Top 25 International Professional Animation Training Programs - 2023 School Rankings

Vancouver Film School (VFS) is a Houdini Certified School with a number of partnerships with major corporations. This allows students to establish valuable industry connections—all before graduation. Partnerships include Adobe, HP, Final Draft, Pixologic (makers of Zbrush), Unreal Engine, Dell Technologies, Unity, NVIDIA, and Autodesk, among others. 

Other VFS features include workshops and visiting artists; internships and other experiential learning opportunities; and 24/7 access to state-of-the-art computer labs equipped with industry standard software as well as studios, theaters, film sets, motion and performance capture facilities (among the largest in North America), production spaces, and screening rooms. VFS facilities are housed across eight campuses and more than 42,000 sq. ft. of space.

For students seeking Animation training, Vancouver Film School has an Animation & Visual Effects Program that consists of three 12-month, six-term Diploma options. These immersive programs include Classical Animation, 3D Animation & Visual Effects, and Animation Concept Art.

The VFS Classical Animation Diploma Program consists of coursework that explores the basics of Animation, Background Design, Animating Characters, Rendering,  Storyboards, Layout, and Art Direction. Students will graduate from the program with a master demo reel and a traditional Art and Animation portfolio.

The 3D Animation & Visual Effects Diploma explores areas such as the 3D Animation Pipeline, Storytelling, Production, Lighting and Rendering. Students will graduate from the program with a master demo reel of their final project.

The Animation Conception Art Diploma explores Creating Characters, Environments and Worlds, Storytelling, Drawing, and Digital Painting. Graduates will leave the program with a portfolio of their best work. Career possibilities include Comic Arts, Film and Television, Games, Illustration, and Interactive Media.

All Vancouver Film School graduates have access to career services through the VFS Alumni Directory & Job Board. Graduates have also gone on to establish careers at top studios around the world. Over the past 6.5 years, program alumni have worked on 97 feature films, 24 TV/web series, 21 3D Animation projects, and 28 games. Examples include Toy Story 4, Ghostbusters, Overwatch, The Grinch, Justice League, Spider-Man, Luigi’s Mansion, Halo Infinite, League of Legends, Free Guy, and God of War.

Established in 1987 and serving hundreds of students, Vancouver Film School provides 15 post-secondary programs from Animation and Film to VR/AR Design & Development. The school has eight campuses throughout Vancouver, and one within Shanghai University (SHVFS) that was launched in 2014. Vancouver Film School is accredited by the B.C. Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Advanced Education and the British Columbia Education Quality Assurance (EQA). VFS is also Certified under the Private Training Act.

Vancouver Institute of Media Arts (VanArts) is a Houdini Training Partner, with additional partnerships with Pixologic (makers of ZBrush), Adobe, Microsoft, SideFX, Toon Boom, and Autodesk. The school provides Diploma Programs that boast a 92% employment rate within six months of graduation. Students can choose from programs such as 2D/3D Character Animation, Game Art & Design, Visual Effects for Film & TV, and Web Development & Design.

Programs can be completed in one year and many are eligible for a variety of Diploma2Degree Programs through articulation agreements with schools such as Media Design School, RMIT University, Deakin University, Woodbury University, and Emily Carr University. Some Diploma2Degree Programs may be completed in as little as one year after completing a Diploma Program at VanArts.

An ideal program option for Animators is 2D/3D Character Animation. This program explores The 12 Principles of Animation, Lighting and Rendering, Life Drawing, Set Building, Acting and Performance, Character Assets, and Sound FX. Students will also master Maya, Adobe, Photoshop, and other industry-standard software. 

The VanArts Animation Program culminates with the completion of a short film or a sequence of assignments that demonstrate the student’s skills as a Character Animator. Graduates are prepared for positions in all areas of Animation as well as Television, Games, and Visual Effects (VFX). Students can also use their Animation skills for careers in Advertising, Graphic Design, Education, Architecture, Medicine, Science, and Legal.

VanArts graduates have been hired at or worked with major studios such as Walt Disney Animation Studios, DreamWorks, WETA FX, and Animal Logic. Examples of alumni credits include 101 Dalmatian Street, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, The Dragon Prince, Transformers: Rescue Bots, Mega Man, Hilda, and Teen Titans Go.

