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What are the top European animation training programs?
| Ranking | School | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | National Film and Television School | United Kingdom |
| 2 | Film Academy Baden-Württemberg | Germany |
| 3 | Aardman Academy | United Kingdom |
| 4 | Animum Creativity Advanced School | Spain |
| 5 | La Poudrière | France |
| 6 | Trazos School of Digital Arts | Spain |
| 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 | ESCAC | Spain |
| 12 | 9Zeros - Escola de Cinema de Barcelona | Spain |
| 13 | Copenhagen Academy of Digital Arts | Denmark |
| 14 | Anomalia | Czech Republic |
| 15 | Universal Arts School | Spain |
| 16 | L'idem Barcelona | Spain |
| 17 | PIXL VISN Media Arts Academy | Germany |
| 18 | Pepe School Land | Spain |
| 19 | ESDIP Escuela de Arte | Spain |
| 20 | Grayfisch Lyceum Rotterdam | Netherlands |
Our 2025 rankings of the top animation training programs in Europe.
For this ranking we only consider professional training programs, that is, non-degree programs such as certificate, diploma, and similar programs that are not formal 4-year bachelor's degrees. For an explanation of our ranking criteria, click here.
1. National Film and Television School, Beaconsfield – Buckinghamshire, England, UK
National Film and Television School (NFTS) is the only Film School in the UK with its own in-house television and film studio—Beaconsfield Studios. In addition to operating like a major studio, the school provides several paths to study animation including an MFA in Directing Animation; a Model Making for Animation MA; and the Digital Animation for Film and Games MA. Graduates enjoy a 90% employment rate. Program alumni have been hired at places such as Blue Zoo, Blinkink, and Animortal Studio.
2. Film Academy Baden-Württemberg, Ludwigsburg, Germany
Film Academy Baden-Württemberg (FABW) is home to the Animation Institute. Established in 2002, the institute trains students in animation, visual effects, games, interactive media, and directing. Programs include undergraduate and graduate degrees in Animation; Technical Directing; Animation/Effects Producing; Interactive Media; and Visual Effects (VFX). Programs culminate with a final project and presentation. Graduates go on to establish careers at studios in Germany and abroad. Alumni hold titles such as Animator, Creative Director, CG Artist, Stop Motion Artist, Concept Artist, and Game Artist.
3. Aardman Academy, Bristol, England, UK
Aardman Academy provides in-studio and online programs lasting from four weeks to eight months. Options include Stop Motion Film Production (eight months); Stop Motion 1: Character Body, Mime and Pantomime and Stop Motion 2: Full Face and Body Character Performance (12 weeks each); Stop Motion Character Animation (five weeks); and the four-week Stop Motion; Model Making; Storyboarding; and CG Flair programs. All graduates will participate in a formal graduation event at Aardman’s Gas Ferry Road Studios. Program alumni are prepared to pursue titles such as Animator, Director, or Model Maker across the animation, live-action film, games, television, and advertising industries.
4. Animum Creativity Advanced School, Malaga, Spain
Animum Creativity Advanced School (Animum) provides a Composition and Lighting Masters, and vocational programs such as 3D Character Creation; Concept Art and 3D Character Modeling; 3D Character and Scene Modeling; and VFX and 3D Production. Across programs, students engage with tutors and guest speakers from major studios such as Disney, Gameloft, Sony Pictures, and Weta FX. Programs culminate with a professional portfolio of the student’s best work. Animum alumni have been hired at places such as Disney Animation, MPC, Illumination, Ubisoft, Digital Domain, Skydance Animation, and Blue Zoo.
5. La Poudrière, Valence, Drome, France
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, along with short programs such as Creating the Storyboard for an Animated Film; Scriptwriting and Concept Development; and Writing for Animation. The ADAF program culminates with several industry-ready films and a professional portfolio. ADAF graduates enjoy a 90% employment rate in the animation industry. La Poudrière alumni have produced more than 280 films, television shows, and other productions. Several have earned Cesars—the highest film honor in France.
