| Ranking | School | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Film Academy Baden-Württemberg | Germany |
| 2 | National Film and Television School | England |
| 3 | Aardman Academy | England |
| 4 | Animum Creativity Advanced School | Spain |
| 5 | Trazos School of Digital Arts | Spain |
| 6 | La Poudrière | France |
| 7 | FX Animation | Spain |
| 8 | The Game Assembly | Sweden |
| 9 | Lightbox Academy | Spain |
| 10 | The Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague | Czech Republic |
| 11 | 9Zeros - Escola de Cinema de Barcelona | Spain |
| 12 | Copenhagen Academy of Digital Arts | Denmark |
| 13 | Universal Arts School | Spain |
| 14 | Grayfisch Lyceum Rotterdam | Netherlands |
| 15 | ESCAC | Spain |
| 16 | Pepe School Land | Spain |
| 17 | L'idem Barcelona | Spain |
| 18 | Anomalia | Czech Republic |
| 19 | Games Academy | Germany |
| 20 | ESDIP Escuela de Arte | 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.
Film Academy Baden-Württemberg (FABW) helps students produce some 250 films each year. Many of these films go on to win prizes at the Visual Effects Society (VES) Awards and SIGGRAPH. Other FABW highlights include intensive, project-based programs; partnerships with companies such as Kodak, Dolby, and CILECT; hands-on training through internships and other experiential learning experiences; interdisciplinary collaborations across the academy and with media partners such SWR, ZDF, ProSiebenSat.1, HR, RTL, and ARTE.
Film Academy Baden-Württemberg is also home to the Animation Institute. Established in 2002, the institute trains students in animation, visual effects, directing, interactive media, producing, and games. Institute features include guest lecturers from the U.S., Europe, and Germany; study abroad opportunities at partner schools in places such as South Africa, France, Argentina, Poland, and Lebanon; and the opportunity to focus in Animation, Animation/Effects Producing, Technical Directing, Visual Effects, or Interactive Media.
Students will also have the opportunity to participate in the Animation, Games, Effects, and Immersive Media event known as the Annual Spring FMX Conference. Hosted by the Animation Institute since 1994, the conference attracts directors, producers, and major studios from across Europe. Approximately 4,000 participants from more than 60 countries attend FMX each day, as well as dozens of celebrated speakers from around the world.
Other program benefits include access to state-of-the-art production facilities and studios; seminars and workshops; private individual workstations equipped industry-standard software such as Autodesk Maya, SideFX Houdini, Toon Boom Harmony, Adobe After Effects, TV Paint, and Dragonframe; and individual and team mentoring sessions supervised by accomplished industry professionals.
The Animation program at Film Academy Baden-Württemberg culminates with the diploma project and presentation. Graduates 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, Film Academy Baden-Württemberg serves approximately 500 students who are mentored and taught more than 300 film and media experts. The school provides film and media; film music and sound design; production; and interdisciplinary programs across the Institute of Animation, Visual Effects and Digital Postproduction, the Academy of Performing Arts, and the Atelier Ludwigsburg-Paris. Film Academy Baden-Württemberg is a subsidiary of the State of Baden-Württemberg.
National Film and Television School (NFTS) is the only film school in the UK with its own in-house television and film studios known as Beaconsfield Studios. This allows the school to operate like a major studio, with professional state-of-the-art production facilities for animation, film, television, games, design, and more.
NFTS has several paths to study animation including a two-year Directing Animation MA; a one-year Model Making for Animation post-graduate diploma; and the three-week Storyboarding for Animators program. The MA and diploma program are delivered at the main campus (Beaconsfield Studios).
Funded by ScreenSkills Animation Skills Fund, the Storyboarding for Animators program explores film language; storyboarding for the animated TV series; acting; storyboarding for audio; Storyboard Pro; and pitching and revising. The program culminates with an online networking event.
Across all programs, students benefit from interactions with guest speakers such as Travis Knight (Kubo and the Two Strings, The Boxtrolls) and Glen Keane (The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast); courses taught by instructors who are active in the industry; participation in workshops and student showcases; and partnerships with Prime Video, the Film Distributors Association, ITV, The National Lottery, BBC, the UK Cinema Association, and many others.
The Directing Animation MA is delivered in module format, with the opportunity to choose a specialization from the following options: Producing, Screenwriting, Production Design, Cinematography, Sound Design, Editing, and Composing. Modules include: 1 - Animation Screen Language with Sand; 2 - From Ideas to Animatics; 3 - Character of Place; 4 - The Character Film; 5 - Animation Techniques and Sound; 6 - Animation Graduation Film: Ideas; and 7 – Animation Graduation Film.
The film consists of three stages: Pre-Production, Production, and Post Production. Final films are presented in Central London in front of a live audience at the end of the school year. Films are also entered into major festivals. In addition to the final film NFTS MA students will complete a dissertation consisting of a written piece or video essay.
The Model Making for Animation diploma program is the only UK-based program of its kind located in a dedicated film studio environment. Provided in partnership with Mackinnon & Saunders (animation producers), the program features courses and modules created by the professional animators from Aardman Animations. Examples include Miniature Set Building to Scale; Stop Frame Animated Puppet; Introduction to Pattern and Mouldmaking; and 1:1 Propmaking.
