester (two-year) program features lecturers from the Games Industry; networking opportunities within the industry; a minimum of four Game projects with AAA Games providers; and the option to borrow Games Academy hardware. 

Games Academy provides the opportunity for Digital Artist students to earn two degrees by combining the Game Designer (GA) Program. After five semesters instead of four, Double Degree students will have a minimum of five projects for their portfolio and well as more job opportunities, such as Technical Artist.

The Digital Artist and Game Designer Programs can be completed on-site in Berlin or online. Graduates are prepared for a variety of careers including Game Artist, Game Designer, Animator for Film and Television, and Advertising Animator.  

Games Academy is the oldest state-approved Games school in Europe and the only school of its kind in Germany. Providing Professional Training Programs for over 20 years, the school has more than 1,500 graduates, and 700+ games to its credit. Programs at Games Academy are provided across four Departments including Game Design, Game Programming, Digital Art, and Game Production. Games Academy is Approved by AZAV and Quality Management ISO 9001.

Pepe School Land (Pepe School) has two pathways for Animators: the Modeling, Animation and Narrative (MAN) Program and the DemoReel Creation (CDR) Program/Workshop. The programs are delivered in a biennial format (every two years), in which the Pepe School MAN Program will alternate with the CDR Program/Workshop . The MAN Program is delivered in year one and the CDR is delivered in year two.

Graduates of the MAN and CDR Programs at Pepe School Land are prepared for immediate entry into the Entertainment field.

Pepe School Land has been operating in Barcelona since 2006. Serving 20 students annually, the school provides training in Character Animation, Narrative and Modeling, Film, Video Games, Advertising, and Television. Pepe School Land was created by Daniel Martínez Lara, a prominent Director and Educator with (more than 22 years of experience in Animation and Teaching.