Vancouver Institute of Media Arts was founded in 1995 by Academy-Award winning Animator and Director Lee Mishkin. Serving hundreds of students from around the world, VanArts focuses on programs in Character Animation, Visual Effects Production, Game Art & Design, Web Development & Design, Professional Photography, and Acting for Film & Television. Vancouver Institute of Media Arts is designated by the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB), Education Quality Assurance (EQA), and EduCanada.

Seneca Polytechnic College (Seneca Polytechnic) provides a number of opportunities to gain work experience and immerse in other cultures around the world. Examples include co-op experiences, field placements, work terms, and the study abroad program. Seneca Polytechnic also participates in a number of associations and groups such as Polytechnics Canada, Colleges Ontario, and Colleges and Institutes of Canada, and it is the only college in Ontario to have programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

The School of Creative Arts & Animation at Seneca Polytechnic has several paths to study Animation. All offer the same benefits and opportunities. Options include the Animation Diploma and Graduate Certificates in 3D Animation and Game Art & Animation. The Certificate Programs take eight months to complete and they are delivered in a hybrid format.

The Animation Diploma Program at Seneca Polytechnic College takes three years (six semesters) to complete. Delivered in a hybrid format and leading to the Ontario College Advanced Diploma, the Program explores Computer Animation and Animation Production. Courses for the program are hands-on and cross-disciplinary, with titles such as Storyboarding – Film Structure, Animation Applications, Storytelling, Layout – Environmental Design, Character Development, History of Animation, Character Acting, and Character Design.

The first year of the Animation Program at Seneca Polyethnic explores Animation Foundations. This helps students develop skills in Animation, Design, Film Language, Life Drawing, and Structural Drawing for Animation. In the second and third year of the Program, students will focus in one of four areas including 2D Animation, 3D Animation, Visual Development, and Game Art and Animation. Students will have the opportunity to collaborate with peers across all focus areas.

All focus areas include portfolio preparation and development courses. Other program features include access to state-of-the-art facilities including the Animation Lab and the Digital Animation Lab; the Toon Boom Center of Excellence Program; affiliations including Toronto Animation Arts Festival International (TAAFI), Computer Animation Studios of Ontario (CASO), Ottawa International Animation Festival, LightBox Expo, and others; and workshops, internships, and visiting artists.

Graduates of the Seneca Polytechnic College Animation Program are prepared to pursue careers in all areas of Animation for Film, the Web, Games, Television, Advertising, and Education. Program alumni also go on to enroll in an Animation BA Program at partner schools such as University of Gloucestershire and Munster Technological University (MTU).

The 3D Animation Program at Seneca Polytechnic explores Animation, Rendering, Modeling, Lighting, Compositing, and Rigging. Students in this program will also develop Storyboard Drawing and Project Development skills. Graduates are prepared for careers in Animation, 3D Animation, Film, Television, Gaming, Forensic Animation, Interior Design and Industrial Design. Examples of potential job titles include Digital Animator, Character Rigger, 3D Painting/Texturing and Lighting Specialist, and Modeler.

Game Art & Animation students will master high-end hardware and software, while developing skills in Design, Modeling, Animation, and Texturing. Students will also learn about how the Production Pipeline works at AAA Game Studios. Graduates are prepared for careers in Animation, Modeling, Prop Art, Level Design, and Lighting.

Established in 1967, Seneca Polytechnic College serves approximately 30,000 students annually, with 7,000 students hailing from more than 150 countries. Seneca Polytechnic provides more than 300 programs leading to a Degree, Graduate Certificate, Diploma, Advanced Diploma, or Undergraduate Certificate.

Students at Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) have many opportunities to work on real-world projects at studios in Singapore, Finland, Hong Kong, Sweden, China, and France through the NYP Internship Program (ITP). Since 1998, the NYP ITP has been helping place students at major studios such as Pixar Animation, Disney, Lucasfilm, Ubisoft, Blizzard Entertainment, and Weta Digital. NYP internships are mandatory and last 24 weeks.