Other program features include the opportunity to collaborate with students from other NFTS programs to create films and complete projects; participation in the Screen Arts Program and Cinema Club; and masterclasses at NFTS and venues in London. Diploma students may also have opportunities to obtain work experience at places such as Warner Brothers, Aardman Animations, Mackinnon & Saunders, Arch Model Studios, and BGI Supplies.
Graduates of the NFTS Model Making for Animation program have gone on to work as prop artists, animators (traditional, puppet, etc.), and modelers at places such as Aardman Animations, Factory Create, Arch Film Studio, and Mackinnon and Saunders. Program alumni have worked on productions such as Spitting Image, Wicked, Dune 2, Wonka, Masters of the Air, Pinocchio, Barbie, Chicken Run 2, Isle of Dogs, and The House.
Overall, graduates of the Animation programs at National Film and Television School enjoy a 90% employment rate. Other studios that have hired NFTS animation alumni include Blue Zoo, Jellyfish Pictures, Blinkink – London Animation Studio, and Animortal - Stop-Motion Animation Studio.
National Film and Television School launched in 1971 as The National Film School. Today, the school provides more than 30 MA, diploma, and certificate programs; short programs across the games, film, and television disciplines; and specialized programs in cinematography, script supervision, directing, and production accounting. Serving more than 700 students each year, National Film and Television School was awarded both the BAFTA for Outstanding Contribution to British Cinema, and the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education in 2018.
Aardman Academy has partnerships with a number of top universities and art schools—a testament to the value of this hands-on training school. In 2024, the academy signed a five-year partnership with University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand to train students in its’ signature stop-motion animation style
Other Aardman partners include the experimenta.l. animation lab at the Harry W. Bass Jr. School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology (BAHT) at the University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas); Northern Art School (est. 1874); University of the West of England (UWE); Salford School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology; and the Animation Department at the University of Westminster.
Aardman Academy also provides in-studio training; remote industry training programs; online foundation courses; and short courses (events) such as Animated Insights (online guest speakers from the animation industry) and the Lecturer Development Program (two-day event). Online foundation courses are four weeks and include Stop Motion; Model Making; and Storyboarding Foundation. Courses are taught by industry professionals and consist of practical masterclasses, weekly assignments, and core principles.
Remote industry training programs are 12 weeks and are delivered using Aardman’s online, immersive teaching platform. Other features include individual mentors for the entire program; live online lectures; meet-ups and drop-ins; and 24/7 access to a community of Aardman Directors, Animators, Producers, Artists, and other program participants.
Programs include Stop Motion 1: Character Body, Mime and Pantomime; and Stop Motion 2: Full Face & Body Character Performance. Upon completion of the programs, all students will have the opportunity to participate in a formal graduation event at Aardman’s Gas Ferry Road Studios.
In-studio training at Aardman Academy includes the five-week, full-time Stop Motion Character Animation program, and the seven-month Stop Motion Film Production program. Both options feature hands-on training, projects, and coursework led by Aardman staff. Stop Motion Character Animation students will complete a professional body of work, culminating in an industry-ready showreel.
For the Stop Motion Film Production option, students will spend six of the seven months of the program at Aardman studios. For five days a week, every week, students will learn from Aardman staff and work with the team to produce individual short animations. The final month of the program will be spent finalizing student shorts.
The Stop Motion Film Production program at Aardman Academy provides the same number of teaching weeks as a standard master’s degree.
Upon completion of the Animation programs at Aardman Academy, students are prepared to pursue titles such as Director, Animator, and Model Maker across the animation, film, games, television, and advertising industries.
Aardman began as a short animated sketch created by teenagers Peter Lord and David Sproxton. The piece was purchased by the BBC for their Vision On series. When the duo received their first check from the BBC, they registered their bank account under the name Aardman Animations. The duo went on to produce Oscar winning shorts and famous productions such as Chicken Run, Wallace and Gromit’s World of Invention, and Shaun the Sheep: Adventures from Mossy Bottom.
Aardman Animations launched Aardman Academy in the late 1990s, when the studio needed more animators to work on Chicken Run. Today, Aardman Academy provides independent animation programs of all kinds at Gas Ferry Road Studios (headquarters) in Bristol, UK. Some Aardman programs are also provided online.
Animum Creativity Advanced School (Animum) provides an endless number of flexible programs and courses for artists looking to pursue a career in animation. Examples of “master” programs include 3D Animations, Games, and Interactive Environments; Digital Drawing and 2D Animation; Animation of 3D Characters; 3D Character Modeling; Rigging and 3D Animation; and Concept Art of Characters.
Examples of shorter programs include Animation for Video Games (nine months); 3D Character Animation for Video Games (nine months); Advanced 3D Character Rigging (six months); Cartoon Animation (three-months); and Fundamentals of 2D Animation (course, 30 hours).
Across programs, students will use industry-standard software to work on classroom projects and films for their professional portfolios. Software includes Autodesk Maya, Unity, Adobe Photoshop and Substance 3D Painter, Zbrush, Nuke, and Marmoset. In addition, all Animum students will benefit from tutors and guest speakers who work at major studios such as Disney, Sony Pictures, Gameloft, and Weta FX.