6. Trazos School of Digital Arts, Madrid, Spain
Trazos School of Digital Arts (Trazos) is a Houdini, Toon Boom, and Apple Authorized Training Center. The first school of its kind in Spain, Trazos also has partnerships with Pixar Renderman, Nuke, Unity, The Foundry, HP, Pixologic, Autodesk, Unreal, V-Ray, and Wacom. Professional animation training programs include Illustration, Concept Art, 3D, and Animation (three-year diploma); and Illustration and 2D Animation (one-year master’s degree). Examples of single courses include 2D Animation with Toon Boom; Visual Arts; and Illustration. Professional training programs culminate with a final project and portfolio. Graduates have been hired at major studios in Spain and around the world.
7. FX Animation, Barcelona, Spain
FX Animation provides a number of animation programs. Examples include master’s degrees in Creature Animation; Post-Production and Motion Graphics; and Visual Effects (VFX). Programs explore animation for both animated and live-action films. Students will graduate with an industry-ready film, demo reel, and portfolio. With a 99% employment rate with more than 800 companies and studios around the world, FX Animation alumni work at places such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), DreamWorks, Ubisoft, Disney, Mikros Animation, Gameloft, DNEG, Framestore, and MPC.
8. The Game Assembly, Malmo, Sweden
The Game Assembly (TGA) is a Houdini Certified School that houses an accelerated 30-month Game Animator program. Students learn and create in an immersive studio-like environment, while spending a third of their time working at a real studio. The program leads to a diploma. Graduates are prepared to pursue advanced roles in animation for films, games, education, television, advertising, and training.
9. Lightbox Academy, Madrid, Spain
Lightbox Academy (Lightbox) is the only school in Spain founded by one of the country’s largest animation studios—Lightbox Animation Studios. Lightbox is also Houdini Certified and Erasmus accredited. Ideal programs for options for students seeking careers in animation include master’s degrees in Animation; 2D Animation; 3D Animation; 3D Modeling and Animation; and 3D Animation for Film. programs culminate with an industry-ready film project and professional portfolio of the student’s best work. Around 95% of Lightbox Academy graduates find employment in the entertainment industry shortly after graduation. Alumni can be found at major companies and studios around the world.
10. The Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
The Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (FAMU) houses the Department of Animated Film (KAT), which provides bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Animated Film, and a one-year certificate. All options highlight hands-on learning in a professional studio environment. At the end each program, students will produce a final film to be presented at an exhibition. Program alumni are prepared to pursue positions at animation, film, television, and game studios. To date, FAMU alumni have won at least six Oscars.
11. ESCAC, Barcelona, Spain
ESAC houses a Film and Screen Studies master’s degree program that explores animation, experimental filmmaking, game design, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), interactivity, television series production, documentary filmmaking, and auteur, popular, and XR cinema. The program culminates with the 18 credit hour Master’s Final Project (TFM) to be presented to the Master’s Coordinating Committee (CCM). Graduates are prepared to pursue advanced roles in areas such as animated filmmaking; game art and design; live-action, documentary, and experimental filmmaking; television production; AR/VR; visual effects (VFX); simulations; advertising; research; and education.
12. 9Zeros - Escola de Cinema de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
9Zeros - Escola de Cinema de Barcelona (9Zeros/ECIB) provides many paths to study animation. Options include single courses and master’s degrees in 2D Animation and Production; 3D Modeling and ZBrush; 3D Character Animation; General 3D Animation; Concept Art and Character Design; and Stop-Motion Animation and Production—the oldest program of its kind in Spain. Graduates can be found at major studios such as Pixar, Weta FX, DNEG, Aardman, and Lightbox Animation Studios.
13. Copenhagen Academy of Digital Arts, Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen Academy of Digital Arts (CADA) houses a 3D Digital Artist program that explores animation, games, visual effects (VFX), and new media. A major component the program is a mandatory internship to be completed over the last two semesters. Upon successful completion of the program, students have the opportunity to enroll in 3D Digital Arts BA program at Abertay University. The 3D Digital Artist program at CADA culminates with an independent thesis project a showreel. Graduates can be found at places such as Pixar, Disney, Ghost VFX, The Mill, and IO Interactive.