For students who would like to pursue a career in Animation, the School of Design & Media (SDM) at Nanyang Polytechnic has an Animation, Games & Visual Effects (VFX) Diploma Program that takes just three years to complete. Courses are taught in state-of-the-art facilities and classrooms by professionals who have worked with major studios such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Lucasfilm, The Walt Disney Company, and Ubisoft.

Course examples for the program include 2D and 3D Animation, Advanced Figure Drawing, Technical Direction, Concept Ideation, Animation Principles, Texturing, Lighting & Rendering, Environment Design, 3D Character Animation, Story through Audio & Visual, Storyboarding, 3D Workflows, and Motion Graphics.

Animation, Games & VFX students have the opportunity to develop skills in other areas through a variety of electives. Examples include Game Story Creation, Business for Digital Media Industry, Digital Photography, Audio Creation, Mixed Reality Experience Design, Creative Producing, Cinematography for Visual Effects, and Sequential Art. Students may also earn industry certifications through NYP partners such as Epic Games.

NYP Animation, Games & VFX students will complete several projects throughout the program. This includes the One Year Final Project (FYP).

Graduates of the Animation, Games & VFX Program at Nanyang Polytechnic are prepared to enroll in an advanced degree program or pursue positions in Animation, Game Design, and Visual Effects. Program alumni have established careers such as 2D/3D Character Animator, Art Director, Animation Producer, Creative Director, VFX Artist, Character Designer, Storyboard Artist, Production Designer, 3D Modeler, Comic Artist, Illustrator, and Visual Development Artist.

NYP graduates work at studios such as Sony Pictures Imageworks, DNEG, Netflix Animation, Method Studios, AMC Studio, Polygon Pictures, and Crave FX.

Established in 1992, Nanyang Polytechnic serves more than 15,000 students enrolled in 40+ programs across seven schools. Students at Nanyang have access to more than 40 full-time Diploma programs, and a full suite of Continuing Education and Training (CET) options. Many CET programs are housed in the school’s Asian Culinary Institute; Singapore Institute of Retail Studies; and the National Centre of Excellence for Workplace Learning.

Animum Creativity Advanced School (Animum) is certified by Autodesk, Houdini, and Adobe. The school has a number of Animation options for artists interested in taking a single course to those seeking a longer program, such as the Animum Master. Options include the Digital Drawing and 2D Animation Master (560 hours), Animation of 3D Characters Master (18 months), the Master Concept Art of Characters (15 months), Animation for Video Games Advanced Program (nine months), Explode Your Reel – Character Animation (three-month Advanced Workshop), Cartoon Animation (three-month Program), and Fundamentals of Animation (course, 30 hours).

Graduates of the Animation Programs at Animum Creativity Advanced School have the opportunity to  promote their professional portfolios or reels to major studios, companies, and agencies, both locally and around the world.

With an 80% job placement rate, Animum graduates have established careers at animation studios, game design companies, VFX studios, creative firms, and motion graphics production studios, among others. With locations in Los Angeles, New York, Mumbai, Chicago, London, Vancouver, Melbourne, and Montreal, Framestore (Animation & VFX) frequently hires Animum graduates. Illumination MacGuff (Paris), which produces animated films, is another top studio for graduates of the Animation Programs at Animum.

Animum Creativity Advanced School has been providing programs in Art and Design, 3D Production, and Postproduction training programs for more than 15 years. Training in these areas focuses on live action film, animated film, and video game industries. This postgraduate school serves more than 500 professionals from all over Spain and Latin America each year.

Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology (Algonquin College) houses the School of Media and Design. Students in the Media School have access to more than 20 programs leading to a Diploma or Certificate. For individuals seeking Animation training, the School has a three-year Advanced Diploma in Animation and a 12-Month Certificate in Drawing Foundations for Animation and Illustration. Courses for the Animation Diploma Program are taught by industry professionals who have worked with or at studios such as Disney, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Warner Bros. Animation, Ubisoft, and Atomic Cartoons.

Course examples for the program include Digital Animation, Gesture Drawing for Animation, Design Thinking, Environmental and Visual Problem Solving, Animation Design, Scriptwriting for Animation, and Character Animation. Courses at Algonquin College are delivered in a classroom or lab, in hybrid mode (online/on campus) or 100% online.