Graduates of Animum Creativity Advanced School will have the opportunity to promote their professional portfolios or reels to major studios, companies, and agencies in Malaga and around the world. With an 80% job placement rate, Animum alumni have established careers at animation studios, game design companies, VFX studios, creative firms, and motion graphics production studios.
Top studios such as Framestore and Illumination Studio Paris often hire Animum graduates. Framestore has locations Los Angeles, New York, Mumbai, Chicago, London, Vancouver, Melbourne, and Montreal. Animum alumni have also been hired at places such as Sony Pictures Imageworks, Ubisoft, Skydance Animation, Disney Animation Studios, MPC, Digital Domain, Blue Zoo Animation Studio, and Jellyfish Pictures.
Founded in 2002, Animum Creativity Advanced School provides Art and Design, 3D Production, and Postproduction training programs. Curriculums are focused on the animated film, live action film, and video game industries. Each year, this postgraduate institution serves more than 500 professionals from all over Spain and Latin America. Since 2022, Animum has been a member of AD Education. This international training group consists of more than 20 European schools focused in the fields of design, animation, and video games, among others. Animum Creativity Advanced School is also certified by Autodesk, Houdini, and Adobe.
Trazos School of Digital Arts (Trazos) is the first school of its kind in Spain. This Houdini, Toon Boom, and Apple Authorized Training Center has programs for individuals seeking a career in animation or single courses for established professionals looking specialize in an additional tool or area. Examples of single courses include Adobe After Effects; Cinema 4D; Nuke X; DaVinci Resolve; Premiere; ZBrush; Unreal Engine; Maya; Illustrator; 3ds Max; Framer; and InDesign.
Examples of professional training programs include 2D Animation; 3D Animation; Illustration; Visual Effects; Composition; Concept Art; 3D Production; Digital Art; Motion Graphics; and Digital Design. Students can complete a Trazos PT program in two to three years (to receive a “higher degree”) or between five and 10 months (to receive a “masters”). Courses are 30, 60, 90, 120, or 180 hours.
All programs feature small class sizes; access to state-of-the-art facilities that function like professional studios; personal studio spaces; project-based learning; courses taught by industry professionals; and the opportunity to produce a number of animated productions, including a final industry-ready film. Trazos students also benefit from the school’s numerous partnerships with Autodesk, Unreal, Unity, Pixar Renderman, Nuke, The Foundry, HP, Pixologic, V-Ray, and Wacom.
Trazos graduates are prepared to pursue advanced roles across industries such as entertainment, games, advertising and marketing, fine art, and education. Trazos alumni have been hired at places such as Leo Burnett, Ogilvy, Autodesk Training Centers, Y&R, and Adecco. Animation graduates have also been hired at studios in Spain and around the world.
Trazos School of Digital Arts launched in 1990 as the first school of digital arts in Spain. When it opened, the school provided a Photoshop course in a small office in Madrid. Since then, Trazos has trained more than 15,000 students for careers in animation, motion graphics, visual effects, game design, digital production, graphic design, UX/UI design, web development, and more. Programs lead to a “higher degree,” “master,” “expert master,” or certificate of completion.
La Poudrière is one of just three film schools recognized by the French Ministry of Culture. The school provides a two-year Author Director of Animated Film (ADAF) program, and short programs such as Creating the Storyboard for an Animated Film; Writing for an Animated Series, and Writing Music for Animated Films.
The two-year Author Director of Animated Film (ADAF) program at La Poudrière is recognized by the National Directory of Professional Certifications (RNCP). Students in this program will receive advanced training and direction from 80 professionals in the film and television industries. Examples of areas explored include writing and animating for films, television series, and trailers; directing actors; editing; and sound and music.
All La Poudrière ADAF students have the opportunity to participate in film festivals such as the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, and pitching events such as Cartoon Movie and Cartoon Springboard. To date, La Poudrière student films have won 190 awards in international film festivals.
Other program benefits include access to state-of-the-art production facilities; partnerships with Festival d'un Jour, Lyon National Music Conservatory (music for film), Lux Scène nationale, the Comédie de Valence (the National Drama Centre), and 'Le Navire' cinema; and study abroad opportunities with the Academy of Arts Architecture & Design in Prague (Umprum).
The Author Director of Animated Film program at La Poudrière culminates with several professional films. After graduating, La Poudrière alumni automatically gain access to networking opportunities, and direct connections to producers.
La Poudrière Animation Film School supports all graduates with additional short film projects through the Society of Dramatic Authors and Composers (SACD), Ciclic (the cultural agency of the Centre-Val-de-Loire Region), the European Conservatory of Audiovisual Writing, and the European Conservatory of Audiovisual Writing (CEEA).
More than 90% of ADAF graduates are employed in the animation industry. To date, more than 285 films have been made by graduates including four feature-length films (two won Césars ); 128 short films (2 Césars ); nearly 60 television series and specials; and 90+ commissioned films.
La Poudrière is a boutique, not-for-profit, animation film school housed in a former military cartridge factory known as La Cartoucherie. Launched in 1999, the school attracts artists who are already on the on the path to becoming animation directors and filmmakers. Since its inception, La Poudrière has welcomed more than 200 artists, with 120+ certified since 2009, and 95% obtaining global certification in the last several years.
