Top 40 Animation Schools and Colleges in Europe - 2026 College Rankings

Gobelins Paris (Gobelins) has been training animators for more than 60 years. Serving more than 2,700 students, the school provides several degree programs in partnership with la Cité de l’Image en mouvement d’Annecy (CITIA). This resource and skills center organizes the International Animated Film Festival and MIFA (International Animation Film Market). At the undergraduate level, degree options include the bachelor’s in Animation and Film Directing; 3D Character Animation; and Audiovisual Production Management (animation, film and television).

Master’s programs include Animated Film Design and Production, and Visual Storytelling. Gobelins students enjoy a 100% employment rate within six months of graduating. They can be found at places sch as DreamWorks, Electronic Arts (EA), Disney, Warner Bros., Universal, Pixar, and Illumination. 

Royal College of Art (RCA) is home to the School of Communication. Within the school are two paths to study animation. Options include MA degrees in Animation and Digital Direction. These multidisciplinary programs explore animation, storytelling, augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR), film, games, digital art, media, performance, artificial intelligence (AI), STEM disciplines, and more. Other program highlights include hands-on projects; access to state-of-the-art facilities; and internships (professional practice). 

Programs culminate with an Independent Research Project (IRP). Graduates have secured roles at places such as DreamWorks, Sony, Electronic Arts (EA), Warner Bros., LAIKA, Aardman, Google, Apple, Passion Pictures, and BBC. 

Supinfocom Rubika provides 3D Animation and FX/VFX/Special Effects specializations leading to a bachelor’s degree in three years and a master’s degree in five. Students will engage in a full five years of apprenticeship culminating with the production of a short animated film. All activities take place in facilities designed to mirror today’s top animation film studios. Other program highlights include work experiences through partnerships across more than 300 studios such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), DreamWorks, Gameloft, and Pixar; multidisciplinary team projects; visiting artists; and participation in festivals, conferences, recruiting events, and portfolio day.  

Graduates enjoy a near 90% employment rate within a year of graduating. Program alumni can be found at places such as Pixar, DreamWorks, ILM, Gameloft, Disney, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Illumination, DNEG, Aardman, Ubisoft, Mikros Animation, Framestore, MPC, and Passion Pictures. 

Lucerne School of Design, Film and Art is one of the seven schools at Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HSLU). The oldest college of art and design in Central Switzerland, the school provides two paths to study animation including a Film BA, and an Animation MA. The Film BA has a specialization in Animation with a focus in 2D or 3D Animation. Program highlights include courses taught by professors who are active in the entertainment industry; access to state-of-the-art production studios; interdisciplinary modules; immersive workshops; and professional internships.

Programs culminate with a final project. Graduates have worked with places such as Adult Swim, YK Animation Studios, Nadasy Film Production, Virage Film, Kollektiv Amitié, and Ulmi Film. 

Teesside University the first Adobe Creative Campus in Europe. The school also houses a number of SideFX Certified, ScreenSkills-recognized animation programs. Options include a Visual Effects and Motion Graphics BA; Animation, 2D Animation and Stop Motion, and Concept Art BA and MA degrees; and a Visual Effects MA. All students have the opportunity to participate in Animex—Teesside’s annual international animation and games festival. Guests include Pixar, Rockstar Games, Sony, and Disney, among others. Other program highlights include the chance to work on team projects in a studio-like environment, and internship opportunities. 

Programs culminate with a short film or film sequence. Graduates have been hired at places such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Netflix Animation Studios, Rockstar Games, Microsoft, Blue Zoo Animation Studio, Imaginarium Productions, Team17, Sumo Digital, Tucan Studio, and ZeroLight. 

University of the Arts London (UAL) houses London College of Communication (LCC). Within the college are multiple paths to study animation. Options include BA degrees in Animation, Computer Animation and Visual Effects, and Art Direction and Visual Effects; and MA degrees in Animation, 3D Computer Animation, Character Animation, and Visual Effects. Across programs, students benefit from LCC’s status as a Certified Nuke Training Center and Accredited Toon Boom Center of Excellence; access to state-of-the-art digital labs and production studios; and internship opportunities. Programs culminate with a final project. Graduates have been hired at places such as DreamWorks, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Pixar, Cartoon Network, Disney, Warner Bros., Apple, Netflix, DNEG, Pinewood Studios, MPC, and Aardman. 

Istituto Europeo di Design (IED) is a Toon Boom, Adobe, and Wacom partner that provides several paths to study animation. Undergraduate options include BA degrees in Illustration and Animation, and CG Animation and Game Design. Graduate options include a Master in Animation Design. Across programs, students will work on projects with IED partners such as Grangel studio; participate in workshops in Florence; and complete an internship or other experiential learning activity. Programs culminate with a short film and portfolio. 