The Animation Diploma Program at Algonquin College may be completed in three years, full-time. Graduates will  leave the program with a portfolio and demo reel of their best work. Career options for program alumni include 3D Animator, Rigger or Modeler, Game Animator, Animator, Character Designer, Background Artist, Location Designer, Tradigital Rigger, and Layout Artist. 

The Certificate in Drawing Foundations for Animation and Illustration at Algonquin College is designed for students who would like to develop strong drawing skills for entry into a variety of creative industries. Students will explore Anime, Games, Graphic Novels, Drawing for Animation, Books, Concept Art, and Comic Books.

Other program features include participation in the Annual Showcase and the opportunity to transfer into the Animation or Illustration and Concept Art Diploma Program. The Algonquin College Certificate Program can be completed in one year.

Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology formed in 1967 after the merger of the Eastern Ontario Institute of Technology (est. 1957) and the Ontario Vocational Center (est. 1965). The school serves more than 20,000 students enrolled in 200+ programs across campuses in Ottawa, Pembroke, Perth and Online. The Online Campus at Algonquin College launched in 2019 and it serves students from around the world.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Programs at La Poudrière Animation Film School prepare students for immediate employment in the Animation industry or to produce their own independent short films. Programs explore writing and animating for film, trailers, and TV series; directing actors; sound and music; and editing. Culminating with one or several completed films, La Poudrière pathways take two years to complete.

Upon completion of any program at La Poudrière, graduates will gain access to networking opportunities, direct connections to producers, and critiques by composers and co-authors. Alumni will also have exclusive access to professional events such as Cartoon Forum, Cartoon Movie, and Cartoon Springboard.

La Poudrière Animation Film School supports all graduates with additional short film projects through Ciclic, (the cultural agency of the Centre-Val-de-Loire Region), SACD, the European Conservatory of Audiovisual Writing, and CEEA.

Launched in 1999, La Poudrière (Film School) trains students in Animated Film Production. Since its inception, the school has more than 200 artists, with 120+ certified since 2009 and 95% obtaining global certification in the last several years.

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

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

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

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

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

Aardman Academy has several paths to study Animation. Students can enroll in four-week online Foundation Courses such as Storyboard, Stop-Motion, and Model Making. For students seeking a longer program, Aardman has Stop Motion 1 and Stop Motion 2. These programs can be completed in 12 weeks.

Foundation courses are taught by industry professionals and consist of practical masterclasses, weekly assignments, and core principles. Stop Motion 1 is an online, industry-led Character Animation Program that explores the Principles of Stop Motion and Performance with Bi-Ped Characters. Content includes masterclasses, weekly assignments, and individual mentoring.

Stop Motion 2 explores Advanced Stop Motion, Lip-Sync, and Full-Face Performance. Content includes masterclasses, weekly assignments, and individual mentoring.

Upon completion of the Animation Programs at Aardman Academy, students are prepared for entry-level positions in Animation for Film, Television, Games, Advertising, and more.

Aardman Academy provides short and longer Animation Training Programs delivered from the school’s Gas Ferry Road Studios in Bristol, UK. Programs at Aardman are also provided online.

Universal Arts School holds approximately a dozen Authorized Training Center credentials. Examples include Zbrush, AutoDesk, Houdini, Unity, Epic Games, Adobe, Unreal Engine, and Nuke. The school has several paths to study Animation at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

At the undergraduate level, the UA Character Animation Bachelor’s Degree has 14 Specializations. Examples include Videogame Art and Character Animation, Concept Art and Character Animation, Videogame Art and VFX, Matte Painting and Character Animation, and Digital Film and Concept Art. Students in the program will be prepared for senior level positions in four years.

Undergraduate students who would like to pursue studies in more than one professional area can add a Specialization such as 3D Art, Character Animation for Cinema or Character Animator for Videogames. Dual Specializations can be completed in five years.

Across several modules, students in all areas will explore The 12 Principles of Animation, Preproduction, Acting and LipSynch, Audio, Realistic Animation, Cartoon Animation, Quadrupids, Character Interaction, and Maya.