In addition to being recognized by the French Ministry of Culture, La Poudrière has dual standing as a private institution of higher education and a vocational training center.
FX Animation provides a number of paths to study animation. Options include Certified FX degrees in Character and Creature Animation, Modeling and Concept Art, and 2D and 3D Animation; and Higher Master programs in 2D Animation and 3D Cartoon Animation.
Features across programs include small class sizes (up to 15 students); partnerships with companies such as ASUS, HP, Wacom, Polford, and 22 Barcelona; access to state-of-the-art facilities, workshops, labs, studios, and technical classrooms; and the opportunity to complete one or more internships. FX Animation students have interned at studios such as El Ranchito, Digital Legends, Scarecrow Studio, The Game Forge, Entropy Studio, Deluxe, Music Has No Limits, and B-Water Animation Studios.
Students in the Certified FX degree programs will master industry-standard software such as Maya, Mudbox, MotionBuilder, Unreal Engine, Sketchbook, Zbrush, Painter, Alchemist, Blender, and Photoshop. Programs are delivered in a module format. For example, the Character and Creature Animation program include modules such as 3D Advanced Character Animation; Realistic Animal Animation; FXExperience; Fantastic Creatures Animation; Animation Film Production; and CGI.
Modeling and Concept Art students will compete modules such as Digital Drawing and Painting; 3D Techniques; FXExperience; Concept Art; 3D Advanced Techniques; Preproduction and Production in Concept Art; and Training in Companies (250-hour internship). Students in this program will work in teams to complete several projects. Programs culminate with a final project (industry-ready film), a professional demo reel, and portfolio.
Higher Master students will master industry-standard tools and software such as Maya, Mudbox, TVPaint, Sketchbook, and MotionBuilder. All FX Animation students also benefit from intense training in other industry-standard tools and software such as Houdini, Nuke, Avid, LightWave, Premier Pro, V-Ray, 3ds Max, After Effects, DaVinci, Cinema 4D, RailClone, Mari, SynthEyes, Cara VR, Forest Pack, and Pro Tools.
Higher Master programs explore everything from the 12 principles of Animation to cartooning and illustration to advanced creature animation. Students will graduate with an industry-ready film, demo reel, and portfolio.
FX Animation has a near perfect 99% job placement rate, with graduates landing positions at more than 800 companies in Europe and around the world. Examples include DreamWorks, Disney, Gameloft, DNEG, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Ubisoft, MPC, Framestore, Method Studios, Mikros Animation, BMW, Technicolor, Digital Legends Entertainment, Cubica VFX, Volkawagen, Ilion Animation Studios, El Ranchito, Zinkia, Hampa Animation Studio, Warhorse, Digital Legends Entertainment, Mediapro, Arx Anima Animation Studfio, Gestmusic, and 3 Doubles Productions.
Established in 2007, FX Animation provides training in 3D Animation and Film. Programs are led by more than 40 professionals with expertise in animation, filmmaking, and education. FX Animation serves approximately 300 students. FX Animation is SideFX Certified.
Students at The Game Assembly (TGA) have the unique opportunity to spend a third of their time working at a studio or other creative environment. TGA students also benefit from small class sizes and collaborative activities across programs; partnerships with local gaming studios; apprenticeship programs provided in partnership with Kaplan, Aardvark Swift, Into Games, and Grads in Games; and courses taught by active industry professionals.
The Game Animator program at TGA is an ideal option for students seeking careers in animation. This immersive program focuses on 3D. The curriculum explores the 12 Principles of Animation, motion capture, keyframe animation, and rigging 3D models. Students will also master industry-standard software such as Autodesk Maya and MotionBuilder.
Because the Game Animator program is immersive and accelerated (2.5 years to completion) most courses are advanced. Course examples include Game Animation 3D; Cinematics; Body Mechanics; Motion Capture; Acting; and Creatures. Students will select a specialization (advanced, worth 35 credits) and complete the eight games at a rate of two per term. Projects will consist of individual and group works.
The Game Animator program at The Game Assembly leads to a diploma. Graduates are prepared to pursue positions in animation for games, films, television, advertising, education, and training.
The Game Assembly was founded in Malmo, Sweden in 2008. Today, this Higher Vocational Education Institution serves hundreds of students each year at the main campus in Malmo and an additional campuses in Stockholm, Sweden and the UK. The Game Assembly is HBTQI Certified and it has been a member of Ukie since 2023. Ukie is the trade body for the UK games and interactive entertainment industry.
Lightbox Academy (Lightbox) is the only school in Spain founded by a major animation studio. The school is also accredited by Erasmus—the EU’s program to support education and training in Europe. Other Lightbox features include participation in events, workshops, and masterclasses; access to an extensive job and internship bank of more than 500 companies and institutions; and the opportunity to create animated, visual effects (VFX), and other productions.
For students looking to pursue a career in animation, Lightbox Academy has a number of flexible programs lasting anywhere from five months to 2.5 years. Options include the Double Master in Animation; 3D Animation for Cinema Master; 2D Animation Higher Master; 3D Animation Higher Master; Advanced 2D Animation Master; Advanced Animation Master; 2D Animation Master; and the Animation Master.
