| Ranking | School | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vancouver Film School | Canada |
| 2 | National Film and Television School | UK |
| 3 | Film Academy Baden-Württemberg | Germany |
| 4 | Aardman Academy | UK |
| 5 | Vancouver Institute of Media Arts | Canada |
| 6 | Nanyang Polytechnic | Singapore |
| 7 | Think Tank Training Centre | Canada |
| 8 | Animum Creativity Advanced School | Spain |
| 9 | La Poudrière | France |
| 10 | Trazos School of Digital Arts | Spain |
| 11 | The Animation School | South Africa |
| 12 | Capilano University | Canada |
| 13 | Algonquin College | Canada |
| 14 | FX Animation | Spain |
| 15 | The Game Assembly | Sweden |
| 16 | Lightbox Academy | Spain |
| 17 | CG Spectrum | Australia |
| 18 | The One Academy | Malaysia |
| 19 | Faculdade Melies | Brazil |
| 20 | Vancouver Animation School | Canada |
| 21 | Seneca Polytechnic | Canada |
| 22 | The Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague | Czech Republic |
| 23 | Cégep du Vieux Montréal | Canada |
| 24 | Humber College | Canada |
| 25 | ESCAC | 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.
The Classical Animation program at Vancouver Film School (VFS) launched in 1994, becoming North America’s first multimedia program. Just a year later, the school launched its 3D Animation and Visual Effects (VFX) program. Today, this Houdini Certified School also provides an Animation Conception Art program. All options lead to a diploma in just 12 months. Across programs. Students will graduate with a master demo reel and professional portfolio. VFS alumni have been hired at major studios such as Disney, Pixar, Paramount, DreamWorks, HBO, Netflix, Paramount, Warner Bros., and EA Sports.
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.
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.
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.
Vancouver Institute of Media Arts (VanArts) is a Houdini Training Partner with articulation agreements at four-year institutions such as Emily Carr University of Art and Design (Canada), Media Design School (New Zealand), and Fairleigh Dickinson University (USA). VanArts has additional partnerships with Microsoft, Toon Boom, Adobe, Pixologic (makers of ZBrush), and Autodesk. Program options include 2D Character Animation (using Toon Boom Harmony), and 3D Character Animation (using Maya). Programs culminate with a professional demo reel. Graduates go on to work with major studios such as Disney Animation, Weta FX, DreamWorks, and Animal Logic.
The School of Design and Media (SDM) at Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) houses an Animation, Games and Visual Effects (VFX) diploma program that takes just three years to complete. Students may specialize in Animation, Games or Visual Effects. A major component of the program is the mandatory 24-week internship with opportunities to work at major studios such as Lucasfilm, Pixar, Disney, Ubisoft, and Weta FX. NYP internships are mandatory and last 24 weeks. The program culminates with a final project and professional portfolios. Graduates can be found at places such as Sony Pictures Imageworks, DNEG, Netflix Animation, AMC Studios, Polygon Pictures, CraveFX, and Method Studios.
Think Tank Training Centre (Think Tank) houses a 3D Animation, Visual Effects and Game Art diploma program that takes 5+ years to complete. A 16-week CG program is also available. The immersive diploma program has specializations in Animation; Characters and Creatures for Film; Visual Effects (VFX); Props and Environments for Film; and Look Development, among others. Programs culminate with professional portfolio. Graduates have been hired at places such as Disney, Electronic Arts (EA), Blizzard Entertainment, Sony, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM),Weta FX, Digital Domain, and DNEG.
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.
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.
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.
The Animation School provides short hands-on programs from 2D Animation to Digital Drawing, and a Digital Animation diploma that covers the entire production pipeline, storytelling, art direction, and more. In the third and final year of the diploma program, students will produce an industry-ready animated short film. Graduates enjoy 90-95% employment rate. Program alumni have been hired at places such as Sunrise Animation Studios, The Boiler Room Productions, Giant Animation, Balisti Studios, Polycat Visual Effects, and Luma Animation Studio.
The Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts at Capilano University (CapU) houses the School of Animation and Visual Effects (AVFX). An Unreal Engine Authorized Training Center, the school provides diplomas in 2D Animation and Visual Development; 3D Animation for Film and Games; Visual Effects for Film; and Streaming and Immersive Media. For students seeking a shorter program, the school has a two-month Animation Fundamentals certificate. CapU AVFX graduates have gone on to land positions such as Character Animator, Effects Artist, and Animation Director at local production companies and major studios around the world.
The School of Media and Design at Algonquin College (AC) is a Certified Toon Boom Centre of Excellence. Program options include the three-year advanced diploma in Animation and a one-year certificate in Drawing Foundations for Animation and Illustration. Program coursework and hands-on projects are led by industry professionals from places such as Disney, Sony, Warner Bros. Animation, and Ubisoft Graduates are prepared f to pursue roles in entertainment, publishing, advertising, and other creative fields.
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.
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.
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.
CG Spectrum (CG) is a Toon Boom Authorized Training Center, Unreal Training Partner, and Houdini Certified School. CG is the only 100% online 2D animation school to hold the Toon Boom designation. Degree options include the 2D Animation program leading to a Bachelor of Digital Art and the 3D Animation program leading to a diploma or Bachelor of Animation and VFX. Vocational training programs include 2D or 3D Animation Foundations; 2D or 3D Animator; and Real-Time 3D. Programs culminate with a professional portfolio of the student’s best work. CG graduates have been hired at studios such as Pixar, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Blizzard Entertainment, Riot Games, Sony Pictures Animation, Weta, Ubisoft, and Electronic Arts (EA).
The One Academy (TOA) is an Unreal Engine and Fox Renderfarm Academic Partner. The school also houses a Digital Animation diploma program with both Animation and Modeling specializations. Both programs consist of 22 course modules leading to the pre-production, production, and post-production of an animated short film, demo reel, and professional portfolio. All coursework and projects take place in a simulated studio environment led by accomplished industry professionals. Graduates can be found at places such as DreamWorks, Lucasfilm Animation, Pixar, Sony Interactive Entertainment, and Ubisoft.
Faculdade Melies (Melies) provides degree programs and free single courses for students looking to learn the basics of 3D animation, 3D character rigging, storytelling, and imagery. Degree options for students interested in animation include Animation Design; 2D Animation; Art for Games; and Visual Effects. Across programs, students will have the opportunity to complete films or games, including a final industry-ready production. Graduates are prepared to pursue advanced roles in the games and entertainment industries. Melies graduates have worked on Game of Thrones, Avengers: Infinity War, and The Last of Us Part II, to name a few.
Vancouver Animation School (VANAS) provides animation training programs that can be competed 100% online. Examples include one-year diplomas in 2D Computer Animation; 3D Computer Animation; Animated Short Film; Concept Art; and Effects Animation. Graduates are prepared to pursue roles in the entertainment and games industries. Program alumni can be found at major studios such Reel FX, Gameloft, Ubisoft, DNEG, Epic Games, Bethesda, Zynga, and Gearbox Software.
Seneca Polytechnic is a Toon Boom Center of Excellence and a Houdini Certified School that provides an advanced diploma in Animation; and graduate certificates in 3D Animation, and Game Art and Animation. Housed in the School of Creative Arts and Animation, all options are delivered in a hybrid format, with a mandatory internship requirement. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in all areas of animation for film, television, games, advertising, and art education. Program alumni hold titles such as 3D Animator, Texture Artist, Level Designer, and Modeler.
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.
Cégep du Vieux Montréal (CVM) is the only college in Montreal to offer a Cartooning diploma (DEC) that explores animation, character design, storyboarding, environment design, and coloring. This Toon Boom Center of Excellence and Houdini Certified School also houses a 3D Production and Image Synthesis diploma that focuses on cinematography, 3D animation, and visual effects (VFX). Programs culminate with the production of an industry-ready animated film. Graduates are prepared to pursue careers in the entertainment, games, and advertising industries.
Humber College is home to the Faculty of Media and Creative Arts, which houses the 3D Animation graduate certificate program. Students will immerse in animation, modeling, storytelling, and visualization. In addition, the Virtual Reality (VR) Room provides a space where students can create works with peers across disciplines. The program culminates with an animated short and professional portfolio. Graduates have gone on to produce both animated and live-action films, video games, commercials, television series, and independent works.
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.