At the graduate level, Universal Arts School has Master’s and Dual Master’s Degree Programs. The Master’s Degree has two options—Character Animation and Rigging with Maya. Students in the Dual Masters  have eight Specialization options. Examples include Character Animation and Illustration Concept Art, Character Animation and VFX with Houdini, Rigging 3D with Maya and Character Animation, and Animation and Digital Film. Students in this program may choose two Specialty areas. Both the Master’s and Dual Master’s take two years to complete.

All programs can be completed on campus or entirely online. Features across programs include access to more than 200 mentors, internship opportunities, the Start-Up component, which helps students develop skills to start their own business, and access to nearly 100 speakers and collaborators from game and film studios.

The Universal Arts School Character Animation Programs culminate with a final project and professional demo reel. UA graduates have been hired at major studios such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Disney, Weta Digital, Lucasfilm Animation, Pixar, Blizzard Entertainment, Framestore, Ubisoft, and LightBox Studios. Some UA alumni have launched their own studios or freelance businesses.

Established in 1994 as a Specialized Training Center, Universal Arts School has campuses in Valencia, Spain and Hollywood, California. With more than 10 program options, UA has three million hours of training to its credit.

Accredited by Erasmus, Lightbox Academy (Lightbox) is Spain’s only school founded by a major Animation Studio. Students at Lightbox have access to an extensive internship and job bank consisting of more than 500 companies and institution; participation in events, masterclasses, and workshops; and the opportunity to create works in Animation, Design, and Visual Effects (VFX).

For students seeking a career in Animation, Lightbox has a five-month Master’s Degree in Animation, Advanced Animation, 2D Animation, or Advanced 2D Animation; a five-month Highly Specialized Master’s Degree in Animation; a one-year Master’s in 2D Animation or 3D Animation: a one-year 3D Modeling and Animation Master’s; and a 2.5-year Double Master’s in Animation. 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 a Professional Project.

Around 95% of Lightbox students are employed in the Entertainment Industry shortly after graduation. Lightbox alumni go on to land positions in all areas of Animation, Video Games, Films, and Advertising at top companies and studios across Spain and around the world.

Lightbox Academy is a Digital Arts School that employs a team of active professionals with at least 20 years of experience in the Entertainment Industry. Led by Lightbox Animation Studios, the school provides programs that lead to direct employment in the Entertainment Industry.

Max the Mutt College of Animation, Art & Design is also known as Metro Toronto Media College of Animation, Art & Design (MTM College or Max the Mutt). The school has an Animation Diploma Program that explores Drawing, Storytelling, Cartooning, Background Painting and Design, Visual Language, and Acting for Animation.

Courses for the program explore both digital and classical animation and include Structural Drawing, Cartooning for Animation Storytelling & Story Development, 2D Computer Animation: Introduction (Harmony), 3D Animation Software, Production Process, Design & Composition, Digital Background Painting, Layout for 3D Development, and 3D Film Development & Pre-Production.

Students in the Animation Diploma Program at MTM College will complete several animated productions across four years. The program culminates with a professional portfolio of the student’s best work.

Max the Mutt has an additional program option that is suitable for students interested in Animation. The program (Concept Art) combines Animation, Cartooning, Fine Art, Illustration, and Concept Art coursework. The first year of this Diploma Program consists of Visual Arts Literacy (VAL) coursework. Throughout the program, students will develop advanced skills in software programs such as Photoshop and Maya. Course examples include Artistic Anatomy, Environment Visualization, Advanced Environment Design & Painting in Photoshop, Painting the Costumed Mode, Traditional & Computer Illustration, and Creature Design. Students will leave the Concept Art Program with a professional portfolio.

Students in all Max the Mutt Programs have opportunities to participate in Art, Animation, and Gaming workshops (on campus or online); the internship program; and the Annual Industry Open House and Annual Showcase. 

Graduates of the Animation and Concept Art Programs at Max the Mutt College of Animation, Art & Design have been hired at studios such as Pixar, Disney Design Group, Warner Bros. Games, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Guru Studios, Mercury Filmworks, See Creatures, Elliott Animation, CMJ Productions, Nanomyte Productions, Pipeline Studios, and Legend 3D.

Max the Mutt College of Animation, Art & Design was founded in 1996 by Artists and Animators. The school is registered as a Private Career College under the Private Career Colleges Act of 2005 with the Ontario Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development.