Students in all programs will work and learn in state-of-the-art classrooms and studios equipped with the latest industry software and tools. All programs culminate with an industry-ready project and 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 in Europe and around the world.
Lightbox Academy is the learning institution of Lightbox Animation Studios—one of the top animation studios in Spain. This digital arts school employs a team of active professionals with at least 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry. Areas of specialization include animation, illustration, visual effects (VFX), motion graphics, video games, graphic design, and web design. Lightbox Academy training programs lead to direct employment in the entertainment industry.
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 Animation (KAT), which provides both undergraduate and graduate degrees in Animated Film, as well as a new one-year program leading to a certificate. This animation certificate program focuses on hands-on training in indie animation in a professional studio environment. Students will have the opportunity to produce their own indie animated short before the end of the program. Graduates are prepared to pursue an entry-level-level position at a studio or transfer to a four-year degree program at any college or university.
The undergraduate Animated Film program at FAMU leads to a bachelor’s, and it can be completed in six semesters. The graduate program (master’s) can be completed in four semesters. Across programs, students will explore all the animation production pipeline, directing, and screenwriting.
Curriculums include hands-on exercises, projects, and creative workshops led by department instructors. Other features include access to state-of-the-art production facilities; internship opportunities; and a final project to be presented at an exhibition.
FAMU Animated Film students will also graduate with a professional portfolio of their best work. Program alumni are prepared to pursue positions at animation, film, television, and game studios in Prague and around the world. FAMU alumni have gone on to win many awards, including at least six Oscars.
The Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague was founded in 1946, making it the fifth oldest film school in Europe. Serving approximately 1,500 students, the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague is the largest arts school in the Czech Republic. An incubator for young artists, FAMU provides six accredited programs across twelve departments.
Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague 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) and the Association for Film and Audiovisual Education (ASFAV).
9Zeros - Escola de Cinema de Barcelona (9Zeros/ECIB) is in one of the only institutions in Europe that integrates all aspects of film in its training programs. For animators, the school has degree programs, courses, and workshops in the following categories: 2D Animation; 3D Animation, Concept Art, and Stop-Motion Animation.
With a focus on cartoon animation, 2D Animation options include the Master in Animation and 2D Realization, and the 2D Animation Initiation course. 3D options focus on developing skills that can be applied to the film, animation, video game, and advertising industries. Programs include Master in Character Animation, Generalist 3D Animation, and 3D Modeling and ZBrush; the Animation course in Autodesk Maya; and the Intensive Introductory course in 3D Modeling and ZBrush.
For Concept Art, 9Zeroes/ECIB has a Master in Concept Art and Character Design that focuses on concept art for the animation, video game, and live action industries. Stop-Motion programs include the Master in Stop-Motion Animation and Production, and the Stop-Motion Animation Workshop. The 9Zeros/ECIB Stop-Motion Master is the oldest program of its kind in Spain and the only master’s degree in the country to help several students land positions at stop-motion animation studio Aardman Animations.
Across programs, features include state-of-the-art production facilities, labs, and classrooms; collaborative projects; both module and course learning formats; the chance to enter projects in dozens of national and international film festivals; and career guidance through 9Zeroes own production studio. Sample modules and courses across programs include Body Mechanics and Pantomime; Digital Animation; 2D Animation; Storyboard; Drawing (visual development); Character Design and Manufacturing; Script; Scenography; Stop-Motion Animation; Production; Acting; Concept Art; Rigging; UVS and Textures; Modeling; Development of the 9ECTS Project; and Polishing the Demo Reel.
Graduates of the animation programs at 9Zeros/ECIB have gone on to land positions at major studios such as Pixar, DNEG, Weta Digital, Lightbox Animation Studios, and Aardman Animations. 9Zeros graduates have worked on productions such as Brave, The Hunger Games, X-Men: Apocalypse, The Chronicles of Narnia, Cars 3, The Jungle Book, and Inside Out.
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. Escola de Cinema de Barcelona is associated with the University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia (UVic) and Universitat de Vic - Universitat Central de Catalunya (UVic-UCC).
Copenhagen Academy of Digital Arts (CADA) has a 3D Digital Artist program that allows students to automatically enroll in in the accredited BA (Hons) in 3D Digital Arts at Abertay University. Students will complete the program in CADA’s immersive, hands-on learning environment, which provides access to state-of-the-art production facilities and labs; experiential learning opportunities with major studios; interactions with guest lecturers; access to 3D Artists and experts from national and international production companies; and participation in the study abroad program.
The CADA 3D Digital Artist program begins with coursework that explores the 3D pipeline. Areas covered include beginning animation, modeling, simulation, rigging, rendering, texturing, lighting, pre-production, and post-production. Students will then move on to the 12 Principles of Animation; action animation; digital sculpting; group projects for external clients; and larger scale projects in teams to be published on a digital storefront.
In the last two semesters of the program, the CADA 3D Digital Artist program consists of a mandatory internship, an independent thesis project in collaboration with a CADA mentor, and a showreel of the student's best work.