Graduates have secured positions at places such as Ubisoft, Lightbox Animation Studios, Rainbow CGI, Leo Burnett Worldwide, Skydance Animation, Saatchi & Saatchi, Maga Animation Studio, Milestone, Reply Game Studios, Ogilvy, The SPA Studios, Digital Angels, Hampa Studio, Lucky Red, Sky and Caffeina.

University of Hertfordshire (UH) is a SideFX accredited school that provides numerous paths to study animation. Undergraduate options include BA degrees in 2D Digital Animation; 3D Animation and Visual Effects (VFX); Digital Arts for Animation, Games and Immersion; 3D Game Art and Design; Comics and Concept Art; and Digital Technologies for Animation, Games and Immersion. At the graduate level, the school has MA degrees in Animation; Character and Creature Animation; Concept Art; and 3D Modeling and VFX. Programs culminate with a final project (animated film, game, or other works). 

Graduates have been hired at places such as Nintendo, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Sony Pictures Animation, Ubisoft, MPC, Blue Zoo Animation Studio, Framestore, Animortal Studio, Blinkink, and Frontier Developments. 

Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) at the University of Edinburgh is an Aardman Academy Partner and home to the School of Design. Within the school is Scotland’s oldest Animation BA program. Through ECA’s partnership with Scotland Loves Anime, BA students have the unique opportunity to participate in the annual Education in Animation Day, where they can meet with directors, animators and producers from the largest studios in Asia. Other program highlights include the opportunity to produce several industry-ready animated films and games; access to state-of-the-art facilities; and internships. 

Animation BA graduates have gone on to work for directors such as Tim Burton and Wes Anderson, while others have launched studios such as White Robot and Wild Child Animation. Some program alumni can also be found at places such as Rockstar North, LAIKA, Cartoon Saloon, Framestore, Aardman, Red Kite Animation, Nexus Studios, Media Molecule, 4J Studios, and Wild Child Animation. 

Haute Ecole Albert Jacquard (HEAJ) provides several paths so study animation. Options include bachelor’s degrees in 2D Animation and Digital Illustration; 3D Animation Movies; and 3D Visual Effects. Across programs, students benefit from workshops with visiting artists from places such as Pixar, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), and Disney; courses taught by professionals in the animation, VFX, and illustration fields; experiential learning experiences such as a mandatory three-month internship; collaborative projects; and field trips to conventions and artist talks with figures from places such as SideFX, Framestore, and Pixomondo. 

Programs culminate with a final project. Graduates can be found at places such as Ubisoft Ivory Tower Games, ILM, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), Weta FX, Illumination, DNEG, and Framestore.

The Animation BA program at University for the Creative Arts (UCA) was developed by Oscar-winning animator Bob Godfrey. Launched in 1972, the BA is Europe’s first animation degree. Other program options for animators include BA and MA degrees in Game Art, and the Animation MA. Across programs, students benefit from courses taught by filmmakers; teaching spaces made up of studios, workshops, and labs; guest lecturers from places such as Aardman; collaborative projects; access to state-of-the-art production facilities; focused instruction on how to craft successful festival submissions; networking opportunities; and accreditation by the British Film Institute (BFI). 

Programs culminate with a final project and presentation. Graduates have been hired at places such as Rockstar Games, HBO Max, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Aardman, The Mill, Passion Pictures, Animade, Cinesite, Fudge Animation, Studio AKA, Creative Assembly, Warner Music Group, and STV Studios. 

University of Portsmouth (UoP) is a Houdini Certified School that provides several paths to study animation, Options include an Animation BA; the Computer Animation and Visual Effects (VFX) BSc; and an Animation MA. Across programs, students benefit from courses and projects led by professionals from places such as Disney, Sony, DNEG, and Cartoon Network; the option to earn the Adobe Certified Professional (ACP) credential; participation in the UoP Game Jam; internships; and the opportunity to present final projects at the university’s Annual Graduate Show. 

Program alumni have secured positions at places such as Sony Pictures Animation, Sega, Disney, DNEG, Cartoon Network, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Warner Bros., NBCUniversal, Framestore, and MPC.  

Staffordshire University (Stafford) is an Unreal Authorized Training Center that provides a variety of transdisciplinary programs in the creative arts and digital technologies. This includes BA and MA degrees in Animation; BSc in Computer Games Design with a focus in Animation; MA degrees in Game Art and Concept Art; and a customizable MA/MSc in Arts and Creative Technologies. Across programs, students have access to state-of-the-art game labs, Vicon Motion Capture Studio, a specialist Game Centre, and the VR/AR and Mixed Reality Lab. 

Other program highlights include industry workshops and seminars; industry partnerships; campus-based networking events; professional internships; and participation in the Global Game Jam. Programs culminate with a final project and portfolio. Graduates have secured positions at places such as Disney, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Bungie, Rockstar Games, Brown Bag Films, Sony, Aardman, Blue Zoo Animation Studio, DNEG, Valve Corporation, MPC, Warner Bros., BBC, Cinesite, and Boulder Media.

