Top 25 International Animation Schools and Colleges - 2020 International Rankings

Established in 1967, Sheridan College has grown from 400 students and a single campus to 43,000 students and three campuses. One of Canada's premier polytechnic institutes and one of Ontario's leading postsecondary institutions, Sheridan College is known as the “Harvard of Animation.”

Offered through the Faculty of Animation, Arts & Design, the schools Honors (Hons) Bachelor of Animation emphasizes classical principles of animation in a variety of forms, including 2D digital, 3D and stop motion. Students in the program gain professional experience during a mandatory three-month work placement, and at the school’s Annual Industry Day, students meet with employers from across North America. Graduates of the program go on to work in television and feature animation at major studios around the world.

Since 1988, Rubika has been producing “high-level creatives” that go on to successful careers in the Animation and Digital Visual Effects (VFX) industries. The school serves more than 1,200 students annually across four campuses in Valenciennes (France), Montreal (Canada), Pune (India) and Nairobi (Kenya).

With a 90% employment rate within a year, Rubika offers a Bachelor of Animation with specializations in 3D Animation and FX/VFX Special Effects. The program consists of five Intensives, including Video, Motion Design, Character Creation, Stop Motion, and BD Project, along with five years of apprenticeship leading to the production of a short animated film. The short films of Supinfocom are recognized by industry professionals around the world, including prestigious animation festivals such as MIFA Annecy, SIGGRAPH, ITFS Stuttgart, and many others.

Graduates of the CG Animation & FX Program at Ecole Superieure des Metiers Artistiques (ESMA) Montpellier enjoy a 100% employment rate within just nine months after graduation. The program, which leads to a master’s degree, focuses on “both artistic and technical knowledge,” says the school, while teaching students to master 3D software used by animation studios, production companies, and video game firms. In addition to the Montpellier campus, the four-year CG Animation & FX Program is offered at the Lyon, Montreal, Nantes, and Toulouse, France campuses.

For students who aren’t quite ready for a master’s program, ESMA offers a Certificate of Collegial Studies (CCS/ACS/AEC) in 3D Animated Cinema and Visual Effects. Launched in September 2018, the program is offered at the Montreal, France campus.

VIA University College is home to the School of Business, Technology and Creative Industries, which houses The Animation Workshop (TAW). Founded in 1988, TAW consists of seven departments, 650 students, staff and professionals, and the biggest animation festival in Denmark—Viborg Animation Festival (VAF). The program, which leads to a BA in Animation, has an optional specialization in Computer Graphic Arts. Students in the program have access to an Animated Learning Lab, Visual Talent Center, Business Development, and internship opportunities. Students also have opportunities to learn and network via Arsenalet—a creative business cluster of more than 30 companies, freelancers and start-ups in the animation, new media and the games industry.

In addition to the BA, the Animation Workshop offers a four-year Bachelor in Graphic Storytelling. Launched in 2013, the program celebrated its first graduating class in the summer of 2017.

Media Design School is a member of Laureate International Universities—a network of more than 25 higher education institutions serving more than 875,000 students. The school offers degrees in AI, Cloud Computing, 3D Animation and Visual Effects, Interactive Design, Motion Graphics, Game Art, Game Programming, Graphic Design, and Creative Advertising. The 3D Animation and Visual Effects program, which leads to a Bachelor of Art and Design, prepares students for career paths such as Animator, 3D Modeler, Compositor, VFX Artist, Effects Designer, Technical Director, and many others. Graduates of the programs have gone on to win short film awards, land positions at major studios, and work on blockbuster films such as Avatar and The Hobbit.

Emily Carr University of Art and Design (ECU) is one of Canada’s top Art and Design universities. Serving nearly 2,000 students, ECU has four distinct faculties including the Faculty of Culture + Community, Ian Gillespie Faculty of Design + Dynamic Media, Jake Kerr Faculty of Graduate Studies, and Audain Faculty of Art. Ian Gillespie Faculty of Design + Dynamic Media offers Bachelor of Media Arts degrees in 2D & Experimental Animation and 3D Computer Animation. Students in both programs engage in in-depth study of animation principles, design, character development, story and production techniques that expose them to every aspect of animation production. Students will create several major film projects that will help prepare them for employment in various animation, visual effects, and cultural industries.

In existence since 1837, London’s Royal College of Art (RCA) consists of four schools serving more than 2,000 students across three sites in Kensington, Battersea, and White City. The School of Communication has been teaching animation for more than 30 years. The school offers an MA in Animation with three specialist pathways: Documentary Animation, Experimental Animation, and Narrative Animation. The program consists of 240 UK credits and it takes two-years to complete, full-time. Program highlights include workshops, multi-disciplinary electives, visiting artists and professionals, and experiential learning opportunities such as field trips to animation studios, exhibitions, museums, and archives. At the end of the program, students will present a final Graduation Project (animated film) to the Examination Board.