The 3D Digital Artist program at Copenhagen Academy of Digital Arts takes 2.5 years to complete, full-time. Graduates are prepared to pursue advanced roles in animation, visual effects (VFX), games, film and television, advertising, architecture, and education. Some programs have gone on to enroll in a graduate program, while others have launched their own independent studios or freelance businesses.
Copenhagen Academy of Digital Arts was founded as Truemax Academy in 1998. The school changed its name to Copenhagen Academy of Digital Arts (CADA) in 2021. Today, CADA is a private school approved by the Danish Accreditation Institution. To date, Copenhagen Academy of Digital Arts has more than 500 alumni.
Universal Arts School (UArts) has an animation program with six pathways. Options include Animation Training Essentials (two weeks, Photoshop); the Character Animation certificate (12 months, Maya); High-Level Animation (five years, diploma and certification); Senior Animation (four years, diploma and certification); Animation (two years, diploma and certification, double master); and Animation) two years, diploma and certification, master).
With the exception of the Animation Training Essentials program (on-site only), all pathways can be completed on campus or entirely online. Features across programs include access to more than 200 mentors; internship opportunities; nearly 100 speakers and collaborators from top game and film studios; and the Start-Up component, which helps students develop skills to start their own businesses.
Across programs students will take courses such as Fundamentals of Animation; Character Animation; Rigging with Maya 3D; VFX with Houdini; Illustration Concept Art; Digital Film; Game Design; Matte Painting; Videogame Art; Matte Painting; Sculpting Extreme; Videogame Programming with Unity; Body Mechanics; and Acting.
In the final year of all Universal Arts School programs, students will enter Studio Production—a workspace for creating high-level reels and portfolios for entry into the creative industries. All reels will be customized to the studios students are interested in applying to. Students in Studio Production will then apply to companies or studios or begin setting up their own studios.
UArts graduates are prepared to pursue roles such as Animator/3D Character Animator for short feature films; Animator/3D Character Animator for Pre-Vis; VFX 3D Character Animator; Animator/3D Character Animator for video games; Animator/3D Animator for animated series; Animator/3D Character Animator for virtual reality (VR); and Animator/3D Character Animator for advertising, multimedia, medical reports, documentaries, and scientific reports.
Program alumni have landed positions at major studios such as Industrial Pixar, Lucasfilm Animation, Ubisoft, Light & Magic (ILM), Disney, Framestore, Weta Digital, Blizzard Entertainment, and LightBox Studios. Some UArts alumni have launched their own studios or freelance businesses.
Universal Arts School was established in 1994 as a Specialized Training Center. Today, the school has campuses in Valencia, Spain (main and cinema), and West Hollywood, California (Sunset Boulevard). With more than 10 program options, UA has more than three million hours of training to its credit.
Grayfisch Lyceum Rotterdam (GLR) houses two organizational units: the VMBO for Design and Media, and the MBO. MBO stands for vocational upper secondary education, and VMBO stands for pre-vocational secondary education. The VMBO for Design and Media serves 500 students enrolled in four programs, including Media Design. This diploma program explores areas such as animation, games, advertising, web design, and apps. Students have the option to focus in a specific area.
Examples of topics covered include Moving Images, Drawing and Design Techniques, and Illustration. GLR Media Design students will also experiment and work with the latest industry software, tools, and emerging technologies such as augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR). Other program features include courses taught by experienced professionals; access to state-of-the-art classrooms, labs, and facilities; and internship opportunities at studios and other creative environments.
The GLR Media Design program culminates with a final project and portfolio. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers across all creative industries. Program alumni are often hired at major media companies, studios, and creative agencies in the Netherlands and across Europe.
Grayfisch Lyceum Rotterdam was established in 1950 as a printing college. Today, the school serves more than 4,000 students, making it the largest college of its kind in the Netherlands. GLR also employs over 400 staff and educators, making it one the Netherlands largest employers. Grayfisch Lyceum Rotterdam provides programs in areas such as animation, interactive media and graphic design, games, film & video, media technology, stage & theatre technique, media management, sound design, and digital printing.
ESCAC has an interdisciplinary Film and Screen Studies master’s that explores areas such as experimental film, animation, virtual reality (VR), documentary film, video games, interactivity, television series production, auteur cinema, popular cinema, fiction, 360 cinema, XR cinema, and augmented reality (AR). Over two academic years, students will complete 120 credits including compulsory subjects (78 credits); optional subjects (24 credits); and the Master’s Final Project (TFM), totaling 18 credits.
Course examples for the program include Animated Films; Sonic Universes; Contemporary TV Studies; Video Game Imaginaries; Cinema and Avant-Garde; Introduction to Immersive Narratives and Experiences; Creation on the Internet; and Trends in Contemporary Documentary. The Animated Film course covers Computer Animation; Flat and Volume Animation; Fictional Tricks and Effects; Origins and Techniques of Animation; Experimental Cinema and Credits; and Animated Film and Screen Studies.
Other program features include courses taught by industry professionals; access to state-of-the-art production facilities, labs, and studios; internship opportunities; and the chance to enter films in a variety of film festivals.
At the end of the ESCAC Film and Screen Studies program, students will complete the TFM under the guidance and supervision of an academic tutor. The project will consist of a written and/or audiovisual work that will be presented to the Master’s Coordinating Committee (CCM).