14. Anomalia, Cesky Krumlov and Litomysl, Czech Republic
Anomalia provides bootcamps and labs led by mentors from major studios such as DreamWorks, Pixar, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), and Disney. Learning takes place at the European Training Center. Labs and bootcamp examples include 2D Digital Character Animation Disney Style; Directing Characters and Storyboarding; Character Design Lab; and Houdini Fundamental Techniques for 3D Artists. Bootcamps and labs are typically 5-10 days, with no more than 12 artists per program. Anomalia alumni are prepared to pursue positions in animation, live-action films, gaming, and VFX. Alumni have been hired at places such as PIXAR, Aardman, and Valve Corporation.
15. Universal Arts School, Valencia, Spain
Universal Arts School (UArts) is a Houdini Certified School and Adobe Authorized Training Center with locations in Valencia, Spain and Hollywood, California. The school has an Animation program leading to a master; double master; four- or five-year diploma + certification; 12-month certificate; or two-week training essentials diploma + certification. With the exception of the two-week program (on campus only), all pathways can be completed onsite or 100% online. Programs culminate with a demo reel and professional portfolio. Program alumni have landed positions at major studios such as Pixar, Lucasfilm Animation, Ubisoft, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Disney, Weta FX, and Blizzard Entertainment.
16. L'idem Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
L'idem Barcelona (L’idem) provides bachelor’s degrees in 2D Animation, and 3D Animation and Video Games; master’s degrees in 2D and 3D Animation, and Japanese Animation; and summer courses including Introduction to Anime; and Introduction to 2D or 3D Animation. Programs culminate with a final film project. L’idem graduates enjoy a 92% job placement rate with companies and studios across Spain and abroad. Program alumni are prepared to pursue advanced roles in animation, live-action films, visual effects (VFX), game design and development, and related fields.
17. PIXL VISN Media Arts Academy, Cologne, Germany
PIXL VISN Media Arts Academy provides an 18-month training program for aspiring Digital Production Artists such as 3D Animators, Visual Effects (VFX) Artists, and Game Graphics Artists. This accelerated, intensive program highlights hands-on coursework and projects led by active industry professionals. The program culminates with a final film and professional portfolio. PIXL VISN graduates have worked on major films and series such as Disney’s Dumbo, Game of Thrones, Captain Marvel, Avengers: Endgame, The Mandalorian, Black Panther, and The Walking Dead.
18. Pepe School Land, Barcelona, Spain
Pepe School Land (Pepe School) is a selective institution that operates on a biennial format (every two years). This means, the Modeling, Animation, and Storytelling (MAN) program alternates with the DemoReel Creation (CDR) workshop. So, one year, only the MAN program will be taught with 20 students. The following year, only the CDR course will be taught with no more than six students. The MAN program focuses on 3D animation, narrative, and mastering the latest animation software. The CDR program focuses on creating a professional demo reel. Graduates are prepared for careers in animation, games, narrative and modeling, television production, and advertising. Some alumni also go on to teach or launch their own studios.
19. ESDIP Escuela de Arte, Madrid, Spain
ESDIP Escuela de Arte (ESDIP) houses its own production company known as ESDIP Animation Studio. This allows students to gain valuable experience by working on industry-ready short films. Program options include the one-year Introduction to 2D Animation course; a two-year 3D Animated Cinema and Character Creation master’s; and three year diplomas in Animation Film; Artistic, Graphic and Digital Creation; and General Animation. All programs culminate with a physical and digital book of works or portfolio and professional film. Graduates are prepared to pursue roles across the animation, live-action film, television, games, and advertising industries.
20. Grayfisch Lyceum Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
Grayfisch Lyceum Rotterdam (GLR) provides a Media Design diploma program that explores areas such as animation, games, apps, web design, and advertising. Students have the option to focus in a specific area. Other program features include access to state-of-the-art classrooms, labs, and facilities; and internships at local studios and other creative environments; and courses taught by experienced professionals. The program culminates with a final project and portfolio. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in animation, games, advertising, and related industries. Program alumni are often hired at major studios, creative agencies, and media companies in the Netherlands and across Europe.