In 2004, professionals from the film, animation, video game and visual effects industries created ArtFX, School of Digital Arts. With around 470 students, 70 graduates annually, and 510 alumni working abroad, ArtFX is one of the few European schools that specializes in both filming techniques and compositing. Degree pathways include a Bachelor of 2D Animation or Stop-Motion, and a Master of 3D Animation, CGI & Visual Effects or Video Games. A Professional Certificate in Programming for Video Games & VFX are also available. The Bachelor’s degree programs take three years to complete and the Master’s programs take five years. All programs include workshops, internships, presentation in front of a jury of professional artists, meetings with professional artists, and completion of a short 2D or Stop Motion animated film. Master’s program students will also create a demo reel, and develop and direct a short animated film.  

Image Campus offers vocational programs that were developed in collaboration with leading companies, creative professionals, and the audiovisual industries. The schools says that the programs “are the most recognized in the areas of Design, Animation 2D and 3D, Video Games, Robotics, Programming and Development.” Image Campus offers four- to nine-month Digital 2D, Professional 3D, Manga and Advanced Manga Workshops and three-year Video Art and Animation and Production and Animation 3D programs. Students in the three-year programs will graduate with work experience gained through a professional internship and a demo reel. All students will leave the Image Campus with a professional portfolio.

A Certificate of Approval is awarded upon completion of the shorter programs and a post-secondary degree is awarded upon completion of the three-year programs. Graduates are prepared to seek positions such as Animator, Rigger, Modeler, Simulation Creator, Post-Production VFX, and many others.

University of Hertfordshire (UH) dates back to 1952, when the school was known as Hatfield Technical College. When it began, the school served 1,738 students. Today, UH serves more than 25,000 students. A large number of students are enrolled in the School of Creative Arts, which offers a BA (Hons) in 3D Computer Animation and Modeling. The program helps students develop their “creative curiosity by putting the latest technology at (their) fingertips,” says the school. This includes 3D printers, a motion capture studio, a construction and carving workshop, jewelry benches, sound control rooms, darkrooms and post-production suites. Other program highlights include courses led by “talented artists, experienced lecturers, and industry experts,” hands-on experience, live projects and collaborations, and access to an “extensive network of industry contacts and graduates.” University of Hertfordshire graduates enjoy an excellent 96.5% employment rate.

Established in 1950, Beijing Film Academy (BFA) is China’s only professional film school and the largest film academy in Asia. Serving more than 2,300 students, the school established the Animation School of Beijing Film Academy in 2000. Here, students can earn a BA in Film Production with a Major in Visual Effects, Directing or Cinematography. Course highlights include Advanced CGI, Digital Image Technique, Advanced Screenwriting, Experimental Image, Photography, and Visual Narrative. In the final year of the program, students may participate in an exchange workshop with the Netherland Film Academy (NFA) or the Korean Academy of Film Art (KAFA). A thesis film is also part of the program as well as the opportunity to compete for the Cinerent Award. Presented by Cinerent Beijing Ltd., the goal of the award is to support and encourage high-quality film projects.

Founded in 1992 and located in Montreal, the School of Digital Arts, Animation and Design at the University of Québec at Chicoutimi (NAD – UQAC) is a university campus offering academic programs and research in 3D Animation, Visual Effects, Design and Digital Arts. One of the oldest 3D Animation and VFX school’s in Quebec, the school has more than 2,000 alumni to date working in studios around the world. For aspiring animators, the school offers a 90 credit hour, three-year BA in 3D Animation and Digital Design with two concentrations: Visual Effects for Film and Video and Video Games, an MA in Art with a Focus in 3D Animation and Digital Design, and a Certificate in 3D Animation and Design. Program highlights include access to the latest animation software and technology, Visual Effects Society and SIGGRAPH chapter activities, MHUG (Montreal Houdini User Group), weekly conferences and reviews by key talent from local companies, industry-leading instructors, and collaborative workspaces that encourage creativity and teamwork. NAD also has a noteworthy job placement rate. Within a few months after graduation, 80% of graduates are working in the field.

University of the West of England (UWE) dates back to 1595, when the Bristol Society of Merchant Venturers’ Navigation School was established. One of the largest providers of higher education in South West England, the school serves around 30,730 students enrolled in more than 600 programs at all degree levels. Programs are offered in 14 different departments spread across three campuses in and around Bristol, along with campuses at Gloucester and Hartpury College. Programs are also offered through local study partners and global partner institutions.

The Department of Film and Journalism offers a BA (Hons) in Animation that takes just three years to complete, full-time. The program is based at Bower Ashton Studios, which is part of UEW’s City Campus. the school’s new animation studio spaces and facilities include digital media studios, production studios and fabrication workshops, offering both traditional tools and the latest technology. This practice-based production degree highlights live briefs, work-based placements, and “strong” ties to major UK animation companies such as Aardman Animation. Students in the program will have the opportunity to showcase their work through UWE’s online presence, regular networking events, and the final year Creative Industries Degree Show.