Graduates of the Film and Screen Studies program at ESCAC are prepared to pursue positions in areas such as animation, traditional film, games, television, VR/AR, special effects, documentary filmmaking, experimental film, and advertising.
Established in 1993, ESCAC is affiliated with the University of Barcelona. The school serves hundreds of students enrolled in film 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); the National Agency for Quality Assessment and Accreditation (ANECA); and the Agency for the Quality of University Studies of Galicia (AGSUG).
Pepe School Land (Pepe School) Pepe-School-Land has two programs for animators including Modeling, Animation and Narrative (MAN), and the DemoReel Creation (CDR) workshop. Recently, the school changed to a biennial format (every two years) in which the MAN program alternates with the CDR workshop. So the MAN program will be taught for one year only with 20 students. The following year the CDR Workshop will be taught with a maximum of six students.
MAN students will master 3D animation, narrative, and the latest industry-standard animation software. CDR students will focus solely on creating a professional demo reel.
Graduates of the MAN and CDR programs at Pepe School Land are prepared for immediate employment in animation, narrative and modeling, advertising, television, video games, and education.
Pepe School Land launched in Barcelona in 2006. Created by Daniel Martínez Lara, a prominent Director and Educator with more than 22 years of experience in animation and art education, the school serves just six or 20 students in alternating years. Operating as a 3D animation school, Pepe School Land provides focused training in character animation, narrative, and modeling.
L'idem Barcelona (L’idem) has partnerships with studios and film festivals such as Digital 113, Animac International Animaton Film Festival, Annecy, and Animayo Summit, Conference, and International Film Festival. L’idem also has a network of more than 1,000 international companies that collaborate with the school as advisors, internship providers, and recruiters.
L'idem Barcelona provides a number of programs that prepare students for careers in animation. Options include a bachelor’s in 2D/3D Animation and Video Games; a 2D/3D Animation master’s; and a master’s in Japanese Animation. The school also has summer courses including Introduction to 2D Animation; Introduction to 3D Animation; and Character Design.
Program features across all options include small class sizes; mandatory internships; classes led by instructors who are active in the entertainment industry; creativity workshops; access to state-of-the-art facilities in an industrial setting; masterclasses, and career guidance.
The L’idem 2D/3D Animation and Video Games bachelor’s requires 240 credits (ECTS) completed over four years. The program provides the option to specialize in Art, 2D/3D Animation, or 3D Generalist. Course examples include Animation Drawing; Creativity Workshop; Storyboard; Visual Effects; Nuke; Animation Culture; and 3D Organic Modeling. Consisting of 240 credits completed over four years, the program culminates with a professional showreel.
Graduates are prepared to pursue titles roles such as 2D Animator, 3D Animator, Game Artist, Modeler, 3D Generalist Artist, Storyboard Artist, VFX Artist, Digital Sculptor, Rigger, and Concept Artist.
The L’idem 2D/3D Animation master’s is a one-year program that can be completed on-campus or online. For on-campus students. the program takes place in an environment that functions like a professional studio. Consisting of 60 credits, the program features modules such as Fundamentals of Design; Watercolor; Video Games Level 1 Unity; Atomic Sculpture; and Post-Production-Nuke.
Course examples include Animation 2D and 3D; Rigging; Soundtrack and Sound Design; Matte Painting, Storyboarding; VFX; Games; Culture of Animation; and 3D Tutorial-Maya Software. Master’s students will also complete a mentored project, required internship, and final project.
L’idem graduates enjoy a 92% job placement rate with companies and studios across Spain and abroad. Graduates of the 2D/3D Animation master’s program are prepared for advanced roles in animation, visual effects, games, and related fields.
L'idem Barcelona: International School of Creative Art has been preparing students for careers in the entertainment industry since 1996. The school serves hundreds of students enrolled in animation, visual effects (VFX), game, digital design, and graphic design programs leading to French and European degrees certified by the French Government. With campuses in Barcelona and France, L’idem Barcelona is also authorized by the Department of Education of the Generalist de Catalunya.
Anomalia operates like a work/study incubator in the towns of Cesky Krumlov and Litomysl, Czech Republic. Artists here have the unique opportunity to be mentored by successful filmmakers who have worked with major studios such as DreamWorks, Pixar, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Ubisoft, Disney, Weta, MPC, Cartoon Network, Sony Pictures Animation, Lucasfilm, DNEG, and Illumination Entertainment, Reel FX, Aardman Animations, Paramount, Activision, HBO, and Skydance Media.
Programs take place in the European Training Center, which is part of the Renaissance castle complex and old brewery house. Students at Anomalia have their choice of bootcamps and labs. Examples include Your Dramatic World Development; Character Design Lab; Animated 2D Short Film; Storytelling in Sound with Dolby Atmos; Blender Blending: Rigging Pipeline Lab; Worldbuilding Art Lab; Directing Characters in Storyboarding; Houdini Procedural Modeling; Your Character Driven Teaser Development; Unreal Engine 5: Niagara FX; and Your Heroes’ Character Design Development. Bootcamps and labs are typically five to 10 days, with no more than 12 artists per occupancy.