The Institute of Art, Design and Technology Dún Laoghaire (IADT) provides program that focus on the technology and creative sectors. It is the only school of its kind in Ireland. IADT’s Faculty of Film, Art and Creative Technologies houses several paths to study animation. Options include BA degrees in Animation and 3D Animation, and a flexible Animation MA. Across programs, students benefit from collaborative group projects; experiential learning opportunities such as real-world projects and internships; and access to state-of-the-art facilities. 

The BA programs culminate with a major project (thesis). The MA culminates with a capstone and exhibition. In addition to winning awards at Dublin Animation Film Festival and Dingle Animation Festival, graduates have landed positions at places such as Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Weta FX, Cartoon Saloon, Brown Bag Films, JibJab, EGG Post Production and VFX, JAM Media, and Boulder Media.

The College of Arts, Technology and Environment at University of the West of England Bristol (UWE Bristol), is home to the School of Arts. Housed at UWE’s Bower Ashton site (City Campus), the school provides access to maker spaces, and industry-standard production facilities, labs, and studios. Bower Ashton also provides access shared studio spaces with professional artists; workshops and talks; and three art centers that provide opportunities to exhibit works. 

For animators, the School of Art provides two paths of study including the Animation BA and MA programs. All students have the unique opportunity to intern at places such as Aardman and Rumpus Animation. Graduates are frequently hired at places such as LAIKA, Blue Zoo Animation Studio, Wonky Films, Rumpus Animation, Wildseed Studios, Aardman, BBC, and Sun & Moon Animation Studio. 

Méliès School (formerly École Georges Méliès), is a recognized Unreal Training Center that provides animation, visual effects, and virtual production programs. France’s only professional training center approved by Epic Games, the school houses a five-year 2D/3D Animation master’s led by professionals from places such as Illumination and Ubisoft. The curriculum for the program examines the production pipelines for traditional and digital animation, culminating with a market-ready short film. All activities for the program take place in an environment that functions like today’s major studios. 

Graduates can be found at places such as Pixar, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Nickelodeon, Sony Pictures Animation, Mikros Animation, Studio Hari, SupaMonk, and Fortiche Production. Program alumni have also won VFX Oscars and worked on adventure/fantasy films such as Life of Pi and The Jungle Book.

The School of Innovation and Technology at Glasgow School of Art (GSA) provides several paths to study animation. Options at the undergraduate level include the BSc in Immersive Systems Design with a concentration in 3D Modeling or Games and Virtual Reality. Graduate programs include the Serious Games and Virtual Reality MSc and the MDes in Sound for Moving Image. Across programs students will study animation, audio for film and animation, animated virtual environments, interaction, and digital games. All students have opportunities to work with GSA partners such as Microsoft, Amazon, and Sony. 

Programs culminate with a final project such as an animated film, game, or interactive work. Graduates have been hired at places such as Rockstar Games, Amazon, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Microsoft, The Mill, BBC, Framestore, Wild Child Animation, and Blazing Griffin. 

Ravensbourne University London (Ravensbourne) provides several paths to study animation. Options include BA degrees in Animation; Game Art; and 3D Animation. Program highlights include partnerships with places such as Inertia Studios, BBC, and ITV Studios; collaborative projects; access to state-of-the-art production facilities; and internships. Programs culminate with a final project. Graduates have landed positions at places such as DreamWorks, Pixar, EA Games, MPC, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), The Third Floor, Framestore, DNEG, Blue Zoo Animation Studio, Cinesite, Aardman, and The Mill. 

Hochschule Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences (h_da) is one of the largest Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) in Germany. For animators, the school houses an Animation and Game BA with specializations in Art and Design (animation, digital art, visual development, game design) and Technology (game engines, technical art, programming, real-time graphics). At the graduate level, students can earn an Animation and Game Design MA with a specialization in Creative Direction or Technical Direction. 

Across program, students enjoy flexible access to dedicated state-of-the-art production facilities; interdisciplinary curriculums; collaborative projects; and internship opportunities. Programs culminate with a final project. Graduates can be found at places such as Pixomondo, Rise FX, MovieBrats Pictures, Caligari Film, Digital Film Technology, and the European Space Operations Centre (ESA/ESOC). 

The Animation bachelor’s degree program at Volda University College (VUC) is the oldest in the Nordic region. Accepting just 12 students each year, the program is also the most prestigious in the region. The curriculum for the program is studio-based, with a focus on individual and team-based projects combined with lectures and mentoring. Other program benefits include access to state-of-the-art labs, studios, and production facilities; workshop; and internship opportunities. The program culminates with a market-ready animated film. 

Many VUC Animation graduates have gone on to launch their own successful studios, while others have secured positions at places such as Qvisten Animation—Norway’s largest animation studio, DreamWorks, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Disney, Insomniac Games, Raven Software, Mikrofilm, Animaskin, Somnium Animation Studios, Oclin, and Storm Studios.