Anomalia alumni are prepared to pursue positions in animation, gaming, and VFX. Many Anomalia alumni have landed positions at top studios such as PIXAR, Valve, and Aardman Animations.
Established in 2008 by professional artists, Anomalia provides professional training in animation, games, and visual effects (VFX). To date, the school has trained more than 1,000 artists who have gone on to positions at over 20 major studios around the world. Anomalia is an EPIC MegaGrants Recipient, with partnerships including the Czech Film Fund, the Ministry of Culture Czech Republic, and 3Bohemians: What Is Your Story?
In 2019, Games Academy and the Mediadesign University of Applied Sciences (MDH) merged to create one of the largest collections of game design programs in Berlin. This includes bachelor’s degrees, master’s programs, certificates, and continuing education options. Within the school’s Digital Art Department is a two-year Digital Artist program that explores Animation, Texturing (Computer Visualization), 3D Modeling, and Drawing and Modeling (Fine Arts).
Program features include lectures led by active professionals in the games industry; access to state-of-the-art facilities or the option to borrow Games Academy hardware; networking opportunities within the industry; and a minimum of four game projects with AAA games providers.
In addition, Games Academy provides the opportunity for Digital Artist students to earn two degrees by adding 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 more job opportunities, such as Game Design Director, Technical Artist or Designer, Quality Assurance Manager, or Level Designer.
The Digital Artist and Game Designer programs at Games Academy can be completed on campus in Berlin or 100% online. Graduates of the Digital Artist program will receive the state-certified Digital Artist (GA) qualification. Double degree graduate will receive a state-certified degree in Digital Artist + Game Designer.
Digital Artist alumni are prepared to pursue roles such as Animator (film and television), 3D Modeler, Interface Designer, Animator (games), Environment Designer, 3D Generalist, UI/UX Designer, Animator (advertising), and Animator (television).
Founded in 2000, Games Academy is the oldest state-recognized games school in Europe and the first and only college in Germany to focus solely on computer and video game production. With more than 1,500 graduates and 700+ games to its credit, Games Academy provides programs across four departments. These include Game Design, Game Production, Game Programming, and Digital Art. Games Academy is approved by the Accreditation and Licensing Ordinance for Employment Promotion (AZAV) and Quality Management ISO 9001.
ESDIP Escuela de Arte (ESDIP) provides workshops, master’s degree, and diploma programs led by professionals from the animation, games, publishing, comics, and advertising industries. The school also houses its own production company known as ESDIP Animation Studio, which provides the opportunity for student teams to gain experience by working on an industry-ready short films. Other ESDIP features include additional team projects; workshops; and access to state-of-the-art studios and technology.
For students seeking careers in animation, ESDIP has a one-year professional program—Introduction to 2D Animation; a two-year 3D Animated Cinema and Character Creation master’s; a three-year General Animation diploma; a three-year Animation Film diploma; and a three-year Artistic, Graphic and Digital Creation diploma.
The Introduction to 2D Animation requires 370 hours and explores areas such as character design, audiovisual language, and movement. Students will also receive training in Photoshop and Toon Boom. Upon completion of the program, students are prepared to pursue positions in the animation industry or move directly into the second year of the General Animation diploma program.
This 1110-hour program covers the 12 Disney Principles, the art of animation, and professional tools such as Adobe animation software and advanced Toon Boom. Students can complete the General Animation program in-person, online, or a combination of the two.
The two-year 3D Animated Cinema and Character Creation master’s at ESDIP requires 1480 hours and covers all phases of the production process from idea to writing the script to finished film. Students will build characters, create stories and storyboards, and study texturing, lighting, compositing, animatics, rendering, editing, and 3D modeling. In addition, Toon Boom, Zbrush, Pixologic, 3D Blender, and Substance Painter.
The three-year Animation Film diploma at ESDIP requires 2220 hours, with the option to complete the program in-person, online, or a combination of the two. The program explores drawing techniques, the use of industry-standard animation tools, storyboarding, stop motion, layout, digital effects, and more. In addition to the final film, students will complete a professional portfolio.
The three-year Artistic, Graphic and Digital Creation diploma program requires 2,220 hours of study. Delivered online, on-campus, or a combination of the two, the program allows students to specialize in animated film production, comics, digital illustration, graphic design, or tattooing. Students will complete an industry-focused internship and master software such as Adobe Animate, Toon Boom, ZBrush, and Clip Studio Paint.
All ESDIP animation programs end with a physical and digital book of works or portfolio, as well as the final professional film made at ESDIP Animation Studio. Depending on the degree level, graduates of the animation programs at ESDIP Escuela de Arte are prepared to pursue roles across the entertainment, games, and advertising industries.
Potential roles include Film Animator, Comic Artist, 2D or 3D Animator, Game Artist, Animator (games), Cartoonist, Animator (television), Concept Artist, Animator (advertising), Storyboard Artist, Animator (web), Animation Technical Director, Layout Artist, Animation Producer, and Effects Technical Artist.
ESDIP Escuela de Arte was established as an Animation School in 1981. In 1997, Disney hosted an event that featured seven of Europe’s most prominent animation schools. This included ESDIP. Today, the school produces least one major animated short film each year—entirely by ESDIP Animation students.
